最新美国发明专利第2013-02-19期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08378064B2	Hydrophilic polymers as medical lubricants and gels The present invention provides new biopolymers which mimic the properties of natural polysaccharides found in vivo. The inventive polysaccharides can be used as viscosupplements, viscoelastics, tissue space fillers, and/or anti-adhesive agents. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive polymers and methods of using them including, for example, in the treatment of arthritic and sport-injured knee joints; in reconstruction or cosmetic procedures, intervertebral disc repair, treatment of vocal cord problems, treatment of urinary incontinence, and prevention of adhesion formation following abdominal or gynecological surgery.
US08378060B2	Poly(thioesters), their applications and derivatives A composition of the formulae MZAORSnR1F1mOAZ1M1, wherein O and S have their normal meaning of oxygen and sulfur, n is at least 2 and not more than 8, F1 is of the formula —OAORSnR1—, m is at least 1, Z and Z1 are the same or different and are oxy or amino, M and M1 are the same or different and are hydrogen or an organic substituent, R and R1 are the same or different and are organic divalent radicals, each having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and A is the residue of a dicarboxylic acid of from 2 to 40 carbon atoms.
US08378059B2	Supramolecular handcuffs in polymeric architecture This invention pertains generally to supramolecular polymers comprising a polymeric molecule linked to a first CB[8] guest molecule and an attachment compound linked to a second CB[8] guest molecule, wherein the first and second CB[8] guest molecules form a ternary host-guest complex with a CB[8] molecule which non-covalently links the polymeric molecule and the attachment compound in a supramolecular polymer. These polymers are useful as vehicles for delivery of a therapeutic compound for use in a method of treatment of the human or animal body, in particular for use in a method of delivering the therapeutic compound to a target site in an individual. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of the supramolecular polymers.
US08378058B2	Conducting polymers and uses thereof A conducting polymer including a conducting linker to connect a probe to the polymer, the linker including an unsaturated organic chain.
US08378056B2	Formaldehyde free binders New polyols; oligomers, and polymers made from the polyols; and binders made from the new polyols, oligomers, or polymers that can be used in binders, where the binders typically include one or more polyols, and a polyfunctional acid or a polyfunctional nitrile.
US08378053B2	Aliphatic polyisocyanate prepolymers and polyurethane resin coating compositions using the same An aliphatic polyisocyanate prepolymer obtained by reacting an aliphatic isocyanurate group-containing polyisocyanate with a short-chain diol, having a urethane bond content of 3.0% by weight or more based on the weight of the prepolymer and a solubility parameter of 11.8 or more.
US08378051B2	Silicone resin lens and a method for preparing the same The present invention provides a silicone resin lens obtained by molding and curing a silicon resin composition into a lens, wherein the lens has a refractive index at 400 nm of 1.5 or more, a ratio of a refractive index at 400 nm to a refractive index at 596 nm of 1.01 or more, an Abbe's number of 45 or more, and an absolute value of a differential of refractive indexes against temperatures, dn/dT, of 250×10−6/degrees C. or less. Further, the present invention provides a method for preparing the silicone resin lens according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the silicone resin lens is prepared in conditions where a ratio of a molding shrinkage ratio found after subjecting the silicone resin composition to post-cure to a molding shrinkage ratio found after subjecting the silicone resin composition to molding is 0.8 to 1.2.
US08378047B2	Biaxially oriented polypropylene film The present technology relates to a biaxially oriented polypropylene film. The biaxially oriented polypropylene film comprises a polypropylene material having xylene solubles of at least 0.5 percent by weight. The polypropylene also has a strain hardening index of at least 0.15 measured at a deformation rate dε/dt of 1.00 s−1 at a temperature of 180° C. In certain embodiments, the strain hardening index is defined as the slope of a logarithm to the basis 10 of a tensile stress growth function as a function of a logarithm to the basis 10 of a Hencky strain for the range of Hencky strains between 1 and 3.
US08378043B2	Ethylene alpha olefin copolymers and polymerization processes for making the same A process for the production of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer is disclosed. The process includes polymerizing ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin by contacting the ethylene and the at least one alpha-olefin with a metallocene catalyst in at least one gas phase reactor at a reactor pressure of from 0.7 to 70 bar and a reactor temperature of from 20° C. to 150° C. to form an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer. The resulting ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer may have a density of 0.927 g/cc or greater and environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) of 500 hr or more when measured according to ASTM 1693/B in 10% Igepal.
US08378042B2	Finishing process for amorphous polymers Extruded, copolymer pellet compositions and methods for making the same. A copolymer pellet composition can have an ethylene content of about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % and a propylene content of about 50 wt % to about 60 wt %, based on total weight of the copolymer, wherein the copolymer has a MFR (230° C./2.16 kg) of from about 3.0 g/10 min and about 25 g/10 min; a MWD (Mw/Mn) of about 2.3 or less; and no measurable melting peak, as measured by DSC.
US08378041B2	Method of preparing a star polymer macromonomer The present invention relates to methods for preparing degradable model networks from any monomer functionality with any degradation methodology. It is based on the use of Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization CLICK chemistry and a tetrafunctional initiator having terminal halogen groups to form the desired product.
US08378038B2	Polysiloxane block copolymers This invention encompasses novel amphiphilic block copolymers comprising polysiloxane blocks and polycationic blocks. The polycationic blocks are formed from diallyldialkylammonium derivatives. The formed block copolymers are particularly useful for treating or conditioning keratinous substances such as hair or skin.
US08378033B2	Process for production of water-absorbable resin particle, and water-absorbable resin particle produced by the process The present invention relates to a method of producing water-absorbent resin particles in which a median particle size of primary particles (d) and a median particle size of secondary particles (D) satisfy the relationship of the formula, 5d/3+150
US08378031B2	Coating composition and cured film formed therefrom A coating composition comprises a first copolymer and a second copolymer. The first copolymer has at least one linear polymer strand having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1,500 Daltons and functionality X with an equivalent weight of no more than 500. The second copolymer has at least one linear polymer strand having a weight average molecular weight of at least 1,500 Daltons and functionality X′ with an equivalent weight of no more than 1,500. The coating composition is free of gloss flattening agents, yet still produces a cured film having a low gloss of less than 70 gloss units at an angle of incidence of 60°, as measured according to ASTM D 2457.
US08378026B2	Transparent rubber modified styrene resin and method for preparing the same by continuous bulk polymerization One aspect of the invention relates to a transparent rubber-modified styrenic resin composition. The resin composition comprises about 5 to about 30 parts by weight of a styrene-butadiene rubbery copolymer; and about 0 to about 15 parts by weight of a matrix resin comprising about 20 to about 40 parts by weight of styrenic monomer, about 30 to about 60 parts by weight of unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester monomer and about 0 to about 15 parts by weight of vinyl cyanide monomer; wherein the difference between the refractive index of the rubbery copolymer and the matrix resin is about 0.005 or less and the transparent rubber-modified styrenic resin composition has a haze of about 5% or less as measured by a Nippon Denshoku Haze meter using a 3 mm thick test sample.
US08378024B2	Low surface gloss styrene resin composition, and low surface gloss sheet and composite article therefrom The present invention relates to a low surface gloss styrene resin composition. The composition of the present invention is composed of (A) 80-99.9 weight % of the basic resin comprising rubber-modified styrene resin and (B) 0.1-20 weight % of syndiotactic polystyrene, the matting agent. The composition also includes (C) hydrogenated styrene block copolymer comprising styrene block and butadiene rubber block as a compatibilizer by 0.1-20 weight % for the total weight of the low surface gloss styrene resin composed of (A) the basic resin and (B) the matting agent and additionally includes (D) a plasticizer by 0.1-30 weight %. The composition of the present invention has excellent weatherability and impact-resistance in addition to the low surface gloss properties, so that it can be applied in various products, particularly exterior products for structures such as sidings and window frames, etc.
US08378023B2	Composition of polyketone with high impact strength The present invention provides a polyketone composition having about 40˜90 wt % of polyketone, about 5˜40 wt % of polyamide, and about 5˜20 wt % of modified rubber. The composition of the present invention greatly improves the impact resistance of polyketone, which has increased heat resistance, chemical resistance, fuel permeation resistance, abrasion resistance or the like, and thus may be widely applied in various industrial fields, such as automotive parts including wheel covers, wheel caps, fuel filler necks, fuel tanks, fuel tubes, center fascias, door handles, roof rack covers, gear, junction boxes, connectors, seat backs or the like, electric/electronic parts, and household items, thereby providing durability of the parts and price competition.
US08378020B1	Processes for recovery of derivatives of native lignin The present disclosure relates to processes for recovery of derivatives of native lignin from lignocellulosic feedstocks wherein the derivatives have a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that stable and predictable antioxidant activity is provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.
US08378010B2	Protein stabilized latex polymer emulsions, methods of making, and adhesives containing such emulsions A method of forming a stable latex polymer emulsion is provided which includes mixing one or more monomers including polymerizable acid monomers, esters, and unsaturated monomers with water and a soy protein. The emulsion is then polymerized and may be formed into adhesive compositions having improved water resistance and mechanical strength.
US08378009B2	Process of producing flame-retardant silane-crosslinked olefin resin, insulated wire, and process of producing insulated wire A process of producing a flame-retardant silane-crosslinked olefin resin, an insulated wire, and a process of producing an insulated wire. The process includes kneading and molding a silane graft batch containing a silane-grafted olefin resin in which a silane coupling agent is graft polymerized onto an olefin resin, a flame retardant batch in which an olefin resin is mixed with a flame retardant containing metal hydroxide, a catalyst batch in which an olefin resin is mixed with a silane crosslinking catalyst, and water crosslinking the batches after kneading and molding. A mass ratio of the flame retardant batch to the silane graft batch is 60:40 to 90:10, and the catalyst batch amount is 3 to 10 part by mass with respect to 100 part by mass of a component of the silane graft and flame retardant batches. The wire is prepared by covering a conductor with the silane-crosslinked olefin resin.
US08378008B2	Surface-modified non-halogenated mineral fillers The invention relates to surface-modified non-halogenated mineral filler compositions comprising a particulate mineral filler core comprising hydroxide groups bound to divalent or trivalent metal ions, said particulate mineral filler core having on its surface (i) one or more short-chain organosilano groups each having one to three silicon-bound short-chain hydrocarbon groups having, independently, one to three carbon atoms, and (ii) one or more long-chain organosilano groups having one to three silicon-bound straight-chained or branched, saturated or unsaturated, long-chain hydrocarbon groups containing, independently, eight to twelve carbon atoms, wherein the long-chain organosilano groups are present in an amount of up to about fifty-five mole percent of combined molar amount of long-chain and short-chain organosilano groups.
US08378007B2	Coloured aqueous polymer dispersions, and production and use of same The invention relates to a colored polymer dispersion containing, as main ingredients: (a) a colored polymer produced by polymerization of monomer A with monomer B, monomer A being a pigment B which is coated with a polymerizable wax D wherein the polymerizable function is an ethylenically unsaturated group, monomer B being a ethylenically unsaturated compound; (b) at least one non-ionic surface-active additive E based on polyethers and/or polyglycerines; (c) at least one anionic surface-active additive F based on sulfonates, sulfates, phosphonates, phosphates or carboxylates; and (d) water.
US08378006B2	Composition of decolorable ink and decoloring method The present invention is a method which erase information printed on a recording medium if necessary and thus reuse the recording medium, and includes 1) decolorable ink compositions which are not erased during the use but erased by a dye readily decolorable by a decolorant, 2) a decolorant composition including a thermal initiator or photoinitiator, and 3) a method for coating the decolorant and applying heat or irradiating UV to erase the dye. According to the present invention, it is possible to prepare various writing inks, and particularly, when applied to recording medium with a magnetic stripe as well as the general purpose papers, it is possible to reduce the production cost significantly, obtain a large import substitution effect of the magnetic ink all of which are imported, and largely reduce the environmental pollution.
US08378004B2	Process for the production of silicone coatings and silicone moldings from photocrosslinkable silicone mixtures Silicone coatings and moldings are produced from a photocrosslinkable silicone mixture which contains (A) a polyorganosiloxane containing at least two carbon-carbon multiple bonds, (B) an organosilicon compound containing at least two SiH functions, and (C) a cyclopentadienyl-platinum complex catalyst be activatable by light of 200 to 500 nm, wherein the mixture is heated to 40° C. to 250° C., and then irradiated with light of 200 to 500 nm wavelength.
US08378003B2	Highly permeable polymeric membranes Provided are substantially flat membranes that include a block or graft co-polymer and a water transport protein, such as Aquaporin-Z, or a synthetic mimic of such proteins. Also provided are methods of removing contaminants from a liquid, by contacting the liquid with a substantially flat membrane that includes a block or graft co-polymer and a water transport protein or synthetic mimic thereof. Also provided are methods of making such membranes. Further provided are compositions that include at least one active ingredient and vesicles surrounding the active ingredient, where the vesicles include a block or graft copolymer and a water transport protein or synthetic mimic surrounding the active ingredient. Also provided are methods that include administering such compositions to patients.
US08378000B2	Water-absorbent, foam-type polymer structure The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of water-absorbent, foam-type polymer structures, wherein an aqueous composition is foamed, and the foamed aqueous composition is then heated at a temperature in a range of from 50 to 300° C., so that the polymer crosslinks at least partially and the content of water is adjusted to not more than 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the foam-type polymer structure that forms.
US08377998B2	Process for producing fluoropolymer, and fluorinated ion exchange membrane A polymerization medium having small ozone depletion potential and small global warming potential and having a small chain transfer constant is used, to efficiently produce a fluoropolymer having a high molecular weight and having excellent heat resistance, solvent resistance, chemical resistance, etc. A process for producing a fluoropolymer, which comprises polymerizing a fluoromonomer having a carboxylic acid type functional group and a fluoroolefin using a hydrofluorocarbon as a medium, wherein the hydrofluorocarbon as the medium has 4 to 10 carbon atoms and has a ratio (molar basis) of the number of hydrogen atoms/the number of fluorine atoms (H/F ratio) of from 0.05 to 20.
US08377996B2	Zeolite supported cobalt hybrid Fischer-Tropsch catalyst A method for forming a catalyst for synthesis gas conversion comprises impregnating a zeolite extrudate using a solution, for example, a substantially non-aqueous solution, comprising a cobalt salt to provide an impregnated zeolite extrudate and activating the impregnated zeolite extrudate by a reduction-oxidation-reduction cycle.
US08377990B2	Conjugates comprising a psychotropic drug or a GABA agonist and an organic acid and their use in treating pain and other CNS disorders A novel use of conjugates of psychotropic drugs (e.g., antidepressants or anti-epileptic drugs) and organic acids such as GABA in the treatment of pain is disclosed. A novel GABA conjugate and uses thereof is also disclosed.
US08377989B2	Room temperature stable non-crystalline aspirin and method for the preparation thereof The present invention provides stable non-crystalline aspirin that does not crystallize at room temperature during storage for prolonged periods of time and processes for obtaining the stable non-crystalline aspirin.
US08377986B2	Amino acid derivatives The compound 3,3-dimethyl-butyric acid 4-((S)-2-amino-2-methoxycarbonyl-ethyl)-2-(3,3-dimethyl-butyryloxy)-phenyl ester of formula (I) has dopaminergic properties.
US08377984B2	Substituted gamma lactams as therapeutic agents Disclosed herein is a compound represented by the formula: Methods, compositions, and medicaments related to these compounds are also disclosed.
US08377980B2	Hepatitis C virus inhibitors The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HCV infection.
US08377979B2	Pharmaceutical formulation containing phenytoin sodium and magnesium stearate The present invention relates to a novel pharmaceutical formulation comprising phenytoin sodium, a high amount of magnesium stearate, and a low level of a hydrophilic polymer such as a methocel, and a method of preparing the same by blending.
US08377974B2	Factor Xa inhibitors The present invention is directed to compounds represented by Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, and prodrugs thereof which are inhibitors of Factor Xa. The present invention is also directed to and intermediates used in making such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, methods to prevent or treat a number of conditions characterized by undesired thrombosis and methods of inhibiting the coagulation of a blood sample.
US08377970B2	Modulators of calcium release-activated calcium channel Disclosed are novel calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitors, methods for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods of treatment using them. The present disclosure also relates to methods for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with CRAC inhibitors, and to methods for identifying therapeutics for treating and of diagnosing cancer.
US08377969B2	Compounds for use in the treatment of cancer Compound of Formula I or a salt thereof for treating cancer, wherein X represents CH or N; R1 represents hydrogen or —CH2COR5; R5 represents hydroxy, optionally hydroxylated alkoxy, amino or alkylamido; R2 represents ZYR6; Z represents a bond, or a C1-3 alkylene or oxoalkylene group optionally substituted by R7; Y represents a bond, an oxygen atom or NR6; R6 is a hydrogen atom, COOR8, an alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl group optionally substituted by one or more selected from COOR8, CONR82, NR82, OR8, ═NR8, ═O, OP(O)(OR8)R7 and OSO3M; R7 is hydroxy, an optionally hydroxylated, optionally alkoxylated alkyl or aminoalkyl group; R8 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally hydroxylated, optionally alkoxylated alkyl group; M is a hydrogen atom or one equivalent of a physiologically tolerable cation; R3 represents C1-8 alkylene, 1,2-cykloalkylene, or 1,2-arylene, optionally substituted with R7; and R4 represents hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl.
US08377965B2	Crystalline forms of a biphenyl compound The invention provides crystalline forms of biphenyl-2-ylcarbamic acid 1-(2-{[4-(4-carbamoylpiperidin-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl]methylamino}ethyl)piperidin-4-yl ester, and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates thereof. The crystalline form can be a freebase, or a salt such as a diphosphate, monosulfate or dioxalate salt. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these crystalline compounds or prepared using these compounds; processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline compounds; and methods of using these compounds to treat a pulmonary disorder.
US08377964B2	Benzimidazole-carboxamide compounds as 5-HT4 receptor agonists The invention relates to benzimidazole-carboxamide 5-HT4 receptor agonist compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds to treat diseases associated with 5-HT4 receptor activity, and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08377961B2	Cyclic-alkylamine derivatives as inhibitors of the interaction between MDM2 and P53 The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as an inhibitor of a p53-MDM2 interaction as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein n, m, p, t, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, Q, Y and Z have defined meanings.
US08377956B2	Use of (3R)-4-{[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)propoxy]carbonylamino}-3-(4-chlorophenyl) butanoic acid for treating urinary incontinence Use of (3R)-4-{[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)propoxy]carbonylamino}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)butanoic acid for treating urinary incontinence is disclosed.
US08377955B2	Branched 3- and 6-substituted quinolines as CGRP receptors antagonists The present invention is directed to novel branched 3- and 6-substituted quinoline derivatives which are antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which CGRP is involved, such as migraine. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US08377951B2	Transdermal administration of phycotoxins Pharmaceutical compositions for interfering with neuronal transmission comprising an effective amount of at least one tricyclic 3,4-propinoperhydropurine are disclosed. Preparations for facial rejuvenation are provided that comprise an effective amount of the composition of the invention and a facial cream. Methods of interfering with neuronal transmission comprising topical application of an effective amount of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are provided. In another aspect of the invention, effective amounts of the pharmaceutical compositions and a transdermal therapeutic system are provided for transdermal administration of at least one tricyclic 3,4-propinoperhydropurine. The pharmaceutical composition contains at least one at least one tricyclic 3,4-propinoperhydropurine, and may be formulated for transdermal drug delivery. The transdermal drug delivery system may be a laminated composite comprising a backing layer, a drug reservoir, and a means for affixing the composite to the skin.
US08377947B2	Treating alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis and reducing aging Use of a composition for treating Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, McArdle disease, or a carbohydrate metabolism disorder, or for reducing aging or fatigue. The composition includes a first agent selected from the group consisting of an oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor, an ionophore, and an adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase activator; a second agent that possesses anti-inflammatory activity; and a third agent that possesses serotonin activity.
US08377938B2	Phenoxypyridine derivative salts and crystals thereof, and process for preparing the same The invention provides acid addition salts of the compounds represented by formula (1) or (2), or crystals thereof, and processes for preparing the same. The salts or crystals have HGFR inhibitory activity and excellent physical properties (solubility, safety, etc.) and are therefore useful as anti-tumor agents, angiogenesis inhibitors and inhibitors for metastasis for a various types of tumor.
US08377935B2	Substituted aminopropenyl piperidine or morpholine derivatives as novel inhibitors of histone deacetylase This invention comprises the novel compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X and Y have defined meanings, having histone deacetylase inhibiting enzymatic activity; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use as a medicine.
US08377934B2	Use of stilbene derivatives for treatment and prevention of aquatic mold infections The invention relates to methods of treatment and prevention of aquatic mold infections in aquatic organisms and methods of disinfecting equipment used in raising aquatic organisms. The methods comprise use of one or more stilbene derivatives, including 4,4′-bis-(1,3,5-triazinylamino)stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid derivatives.
US08377933B2	Method for treating a pulmonary hypertension condition A method for treating a pulmonary hypertension condition such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a subject comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of ambrisentan, wherein, at baseline, time from first diagnosis of the condition in the subject is not greater than about 2 years.
US08377932B2	Preparation of 1-(substituted benzyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-2(1H)pyridone compounds and salts thereof and their applications 1-(substituted benzyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-2(1H)pyridone compounds and their pharmaceutical acceptable salts are disclosed. The preparation methods of the compounds and their salts and the use of the same for preparing the medicaments for treating fibrosis are also disclosed. New pyridine compounds and their salts are obtained from trifluoromethyl pyridone as starting material.
US08377929B2	Crystalline forms of the tri-mesylate salt of perphenazine-GABA and process of producing the same Novel crystalline form of perphenazine 4-aminobutyrate trimesylate and a process of producing the same are disclosed. The novel crystalline form is characterized by a unique XRPD pattern and a DSC that exhibits an endothermic peak at a relatively high temperature (e.g., higher than 209° C.). Also disclosed are a process of preparing perphenazine 4-aminobutyrate trimesylate by in situ deprotection and salification, in a single-step synthesis, and a highly pure perphenazine 4-aminobutyrate trimesylate obtained thereby. Uses of any of the described perphenazine 4-aminobutyrate trimesylate are also disclosed.
US08377925B2	Methods of modulating the activity of the MC5 receptor and treatment of conditions related to this receptor The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) that are useful for modulating the biological activity of the melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R). Compounds of this invention can be used to treat diseases and/or conditions in which downregulation of MC5R is beneficial. Such diseases and/or conditions include, but are not limited to, acne, seborrhea, seborrheic dermatitis, cancer, and inflammatory diseases.
US08377924B2	Protein kinase C inhibitors and uses thereof This disclosure concerns compounds which are useful as inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and are thus useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of PKC. This disclosure also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.
US08377923B2	Triazole derivative or salt thereof [Problem] A compound, which can be used for preventing or treating diseases, in which 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is concerned, in particular, diabetes, insulin resistance, dementia, schizophrenia and depression, is provided.[Means for Solution] It was found that a triazole derivative, in which one of the 3- and 5-positions of the triazole ring has (di)alkylmethyl or cycloalkyl, each of which is substituted with —O— (aryl or a heterocyclic group, each of which may be substituted, or lower alkylene-cycloalkyl), and the other thereof has aryl, a heterocyclic group or cycloalkyl, each of which may be substituted, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof exhibits potent 11β-HSD1 inhibitory action. From the above, the triazole derivative of the present invention can be used for preventing or treating diabetes, insulin resistance, dementia, schizophrenia and depression.
US08377918B2	Apigenin for chemoprevention, and chemotherapy combined with therapeutic reagents Apigenin is a nontoxic compound. The present invention is appropriate for apigenin use in people who have a high risk of getting cancer, and in people who have cancer through chemoprevention and chemotherapy, respectively. We showed that apigenin inhibited cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth and angiogenesis. Apigenin selectively inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of cancer cells, enhanced the sensitivity of different cancer cells to different therapeutic drugs including cisplatin and taxol. Apigenin also inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in human cancers, and inhibits angiogenic inducers such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Apigenin inhibited expression of HIF-1 and VEGF through PI3K, AKT, p70S6K1 and HDM2 pathways, which are commonly observed in all kinds of human cancers. Thus, our results indicate that apigenin can be applied to various human cancers for chemoprevention, and for chemotherapy when combined with other therapeutic reagents.
US08377915B2	Methods for treating or preventing disorders using ecdysteroid compositions This invention relates to methods and compositions which are useful in the modulation of endogenous growth hormone levels in a mammal. Also included are methods of treating a mammal which include the administration of said compositions.
US08377912B2	Preparation for the prevention and/or treatment of vascular disorders The present invention relates to a preparation suitable for the prevention and/or treatment of vascular disorders, comprising the following fractions: fraction a) consisting of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; fraction b) consisting of phospholipids, which fraction contains at least two different phospholipids selected from the group consisting of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. fraction c) consisting of compounds which are a factor in methionine metabolism, which fraction contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, magnesium and zinc.
US08377911B2	Diuretics A compound having the structure formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods of using the compounds for treating hypertension.
US08377909B2	Use of phytate as agent inhibiting dissolution of crystals of calcium salts for the prevention of osteoporosis The present invention relates to the use of myo-inositol hexaphosphate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with the dissolution of crystals of calcium salts, in particular osteoporosis. These compounds may be utilized in the manufacture of functional foods, dietetic supplements, vitamin supplements, nutritional supplements, food supplements, or phytotherapeutic products having properties of inhibition of dissolution of crystals of calcium salts.
US08377906B2	Compositions and methods for preventing or reducing postoperative ileus and gastric stasis Disclosed are compositions and methods for preventing or reducing postoperative ileus and gastric stasis. Such compositions comprise a combination of an oxidized regenerated cellulose component and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which functions as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase enzyme (Cox) activity. Such methods comprise administering an effective amount of the composition directly to the serosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal and other visceral organs.
US08377905B2	Stable crystal of 1-(2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine monohydrochloride Disclosed is a stable crystal of 1-(2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine monohydrochloride. There is provided a crystal of 1-(2′-cyano-2′-deoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine monohydrochloride having characteristic peaks at 13.7°, 15.7°, 16.0°, 18.6°, 20.3°, and 22.7° as diffraction angles (2θ±0.1°) measured by powder X-ray diffraction, and having a melting point of 192° C. to 197° C.
US08377898B2	Immune regulatory oligonucleotide (IRO) compounds to modulate toll-like receptor based immune response The invention provides novel immune regulatory oligonucleotides (IRO) as antagonist of TLRs and methods of use thereof. These IROs have unique sequences that inhibit or suppress TLR-mediated signaling in response to a TLR ligand or TLR agonist. The methods may have use in the prevention and treatment of cancer, an autoimmune disorder, airway inflammation, inflammatory disorders, infectious disease, skin disorders, allergy, asthma or a disease caused by a pathogen.
US08377897B2	Compositions and methods for non-parenteral delivery of oligonucleotides The present invention relates to compositions and methods which enhance the local and systemic uptake and delivery of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids via non-parenteral routes of administration. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising oligonucleotides disclosed herein include, for systemic delivery, emulsion and microemulsion formulations for a variety of applications and oral dosage formulations. It has also surprisingly been discovered that oligonucleotides may be locally delivered to colonic sites by rectal enemas and suppositories in simple solutions, e.g., neat or in saline. Such pharmaceutical compositions of oligonucleotides may further include one or more penetration enhancers for the transport of oligonucleotides and other nucleic acids across mucosal membranes. The compositions and methods of the invention are utilized to effect the oral, buccal, rectal or vaginal administration of an antisense oligonucleotide to an animal in order to modulate the expression of a gene in the animal for investigative, therapeutic, palliative or prophylactic purposes.
US08377896B2	Antibacterial 4,6-substituted 6′, 6″ and 1 modified aminoglycoside analogs The present invention is directed to analogs of aminoglycoside compounds as well as their preparation and use as prophylactic or therapeutics against microbial infection.
US08377888B2	Method of predicting the clinical response to cisplatin or carboplatin chemotherapeutic treatment Method for predicting the survival of a patient suffering from NSCLC to a cisplatin or carboplatin based chemotherapy treatment which comprises the step of determining the methylation state of a nucleic acid encoding 14-3-3 sigma in a biological sample from the patient, wherein the presence of methylation is indicative of longer survival of said patient as a response to said chemotherapy treatment. The methylation status of the 14-3-3 sigma gene can be easily determined in a serum sample.
US08377887B1	Methods of reducing hypoxic stress in a mammal by administering soluble P-selectin The present invention provides a use of soluble P-selectin in treating systemic hemorrhagic conditions, stabilizing blood pressure, and protecting hypoxic/ischemic tissues. Also provided is a use of anthrax lethal toxin in treating thrombotic conditions.
US08377881B2	Compositions and methods for reducing scar formation in wound healing The invention pertains to a method of reducing scar formation during wound healing by administering a phosphatidylserine-binding compound, in particular an annexin, to a subject in need thereof. The healing wound may be a skin damage, but it may also be a myocardium e.g. which is at risk of suffering or is recovering from a heart failure.
US08377878B2	Therapies for chronic renal failure The present invention provides methods for the treatment, and pharmaceuticals for use in the treatment, of mammalian subjects in, or at risk of chronic renal failure, or at risk of a need for renal replacement therapy. The methods involve the administration of certain proteins of, or based upon, the osteogenic protein/bone morphogenetic protein (OP/BMP) family within the TGF-β superfamily of proteins.
US08377875B2	Therapeutics based on tau/microtubule dynamics The invention is based on the discovery of a novel neuroprotective peptide. In addition, the invention rests on the discovery that the NAP peptide enhances the association of tau and the brain-specific beta tubulin subunit. In addition, NAP modifies microtubule assembly and dynamics, in part, by affecting the tyrosination of microtubule proteins. The invention provides compositions and methods for treatment and prevention of neuronal disorders, including NAP-binding and tau-binding agents, tau peptide mimetics, NAP-like and NAP-like tau peptide mimetics.
US08377874B2	HCV NS3 protease inhibitors The present invention relates to macrocyclic compounds of formula (I) that are useful as inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, their synthesis, and their use for treating or preventing HCV infections.
US08377873B2	HCV NS3 protease inhibitors The present invention relates to macrocyclic compounds of formula (I) that are useful as inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, their synthesis, and their use treating or preventing HCV infections.
US08377862B2	Spray-Drying process A spray-drying process to prepare a spray-dried powder having: (a) anionic detersive surfactant; (b) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % zeolite builder; (c) from 0 wt % to 10 wt % phosphate builder; (d) optionally from 0 wt % to 10 wt % silicate salt; (e) optionally carbonate salt; (f) optionally polymeric material; and (g) optionally from 0 wt % to 10 wt % water, wherein, the process has the steps of: (i) spraying an aqueous slurry comprising: from (a) anionic detersive surfactant; (b) from 0 wt % to 20 wt % zeolite builder; (c) from 0 wt % to 20 wt % phosphate builder; (d) optionally from 0 wt % to 20 wt % silicate salt; (e) optionally carbonate salt; (f) optionally polymeric material; and (g) water, into a spray-drying zone, wherein the spray-drying zone is under negative pressure and wherein the air inlet air temperature into the spray-drying zone is greater than 150° C.; and (ii) drying the aqueous slurry to form a spray-dried powder.
US08377861B2	Universal synthetic golf club cleaner and protectant, method and product-by-process to clean, protect golf club faces and rejuvenate golf clubs grips The club cleaner, conditioner and protectant comprises alpha-olefins, low-odor aromatic solvents; and at least one base oil selected from the base oil group consisting of Hydroisomerized high base oils and HT Severe Hydro-cracked Base oils; as well as other (optional) ingredients. Also disclosed is a method for producing this product and related product-by-process. This product uses a formulated cleaning mixture to clean and restore the face of the club while rejuvenating the grips. The invention when sprayed on the clubface removes foreign materials and when wiped dry protects the face of the clubs from harsh stains, caused by soils, grass and chemicals related to fertilizers. In experimental testing, the invention increases drive distances by reducing sidespin and increasing backspin. The club is left with a factory-like finish making it easy to wipe clean of soiling. The invention when applied to the grips restores the surface to the new feel.
US08377858B2	Grease composition for constant velocity joint and constant velocity joint The invention provides a grease composition for constant velocity joint containing the components (a) to (g) below and a constant velocity joint containing said composition.(a) a diurea thickening agent having the following formula (1): R1NH—CO—NH—C6H4-p-CH2—C6H4-p-NH—CO—NHR2 (1) wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different and represent C8-C20 alkyl groups, (b) an ester synthetic oil, (c) a mineral oil and/or a synthetic hydrocarbon oil, (d) a molybdenum dialkyldithiocarbamate, (e) molybdenum disulfide, (f) a polytetrafluoroethylene, and (g) a zinc dithiophosphate compound. The grease composition of the invention reduces variations in rotational resistance of the constant velocity joint at a low temperature.
US08377852B2	Method of preparing a substrate with a composition including an organoborane initiator A method of preparing a substrate with a composition comprising (i) an organoborane initiator and (ii) a radical curable component disposed thereon includes the step of depositing the composition onto the substrate wherein at least one of (i) the organoborane initiator and (ii) the radical curable component is deposited onto the substrate in the form of a gradient pattern. An article comprises the substrate and the gradient pattern formed on the substrate. The gradient pattern is formed from a developed composition comprising the reaction product of (i) the organoborane initiator and (ii) the radical curable component. By forming the gradient pattern on the substrate, combinatorial and high-throughput methods of generating and testing the developed composition are possible, which enable characterization of the developed composition for various physical and chemical properties.
US08377851B2	Method of altering the alkaloid composition in poppy plants The method of altering the alkaloid composition of a poppy plant comprising the step of applying an effective amount of acylcyclohexanedione compound or agriculturally acceptable salt thereof to said poppy plant or locus thereof. Further, the present invention also provides the method of altering the alkaloid composition of a poppy plant comprising the step of applying an effective amount of methyl jasmonate or agriculturally acceptable salt thereof to said poppy plant or locus thereof.
US08377848B2	Donor substrate and method of manufacturing display A method in which a donor substrate is used in forming a light emitting layer by forming a transfer layer containing light emission material, irradiating a radiation ray to the transfer layer while the transfer layer and a substrate to be transferred face each other, and sublimating or vaporizing the transfer layer so that the transfer layer is transferred to the substrate to be transferred. The donor substrate includes: a base; a photothermal conversion layer arranged on the base; and a heat interfering layer arranged between the base and the photothermal conversion layer, and including two or more layers with refraction index different from each other.
US08377846B2	Extruded image receiver elements An image receiving element is a composite of two or more extruded layers on a support including, in order, an extruded compliant layer, an extruded antistatic tie layer, and an image receiving layer that may also be extruded. The extruded compliant layer is non-voided and comprises from about 10 to about 40 weight % of at least one elastomeric polymer. This image receiving element can be disposed on a support to form a thermal dye transfer receiver element, an electrophotographic image receiver element, or a thermal wax receiver element. Two or more extruded layers can be co-extruded.
US08377845B2	Composite film A composite film useful for image supporting media, including: a first layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and optionally containing a whitening agent; a second layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and a whitening agent; a third layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and a cavitating agent, wherein the third layer is a cavitated layer; optionally a fourth layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and optionally a whitening agent; and optionally a fifth layer containing a thermoplastic polymer and optionally a whitening agent; wherein the second layer is between the first layer and the third layer, the third layer is between the second layer and the optional fourth layer, and the optional fourth layer is between the third layer and the optional fifth layer. Embodiments may have the advantage(s) of improved outer surface characteristics, compressibility, thermal insulation, whiteness, and/or stiffness.
US08377841B2	Catalyst having metal in reduced quantity and reduced cluster size The invention contemplates a method of making a catalytic material, and uses of the material. The catalytic material is made by depositing catalytic metals, such as gold or platinum, on substrate materials, such as lanthanum-doped ceria or other oxides. The catalytic metal, which comprises both crystalline and non-crystalline structures, is treated, for example with aqueous basic NaCN solution, to leach away at least some of the crystalline metallic component. The remaining noncrystalline metallic component associated with the substrate exhibits catalytic activity that is substantially similar to the catalyst as prepared. The use of the catalyst in an apparatus such as a reactor or analytic instrument is contemplated, as is the use of the catalyst in efficient, cost-effective reactions, such as removal of carbon monoxide from fuel gases, for example by performing the water gas shift reaction.
US08377839B2	Process for the regeneration of catalysts for the treatment of hydrocarbons The present invention provides a process for the regeneration of a catalyst comprising at least one metal from Group VIII and at least one metal from Group VIB which are deposited on a refractory oxide support, comprising: at least one first step of heat treatment of the catalyst in the presence of oxygen and at a temperature ranging from 350° C. to 550° C.; at least one second step of deposition, at the surface of the catalyst, of one or more additive(s) of formula (I):
US08377834B2	Glass composition for substrates and process for its production A glass composition for substrates excellent in productivity is provided by lowering the high temperature viscosity while securing characteristics and quality required for FPD substrates, particularly for PDP substrates. A glass composition for substrates, which is characterized by comprising, as represented by mass% based on oxides, from 55 to 75% of SiO2, from 5 to 15% of Al2O3, from 4 to 18% of MgO, from 3 to 12% of CaO, from 4 to 18% of SrO, from 0 to 20% of BaO, from 6 to 20% of Na2O+K2O, from 0.5 to 6% of ZrO2 and from 18 to 25% of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO, as a glass matrix composition, and containing from 0.001 to 0.6% of SO3, and which is further characterized in that when the viscosity is represented by η, the temperature satisfying logη=2 is at most 1,545° C. and the devitrification temperature is at most the temperature satisfying logη=4, the thermal expansion coefficient is from 75×10−7 to 90×10−7/° C., the specific gravity is at most 2.8, and the glass transition point is at least 600° C.
US08377827B2	Methods for forming a gate and a shallow trench isolation region and for planarizing an etched surface of silicon substrate A method for forming a gate, which can improve the etching uniformity of the sidewalls of the gate, includes the following steps: forming a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a polysilicon layer on the dielectric layer; etching the polysilicon layer; performing an isotropic plasma etching process on the etched polysilicon layer by using a mixed gases containing a fluorine-based gas and oxygen gas; and cleaning the semiconductor substrate subjected to the isotropic plasma etching process, thereby forming a gate. The present invention further provides a method for forming a shallow trench isolation region, which can improve the filling quality of a subsequent spacer and the electrical properties of the resultant shallow trench isolation region, and a method for planarizing an etched surface of silicon substrate, which can improve the etching uniformity of the surface of silicon substrate.
US08377825B2	Semiconductor wafer re-use using chemical mechanical polishing Methods and apparatus for reducing damage of a semiconductor donor wafer include the steps of: (a) rotating a polishing pad, rotating the semiconductor donor wafer, applying a polishing slurry to the polishing pad, and pressing the semiconductor donor wafer and the polishing pad together; and (b) rotating the polishing pad and the semiconductor donor wafer, discontinuing the application of the polishing slurry, applying a rinsing fluid to the polishing pad, and pressing the semiconductor donor wafer and the polishing pad together, wherein step (a) followed by step (b) is carried out in sequence at least two times, and at least one of the following are reduced in at least two successive intervals of step (a): (i) a pressure at which the semiconductor donor wafer and the polishing pad are pressed together, (ii) a mean particle size of an abrasive within the polishing slurry, and (iii) a concentration of the slurry in water and stabilizers.
US08377824B1	Methods and apparatus for depositing copper on tungsten Apparatus and methods for depositing copper on tungsten are presented. The invention finds particular use in the semiconductor industry for depositing copper seed layers onto fields or through silicon vias having tungsten barrier layers, both reducing cost and complexity of existing methods.
US08377818B2	Aftertreatment method for amorphous carbon film The present invention is an aftertreatment method further applied to an amorphous carbon film to which a treatment including heating is performed after the film has been formed on a substrate. The treatment of preventing oxidation of the amorphous carbon film is performed immediately after the treatment including heating.
US08377817B2	Three dimensional semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same Provided is a three dimensional semiconductor device. The device may include mold layers vertically and sequentially stacked, a conductive pattern between the stacked mold layers, a plugging pattern vertically penetrating the stacked mold layers, an intermediate pattern between the conductive pattern and the plugging pattern, and protective layer patterns between the mold layers and the plugging pattern, wherein the protective layer patterns are separated by the intermediate pattern.
US08377815B2	Manufacturing method of a semiconductor load board A manufacturing method of a semiconductor load board is disclosed. The manufacturing method includes a first conductive layer forming step, a first patterning step, a dielectric layer forming step, a drilling step, a second conductive layer forming step, a second patterning step or a two-times patterning step, and a solder connecting step. In a second patterning step or a two-times patterning step, a solder pad is formed in the opening of the dielectric layer, wherein each solder pad has a height higher than the height of the dielectric, and the width of each solder pad is equal to or smaller than the maximum width of the opening, such that wider intervals are provided in the same area and the problems of short circuit failure and electrical interference can be reduced.
US08377812B2	SiC MOSFETs and self-aligned fabrication methods thereof The present invention provides a method of fabricating a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. The method includes the steps of forming a source region on a silicon carbide layer and annealing the source region. A gate oxide layer is formed on the source region and the silicon carbide layer. The method further includes providing a gate electrode on the gate oxide layer and disposing a dielectric layer on the gate electrode and the gate oxide layer. The method further includes etching a portion of the dielectric layer and a portion of the gate oxide layer to form sidewalls on the gate electrode. A metal layer is disposed on the gate electrode, the sidewalls and the source region. The method further includes forming a gate contact and a source contact by subjecting the metal layer to a temperature of at least about 800° C. The gate contact and the source contact comprise a metal silicide. The distance between the gate contact and the source contact is less than about 0.6 μm. A vertical SiC MOSFET is also provided.
US08377809B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor device Disclosed is a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, including the steps of forming a diffusion preventing mask on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, applying a dopant diffusing agent containing a dopant of a first conductivity type or a second conductivity type onto the surface of the semiconductor substrate at a spacing from the diffusion preventing mask, and forming a dopant diffusion layer by diffusing the dopant from the dopant diffusing agent into the semiconductor substrate.
US08377805B2	Semiconductor thin film, thin film transistor, method for manufacturing same, and manufacturing equipment of semiconductor thin film A method for manufacturing a semiconductor thin film is provided which can form its crystal grains having a uniform direction of crystal growth and being large in size and a manufacturing equipment using the above method, and a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor. In the above method, by applying an energy beam partially intercepted by a light shielding element, melt and re-crystallization occur with a light-shielded region as a starting point. The irradiation of the beam gives energy to the light-shielded region of the silicon thin film so that melt and re-crystallization occur with the light-shielded region as the starting point and so that a local temperature gradient in the light-shielded region is made to be 1200° C./μm or more. In the manufacturing method, a resolution of an optical system used to apply the energy beam is preferably 4 μm or less.
US08377804B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor substrate and semiconductor device To provide a semiconductor substrate in which a semiconductor element having favorable crystallinity and high performance can be formed. A single crystal semiconductor substrate having an embrittlement layer and a base substrate are bonded with an insulating layer interposed therebetween; the single crystal semiconductor substrate is separated along the embrittlement layer by heat treatment; a single crystal semiconductor layer is fixed to the base substrate; the single crystal semiconductor layer is irradiated with a laser beam; the single crystal semiconductor layer is in a partially melted state to be recrystallized; and crystal defects are repaired. In addition, the energy density of a laser beam with which the best crystallinity of the single crystal semiconductor layer is obtained is detected by a microwave photoconductivity decay method.
US08377802B2	III-V semiconductor structures and methods for forming the same Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating semiconductor structures, and to semiconductor structures fabricated by such methods. In some embodiments, the methods may be used to fabricate semiconductor structures of III-V materials, such as InGaN. A semiconductor layer is fabricated by growing sublayers using differing sets of growth conditions to improve the homogeneity of the resulting layer, to improve a surface roughness of the resulting layer, and/or to enable the layer to be grown to an increased thickness without the onset of strain relaxation.
US08377800B2	Alignment marks for polarized light lithography and method for use thereof Mark and method for integrated circuit fabrication with polarized light lithography. A preferred embodiment comprises a first plurality of elements comprised of a first component type, wherein the first component type has a first polarization, and a second plurality of elements comprised of a second component type, wherein the second component type has a second polarization, wherein the first polarization and the second polarization are orthogonal, wherein adjacent elements are of different component types. The alignment marks can be used in an intensity based or a diffraction based alignment process.
US08377791B2	Nonvolatile memory element and production method thereof and storage memory arrangement A nonvolatile memory element and associated production methods and memory element arrangements are presented. The nonvolatile memory element has a changeover material and a first and second electrically conductive electrode present at the changeover material. To reduce a forming voltage, a first electrode has a field amplifier structure for amplifying a field strength of an electric field generated by a second electrode in a changeover material. The field amplifier structure is a projection of the electrodes which projects into the changeover material. The memory element arrangement has multiple nonvolatile memory elements which are arranged in matrix form and can be addressed via bit lines arranged in column form and word lines arranged in row form.
US08377790B2	Method of fabricating an embedded polysilicon resistor and an embedded eFuse isolated from a substrate A method includes providing a substrate having insulating layers thereon; forming a first trench in a first region of the substrate and a second trench in a second region of the substrate; thermally growing layers of oxide along the sides of the trenches; filling the first trench and the second trench with a polysilicon material, planarizing the polysilicon material, and creating a shallow trench isolation between the first region and the second region, wherein the step f) of creating the shallow trench isolation is performed only after the steps of d) filling and e) planarizing.
US08377789B2	Field-enhanced programmable resistance memory cell A method for fabricating a field-enhanced programmable resistance memory cell. In an example embodiment, a resistor includes a resistance structure between a first electrode and a second electrode. The resistance structure includes an insulating dielectric material. The second electrode includes a protrusion extending into the resistance structure. The insulating dielectric material includes a material in which a confined conductive region with a programmable resistance is formable via a conditioning signal.
US08377787B2	Alternating-doping profile for source/drain of a FET A semiconductor device is provided. In an embodiment, the device includes a substrate and a transistor formed on the semiconductor substrate. The transistor may include a gate structure, a source region, and a drain region. The drain region includes an alternating-doping profile region. The alternating-doping profile region may include alternating regions of high and low concentrations of a dopant. In an embodiment, the transistor is a high voltage transistor.
US08377781B2	Transistor with asymmetric silicon germanium source region The present invention is directed to a transistor with an asymmetric silicon germanium source region, and various methods of making same. In one illustrative embodiment, the transistor includes a gate electrode formed above a semiconducting substrate comprised of silicon, a doped source region comprising a region of epitaxially grown silicon that is doped with germanium formed in the semiconducting substrate and a doped drain region formed in the semiconducting substrate.
US08377776B2	Method of fabricating semiconductor device A method of fabricating a semiconductor device utilizes a substrate including a high voltage circuit area, a medium voltage circuit area and a low voltage circuit area. A first well of a first conductivity type is formed. Two separate second wells of a second conductivity type are formed in the first well and two separate isolation structures are formed respectively in the second wells in each of the high voltage circuit area and the medium voltage circuit area. A first gate dielectric layer is formed in the high voltage circuit area. A second gate dielectric layer that is thinner than the first gate dielectric layer is formed in each of the medium voltage circuit area and the low voltage circuit area. A gate is formed. Two source and drain regions of the second conductivity type are respectively formed. The method is simple and low-cost and meets the market requirement.
US08377775B2	Insulated gate type semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same In an insulated-gate type semiconductor device in which a gate-purpose conductive layer is embedded into a trench which is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and a source-purpose conductive layer is provided on a major surface of the semiconductor substrate, a portion of a gate pillar which is constituted by both the gate-purpose conductive layer and a cap insulating film for capping an upper surface of the gate-purpose conductive layer is projected from the major surface of the semiconductor substrate; a side wall spacer is provided on a side wall of the projected portion of the gate pillar; and the source-purpose conductive layer is connected to a contact region of the major surface of the semiconductor substrate, which is defined by the side wall spacer.
US08377771B2	Recessed workfunction metal in CMOS transistor gates A transistor gate comprises a substrate having a pair of spacers disposed on a surface, a high-k dielectric conformally deposited on the substrate between the spacers, a recessed workfunction metal conformally deposited on the high-k dielectric and along a portion of the spacer sidewalls, a second workfunction metal conformally deposited on the recessed workfunction metal, and an electrode metal deposited on the second workfunction metal. The transistor gate may be formed by conformally depositing the high-k dielectric into a trench between the spacers on the substrate, conformally depositing a workfunction metal atop the high-k dielectric, depositing a sacrificial mask atop the workfunction metal, etching a portion of the sacrificial mask to expose a portion of the workfunction metal, and etching the exposed portion of the workfunction metal to form the recessed workfunction metal. The second workfunction metal and the electrode metal may be deposited atop the recessed workfunction metal.
US08377765B2	Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display device The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a large holding capacitance in the inside of a pixel. A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate arranged to face the first substrate in an opposed manner, and liquid crystal sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first substrate includes a video signal line, a pixel electrode, a thin film transistor having a first electrode thereof connected to the video signal line and a second electrode thereof connected to the pixel electrode, a first silicon nitride film formed above the second electrode, an organic insulation film formed above the first silicon nitride film, a capacitance electrode formed above the organic insulation film, and a second silicon nitride film formed above the capacitance electrode and below the pixel electrode. The second silicon nitride film is a film which is formed at a temperature lower than a forming temperature of the first silicon nitride film. The first silicon nitride film and the second silicon nitride film form a contact hole therein by etching both of the first silicon nitride film and the second silicon nitride film collectively by dry etching. The second electrode and the pixel electrode are connected to each other via the contact hole. A potential different from a potential applied to the pixel electrode is applied to the capacitance electrode, and a holding capacitance is formed by the pixel electrode, the second silicon nitride film and the capacitance electrode.
US08377763B2	Poly resistor and metal gate fabrication and structure A method is provided for fabricating a microelectronic device and a resistor on a substrate. The method can include forming device regions in a monocrystalline semiconductor region of a substrate, in which the device regions have edges defined according to a first semiconductor feature overlying a major surface of the semiconductor region. A dielectric region is formed having a planarized surface overlying the semiconductor region and overlying a second semiconductor feature disposed above a surface of an isolation region in the substrate. The surface of the isolation region can be disposed below the major surface. The method can further include removing at least a portion of the first semiconductor feature exposed at the planarized surface of the dielectric region to form an opening and forming a gate at least partially within the opening. Thereafter, further processing can include forming electrically conductive contacts extending through apertures in the dielectric region to the second semiconductor feature and the device regions, respectively. The step of forming electrically conductive contacts may include forming silicide regions contacting portions of the second semiconductor feature and the device regions, respectively. In such way, the method can define a resistor having a current path through the second semiconductor feature, and a microelectronic device including the gate and the device regions.
US08377762B2	Light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof An object of the invention is to improve the reliability of a light-emitting device. Another object of the invention is to provide flexibility to a light-emitting device having a thin film transistor using an oxide semiconductor film. A light-emitting device has, over one flexible substrate, a driving circuit portion including a thin film transistor for a driving circuit and a pixel portion including a thin film transistor for a pixel. The thin film transistor for a driving circuit and the thin film transistor for a pixel are inverted staggered thin film transistors including an oxide semiconductor layer which is in contact with a part of an oxide insulating layer.
US08377761B2	SOI device having a substrate diode with process tolerant configuration and method of forming the SOI device A substrate diode for an SOI device is formed in accordance with an appropriately designed manufacturing flow, wherein transistor performance enhancing mechanisms may be implemented substantially without affecting the diode characteristics. In one aspect, respective openings for the substrate diode may be formed after the formation of a corresponding sidewall spacer structure used for defining the drain and source regions, thereby obtaining a significant lateral distribution of the dopants in the diode areas, which may therefore provide sufficient process margins during a subsequent silicidation sequence on the basis of a removal of the spacers in the transistor devices. In a further aspect, in addition to or alternatively, an offset spacer may be formed substantially without affecting the configuration of respective transistor devices.
US08377758B2	Thin film transistor, array substrate and method for manufacturing the same A thin film transistor for a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an array substrate and manufacturing method thereof are provided. The thin film transistor comprises a source electrode, a drain electrode, and a channel region between the source electrode and drain electrode. A source extension region is connected with the source electrode, a drain extension region is connected with the drain electrode, and the source extension region is disposed opposite to the drain extension region to form a channel extension region therebetween.
US08377752B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same In regard to a semiconductor device having a multilayered wiring board where a semiconductor chip is embedded inside, a technology which allows the multilayered wiring board to be made thinner is provided. A feature of the present invention is that, in a semiconductor device where bump electrodes are formed over a main surface (element forming surface) of a semiconductor chip embedded in a chip-embedded wiring board, an insulating film is formed over a back surface (a surface on the side opposite to the main surface) of the semiconductor chip. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to form a prepreg over the back surface of the semiconductor chip. Therefore, an effect of thinning the chip-embedded wiring board in which the semiconductor chip is embedded is obtained.
US08377749B1	Integrated circuit transmission line A method is provided for fabricating a transmission line between electrical circuits. The method initially provides a first electrical circuit with a signal interface and a reference voltage interface, and a second electrical circuit with a signal interface and a reference voltage interface. The first circuit signal interface is connected to the second circuit signal interface with a metal wire. An insulator coating (e.g., poly-para-xylylene) is formed, encapsulating the wire. Then, an electrically conductive coating is formed, encapsulating the insulator coating. Typically, the conductive coating is connected to at least one of the first and second circuit reference voltage interfaces. In one aspect, the first circuit signal interface connection to the second circuit signal interface is a transmission line formed from the combination of the wire, insulator coating, and conductive coating. The transmission line has a frequency-dependent characteristic impedance responsive to the wire diameter, insulator thickness, and dielectric constant.
US08377747B2	Interleaf for leadframe identification A method of making an IC device includes providing a stack of leadframe sheets each including a plurality of leadframes and an interleaf member interposed between adjacent ones of the leadframe sheets. The interleaf members include indicia that identifies the leadframes sheets. The stack of leadframe sheets is loaded onto an assembly machine. A first interleaf member is removed from the first leadframe sheet. The first leadframe sheet is transferred onto a mounting surface of the assembly machine. Semiconductor die are attached to leadframes on the first leadframe sheet. The method can include reading the indicia from the first interleaf member to determine a part number and lead finish for the first leadframe sheet, verifying the part number for the first leadframe sheet by comparing to a build list, and transferring the first leadframe sheet onto a mounting surface of the assembly machine only if the part number is verified.
US08377744B2	Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor device for high power application in which a novel semiconductor material having high mass productivity is provided. An oxide semiconductor film is formed, and then, first heat treatment is performed on the exposed oxide semiconductor film in order to reduce impurities such as moisture or hydrogen in the oxide semiconductor film. Next, in order to further reduce impurities such as moisture or hydrogen in the oxide semiconductor film, oxygen is added to the oxide semiconductor film by an ion implantation method, an ion doping method, or the like, and after that, second heat treatment is performed on the exposed oxide semiconductor film.
US08377743B2	Laser annealing of metal oxide semiconductor on temperature sensitive substrate formations A method of annealing a metal oxide on a temperature sensitive substrate formation includes the steps of providing a temperature sensitive substrate formation and forming a spacer layer on a surface of the substrate formation. A metal oxide semiconductor device is formed on the spacer layer, the device includes at least a layer of amorphous metal oxide semiconductor material, an interface of the amorphous metal oxide layer with a dielectric layer, and a gate metal layer adjacent the layer of amorphous metal oxide semiconductor material and the interface. The method then includes the step of at least partially annealing the layer of metal oxide semiconductor material by heating the adjacent gate metal layer with pulses of infra red radiation to improve the mobility and operating stability of the amorphous metal oxide semiconductor material while retaining at least the amorphous metal oxide semiconductor material adjacent the gate metal layer amorphous.
US08377741B2	Self-heating phase change memory cell architecture A method for manufacturing a phase change memory includes forming a phase change memory cell by forming a phase change layer between two switching layers. The phase change layer is separated from thermal heat sinks, such as the bitline or wordline, by the switching layers.
US08377737B1	Methods of short wavelength laser scribing of a thin film photovoltaic device Methods for isolating thin film photovoltaic cells on a superstrate are provided. The method includes focusing a laser beam onto a first surface of the superstrate to remove a thin film stack positioned on a second surface of the superstrate, and directing the laser beam across the first surface of the superstrate to form an isolation scribe that is substantially free from the thin film stack. The thin film stack can include a transparent conductive oxide layer on the second surface, an n-type window layer on the transparent conductive oxide layer, and an absorber layer on the n-type window layer. The laser beam can have a laser wavelength of about 370 nm or less, and/or can have a laser wavelength such that the transparent conductive oxide layer absorbs at least about 80% of the laser beam at the laser wavelength.
US08377736B2	System and method for transferring substrates in large scale processing of CIGS and/or CIS devices The present invention provides methods for fabricating a copper indium diselenide semiconductor film. The method includes providing a plurality of substrates having a copper and indium composite structure, and including a peripheral region, the peripheral region including a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings including at least a first opening and a second opening. The method includes transferring the plurality of substrates into a furnace, each of the plurality of substrates provided in a vertical orientation with respect to a direction of gravity, the furnace including a holding apparatus. The method further includes introducing a gaseous species into the furnace and transferring thermal energy into the furnace to increase a temperature from a first temperature to at least initiate formation of a copper indium diselenide film on each of the substrates.
US08377730B2	Method of manufacturing vertically aligned nanotubes, method of manufacturing sensor structure, and sensor element manufactured thereby Provided is a method of manufacturing a sensor structure, where vertically-well-aligned nanotubes are formed and the sensor structure having an excellent performance can be manufactured at the room temperature at low cost by using the nanotubes. The method of manufacturing a sensor structure includes: (a) forming a lower electrode on a substrate; (b) forming an organic template having a pore structure on the lower electrode; (c) forming a metal oxide thin film in the organic template; (d) forming a metal oxide nanotube structure, in which nanotubes are vertically aligned and upper portions thereof are connected to each other, by removing the organic template through a dry etching method; and (e) forming an upper electrode on the upper portions of the nanotubes.
US08377729B2	Forming II-VI core-shell semiconductor nanowires A method of making II-VI core-shell semiconductor nanowires includes providing a support; depositing a layer including metal alloy nanoparticles on the support; and heating the support and growing II-VI core semiconductor nanowires where the metal alloy nanoparticles act as catalysts and selectively cause localized growth of the core nanowires. The method further includes modifying the growth conditions and shelling the core nanowires to form II-VI core-shell semiconductor nanowires.
US08377728B1	Method for making light emitting diode A method for making light emitting diode is provided. The method includes following steps. A substrate is provided. A patterned mask layer is located on a surface of the substrate, and the patterned mask layer includes a number of bar-shaped protruding structures aligned side by side, a slot is defined between each two adjacent protruding structures to expose a portion of the substrate. The exposed substrate is etched, and each two adjacent protruding structures begin to slant face to face until closed to form a protruding pair. A number of three-dimensional nano-structures are formed by removing the patterned mask layer. A first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layers are grown on the number of three-dimensional nano-structures in that order. A first electrode is electrically connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer.
US08377727B2	Surface-emitting laser and surface-emitting laser array, method of manufacturing a surface-emitting laser and method of manufacturing a surface-emitting laser array, and optical apparatus including a surface-emitting laser array Provided is a method of manufacturing a surface-emitting laser capable of preventing characteristics fluctuations within the plane and among wafers and oscillating in a single fundamental transverse mode. The method includes after performing selective oxidation: exposing a bottom face of a surface relief structure by etching a second semiconductor layer with a first semiconductor layer where a pattern of the surface relief structure has been formed as an etching mask and a third semiconductor layer as an etching stop layer; and exposing a top face of the surface relief structure by etching the first semiconductor layer where the pattern of the surface relief structure has been formed, with the second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer as etching stop layer.
US08377726B2	Method for manufacturing light emitting device and light emitting device According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a stacked body, a p-side and n-side electrodes, an insulating film, a p-side extraction electrode, an n-side extraction electrode, a resin layer and a phosphor layer. The stacked body has a first and a second surface opposite to each other and includes a light emitting layer. A p-side and an n-side electrode are provided on the second surface. An insulating film has openings to which the p-side and n-side electrodes are exposed. A p-side extraction electrode includes a p-side seed metal and a p-side metal wiring layer. An n-side extraction electrode includes an n-side seed metal and an n-side metal wiring layer. A resin layer is filled around the p-side and n-side extraction electrodes, and a phosphor layer is provided on a side of the first surface. Emission light from the light emitting layer is emitted through the first surface.
US08377725B2	Optical-semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing an optical-semiconductor device, including forming a plurality of first and second electrically conductive members that are disposed separately from each other on a support substrate; providing a base member formed from a light blocking resin between the first and second electrically conductive members; mounting an optical-semiconductor element on the first and/or second electrically conductive member; covering the optical-semiconductor element by a sealing member formed from a translucent resin; and obtaining individual optical-semiconductor devices after removing the support substrate.
US08377722B2	Methods of forming structures with a focused ion beam for use in atomic force probing and structures for use in atomic force probing Methods for forming structures to use in atomic force probing of a conductive feature embedded in a dielectric layer and structures for use in atomic force probing. An insulator layer is formed on the dielectric layer such that the conductive feature is covered. A contact hole penetrates from a top surface of the insulator layer through the insulator layer to the conductive feature. The contact hole is at least partially filled with a conductive stud that is in electrical contact with the conductive feature and exposed at the top surface of the insulator layer so as to define a structure. A probe tip of an atomic force probe tool is landed on a portion of the structure and used to electrically characterize a device structure connected with the conductive feature.
US08377721B2	Substrate processing system and method A substrate processing system includes a resist pattern forming apparatus including modules each configured to perform a predetermined process on a substrate with an underlying film formed thereon, an etched pattern forming apparatus including chambers each configured to perform patterning of the underlying film by use of a resist pattern as a mask, and examination devices configured to perform measurement and examination of a pattern attribute rendered on a substrate after a process in the resist pattern forming apparatus and after a process in the etched pattern forming apparatus. A controller is preset to utilize measurement results and transfer data to calculate correction value ranges respectively settable in the modules and the chambers and to determine combinations of the modules and the chambers such that corrections made within the correction value ranges cause a pattern attribute to approximate a predetermined value for each of the substrates.
US08377720B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including an insulating film beside an element isolation film A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device involves process for forming gate insulating films of different thickness on a semiconductor substrate, depositing films that constitute a gate electrode, removing the gate insulating films having different thickness formed on an impurity diffusion region surface of a transistor including the gate electrode, and doping impurities into a portion where the gate insulating film is removed.
US08377713B2	Detection of explosives through luminescence A method of simultaneously detecting peroxide and nitrogen-based explosives includes the steps of applying a conversion reagent to a sample, the conversion reagent oxidizing in the presence of peroxide and inorganic nitrate explosives; applying a test reagent including a luminescent compound to the sample; exciting the luminescent compound with ultraviolet light; and simultaneously determining the presence of one or more explosives based on quenching, brightening or a shift in wavelength of the luminescence over time. Explosives may also be detected based on color changes of the sample. Optionally, phase transfer reagents, catalysts, colorimetric agents and zinc dust may be added to improve detection of explosives. Alternatively, an assay-type method may be utilized wherein a sample is added to the conversion and/or test reagents and the reagent is spotted on a substrate before exposure to ultraviolet light.
US08377709B2	Device and process for the chromatographic detection of a substance A device for the chromatographic detection of a substance provides an improved reproducible measuring process. A monitoring indicator (6) is provided, which is designed to detect the relative position of a test strip (13) in relation to the direction of the force of gravity, wherein a processor unit (8) generates a shut-off signal or interruption signal for the process control system (7) if a limit value is exceeded.
US08377707B2	System and method for determining an abused sensor during analyte measurement A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
US08377705B2	Breath analyzer system and method of operating the same A breath analyzer system and method for determining an estimate of blood alcohol concentration of a person. A light source projects light into a sampling region where breath from the person is expected. A first light detector and a second light detector are configured to detect light intensity of light having certain wavelengths at a first time and a second time. Signals from the light detectors at the first time and the second time are used to determine an estimate of the blood alcohol concentration of the person by determining a ratio of a first light detector signal change to a second light detector signal change.
US08377704B2	Detection and quantification of anions Provided herein are methods of detecting anions in solution. In particular, the methods can be used to detect trace anions in solution. For example, the anions can be present in an amount of between about 500 femtomoles to about 10 millimoles.
US08377699B2	Detection and quantification system of biological, matter constituted by one or more optical sensors and one or more light sources, associated process and related applications The present invention relates to a system and process for detection and/or qualitative and quantitative identification of the biological material, such as specific sequences of nucleic acids or proteins as antibodies, present in biological samples. The system is composed by one or more light sources (1) combined with one or more integrated optical photo sensors, or not, and various electronic components (4), necessary for obtaining/processing of the signal emitted by the metal nanoprobes functionalized with a solution of biological composite, as well as also a micro-controller and a microprocessor, fixed or portable. This photosensor structure is able to detect and to quantify the color variations produced by metal nanoprobes, being this preferentially gold, functionalized by oligonucleotides complementary to specific DNA/RNA sequences, proteins, as for instance antibodies and/or antigens related with certain disease, or other sample or solution of biological composite, that are to be investigated. The detection and quantification process is based on the response of a photosensor, singular or integrated, based on thin film technology of amorphous, nanocrystalline or microcrystalline silicon and their alloys, as well as the new active ceramic semiconductors, amorphous and not amorphous.
US08377696B2	Highly sensitive method for detecting protein in food A method for accurate and precise measurement of target proteins such as food allergen proteins in the specific foods is provided. The method is a method for immunological measurement of a food allergen protein in a processed food using an antibody against the food allergen protein, comprising adding animal tropomyosin to an assay solution upon measurement.
US08377695B2	Synthetic urine and method for manufacturing synthetic urine A synthetic urine solution is described. The synthetic urine solution is a shelf stable, food grade composition formed of water having a pH between 3 and 10. A thickening agent is dissolved within the water to form a solution having a specific gravity between 1.025 g/cm3 and 1.225 g/cm3. To provide a realistic appearance and odor, a coloring agent and urea are dissolved within the solution. Finally, to provide a shelf stable product, a preservative is also dissolved within the solution.
US08377693B2	Polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding same The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08377686B2	Detection of biological molecules by differential partitioning of enzyme substrates and products This invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting a biological molecule associated with enzyme activity in a sample. The invention is applicable to detecting a microorganism associated with an enzyme in a sample such as water, food, soil, or a biological sample. According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, a sample containing an enzyme of interest or a microorganism associated with the enzyme is combined with a suitable substrate, and a fluorescent product of the enzyme-substrate reaction is selectively detected. The fluorescent product is detected with a partitioning element or optical probe/partitioning element of the invention. In one embodiment the partitioning element provides for partitioning of only the fluorescent product molecule into the probe. The invention also provides an automated system for monitoring for biological contamination of water or other samples.
US08377683B2	Zinc oxide-based nanostructure modified QCM for dynamic monitoring of cell adhesion and proliferation A dynamic and noninvasive method of monitoring the adhesion and proliferation of biological cells through multimode operation (acoustic and optical) using a ZnO nanostructure-modified quartz crystal microbalance (ZnOnano-QCM) biosensor is disclosed.
US08377682B2	System for the heterologous expression of a viral protein in a ciliate host cell The present invention relates to a system for the heterologous expression of a viral protein or a fragment thereof, said system comprising a) a ciliate host cell, b) at least one cDNA encoding for a viral protein, or a fragment thereof, and c) a promoter operably linked to said cDNA.
US08377678B2	Methodology for detection, enumeration, propagation and manipulation of bacteriophages A method to propagate, enumerate and quantify bacteriophage(s) in a water sample or other aqueous sample was designed which contains ingredients to stimulate the growth of select bacterial species which are susceptible to infection by specific bacteriophage(s), in which interfering background organisms are either inhibited or inconsequential. Important features of the medium include oxidation-reduction compounds producing colored and/or fluorescent products, chromogenic and/or fluorogenic enzyme substrates, and temperature-independent gelling agent(s). A preferred combination is the growth medium containing 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-B-D-galactoside, and appropriate gelling agents, which (when properly used) produces a dark red bacterial lawn containing teal blue-green, irregularly circular spots representing individual phage plaque, all discernible to the eye in visible light. The procedure can also be readily applied towards automatic counting systems under artificial illumination. The procedure can be employed with water samples and with elution buffers that can retain bacteriophages in suspension following contact by the buffer with foods, soils, hard surfaces and other solids that may be contaminated by bacteriophages.
US08377673B2	Delta-9 elongases and their use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-9 elongases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and using these delta-9 elongases in plants.
US08377672B2	Ligand functionalized polymers Ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.
US08377670B2	Laccases for bio-bleaching Provided herein are isolated laccase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding them. Also provided are mediators for laccase reactions. Also provided herein are methods for using laccases to oxidize lignins and other phenolic and aromatic compounds, such as for bio-bleaching and decolorization of wood pulp under high temperature and pH conditions to facilitate a substantial reduction in use of bleaching chemicals, as well as for treatment of fibers.
US08377669B2	Reducing leukocyte interference in non-competitive immunoassays The invention is directed to methods and devices for reducing interference from leukocytes in an analyte immunoassay, and in particular in non-competitive immunoassays. In one embodiment, the invention is to a method comprising the steps of (a) amending a biological sample such as a whole blood sample with sacrificial beads; and (b) performing a non-competitive immunoassay on the amended sample to determine the concentration of said analyte in said sample. Preferably, the sample is amended with IgG-coated sacrificial beads.
US08377667B2	Microorganisms for the production of 1,4-butanediol, 4-hydroxybutanal, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, putrescine and related compounds, and methods related thereto The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO), 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine and further optimized for expression of BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine.
US08377666B2	Microorganisms for the production of 1,4-butanediol, 4-hydroxybutanal, 4-hydroxybutyryl-coa, putrescine and related compounds, and methods related thereto The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO), 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine and further optimized for expression of BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO, 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA, 4-hydroxybutanal or putrescine.
US08377663B2	Cosmetic composition comprising hydroxymethionine and 3-aminopropanesulfonic acid The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions comprising an association of hydroxymethionine and 3-aminopropanesulfonic acid, and a cosmetic method for the skin. These compositions are intended to prevent and/or treat the signs of the cutaneous ageing such as the sagging of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue, the loss of cutaneous elasticity and atony of the texture of the skin, the loss of firmness and tonicity, dermal atrophy and loss of density, wrinkle, little wrinkle, crack.
US08377662B2	Process for the production of N-acyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine The document describes a process for the preparation of N-Acyl-Phosphatidyl-Ethanolamine of formula (I) on an industrial scale, In which R1, R2 and R3 are, independently from each other, saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated acyls C10-C30, pure or mixed together, and X═OH or OM, where M=alkaline metal or alkaline earth, ammonium or alkylammonium. The process in question allows the conversion of lecithin of synthetic or natural origin into N-Acyl-Phosphatidyl-Ethanolamine of formula (I) of high purity, using a limited molar excess of the reagent N-acyl-ethanolamine, where the acyl is as defined above for the formula (I) through reaction of transphosphatidylation in the presence of the enzyme phospholipase D and in conditions suitable for production on an industrial scale.
US08377661B2	Method for synthesising omega-amino-alkanoic acids or the esters thereof from natural fatty acids The invention relates to a method for synthesizing ω-amino-alkanoic acids or the esters thereof from mono-unsaturated natural fatty acids comprising at least one step of forming the unsaturated diacid corresponding to the original fatty acid.
US08377660B2	Method for producing an optically active compound A method for producing an optically active compound includes reacting a nucleophile with a mixture of R- and S-stereoisomers of an azolide substrate by enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution so as to produce the optically active compound, wherein the azolide substrate contains an azole group used as a leaving group and an acyl group directly bonded to a nitrogen atom of the azole group.
US08377657B1	Primers for analyzing methylated sequences and methods of use thereof Primers having abasic regions or mismatches for amplifying sequences suspected of having methylation. Primers having abasic regions or mismatches for amplifying sequences adjacent to suspected or known methylated sequences. Methods of using primers having abasic regions or mismatches for identification of methylated sequences or sequences adjacent to suspected or known methylation sequences.
US08377648B2	Autoimmune regulation of prostate cancer by annexin A3 The present invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma comprising the determination of annexin A3 (ANXA3) and/or autoantibodies against ANXA3 with a specific reagent. The method allows differentiation between benign, premalignant and malignant conditions. Further, the method has a prognostic relevance.
US08377644B2	2′-arabino-fluorooligonucleotide N3′→P5′ phosphoramidates: their synthesis and use Oligonucleotides with a novel sugar-phosphate backbone containing at least one 2′-arabino-fluoronucleoside and an internucleoside 3′-NH—P(═O)(OR)—O-5′ linkage, where R is a positively charged counter ion or hydrogen, and methods of synthesizing and using the inventive oligonucleotides are provided. The inventive phosphoramidate 2′-aribino-fluorooligonucleotides have a high RNA binding affinity to complementary nucleic acids and are base and acid stable.
US08377643B2	Split flow device for analyses of specific-binding partners The present invention provides an analyte detection system for detecting a target analyte in a sample. In particular, the invention provides a detection system capable of one-step amplification of the detection signal by incorporating a secondary flow path that can deliver reagents to a reaction zone. Methods of using the detection system to detect analytes in samples, particularly biological samples, and kits comprising the detection system are also disclosed.
US08377639B2	Compounds for modulating RNA binding proteins and uses therefor The invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting RNA binding proteins (e.g., MEX-3, MEX-5 and POS-1), as well as methods for treating and preventing disorders associated with parasitic infections and inflammatory disorders.
US08377637B2	MicroRNA-based methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of lung cancer using miR-17-3P The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of lung cancer. The invention also provides methods of identifying anti-lung cancer agents.
US08377635B2	Microfluidic device A method of controlling the flow of an aqueous fluid in a microfluidic device, which makes use of a fluid gate comprising a UCST (upper critical solubility temperature) polymer and which allows fluid to flow by raising the temperature of the fluid gate above the USCT. Also provided is a device incorporating such a fluid gate and the use of such a device to detect an analyte in an aqueous fluid sample.
US08377632B2	Method of reducing microloading effect The present invention provides a method of reducing microloading effect by using a photoresist layer as a buffer. The method includes: providing a substrate defined with a dense region and an isolated region. Then, a dense feature pattern and an isolated feature pattern are formed on the dense region and the isolated region respectively. After that, a photoresist layer is formed to cover the isolated region. Finally, the substrate and the photoresist layer are etched by taking the dense feature pattern and the isolated feature pattern as a mask.
US08377629B2	Method for preparing lithographic printing plate precursors A method of preparing a lithographic printing plate in which no pre-heat step is used comprising the steps of:—providing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support and a photopolymerizable image-recording layer, the image-recording layer comprising a monomer and a binder;—image-wise exposing the precursor in an exposure unit;—off press developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous solution in a processing unit; characterized in that the ratio of the total amount of monomer to the total amount of binder is at least 1 and the time lapse between exposing an image-area of the precursor and contacting the image-area with the aqueous solution is at least 1 minute.
US08377628B2	Negative working, heat-sensitive, lithographic printing plate precursor A heat-sensitive negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes on a grained and anodized aluminum support a coating including hydrophobic thermoplastic polymer particles, a hydrophilic binder, and an organic compound, wherein the organic compound includes at least one phosphonic acid group or at least one phosphoric acid group or a salt thereof.
US08377626B2	Methods of forming a pattern using negative-type photoresist compositions A method of forming a pattern and a negative-type photoresist composition, the method including forming a photoresist film on a substrate by coating a photoresist composition thereon, the photoresist composition including a polymer, a photoacid generator, and a solvent, wherein the polymer includes an alkoxysilyl group as a side chain and is cross-linkable by an acid to be insoluble in a developer; curing a first portion of the photoresist film by exposing the first portion to light, the exposed first portion being cured by a cross-linking reaction of the alkoxysilyl groups therein; and providing a developer to the photoresist film to remove a second portion of the photoresist film that is not exposed to light, thereby forming a photoresist pattern on the substrate.
US08377617B2	Toner for developing electrostatic image and manufacturing method of toner for developing electrostatic image Disclosed are a toner for developing an electrostatic image and its manufacturing method, the toner being comprised of toner particles, wherein the toner particles contain as a resin a polymer having a structural unit represented by the following formula 1, wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of from 1 to 8, which may have a substituent; and R2 and R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom, —OR4 or —OCOR5, in which R4 and R5 independently represent an alkyl group having a carbon atom number of from 1 to 8, provided that at least one of R2 and R3 is —OR4 or —OCOR5.
US08377616B2	AZO compound, and pigment dispersant, pigment composition, pigment dispersion and toner including the azo compound There is provided a colorant compound improved in the dispersibility of an azo pigment into a water-insoluble solvent. The colorant compound is represented by the following general formula (1). R1 denotes an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group; R2 to R6 each denote a hydrogen atom, or a substituent represented by the following general formula (2); R7 to R11 each denote a hydrogen atom, a COOR12 group, or a CONR13R14 group; and R12 to R14 each denote a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and P1 denotes a polymeric component; L1 denotes an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or an arylene group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms; and * denotes a binding site.
US08377615B2	Photoconductors containing charge transporting polycarbonates A photoconductor that includes a supporting substrate, a ground plane layer, a hole blocking layer, an adhesive layer, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer of a charge transporting polycarbonate or a mixture of a charge transporting polycarbonate and a second polymer such as a polycarbonate.
US08377612B2	Titania-doped quartz glass member and making method In a titania-doped quartz glass member having a surface where EUV light of up to 70 nm wavelength is reflected, a refractive index distribution in the surface has only one extreme point within a central 80% region of the member. The titania-doped quartz glass member has a surface with a high level of precision and thus can be formed into an EUV lithography photomask substrate which is improved in flatness and thermal expansion properties.
US08377610B2	Membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system including the same A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode facing each other and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes a conductive electrode substrate and a catalyst layer formed thereon, and the catalyst layer includes a first catalyst layer including a first metal catalyst that grows from the polymer electrolyte membrane toward the electrode substrate and a second catalyst layer including a second metal catalyst covering the first catalyst layer.
US08377608B2	Arrangement structure of gaseous fuel filling port for motorcycle A fuel filling port is inclined at a predetermined angle in a vertical direction such that a filling nozzle is inserted slantwise from above when a body is supported in an upright posture by a center stand to prevent a motorcycle from falling over even if a filling nozzle is pressingly inserted into the fuel filling port.
US08377606B2	Paraffin fuel cell The present invention provides a fuel cell in which electricity is generated and a paraffin is converted to an olefin. Between the anode and cathode compartment of the fuel cell is a ceramic membrane of the formula BaCe0.85-eAeLfY0.05-0.25O(3-δ) wherein A is selected from the group consisting of Hf and Zr and mixtures thereof, e is from 0.1 to 0.5, L is a lanthanide and f is from 0 to 0.25 and δ is the oxygen deficiency in the ceramic.
US08377605B2	Solid oxide fuel cell A highly efficient solid oxide fuel cell having a sharply increased electrode area per volume includes a plurality of individual electric cells placed one atop another. Each of the individual electric cells includes an electrolyte block having a plurality of channels and a plurality of first passageways communicating with the channels, a cover plate attached to the electrolyte block for closing up top portions of the channels, the cover plate having a plurality of second passageways communicating with the channels, and a plurality of air electrodes and fuel electrodes alternately arranged within the channels. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a first side plate attached to first lateral sides of the individual electric cells for closing up first lateral ends of the channels and a second side plate attached to second lateral sides of the individual electric cells for closing up second lateral ends of the channels.
US08377603B2	Attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system and electronic portable device equipped therewith An attachment for a fuel tank of a fuel cell powered system is described. The attachment thermally conducts heat generated from an electronic component to the fuel tank. The attachment further affixes to the electronic component by a securing portion. In one aspect, the attachment is comprised in a fuel cell powered electronic device. In another aspect, the attachment is integral to the fuel tank.
US08377602B2	System and a method for regulating the temperature of a fuel cell The invention relates to a system for regulating the temperature of a fuel cell that is cooled by a cooling fluid traveling through the cell, the system including both first control means for measuring the temperature of the cooling fluid and for controlling the flow rate of the controlling fluid as a function of said measured temperature of said cooling fluid, comprising second control means for measuring the flow rate of the cooling fluid and for controlling the temperature of the cooling fluid as a function of a flow rate difference between the command flow rate specified by said first control means and said corresponding measured flow rate of the cooling fluid such that said command temperature specified by the second control means compensates for said flow rate difference.
US08377600B2	Fuel cell power generation system and method of operating thereof A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell.
US08377598B2	Battery having an electrolytic solution containing difluoroethylene carbonate A battery capable of obtaining the high energy density and obtaining the superior cycle characteristics is provided. In an anode, the thickness of a single face of an anode active material layer containing a carbon material as an anode active material is from 75 μm to 120 μm. An electrolytic solution contains difluoroethylene carbonate as a solvent. Thereby, the energy density of the anode is improved, and the diffusion and the acceptance of lithium ions in the anode are improved.
US08377595B2	Gelling agent for batteries The present invention has its objective to provide a gelling agent for a battery, which forms a paste gel in a short period of time on dissolution in an alkaline electrolyte. The gel has less bubbles and a high gel density. The gelling agent for a battery comprises granular carboxyl group-containing polymer particles having a median particle diameter of 100 to 800 μm and a bulk density of 0.30 g/ml or more, and has a gel turbidity of 200 ppm or less and a gel density of 1.37 g/ml or more in a gel. The gel is prepared by adding 2 parts by mass of the granular carboxyl group-containing polymer particles to 98 parts by mass of 40% by mass of an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution.
US08377594B2	Cathode active material for lithium secondary battery Disclosed herein is a cathode active material based on lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide represented by Formula 1, wherein the lithium nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide has a nickel content of at least 40% among overall transition metals and is coated with a conductive polymer at a surface thereof. A lithium secondary battery having the disclosed cathode active material has advantages of not deteriorating electrical conductivity while enhancing high temperature stability, so as to efficiently provide high charge capacity.
US08377588B2	Cell electrode plate and process for producing the same A cell electrode plate is constituted by band-like core member made of metal foil and a plurality of sheets of electrode active material applied discontinuously on and longitudinally of at least one of upper and lower surfaces of the core member, the mutually adjacent sheets of the electrode active material having mutually different end positions widthwise of the core member. Thereby, an increase in worn amount of surfaces of press rolls is prevented when the cell electrode plate is pressed by a roll press machine with the press rolls so as to prolong the service life of the press rolls. Thus, the number and/or amount of grinding the press rolls is reduced to reduce the roll maintenance cost and enhance production efficiency.
US08377580B2	Metallic glass, magnetic recording medium using the same, and method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium A magnetic recording medium 1 includes a substrate 11; and a metallic glassy layer 12 that is arranged on the substrate 11 and has a plurality of convex portions 12A and concave portions 12B. The metallic glassy layer 12 has a chemical composition represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (3): FemPtnSixByPz (wherein, 20
US08377579B2	Coatings based on hydraulic binders with an optimal rheology and high photocatalytic activity There is described a cement composition, based on hydraulic binders, adapted to obtain coatings with a high photocatalytic activity and improved rheologic characteristics, including a hydraulic binder, a polycarboxylic or acrylic superfluidifying agent, a cellulosic ether with a viscosity in the range between 10000 and 120000 mPa·s, an adhesive agent, a calcareous, silicic or silicic-calcareous filler and a photocatalyst.
US08377578B2	Infrared reflecting layer system for transparent substrate An infrared radiation reflecting transparent layer system on a transparent substrate and a method for producing same is provided. The infrared radiation reflecting layer system comprises an infrared radiation reflecting layer sequence which includes a selective function usually consisting of a noble metal, mostly silver, or an alloy thereof and having a good selective reflectivity in the infrared range. The layer sequence is supplemented by at least one transparent dielectric layer of an oxynitride of a metal, a semiconductor or a semiconductor alloy having a low to moderate refractive index arranged directly on the substrate or above the infrared radiation reflecting layer sequence.
US08377576B2	Magnetic composites and methods of making and using Disclosed herein is a magnetic paste that generally includes a magnetic component and a liquid organic component. The magnetic component includes a plurality of discrete nanoparticles, a plurality of nanoparticle-containing assemblies, or both. Magnetic devices can be formed from the magnetic paste. Methods of making and using the magnetic paste are also described.
US08377572B2	Polymer and organic photoelectric device including the same A polymer represented by the following Formula 1:
US08377570B2	Poly(arylenevinylene) and poly(heteroarylenevinylene) light emitting polymer and polymer light-emitting devices The invention provides novel luminescent poly(arylenevinylene) and poly(heteroarylenevinylene) polymers. The polymers of the invention may be prepared as films and such films may be used as an emissive layer in polymeric light emitting devices. In one embodiment, a bulky aryl group is attached at position (2) of at least one phenylene ring of a poly(phenylenevinylene) backbone. In another embodiment, the bulky aryl is attached at position 3 of at least one 5-membered heteroarylene ring of a poly(heteroarylenevinylene) backbone.
US08377566B2	Precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and sheet therefor Precision-folded, high strength, fatigue-resistant structures and a sheet therefore are disclosed. To form the structures, methods for precision bending of a sheet of material along a bend line and a sheet of material formed with bending strap-defining structures, such as slits or grooves, are disclosed. Methods include steps of designing and then separately forming longitudinally extending slits or grooves through the sheet of material in axially spaced relation to produce precise bending of the sheet when bent along the bend line. The bending straps have a configuration and orientation which increases their strength and fatigue resistance, and most preferably slits or arcs are used which causes edges to be engaged and supported on faces of the sheet material on opposite sides of the slits or arcs. The edge-to-face contact produces bending along a virtual fulcrum position in superimposed relation to the bend line. Several slit embodiments suitable for producing edge-to-face engagement support and precise bending are disclosed. With these teachings, forming numerous three-dimensional load-bearing structures from a two dimensional sheet are enabled. Examples of straight and curved beams, chassis, and exoskeletons are disclosed.
US08377565B2	Filling material and filling method using the same A filling material includes a support base member and a metal layer, the metal layer including a first metal layer and a second metal layer and being disposed on one side of the support base member, the first metal layer being an aggregate of nano metal particles and having a film thickness enabling melting at a temperature lower than a melting point, the second metal layer being an aggregate of metal particles having a lower melting point than the first metal layer.
US08377561B2	Motor vehicle component comprising sol-gel coating The invention relates to a motor vehicle component, particularly a motor vehicle attachment part, preferably a motor vehicle exterior component, particularly preferred a motor vehicle trim component, made of anodized aluminum or an anodized aluminum alloy. The motor vehicle component is provided—at least partially—with a sol-gel coating. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a corresponding motor vehicle component.
US08377558B2	Optical compensation films with disk groups for liquid crystal display Optical compensation films (positive C-plate) with disk anisotropic subunits (OASUs) that have high positive birefringence throughout the wavelength range 400 nm<λ<800 nm are provided. The optical compensation films may be processed by solution casting to yield a polymer film with high birefringence without the need for stretching, photopolymerization, or other processes. Such optical compensation films are suitable for use as a positive C-plate in LCDs, particularly IPS-LCDs.
US08377556B2	Material for growth of carbon nanotubes Systems and methods for creating carbon nanotubes are disclosed that comprise a growing a nanotube on a tri-layer material. This tri-layer material may comprise a catalyst and at least one layer of Ti. This tri-layer material may be exposed to a technique that is used to grow a nanotube on a material such as a deposition technique.
US08377553B2	Constrained layer damper, and related methods A constrained layer damper having a multilayer damping material is provided, as are related methods for making and using the damper. The constrained layer damper features a constraining layer, a carrier layer, a release liner, a viscoelastic layer interposed between the constraining layer and a first surface of the carrier layer, and a silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive interposed between the release liner and a second surface of the carrier layer. The silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive has sufficient tackiness at room temperature to adhere the constrained layer damper, with the release liner removed, to a substrate, such as a metallic substrate. The constrained layer damper has a peak damping temperature value in a range of about 50° C. to about 100° C.
US08377552B2	Support, glass substrate laminate, support-equipped display device panel, and method for manufacturing display device panel The present invention relates to a support including a supporting substrate and a cured silicone resin layer having a peelable surface and being disposed on one surface of the supporting substrate, for laminating a glass substrate on a surface of the cured silicone resin layer, in which a cured silicone resin of the cured silicone resin layer is a cured material of a curable silicone resin composition containing the specific linear organopolysiloxane (a) and the specific linear organopolysiloxane (b), and the cured silicone resin layer is a cured silicone resin layer formed by curing the curable silicone resin composition on a surface of the supporting substrate.
US08377549B2	Developer carrying member, and developing apparatus using same The present invention relates to a developer carrying member which includes a substrate and the resin layer formed on the surface of the substrate, wherein the resin layer is obtained by thermally curing the coating material composition including at least the following (A) to (E): (A) a thermosetting resin as a binder resin; (B) an alcohol as a solvent, containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms; (C) a resin including the unit represented by the following formula (1); (D) graphitized carbon black having a graphite (002) lattice spacing of 0.3370 nm or more and 0.3450 nm or less as measured by X-ray diffraction; and (E) acid carbon black having a pH of 5.0 or less:
US08377545B2	Bonded article with nanoscopic dendrimers and method of preparing same Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for bonded articles using dendrimers for facilitating adhesion between an adhesive and a substrate with low surface free energy.
US08377543B2	Multilayer-wired substrate Provided is a multilayer-wired substrate for mobile electric equipment, wherein the multilayer-wired substrate is very strong, includes a larger elastically deformable region and a higher elasticity than those of the conventional structure, and can be curved. The multilayer-wired substrate is a multilayer-wired substrate including one or more insulating layers. At least one insulating layer of the substrate is made of a material in which the mechanical characteristic in an in-plane direction component exhibits anisotropy.
US08377541B2	Mold and process for combining metal/ceramic and polymer component mixture in the formation of homogenous parts and further including an article of manufacture and process for creating a combination plastic and silver composite exhibiting lifelong anti-biotic properties The present invention discloses a composite structural article exhibiting a three dimensional shape and size and including an admixture including at least one of a metal and a ceramic component, this combined with at least one polymeric component. In a further revised application, the article can include an admixture including at least one of a silver and a polymeric component.
US08377534B2	Light-blocking decorative sheet A shading decorative sheet which is excellent in a design and used for plate glasses of buildings, partitions for dividing a room and the like is provided by the present invention, and it comprises a base layer comprising a thermoplastic resin film having a haze value of 20% or more measured through a transmitted light according to JIS K7105 and formed on one surface of the base layer, a design layer comprising a decorative part having a similar color to that of the base layer and a non-decorative part.
US08377533B2	Bioabsorbable stent with layers having different degradation rates A bioabsorbable stent and method of forming the same including a stent scaffolding formed from polymer layers with different degradation rates is disclosed. The polymer layers include an abluminal layer, a luminal layer, and optionally one or more middle layers. A degradation rate of the layers increases from the luminal layer to the abluminal layer.
US08377531B2	Systems and methods for preventing and/or reducing corrosion in various types of tanks containers and closed systems The present invention relates to methods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence of corrosion in a variety of articles including, but not limited to, tanks (e.g., storage tanks, septic tanks, fuel tanks, etc.); containers (e.g., shipping containers, storage containers, etc.); semi-closed systems (e.g., fuel systems, septic systems, reservoirs, etc.); and/or closed systems (e.g., waste disposal systems, waste disposal drums or containers, etc.). In another embodiment, the methods of the present invention may be utilized to reduce and/or prevent corrosion in a variety of pipelines (e.g., gas/oil pipelines, water pipelines, sewage lines, etc.). More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for preventing and/or reducing the occurrence of corrosion in a variety of articles including, but not limited to, metallic tanks; metallic containers; pipelines; semi-closed systems; and/or closed systems which are constructed partially or totally from metal. (e.g., steel, iron, copper, brass, aluminum, etc.).
US08377526B2	Compositions containing expandable microspheres and an ionic compound, as well as methods of making and using the same This invention relates to composition containing expandable microspheres and at least one ionic compound and having a zeta potential that is greater than or equal to zero mV at a pH of about 9.0 or less at an ionic strength of from 10−6 M to 0.1M, as well as methods of making and using the composition.
US08377524B2	High R-value window unit In certain example embodiments of this invention, a window unit may include a vacuum IG (VIG) unit as an inboard lite and a monolithic lite (e.g., with an optional low-E coating thereon) as an outboard lite. A dead air space may separate the inboard and outboard lites. A highly insulated frame may be used to support the inner and outer lites. The VIG unit may be partially embedded or supported in the insulative frame, so that the insulating frame separates the VIG unit inboard lite from the outboard lite thereby reducing conductivity around the edges of the window unit so that R-value can be increased (and U-value decreased). In certain example embodiments, the total R-value of the window unit is at least about R-8, and more preferably at least about R-10 (compared to the much lower R-values of conventional IG units).
US08377521B2	Ink jet recording material An ink-jet recording paper with a paper substrate that has a coating on at least one side, wherein the coating contains binder and inorganic pigment, and wherein: (a) the substrate has a density in the range of 0.6 to 1.0 g/cm3 and a Cobb60 value in the range of 19-25 g/m2; (b) the coating consists solely of a single layer formed as a recording layer, which is applied directly to the substrate; (c) the pigment present in the recording layer consists of colloidal synthetic boehmite with a mean crystal size in the range of 10-50 nm; and (d) the binder present in the recording material consists of silanized polyvinyl alcohol to the extent of 80-100 wt. %.
US08377518B2	In-situ flux measurement devices, methods, and systems In-situ flux measurement methods, devices, and systems are provided. According to some embodiments, an in-situ molecular flux device generally comprises a electrically conductive container configured to hold a precursor material, a heat source proximate the electrically conductive container to heat the precursor material to release ions such that an ion current is produced; and a current-measuring device in electrical communication with the electrically conductive container to measure the ion current associated with the heated precursor material. Other embodiments are also claimed and described.
US08377517B2	Method of forming transflective liquid crystal display panel A method of forming transflective LCD panel includes forming a compensation material having reactive liquid crystal monomers, thermal initiators and a solvent on a first substrate. Then, a first heating process is performed on the compensation material to remove parts of the solvent and then a photo-polymerizing process is performed, and parts of the compensation material disposed in a reflective region are turned into birefringent zones. Moreover, a second heating process is performed, in which the first substrate is kept in a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, and thereafter nitrogen gas flows in to the chamber to form a non-oxygen condition. Accordingly, parts of the compensation material disposed in a transmission region are turned into isotropic zones. The predetermined temperature of the second heating process is higher than the clearing point of the reactive liquid crystal monomers.
US08377516B2	Printing ink This invention relates to a radiation-curable ink-jet ink having a viscosity of 30 mPas or less at 25° C., the ink comprising: at least two monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomers which comprise a cyclic monofunctional (meth)acrylate monomer and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate; a monofunctional monomer selected from an N-vinyl amide, an N-acryloyl amine or a mixture thereof; a multifunctional (meth)acrylate monomer; a polymerisable (meth)acrylate oligomer; a radical photoinitiator; and a colouring agent. The ink is preferably used in reel-to-reel printing and in printing where the substrates are stacked.
US08377512B2	Methods of producing armor systems, and armor systems produced using such methods An armor system and method involves providing a core material and a stream of atomized coating material that comprises a liquid fraction and a solid fraction. An initial layer is deposited on the core material by positioning the core material in the stream of atomized coating material wherein the solid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material is less than the liquid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material on a weight basis. An outer layer is then deposited on the initial layer by positioning the core material in the stream of atomized coating material wherein the solid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material is greater than the liquid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material on a weight basis.
US08377511B2	Method for depositing silicon nitride films and/or silicon oxynitride films by chemical vapor deposition Disclosed are CVD deposition of SiN and SiON films using pentakis(dimethylamino)disilane compounds along with a nitrogen containing gas and optionally an oxygen containing gas.
US08377509B2	Lithium-based compound nanoparticle compositions and methods of forming the same Lithium-based compound small particle compositions, as well as methods and structures associated with the same, are provided. The particle compositions, in some cases, are characterized by having an nano-size particles. The particle compositions may be produced in a milling process. In some embodiments, the particles may be coated with a coating that may enhance certain properties of the particle composition (e.g., electrical conductivity).
US08377508B2	Solventless laminating adhesive and process for production of composite film A solventless laminating adhesive comprising a polyisocyanate component and a polyol component, both of which are free from polyol components exhibiting crystalline properties at ordinary temperatures. The adhesive exhibits an initial viscosity of 500 to 1000 mPa s three minutes after mixing of the polyisocyanate component with the polyol component and a viscosity increase of 100 to 350% based on the initial viscosity 20 minutes after the mixing. In a coater which is provided with a pair of opposed rolls and in which the rolls rotates in the directions contrary to each other at the opposition site, the adhesive is applied to a film passing between the rolls.
US08377506B2	Method of manufacturing a substrate structure A substrate structure is provided. The substrate structure includes a substrate, a first insulation layer, a conductive part, a second insulation layer, a seed layer and a conductive layer. The substrate has a first circuit pattern layer and a second circuit pattern layer, which are located on two opposite surfaces of the substrate respectively. The first insulation layer formed on the first circuit pattern layer has a first insulation hole, which exposes a first opening in the outer surface of the first insulation layer. The conductive part formed on the first insulation hole for electrically connecting with a chip is enclosed by the edge of the first opening. The second insulation layer formed on the second circuit pattern layer has a second insulation hole in which the seed layer is formed. The conductive layer is formed on the seed layer for electrically connecting with a circuit board.
US08377504B2	Method for producing electroconductive polymer electrode, and dye-sensitized solar cell equipped with the same A method for producing an electroconductive polymer electrode that is excellent in electroconductivity and catalyst capability, is easily patterned, is high in use efficiency of a coating solution, and can produce conveniently with good reproducibility and productivity, and a dye-sensitized solar cell with an excellent conversion efficiency obtained by using the same are provided. Specifically, such a method is employed that a solution containing a monomer of an electroconductive polymer, a pyrrolidone compound represented by the following general formula (1) as a polymerization controlling agent and an oxidizing agent is coated on an electrode substrate, and then the monomer is polymerized by oxidation polymerization to form an electroconductive polymer electrode. wherein in the formula (1), R1 represents an alkyl group or an aryl group.
US08377503B2	Method for real-time monitoring thickness chance of coating film A method for real-timely monitoring thickness change of a coating film is disclosed. In the method, a coating module having a chamber and a film thickness-monitoring module containing an SPR optical fiber sensor, a light source, a light-receiving detector, and optical fibers are first provided. The optical fibers are used to connect the SPR optical fiber sensor with the light source and the light-receiving detector. The SPR optical fiber sensor has a sensing area and is arranged in the chamber. The light source provides the SPR optical fiber sensor with light. Then, a substrate is put into the chamber. While coating process is performed on the substrate, a film is also formed on the sensing area of the SPR optical fiber sensor. The light-receiving detector receives signals output from the sensing area of the SPR optical fiber sensor and then outputs signals of light-intensity change.
US08377501B2	Coating and developing system control method of controlling coating and developing system A coating and developing system and control method is provided. The system and control method curtails the amount of time for which a substrate is held with no purpose while improving the throughput of the coating and developing system. An inspection station through which a substrate processed in a processing station is transferred to a carrier station includes a plurality of different inspection modules respectively taking different inspection times, a buffer unit for temporarily holding a substrate and a substrate carrying means controlled by a controller. When the inspection module is engaged in inspecting a substrate, the substrate carrying means carries another substrate to be inspected by the same inspection module to the buffer unit and the substrate is held in the buffer unit. Thus, the holding of wafers in the inspection modules can be suppressed and the throughput can be improved.
US08377500B2	Process for making a dental restoration and resultant apparatus A process for making a dental restoration includes forming an image which represents a natural oral cavity characteristic. The image may be formed on a computer by an artist or by capturing a photograph of an oral cavity. The computer-based image may be modified with a computer-aided software program. Thereafter, the image is printed as a decal and attached to the dental restoration base. The decal and the dental restoration base are conditioned by a high intensity light or by being fired together in an oven in order to create a finished dental restoration having the desired oral cavity color and characteristics.
US08377498B2	Method for producing a medical device with a cross-linked hydrophilic coating Disclosed is a production method for medical devices with a hydrophilic coating, which ensures adequate adhesion to the substrate, as well as good water retention and low friction properties. Specifically, the method comprises providing a coating solution comprising a hydrophilic polymer to a surface of a substrate to form a non-cross-linked hydrophilic coating; and irradiating the coated substrate, thereby cross-linking the hydrophilic coating and simultaneously sterilizing the medical device. Hereby, a non-cross linked hydrophilic coating is first obtained which is not fit for use as a catheter coating. However, after the step of irradiating the coated substrate, the hydrophilic coating becomes cross-linked, and fit for use e.g. on a urinary catheter. Further, since one and the same irradiation step is used to effect both cross-linking and sterilization, the production can be made more efficient, using fewer production steps and with a shortened production time.
US08377496B2	Stable nutritional powder Disclosed are compositions comprising carbohydrate; lipid, comprising from about 0.25% to about 2.5% lecithin by weight of total lipid; from about 90% to about 99.5% of intact protein by weight of total protein; and from about 0.5% to about 10% of at least one hydrolyzed protein selected from the group consisting of hydrolyzed casein protein and hydrolyzed whey protein; wherein the hydrolyzed protein has a degree of hydrolysis of between about 23% and about 90%, and wherein the compositions are nutritional powders. The nutritional powders provide improved oxidative stability and sensory performance.
US08377495B2	Water-in-oil type fat or oil composition and method for producing the same An object of the present invention is to provide a water-in-oil type fat or oil composition which exhibits satisfactory demulsification in the mouth regardless of a low salt content, and which makes a consumer feel moderate saltiness, and a method for producing the same. Disclosed is a water-in-oil type fat or oil composition containing 0.4% by weight or more and less than 1.0% by weight of a salt, wherein the time required to reach 50% of an equilibrium value is within 50 seconds in an increase in conductivity at 35° C.
US08377494B2	Concentrates of active agents, such as W-3 fatty acids, and polysorbate The invention relates to the processing of substances that are not soluble, or soluble with difficulty, in water, in such a manner that, introduced into water or oil, these substances can yield a clear solution and can be easily integrated with finest homogeneous distribution into foodstuff, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutrient solutions. To achieve that, the invention provides a concentrate, consisting of an active substance from the group, which includes an algae oil, an essential oil, a terpene, phosphatidylserine, an ω 3 fatty acid, lanolin, a linoleic acid triglyceride, citral or tea tree oil, and a surplus amount of a polysorbate with at least two and half times the weight of the active substance.
US08377492B2	Dietary fiber-enriching agent and dietary fiber-enriched food The invention provides a water-soluble dietary fiber enriching agent comprising a modified starch which contains dietary fibers in an amount not more than 5% by mass measured by Prosky's method and a low-molecular weight water-soluble dietary fiber in an amount not less than 25% by mass. The water-soluble dietary fiber enriching agent contains a low-molecular weight water-soluble dietary fiber, and does not deteriorate the mouthfeel of the food obtained using the same.
US08377488B2	Method for treating olives to be utilized for olive oil production Methods are provided for treating freshly harvested olives to substantially retain the quality of oil contained therewithin for enabling production of high quality olive oil from said treated olives at a prolonged time after harvest and treated freshly harvested olives with retained oil qualities characterized in that the oil extracted therefrom after a prolonged storage time meets the standards of the IOC for Virgin Olive Oils.
US08377481B2	Apparatus and method to generate a mixture of hydrogen peroxide gas and a carrier gas This relates to a method to generate a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide gas and a Carrier gas, consisting in passing a dry Carrier gas through a solution of Hydrogen Peroxide.
US08377480B2	Granular sustained release preparation and production thereof There is disclosed a novel sustained release granular resin-pharmaceutical composition comprising an ion exchange resin complexed with a pharmaceutical material wherein said complex is embedded into and on the surface of a diffusion barrier material. There is also disclosed a novel process for preparing the granulated complex wherein an aqueous granulating vehicle is employed to form the complex and the granulated product, thereby avoiding the use of coatings and large amounts of organic solvents in the process.
US08377478B2	Solid detergent composition A salt of ethylenediamine disuccinic acid comprising at least 0.7 mole equivalents of magnesium per mole of ethylenediamine disuccinic acid which salt is in the form of a water-soluble, non-hygroscopic solid is disclosed. Also described is a method of preparing such salts and uses thereof.
US08377473B2	Slow release magnesium composition and uses thereof The present invention provides compositions that contain magnesium and threonate, or a threonate precursor molecule, formulated for extended or modified release to provide physiological concentrations over a desired time period. The extended release or modified release form is particularly useful in providing Mg to a subject while avoiding adverse side effects such as diarrhea.
US08377471B2	Container A container and more specifically a container such as a capsule used to deliver dosages of pharmaceuticals, medicines, vitamins, etc. to an individual is discussed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a container comprising: a cap; a body slidably engagable inside the cap; and a fluid gap positioned between the cap and the body adjacent an end of the cap, wherein a first channel of the cap and a first channel of the body form a snap fit joint and a second channel of the cap and a second channel of the body form a fluid stop joint whereby a sealing fluid is substantially restricted to the fluid gap by the fluid stop joint.
US08377469B2	Nano- and mesosized particles comprising an inorganic core, process and applications thereof Method for the preparation of nano- and mesosized particles consisting of a lipid layer comprising at least one amphiphile and a core of an inorganic compound and/or a metal, comprising: (i) dissolving in a common solvent at least one self-aggregating amphiphile with at least one inorganic, organometallic or metallorganic precursor of said inorganic compound or metal; and (ii) either injecting the resulting solution into an aqueous solution or drying the resulting solution and re-hydrating it, so as to form particles in which the precursor is encapsulated by the amphiphile(s) and is converted therein to said inorganic compound and/or metallic solid form.
US08377467B2	Hemostatic textile The present invention is directed to a hemostatic textile, comprising: a material comprising a combination of glass fibers and one or more secondary fibers selected from the group consisting of silk fibers; ceramic fibers; raw or regenerated bamboo fibers; cotton fibers; rayon fibers; linen fibers; ramie fibers; jute fibers; sisal fibers; flax fibers; soybean fibers; corn fibers; hemp fibers; lyocel fibers; wool; lactide and/or glycolide polymers; lactide/glycolide copolymers; silicate fibers; polyamide fibers; feldspar fibers; zeolite fibers, zeolite-containing fibers, acetate fibers; and combinations thereof; the hemostatic textile capable of activating hemostatic systems in the body when applied to a wound. Additional cofactors such as thrombin and hemostatic agents such as RL platelets, RL blood cells; fibrin, fibrinogen, and combinations thereof may also be incorporated into the textile. The invention is also directed to methods of producing the textile, and methods of using the textile to stop bleeding.
US08377465B2	Product and process for elevating lipid blood levels in livestock The present invention provides feed or food products for consumption by animals or humans which include respective quantities of flax oil and non-flax carbohydrate. The flax oil and carbohydrate are mixed together and simultaneously subjected to an elevated temperature of at least about 120° F. and subsequently cooled; the flax oil is used at a level so that the final product contains at least about 5% by weight flax oil. It has been found that the products of the invention, when fed at effective levels, induce increased in vivo synthesis of desirable eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
US08377461B2	Multifunctional medical articles The invention provides medical articles that include more than one biocompatibility-promoting function. In one aspect, the invention provides a medical articles that include a polymeric matrix including more than one biocompatible agent, wherein each biocompatible agent is provided at a distinct portion of the medical article surface. Methods of making medical articles, as well as methods of using the same, are also described.
US08377456B2	Methods for treating cognitive/attention deficit disorders using tetrahydroindolone analogues and derivatives The present specification discloses tetrahydroindolone derivatives or analogues and methods for treating cognitive/attention deficit disorders using such tetrahydroindolone derivatives and analogues.
US08377453B2	Gastric retentive extended-release dosage forms comprising combinations of a non-opioid analgesic and an opioid analgesic Compositions and methods for the treatment of pain in a mammal are described. More specifically, a dosage form designed for release of acetaminophen and an opioid is described, wherein the dosage form provides delivery of the drugs to the upper gastrointestinal tract (“GI”) of a mammal for an extended period of time.
US08377450B2	Clone of Newcastle disease virus, its manufacture and its application in the medical treatment of cancer A new clone of Newcastle disease virus which is interferon insensitive and has an ICPI between 1.2 and 2.0 and which may be used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
US08377449B2	Five part herbal cleanse protocol (detoxifying tea, tonifying tea, relaxing tea, parasite tea, intestinal tea) in conjunction with yoga and a vegan alkalinizing food and juice cleanse program An herbal cleanse formulation comprising five different herbal teas: a parasite tea, an intestinal tea, a detoxifying tea, a tonifying tea, and a relaxing tea. The parasite tea comprises areca seed, black plum, Sichuan pepper, and daikon radish. The intestinal tea comprises mountain hawthorn berry, magnolia bark, senna leaf, aloe, prunus, bitter orange, rhubarb, and licorice. The detoxifying tea comprises cyperus, Chinese angelica, trichosanthes, honeysuckle, forsythia, burdock fruit, dandelion, gardenia, coptis, and mustard seed. The tonifying tea comprises goji berries, red reishi, rehmannia, polygonum, astragalus, ginseng, codonopsis, and schizandra. The relaxing tea comprises ginger, lily bulbs, mimosa tree bark, acorus, sour jujube seeds, yuan zhi, and mint. The herbal cleanse formulation are to be taken at specific times of the day for a determined number of days in a specific protocol in conjunction with a vegan alkalinizing diet and incorporating Kundalini yoga.
US08377447B2	Monomeric recombinant MHC molecules useful for manipulation of antigen-specific T cells The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.
US08377446B2	Serum resistance factors of gram positive bacteria A newly identified serum resistance factor of gram positive bacteria can be used to treat or prevent bacterial infection.
US08377443B2	Antibodies to matrix metalloproteinase 9 The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use involving binding proteins, e.g., antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to the matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) protein (MMP9 is also known as gelatinase-B), wherein the binding proteins comprise an immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain (or functional fragment thereof) and an Ig light chain (or functional fragment thereof).
US08377441B2	Treating breast cancer with anti-IL-19 antibody Use of an anti-IL-19 antibody for treating breast cancer, either alone or in combination with an anti-IL-20 and/or anti-IL-20R1 antibody.
US08377438B2	Methods of antagonizing signal transduction in spinal cord cells Use of antagonists to IL-31 are used to treat inflammation and pain by inhibiting, preventing, reducing, minimizing, limiting or minimizing stimulation in neuronal tissues. Such antagonists include antibodies and fragments, derivative, or variants thereof. Symptoms such as pain, tingle, sensitization, tickle associated with neuropathies are ameliorated.
US08377433B2	SIVA 3, its preparation and use The present invention relates to a splice variant of SIVA, SIVA3, and to its use.
US08377431B2	Bacteriophage or lytic protein derived from the bacteriophage which effective for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm The present invention relates to compositions for removing a biofilm formed by Staphylococcus aureus, comprising a bacteriophage, such as Myoviridae family T4-like phage genus bacteriophage (Accession No: KCTC 11153BP, SAP-1) or Podoviridae family φ29-like virus genus bacteriophage (Accession No: KCTC11154BP, SAP-2), and lytic protein derived therefrom, that destroys the biofilm. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus capable of forming biofilm.
US08377426B2	Topical drying composition comprising encapsulated trehalose and method of using same A topical drying composition is provided for removal of sweat from skin areas which are vulnerable to sweating after sweat producing activities. The drying efficacy of the composition is due to the presence of encapsulated trehalose, with or without aluminum used as aluminum zirconium compound. Application of an effective amount of the composition to the skin prior to exercise or sweat removal activity reduces sweating and accelerates drying of the skin.
US08377423B2	Tooth whitening compositions and methods A non-cytotoxic chlorine dioxide composition and a mixed agent bleaching composition for tooth whitening are disclosed. Methods of use are also provided.
US08377420B2	Injectable void filler for soft tissue augmentation The present invention teaches a micro-porous injectable, soft elastic, fully resorbable fibrin-based composition for use as a soft tissue lumen and void filler. The composition of the present application exhibits physical characteristics, such as mechanical properties, typically seen in elastomers and mechanical stability, which is superior to fibrin alone. A variety of properties of the composition of the present invention can be effectively fine-tuned and altered by adjusting type and content of the particles as well as of the plasticizer contained in the void filler composition.
US08377413B2	Method for preparing mayenite-containing oxide and method for preparing electroconductive mayenite-containing oxide To provide a method for preparing a mayenite-containing oxide containing a mayenite type compound and having a hydride ion density of at least 1×1018/cm3 without need for expensive facilities, control of complicated reaction conditions or a long period of reaction time. A method for preparing a mayenite-containing oxide, which comprises a firing step of heating a starting material having a molar ratio of CaO:Al2O3 being from 9:10 to 14:5 based on the oxides at a temperature of from 900 to 1,300° C. to obtain a fired powder and a hydrogenation step of firing the fired powder at a temperature of at least 1,210° C. and lower than 1,350° C. in a hydrogen-containing gas having an oxygen partial pressure of at most 1,000 Pa to obtain a mayenite-containing oxide containing a mayenite type compound and having a hydride ion density of at least 1×1018/cm3, and a method for preparing an electroconductive mayenite-containing oxide, which comprises irradiating the obtained mayenite-containing oxide with an ultraviolet ray etc. to obtain a mayenite-containing oxide containing an electroconductive mayenite type compound.
US08377412B2	Methods for preparing inorganic compounds having a substantially single phase, hexagonal layered crystal structure that is substantially free from cubic-spinel like phases The present invention relates to compounds having a hexagonal layered structure that is substantially free from cubic-spinel like phases, a process for preparing the same and the use thereof.
US08377410B2	Pelletized ammonium sulfate particles The invention relates to a method for preparing pelletized ammonium sulfate particles, the method comprising—providing ammonium sulfate crystals;—isolating a fraction comprising crystals having an intermediate size from crystals having a small size and from crystals having a large size, thereby obtaining remaining crystals comprised of crystals having small size and crystals having large size; and—pelletizing through a die at least part of the remaining crystals, i.e. at least part of the crystals from which the fraction comprising crystals having the intermediate size have been isolated, thereby forming pelletized ammonium sulfate particles.
US08377409B2	Methods for making brines Methods for making brines may generally comprise forming a mixture comprising: (i) a solid material produced as a by-product of the Kroll process including solid anhydrous magnesium chloride and solid elemental magnesium; (ii) an amount of a previously-produced brine; and (iii) an amount of water sufficient to provide a predetermined brine concentration. At least a portion of the solid material in the mixture is dissolved while simultaneously controlling the temperature of the mixture. At least a portion of insoluble matter is separated from the mixture.
US08377406B1	Synthesis of bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide The present invention provides methods for producing bis(fluorosulfonyl) compounds of the formula: F—S(O)2—Z—S(O)2—F I by contacting a nonfluorohalide compound of the formula: X—S(O)2—Z—S(O)2—X with bismuth trifluoride under conditions sufficient to produce the bis(fluorosulfonyl) compound of Formula I, where Z and X are those defined herein.
US08377405B2	Process for production of a borohydride compound A process for production of a borohydride compound. The process comprises combining a compound comprising boron and oxygen with an adduct of alane.
US08377399B2	Process for increasing the capacity of an existing urea plant Process for increasing the capacity of an existing urea plant comprising a high-pressure urea synthesis section and one or more recovery sections, wherein next to the existing urea plant a urea production unit, comprising a high-pressure urea synthesis section and a medium-pressure recovery section, is installed, wherein a urea-containing stream is produced from ammonia and carbon dioxide and the urea-containing stream is sent to the existing urea plant where the urea-containing stream is further purified in the low-pressure recovery section.
US08377398B2	Methods and compositions related to determination and use of white blood cell counts Described herein is an analyte detection device and method related to a portable instrument suitable for point-of-care analyses. In some embodiments, a portable instrument may include a disposable cartridge, an optical detector, a sample collection device and/or sample reservoir, reagent delivery systems, fluid delivery systems, one or more channels, and/or waste reservoirs. Use of a portable instrument may reduce the hazard to an operator by reducing an operator's contact with a sample for analysis. The device is capable of obtaining diagnostic information using cellular- and/or particle-based analyses and may be used in conjunction with membrane- and/or particle-based analysis cartridges. Analytes, including proteins and cells and/or microbes may be detected using the membrane and/or particle based analysis system.
US08377397B2	Combustion tube A combustion tube comprises a generally cylindrical body with an outwardly extending annular tube stop spaced from one end of the combustion tube for engaging a combustion tube mounting assembly and fixing the tube in a precise position. Near the opposite end of the tube is an enlarged opening for receiving an upper seal assembly of a combustion furnace with the outer annular shoulder of the upper end of the tube having a rolled edge to facilitate the insertion of the tube through the seal in the upper seal assembly of the furnace. The combustion tube is made of quartz glass to withstand the temperatures encountered in the furnace. The combustion tube is specifically designed and adapted to be precisely positioned in an induction furnace with an easy tube removal system for the furnace.
US08377395B2	Integrated blood specimen processor A blood specimen processor by means of which blood specimens are collected into a collection tube containing an anticoagulant and a molded buoy of predetermined density between 1.045 and 1.084 with an embedded water swellable o-ring that expands to form a robust seal in a leucocyte density gradient between the buoy's outer surface and tube's inner surface. The buoy is made of a first resin and a second resin, the first resin having a lower density than the second resin, the first resin and the second resin being present in such amounts and relative proportions so that the body has an overall density between 1.045 and 1.084 and preferably, a center of gravity below a geometric center of the body. When the blood specimen contained in the processor is centrifuged, the buoy is thrust through the separating blood and the developing interface of erythrocytes, leucocytes, and plasma. A reproducible gradient develops that builds a reproducible buffy coat ring around the upper trough at the junction of the edge of the separator buoy and the tube wall. The relative proportions of resin are controlled to create a separator buoy of a desired density so that after centrifugation the buffy coat or other cells of interest will be above or below the water swellable o-ring.
US08377393B2	Microchip There is provided a microchip having an introduction portion introducing a liquid, a valve, and an ejection portion ejecting the liquid. The valve connects the introduction portion and the ejection portion, and retains the liquid such that surface tension of the liquid prevents the liquid from being ejected to the ejection portion. The liquid can be ejected from the introduction portion to the ejection portion by applying to the liquid centrifugal force larger than the surface tension of the liquid. Such a microchip according to the present invention has a simple configuration and allows easy control of retaining and flowing of a liquid.
US08377390B1	Anisotropic wetting behavior on one-dimensional patterned surfaces for applications to microfluidic devices In accordance with the invention, there are surfaces exhibiting anisotropic wetting, microfluidic devices and microreactors including the surfaces and methods of controlling anisotropic wetting behavior of the surfaces. The exemplary surface can include a substrate and a plurality of rectangular shaped structures arranged to form a macroscopic pattern over the substrate, wherein the plurality of rectangular shaped structures delineate a top surface of the rectangular structures from a surface of the substrate, the rectangular shaped structures including substantially vertical walls having a height of about 100 nm to about 10 μm and wherein the shape of the macroscopic pattern, the height of the substantially vertical walls, and a surface chemistry of the top surface controls anisotropic wetting at the top surface of the rectangular structures.
US08377386B2	Catalytic reactor Flow deflector that is capable of changing the flow direction of a fluid during passage through a duct. The duct is formed by an inner and outer duct, which creates an annular region in the duct. The flow deflector forces the fluid passing through the annular region of the duct to flow inside the inner duct, while the fluid passing through the inner duct is forced to flow through the annular region. Reactor tubes for catalytic reactors are formed by assembling tubes comprising said flow deflector and having a catalyst arranged in the inner tube.
US08377381B2	Optical format An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes. The optical format is comprised of an illumination light guide, a read window upon which a sample is placed, a sample collection needle or capillary, and a detection guide. Light redirecting facets are provided within the format itself such that the format serves as a unitary component for accepting light, directing light through a sample, and emitting light for detection.
US08377380B2	Sensing device To provide a sensing device using a piezoelectric sensor having an oscillation area for detection and an oscillation area for reference and capable of achieving a high measurement sensitivity by improving shapes of excitation electrodes. On a quartz-crystal piece 20a, there are provided strip-shaped left side area and right side area which are formed symmetrically to be separated from each other into left and right with respect to a center of a circle 53 being a contour of a planar shape of a reaction channel 52 and extend in a longitudinal direction in a parallel manner. Each of the areas is set to have a size in which both corner portions 100 on the left side of the left side area and both corner portions 100 on the right side of the right side area protrude to the outside of the circle 53, the corner portions 100 that protrude to the outside are cut to make the left side area and the right side area position inside of the circle 53, and an excitation electrode 21a for measurement and an excitation electrode 21b for reference are respectively formed on the right side area and the left side area.
US08377379B2	Lateral flow assay device A lateral flow assay device includes a housing, and a test strip disposed within the housing having a membrane with a detection region and a collection region. A sample meter includes a first end for absorption of a test sample, and a storage section that receives and stores at least a component of the test sample. An opening in the housing is sized for insertion of the sample meter into the housing such that the storage section of the sample meter is disposed adjacent the collection region of the membrane. The test sample component is transferable from the storage section to the collection region for subsequent migration to the detection region. An activatable isolation mechanism is provided within the housing and is disposed so as to isolate portions of the sample meter storage section upon activation thereof such that a defined length of the storage section is presented to the collection region of the membrane.
US08377377B2	In situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method An automated microscope slide staining system and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments or a pressurizable common chamber for individually and independently processing a plurality of microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually operable heating element.
US08377376B2	Implant and a method of manufacturing an implant packed in a sterile manner An implant is set forth having at least one first element and a second element, wherein the first element is provided in a pre-determined relative location to the second element, in particular at least partly in a recess of the second element. The first element has a pre-positioning location having play with respect to the second element and allowing a fully area gas sterilization of both elements and can be displaced from this pre-positioning location into an end positioning location corresponding to a fixed connection of both elements.
US08377373B1	Compositions comprising nickel-titanium, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same Disclosing herein is a method for manufacturing nickel-titanium compositions. The method includes disposing a powdered composition in a mold; the powdered composition comprising nickel and titanium; the titanium being present in an amount of about 38 to about 42 wt % and the nickel being present in an amount of about 58 to about 62 wt %; sintering the powdered composition to produce a sintered preform; compacting the preform; machining the preform to form an article; heat treating the article; the annealing being conducted at a temperature of about 1650° F. to about 1900° F. at a pressure of about 3 Torr to about 5 Kg-f/cm2 for a time period of about 10 minutes to about 5 hours; and quenching the article.
US08377365B2	System and method for stent manufacture The system and method for stent manufacture includes a method of supercritical stent manufacture including mixing a polymer and a supercritical fluid to form a supercritical mixture; electrically charging a mold to a first polarity, the mold having a mold wall defining a mold plenum; discharging the supercritical mixture through a nozzle; electrically charging the supercritical mixture to a second polarity opposite the first polarity; repeatedly directing the charged supercritical mixture into the mold plenum to form a plurality of polymer layers on the mold wall, the plurality of polymer layers having a predetermined thickness; and separating the plurality of polymer layers from the mold wall.
US08377363B2	Automatic de-molding device for flat rubber treads A method of automatically de-molding a tread from a mold is provided utilizing an automatic de-molding apparatus. The automatic de-molding device utilizes at least one anchor member that is inserted into the mold and automatically secures the tread to the de-molding apparatus wherein the mold is mechanically removed from the mold.
US08377354B2	Method of producing films by means of coextrusion blow-moulding The invention relates to a method of producing a film comprising at least one layer of a thermoplastic fluoro-polymer and at least one layer of another polymer (A). The inventive method consists in using extrusion blow molding to coextrude a fluoro-polymer and polymer (A) which adhere to one another; with a layer of another thermoplastic polymer (B) such that it forms a layer which is adjacent to the fluoropolymer/polymer (A) layer According to the invention, the thermoplastic polymer (B) is incompatible with the fluoro-polymer and polymer (A) and has adequate extrudate behavior to support the layers of fluoro-polymer and/or polymer (A). Once the coextrudate has been cooled, by separating the layer(s) of (B), at least the film is recovered, said film comprising at least one layer of a polymer selected from among thermoplastic fluoro-polymers and polymers (A).
US08377353B2	Process of making conjugate fibers Conjugate fibers are prepared in which at least one segment is a mixture of a high-D PLA resin and a high-L PLA resin. These segments have crystallites having a crystalline melting temperature of at least 200° C. At least one other segment is a high-D PLA resin or a high-L PLA resin. The conjugate fibers may be, for example, bicomponent, multi-component, islands-in-the-sea or sheath-and-core types. Specialty fibers of various types can be made through further downstream processing of these conjugate fibers.
US08377348B1	Crack repair for paved surfaces and recreational courts Concepts and technologies described herein provide for the repair of a crack in a paved surface such as a recreational court. According to one aspect of the disclosure provided herein, a crack is filled with a patching compound. A non-bonding soft coat is applied to the surface over the patching compound. A bond coat is applied to the surface adjacent to opposing sides of the soft coat. A membrane overlaid onto the soft coat, overlapping the bond coat on both sides of the membrane. A top coat is applied to the membrane, overlapping onto the bond coat. A finishing coat is applied to the top coat.
US08377347B2	Molded skin with electroluminescent elements The invention relates to a method for producing an out of tool molded skin (1) with an embedded flat electroluminescent element, wherein an outer function or carrier layer of the electroluminescent element (5, 6, 7, 8) is made of plastic material that is substantially identical to the powdered plastic material of the molded skin and is applied to the not yet fully cured and cooled molded skin.
US08377346B2	Powder coating extrusion process using liquid A process for the manufacture of a powder coating comprising the steps of: Preparing a powder coating premix comprising a resin and optionally a crosslinker therefor; Feeding the premix through a melt extruder; Cooling the extruded material; and Comminuting it to fine particles, wherein said process is characterized in that between 1 and 25 wt. % (based on the weight of said premix) of a process liquid is added to the melt extruder, wherein said process liquid is immiscible with at least said resin of the powder coating premix and wherein said process liquid evaporates when the premix leaves the extruder.
US08377344B2	Optical film, method for producing optical film, optically-compensatory film, polarizing plate and liquid-crystal display device An optical film comprising: a resin material; and an additive in an amount of at least 0.3% by mass based on the resin material, wherein when the optical film is divided into 10 equal portions in a thickness direction of the optical film, an amount of the additive existing in each of 8 portions excepting the two outermost layer portions of the 10 equal portions is from 80 to 120% based on a mean additive amount in an entire optical film; a method for producing it; an optically-compensatory film, a polarizing plate and a liquid-crystal display device that comprise the optical film.
US08377338B2	Copper powder for conductive paste and conductive paste Copper powder is provided, which, while having fine granularity, does not loose either resistance to oxidation or balance in conductivity, and furthermore, copper powder for conductive paste in which variations in shape and granularity are small and having a low concentration in oxygen content. The copper powder for conductive paste contains 0.07 to 10 atomic % Al inside each copper particle in the powder.
US08377335B2	Solid scintillator, radiation detector, and tomograph A solid scintillator having short afterglow and high output, containing a polycrystal containing a crystal of a Gd garnet structure oxide having a composition ratio of formula (1): (M1-x-yGdxQy)3J5O12 (1) where M is at least one element of La and Tb, Q is at least one element of Ce and Pr, J is at least one element selected from Al, Ga, and In, x and y satisfy the relations 0.5≦x<1, and 0.000001≦y≦0.2, and further containing Si and fluorine, where the solid scintillator contains 1 ppm by mass to 1000 ppm by mass of the Si with respect to the Gd garnet structure oxide, and 1 ppm by mass to 100 ppm by mass of the fluorine with respect to the Gd garnet structure oxide. In addition a radiation detector and a tomograph employing the solid scintillator.
US08377334B2	Coated phosphors, methods of making them, and articles comprising the same Compositions comprising a phosphor and a compound having the formula R1R2M, wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkoxy, alkoxyl, acyl heterocycle, haloalkyl, oxaalkyl, or silyl; R2 is a sulfate, sulfonate, or carboxylate and M is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal are provided. Phosphors coated with the compound, methods of making the coated phosphors and articles comprising the compositions are provided.
US08377325B2	Etchant for metal wiring and method for manufacturing metal wiring using the same Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a metal wiring etchant. A metal wiring etchant according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes ammonium persulfate, an organic acid, an ammonium salt, a fluorine-containing compound, a glycol-based compound, and an azole-based compound.
US08377323B2	Mold having nanometric features, method for realizing such a mold and corresponding use of it in a method for realizing an array of carbon nanotubes A mold is for obtaining, on a substrate, an array of carbon nanotubes with a high control of their positioning. The mold includes a first layer of a first preset material having a surface having in relief at least one first plurality of projections having a free end portion with a substantially pointed profile.
US08377321B2	Method of forming a nozzle and an ink chamber of an ink jet device by etching a single crystal substrate A method of forming a nozzle and an ink chamber of an ink jet device, includes forming a nozzle passage by subjecting a substrate to a directional first etch process from one side of the substrate; applying a second etch process from the same side of the substrate for widening an internal part of the nozzle passage, to form a cavity forming at least a portion of the ink chamber adjacent to the nozzle; and controlling the shape of the cavity by providing, on the opposite side of the substrate, an etch accelerating layer buried under an etch stop layer and by allowing the second etch process to proceed into the etch accelerating layer. The following steps precede the first etch process: forming an annular trench in the substrate on the side of the substrate where the nozzle is to be formed; and passivating the walls of the trench so as to become resistant against the second etch process. The material surrounded by the trench is removed in the first etch process.
US08377320B2	Method of forming an undercut microstructure A method of forming an undercut microstructure includes: forming an etch mask on a top surface of a substrate; forming, on a top surface of the etch mask, an ion implantation mask having a top surface that is smaller than the top surface of the etch mask and that does not extend beyond the top surface of the etch mask; ion implanting the substrate in the presence of the etch mask and the ion implantation mask so that a damaged region is generated at a depth below an area of the surface that is not masked by the ion implantation mask; and etching the surface of the substrate until the damaged region is removed.
US08377315B2	Method for manufacturing porous microstructures, porous microstructures manufactured according to this method, and the use thereof A method for manufacturing porous microstructures in a silicon semiconductor substrate, porous microstructures manufactured according to this method, and the use thereof.
US08377314B2	System, method, and apparatus for end-to-end control of water quality A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer, which may be at the point of entry, and/or between the point of entry and point of use, and/or at the point of use. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/ purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.
US08377312B2	Enrichment of ores from mine tailings The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material in an amount of from 0.001 to 1.0% by weight, based on the total mixture, and at least one second material, which comprises at least the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one surface-active substance, if appropriate in the presence of at least one dispersion medium, with the surface-active substance binding to the at least one first material, (B) if appropriate, addition of at least one dispersion medium to the mixture obtained in step (A) in order to obtain a dispersion, (C) treatment of the dispersion from step (A) or (B) with at least one hydrophobic magnetic particle so that the at least one first material to which the at least one surface-active substance is bound and the at least one magnetic particle agglomerate, (D) separation of the agglomerate from step (C) from the mixture by application of a magnetic field, (E) if appropriate, dissociation of the agglomerate separated off in step (D) in order to obtain the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle separately.
US08377309B2	Methods and apparatus for making a chromatography column Methods for depositing a stationary phase in a tube for chromatography, in particular, as a variable gradient column are disclosed. The methods include providing a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube containing a fluid composition comprising a stationary phase precursor and a solvent, connecting the first end of the tube to a flow device, removing the solvent from a meniscus of the fluid composition, the solvent exiting the tube at the second end, and operating the flow device while removing the solvent such that the amount of the stationary phase precursor deposited within the tube changes as the meniscus retreats within the tube to deposit a stationary phase having a thickness gradient along the length of the interior of the tube.
US08377307B2	Process for sorting dispersed colloidal structures A method of separating a mixture of discrete structures dispersed in a fluid material includes identifying a target structure and a non-target structure; providing a custom-shaped particle having at least a portion of a surface that is substantially shape-complementary to a portion of a surface of the target structure; introducing the custom-shaped particle into the fluid material; exciting reconfigurations of the custom-shaped particle with respect to the target structure and the non-target structure; binding the custom-shaped particle to the target structure through an attractive interaction to form an aggregate; and isolating the aggregate containing the target structure and the custom-shaped particle from the non-target structure. The custom-shaped particle preferentially binds with the target structure without binding with the non-target structure.
US08377306B2	Method for treating a fluid using a self-organized network adsorbed on a surface The invention concerns a method for treating a fluid. According to the invention, the fluid is contacted with a substrate at the surface of which there is a network of organic molecules, hereafter referred to as “network molecules”. There is a central core and at least one lateral arm, the molecules being adsorbed at the surface of the substrate. The invention also concerns a two-dimensional molecular sieve formed by the substrate at the surface of which a network of network molecules is adsorbed. The invention further concerns a module for treating a fluid including a circulating device for the fluid to be treated, the device containing one or more two-dimensional molecule sieves.
US08377305B2	Continuously variable aeration A method of controlling fouling in a membrane filtration system (5) of the type where gas is used to clean or scour the membranes (6) wherein the method includes supplying the gas to the system with a continuously variable flow rate. A continuously variable valve arrangement (17) is also disclosed.
US08377302B2	Continuous process batch-operated reverse osmosis system with in-tank membranes and circulation A reverse osmosis system and method for operating the same includes a pressure tank having a first end and a second end, the pressure tank has a first volume adjacent to the first end and a second volume adjacent to the second end and a third volume between the first volume and the second volume and a fluid passage fluidically coupling the second volume to the first volume. The reverse osmosis system also includes a plurality of membranes disposed within the third volume generating permeate and a permeate manifold receiving permeate from the membranes and fluidically communicating permeate out of the pressure tank. A feed line couples feed fluid into the pressure tank. A first pump pressurizes the feed line. A second pump is disposed within the tank and circulates brine fluid from the second volume through the fluid passage.
US08377291B2	Graywater systems A water recycling system that can be used for reclaiming and recycling water, waste water, or grey water, for providing landscape irrigation, or for recycling uses such as for sanitary facilities, as well as for pre-heating clean water to save energy. A water recycling system may include a sealable tank, an influx pipe, a self-clearing filter disposed within the tank, a pump, and an effluent pipe.
US08377288B2	Methods and units for mitigation of carbon oxides during hydrotreating This invention relates to methods and units for mitigation of carbon oxides during hydrotreating hydrocarbons including mineral oil based streams and biological oil based streams. A hydrotreating unit includes a first hydrotreating reactor for receiving a mineral oil based hydrocarbon stream and forming a first hydrotreated product stream, and a second hydrotreating reactor for receiving a biological oil based hydrocarbon stream and forming a second hydrotreated product stream.
US08377287B2	Methods and systems for producing reduced resid and bottomless products from heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks The present invention is directed to the upgrading of heavy petroleum oils of high viscosity and low API gravity that are typically not suitable for pipelining without the use of diluents. The method comprises introducing a particulate heat carrier into an up-flow reactor, introducing the feedstock at a location above the entry of the particulate heat carrier, allowing the heavy hydrocarbon feedstock to interact with the heat carrier for a short time, separating the vapors of the product stream from the particulate heat carrier and liquid and byproduct solid matter, collecting a gaseous and liquid product mixture comprising a mixture of a light fraction and a heavy fraction from the product stream, and using a vacuum tower to separate the light fraction as a substantially bottomless product and the heavy fraction from the product mixture.
US08377280B2	Microscale capacitive deionization apparatus The present device is a microchannel separator that uses a separation driving force created by an electric field. An ionic fluid flows through the microchannels and is subjected to an electric field by two spaced apart parallel electrodes possessing an electric charge. The ions in the ionic fluid are attracted towards the charged electrodes and thus are concentrated in the region of flow near the charged electrodes and depleted from the central region of flow between the charged electrodes. The charged electrodes are insulated from the ionic fluid by an impermeable barrier which prevents arcing and adherence of the ions to the charged electrodes. After a sufficient length of passage of the ionic fluid through a main channel two blocking plates separate the flow into a central and two outer output channels. The central channel draws a portion of the ionic fluid from the central region of the main channel that has fewer ions than the ionic fluid in the regions near the charged electrodes. The concentrated ionic fluid in the outer channels is discharged separately from the central channel.
US08377279B2	Water treatment system and method A treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing at least a portion of any undesirable species contained in water from a water source. The treatment system can be operated to reduce the likelihood of formation of any scale that can be generated during normal operation of an electrochemical device. The formation of scale in the treatment system, including its wetted components, may be inhibited by reversing or substituting the flowing liquid having hardness-causing species with another liquid having a low tendency to produce scale, such as a low LSI water. Various arrangements of components in the treatment system can be flushed by directing the valves and the pumps of the system to displace liquid having hardness-causing species with a liquid that has little or no tendency to form scale.
US08377277B2	System and method for performing microfluidic manipulation Electrophoresis systems and methods comprise an electrophoresis device, wherein the electrophoresis comprises a loading channel, a separation channel, and an injection channel. The loading channel is in fluid communication with a first and second sample port. The separation channel is connected to the loading channel to form a first intersection, and an injection channel connected to the separation channel to form a second intersection and in fluid communication with a first reservoir, and wherein the separation channel is in fluid communication with a second reservoir. The electrophoresis system further comprises two electrodes coupled to the first sample port and the first reservoir, and the first sample port and the second reservoir, respectively, that are adapted to move the sample into the loading channel towards the first reservoir and form a sample plug in the separation channel, and to further move the sample plug into the separation channel towards the second reservoir.
US08377274B2	Gas sensor and method for manufacturing the same A gas sensor including a gas sensor element having a first measurement chamber (16); a first pumping cell (11); a second measurement chamber (18) into which a gas to be measured having a controlled oxygen partial pressure is introduced; and a second pumping cell (13) having a second inner pump electrode (13b) and a second counterpart electrode (13c) pump electrode configured to detect a specific gas component. The second inner pump electrode is made of a material that contains, as a principal ingredient, two kinds of Pt particles having different particle sizes and whose particle size ratio measured by a sedimentation particle-size distribution ranges from 1.75 to 14.2. A mixing ratio between large Pt particles and small Pt particles has a mass ratio of 10/90 to 50/50. A 10 kHz-1 Hz resistance value across the second pumping cell at 600° C. is 150Ω or less.
US08377270B2	Plasma processing apparatus, magnetoresistive device manufacturing apparatus, magnetic thin film forming method, and film formation control program The present invention is to reduce the variation in axis of easy magnetization of a magnetic thin film with respect to a large diameter substrate.A plasma processing apparatus (1) includes: a substrate holder (11) that supports a substrate (10); a magnet holder (31) that is provided around the substrate holder and supports a magnet (30); a cathode unit (50) that is provided above the substrate, and applied with a discharge voltage; a rotating mechanism (20, 40) that is capable of rotating one or both of the substrate holder and the magnet holder along the planar direction of the process surface of the substrate; a rotational position sensor (25, 45) that detects the rotating positions of the substrate and the magnet; and a control device (60) that controls an operation of each operation element. The control device controls the rotating mechanism of the substrate holder and/or the magnet holder to swingingly vary the relative angle between an axis of easy magnetization set in the process surface of the substrate and the magnetic field generated by the magnet during the formation of the magnetic thin film by sputtering, based on a detection signal from the rotational position sensor.
US08377268B2	Electroplating cup assembly Embodiments of a closed-contact electroplating cup are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a cup bottom comprising an opening, and a seal disposed on the cup bottom around the opening. The seal comprises a wafer-contacting peak located substantially at an inner edge of the seal. The embodiment also comprises an electrical contact structure disposed over a portion of the seal, wherein the electrical contact structure comprises an outer ring and a plurality of contacts extending inwardly from the outer ring, and wherein each contact has a generally flat wafer-contacting surface. The embodiment further comprises a wafer-centering mechanism configured to center a wafer in the cup.
US08377261B2	High pressure sluice feeder The high pressure sluice feeder has a conical rotor mounted in a housing having a complementary conical interior. The rotor has a plurality of trough-going pockets arranged offset to each other in the rotor. The housing has ports distributed evenly around a circumference of the housing and exposed to the pockets during rotation of the rotor. A conical exterior surface of the rotor or the conical interior surface of the housing is equipped with a flush-out groove. The groove catches any abrasive particles caught between the complementary conical surfaces of the rotor and housing. The abrasive particles are flushed out towards the trough-going pockets of the rotor when one end of the groove is pressurized by either one neighboring trough-going pocket or a sealing liquid supply to a gable end of the rotor/housing.
US08377258B2	Web substrate having optimized emboss design A web substrate having at least one embossed ply having a surface thereof is disclosed. The surface has surface area comprising from 0.0 percent to about 1.2 percent dot embossments and from about 10.0 percent to about 20.0 percent line embossments.
US08377256B2	Stripping device and stripping method A stripping method for stripping a support plate from a laminate including a substrate and the support plate adhered to the wafer via an adhesive layer, in which the adhesive layer is formed from an adhesive compound soluble in a non-polar solvent or a highly polar solvent; and the stripping method includes supplying the non-polar solvent or the highly polar solvent, so that the non-polar solvent or the highly polar solvent is retained at least on an edge portion of that surface of the laminate which faces the support plate, and on a lateral surface of the laminate.
US08377251B2	Spin processing apparatus and spin processing method A cup member, a rotary table which is provided in the cup member and is driven to rotate, holding the substrate, a treatment liquid receiver which has a ring shape open upward and is provided to be movable in vertical directions, between inner circumference of the cup member and outer circumference of the rotary table, to receive the plurality of kinds of treatment liquids scattering from the substrate rotating, a linear motor which sets the treatment liquid receiver to height levels by driving the treatment liquid receiver in the vertical directions, respectively corresponding to the plurality of types of treatment liquids supplied for the substrate, and first to third separate flow channels which are provided on the cup member and separately collect the treatment liquids received by the treatment liquid receiver, respectively corresponding to the height levels set by the linear motor.
US08377245B2	Adhesive composition for detachable adhesive bonds and modification of the encapsulation materials for a purposeful energy input An adhesive composition for detachable adhesive bonds is based on adhesive matrices and expansion material, the particles of the expansion material being at least partially encapsulated.
US08377244B2	Method of fabricating a honeycomb structured panel A method of fabricating a panel (1) comprising a core (10) made of honeycomb material provided with a plurality of cells (13) and encased by top and bottom outer walls (20, 30), which method comprises, during a preparation stage (P1): fabricating the top outer wall (20); fabricating the bottom outer wall (30); fabricating said core (10), and perforating one internal orifice (11) per fastener element (50) in said core (10) so as to provide a space (12) for receiving said fastener element (50); and then coating at least one layer of a film of an intumescent adhesive (60) on a connection side wall (51) of said fastener element (50) that is to be connected to said core (10). After performing an assembly stage on a bench (70), the assembly comprising the top outer wall (20), the core (10) provided with said fastener element (50), and the bottom outer wall (30) is polymerized in order to obtain said panel (1) provided with said fastener element (50).
US08377236B2	Stabilized lithium metal powder for Li-ion application, composition and process The present invention provides a stabilized lithium metal powder having a substantially continuous protective layer of lithium phosphate on the lithium metal powder.
US08377229B2	Ingress/egress system for hygiene compliance A system and method for ensuring compliance with a hygiene requirement are provided. The system includes a automated cleaning station operatively associated with a locking mechanism. The automated cleaning station provides means for a user to wash one or more appendage and means for verifying that a full washing cycling was completed. The locking mechanism may be unlocked in response to complete verified washing cycle. The locking mechanism may provide access to, for example, a work area, a work station and/or a work item.
US08377228B2	Wash fluid distribution and filtration assembly and method A fluid filtration assembly for a dishwasher system includes at least one spray arm assembly configured to distribute fluid within a wash chamber, and a filter assembly including a filter body defining a fluid inlet and a soil outlet thereon. A soil collection chamber is coupled in flow communication with the soil outlet and is configured to receive soil filtered by the filter assembly. A pump is configured to direct fluid to one of the spray arm assembly and the soil collection chamber. A valve assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. The valve assembly is coupled in flow communication with the spray arm assembly and the soil collection chamber. In the first position, the pump is configured to direct fluid to the at least one spray arm assembly. In the second position, the pump is configured to direct fluid into the soil collection chamber.
US08377227B2	Utensil holder for a dishwasher A utensil holder for use in a dishwasher includes a basket including front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls, as well as an upper opening. The rear wall has a height greater than the front wall. A lid member, having a support surface across which are arrayed a plurality of openings, is secured across the upper opening. The plurality of openings receive and arrange utensils to be exposed to a washing operation. A handle member, including first and second upstanding portions interconnected through a cross bar portion, extends from the basket. The cross bar portion includes angled sections that enable a gripping section to be offset. The utensil holder is designed to mount in various configurations to an inner liner of a dishwasher door, or alternatively be supported on a rack in the dishwasher.
US08377223B2	Method for eliminating odors in a dishwasher machine A method for operating a dishwasher machine (1), in particular a domestic dishwasher machine, in which in order to eliminate odors, the air located in a washing container (2) is passed by a photocatalytic layer (5) exposed to a light source (6) in order to oxidise the odour-forming molecules contained in the air. According to the invention, this is carried out during a standstill phase of the dishwasher machine (1).
US08377219B2	Method for cleaning a semiconductor wafer composed of silicon directly after a process of polishing of the semiconductor wafer A method for cleaning a semiconductor wafer composed of silicon directly after a process of chemical mechanical polishing of the semiconductor wafer includes transferring the semiconductor wafer from a polishing plate to a first cleaning module and spraying both side surfaces of the semiconductor wafer with water at a pressure no greater than 1000 Pa at least once while transferring the semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer is then cleaned between rotating rollers with water. The side surfaces of the semiconductor wafer are sprayed with an aqueous solution containing hydrogen fluoride and a surfactant at a pressure no greater than 70,000 Pa. Subsequently, the side surfaces are sprayed with water at a pressure no greater than 20,000 Pa. The wafer is then dipped into an aqueous alkaline cleaning solution, and then cleaned between rotating rollers with a supply of water. The semiconductor wafer is then sprayed with water and dried.
US08377214B2	Vapor chamber and method for manufacturing the same A vapor chamber includes a sealed flattened casing containing working liquid therein, a wick structure arranged on an inner face of the casing, a supporting plate received in the casing and a plurality of supporting posts. The supporting plate defines a plurality of fixing holes therein. The supporting posts are engagingly received in the fixing holes of the supporting plate. Top and bottom ends of the supporting posts engage with the wick structure to reinforce a structure of the vapor chamber.
US08377213B2	Slit valve having increased flow uniformity Methods and apparatus for increasing flow uniformity are provided herein. In some embodiments, a slit valve having increased flow uniformity may be provided, the slit valve may include a housing having an opening disposed therethrough, the opening configured to allow a substrate to pass therethrough; a gas inlet formed in the housing; an outer plenum disposed in the housing and coupled to the gas inlet; an inner plenum disposed in the housing and coupled to the outer plenum via a plurality of holes; and a plurality of gas outlets disposed in the housing and fluidly coupling the opening to the inner plenum.
US08377208B2	System and method for manufacturing polycrystal silicon A polycrystal silicon manufacturing apparatus and a method of manufacturing polycrystal silicon using the same are disclosed. The polycrystal silicon manufacturing apparatus includes a reaction pipe comprising silicon particles provided therein; a flowing-gas supply unit configured to supply flowing gas to the silicon particles provided in the reaction pipe; and a first pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of a first area in the reaction pipe; a second pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of a second area in the reaction pipe; and a particle outlet configured to exhaust polycrystal silicon formed in the reaction pipe outside, when a difference between a first pressure measured by the first pressure sensor and a second pressure measured by the second pressure sensor is a reference pressure value or more.
US08377206B2	Apparatus and method of forming semiconductor devices An apparatus to form semiconductor devices includes an inner tube and an outer tube disposed to surround the inner tube. A plate is disposed at first open end of the inner tube to reduce variation between pressures at a first portion and a second portion inside the inner tube. The sum of areas of through-holes disposed on the plate is 10 to 60 percent of the entire area of the plate. The through-holes may include a first through-hole that is disposed at a central portion of the plate, and second through-holes disposed at an edge portion of the plate. The second through-holes are annularly arranged to surround the first through-hole.
US08377199B2	Gypsum based compositions A gypsum stucco composition comprising the following components finely divided; calcium sulphate hemihydrate in calcined solid beta crystalline form; and in intimate mixture with said finely divided calcium sulphate hemihydrate and mixed therewith no later than calcination to form the hemihydrate, a sulphate salt comprising at least one of ammonium sulphate and aluminium sulphate, in an amount such that when the stucco composition is mixed with water and allowed to set, the resulting set plaster has increased compressive strength, flexural strength and/or E-modulus compared to a set plaster produced from said finely divided calcium sulphate hemihydrate containing no said sulphate salt.
US08377197B2	Cementitious compositions and related systems and methods Provided are cementitious compositions and related systems and methods. The cementitious compositions, or admixtures, according to the present invention generally comprise gypsum, a first alkaline component and glass. The admixture may further comprise fly ash, which is preferably obtained as a waste by-product from a coal-burning power plant. A method according to the present invention comprises an initial step of analyzing or receiving an analysis of a fly ash sample. Based at least in part on the analysis of the fly ash sample, a mix rate may be selected and an initial admixture can be formulated, which, when added to the fly ash sample, creates an alternative or additive to Portland cement for use in concrete, for example.
US08377193B2	Dispersion comprising hydrophobized silicon dioxide particles Aqueous dispersion which comprises hydrophobized silicon dioxide particles and in each case one or more dispersing additives, a basic composition, and which is free of color pigments, inactive fillers and binders, in which the hydrophobized silicon dioxide particles have a methanol wettability of 30 to 60 and are present in the dispersion with a proportion of 0.1 to 50% by weight,—the proportion of water is 30 to 90% by weight based on the dispersion,—the dispersing additive is at least one phosphate ester of an ethoxylated alcohol having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, the proportion of which is 3 to 25% by weight based on the proportion of the hydrophobized silicon dioxide particles,—the basic composition comprises or consists of one or more amines of the general formula RNH2, R2NH and R3N, where R is an alkyl group or a hydroxyl-substituted alkyl group having in each case 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and is present with a proportion of 5 to 30% by weight based on the proportion of hydrophobized silicon dioxide particles,—the dispersion further comprises one or more polyols having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, the proportion of which is 1 to 10% by weight based on the proportion of hydrophobized silicon dioxide particles,—the pH of the dispersion being 9 to 11.
US08377192B2	Stabilisers for inanimate organic materials The present invention relates to the use of sterically hindered amines comprising one or more groups of the general formula (I) to stabilize inanimate organic material, more particularly plastics or coating materials, where R1 and R2 each independently, alike or different, are H, C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C15 cycloalkyl, aryl, hetaryl or a heterocycle, R4, R5, R6, and R7 each independently, alike or different, are C1-C20 alkyl, or R4 and R6 or R5 and R7 together are a tetramethylene or pentamethylene group, and R3 is aryl or hetaryl. The invention further relates to methods of stabilizing inanimate organic material, especially plastics or coating materials. Additionally provided by the invention are selected sterically hindered amines comprising one or more groups of the general formula (I). Additionally provided by the invention are materials that comprise selected sterically hindered amines.
US08377189B2	Adhesion and cohesion modifiers for asphalt The present invention relates to a bitumen or asphalt formulation for the pavement of road surfaces, said formulation comprising a mixture of bitumen and aggregates, and an additive package evenly distributed therein, said additive package comprising from about i) 10 to 60% by weight of an amine or modified amine surfactant, ii) from about 20 to 90% of an asphalt rheology modifying component.
US08377187B2	Graft copolymer and mold-releasing agent comprising same as active ingredient Disclosed is a graft copolymer in which a polyalkylene glycol or an alkyl ether thereof is graft-copolymerized with a polyfluoro-1-alkene represented by the general formula: CnF2n+(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)bCH═CH2 (wherein n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4, and b is an integer of 1 to 3). The graft copolymer is an oligomer compound having a perfluoroalkyl group containing 6 or less carbon atoms, which is said to have low bioaccumulation potential, and having, when used as an active ingredient of a mold-releasing agent, mold release performance equivalent to that of a compound having a perfluoroalkyl group containing 8 or more carbon atoms.
US08377181B2	Advanced portable oxygen concentrator A portable oxygen concentrator designed for medical use with a novel housing and internal component design that reduces noise and vibration while increasing durability. The improved design of the portable oxygen concentrator further facilitates easy maintenance and repair over the life of the equipment.
US08377180B2	Oxygen concentrator The present invention provides an apparatus which stably provides highly concentrated oxygen to a patient, regardless of an environmental temperature and/or a highly concentrated oxygen gas flow rate. The present invention is an oxygen concentrator characterized in that an oxygen concentration sensor detecting a concentration of the oxygen gas produced by the oxygen concentrator, a temperature sensor measuring an environmental temperature and/or a flow rate sensor are provided, a control increasing/decreasing a supply airflow volume of the compressed air supply device based on a detected oxygen concentration detected value to maintain an oxygen concentration at a predetermined concentration is performed, and a control device is switched based on a value measured by the temperature sensor and/or flow rate sensor of the apparatus.
US08377176B1	Method and apparatus for longitudinally disposed, sharp puff of gas There is provided method and apparatus for creating a longitudinally disposed, sharp puff of gas, useful for puffback renewal of gas-entry faces of a panel-bed gas filter or a panel-bed gas-powder contactor. Perforations are disposed along the wall of a tank in a path generally parallel to the tank's axis. Stoppers are provided for stoppering the perforations. With the perforations so stoppered, a gas is introduced at high pressure into the tank. Thereafter, quickly unstoppering the perforations releases the gas from the tank in form of a longitudinally disposed, sharp puff of gas moving in a direction perpendicular to the tank's axis. If the tank is placed vertically alongside or within a space receiving gas from a panel bed, the sharp puff can effectively puffback the panel bed.
US08377174B2	Gas sparger for supplying oxidation gas to a wet scrubber A gas sparger (30) is operative for supplying an oxidation gas containing oxygen to a tank (18) of a wet scrubber which is operative for removing sulphur dioxide from a process gas by means of a slurry (S). The gas sparger (30) is provided with at least a first liquid supply nozzle (38), which is located inside an oxidation gas supply duct (32) and is operative for spraying a liquid containing water towards a first oxidation gas supply nozzle (44). The oxidation gas supply duct (32) has a characteristic cross-sectional measure, such as a diameter (D), at said first oxidation gas supply nozzle (44). The first liquid supply nozzle (38) is located a distance (L1) of maximum 5 times said characteristic cross-sectional measure (D) from said first oxidation gas supply nozzle (44).
US08377163B2	Air cleaner filter assembly for motor vehicles operating in extreme weather conditions A filter assembly for a motor-vehicle air cleaner includes a main filter, an auxiliary filter set apart from the main filter, and a filter mount fixed to and configured to support the main filter and the auxiliary filter. In one embodiment, the filter mount is fittable in and removable from a housing of the air cleaner, and comprises a sealing element passing between the main filter and the auxiliary filter.
US08377160B2	Cyclonic dust collector with vee-shaped cyclone A cyclonic dust collector arrangement employs a cyclone that has a conic body formed of a conic wall. An upper divider plate closes off the upper end of the conic body, with a vortex tube descending from a central passage in the divider plate. The conic body has a narrow nose at a lower end so that the upper divider plate and the lower nose define a cyclonic chamber within the conic body. The inlet conduit penetrates the conic wall below the divider plate. The fan chamber of the separator is mounted above the divider plate, and serves to induce air flow from the inlet conduit into the cyclonic chamber, and through said vortex tube into the fan chamber. The air is discharged through a final filter. This construction has reduced manufacture costs and improved dust separation.
US08377159B2	Synthetic grinding stone A synthetic grinding stone used for the polishing of a silicon wafer is composed of a structure containing cerium oxide fine particles as abrasive grains, a resin as a binder, a salt as a filler and a nano diamond as an additive. This synthetic grinding stone is characterized in that the purity of the cerium oxide is not less than 60% by weight, the content of the salt as a filler is not less than 1% but not more than 20%, the volume content of the nano diamond as an additive is not less than 0.1% but less than 20% relative to the total volume of the structure, and the porosity as the volume fraction relative to the total volume of the structure is less than 30%.
US08377151B2	Process for producing a renewable biofuel from waste water treatment plants The present invention describes a method for production of a renewable, combustible liquid fuel that may be used; in internal combustion engines, as a fuel source for electricity generation including turbines and fuel cells, or as a burnable heat source. This fuel is derived from set of biomolecules that are produced under nutrient limitation conditions as those found at a waste water treatment plant. More specifically this invention envisions the use of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHA), especially those with monomeric residues ranging in size from C4 to C10, as a feed stream for production of a biofuel.
US08377150B2	Composite particles for electrochemical element electrode The present invention provides a method of producing a composite particle for high density electrochemical element electrodes in electrochemical elements having low internal resistance and high capacitance. Slurry containing an electric conductive material and a binder is obtained, and the slurry is sprayed to a fluidized electrode active material to carry out fluidized-granulation, and further particles obtained by the fluidized-granulation are rolling-fluidized granulated, and thereby, composite particle for electrochemical element electrode, containing electrode active materials, electric conductive materials, and binders, and being structured of an outer layer portion (outer shell portion) and an inner layer portion (core portion) are obtained.
US08377149B2	Process for making a catalytic electrode and electrochemical cell using the electrode A process for making a catalytic electrode, a process for making an electrochemical cell with a catalytic electrode, and an electrochemical cell made according to the process. The catalytic electrode has an active layer comprising a catalytic material, an electrically conductive material and a binder, and a gas diffusion layer including a material that is permeable to gas entering or escaping from the cell but essentially impermeable to electrolyte. The gas diffusion layer is adhered to the active layer by a patterned pressure bonding process to provide the catalytic electrode in which the entire gas diffusion area is adhered to the active layer, with areas of relatively high and relatively low adhesion. The electrode has a high overall bond strength, and the permeability of the gas diffusion layer remains high it has been adhered to the active layer to provide excellent high power capability.
US08377146B2	Low profile prosthetic foot A low profile prosthetic foot comprises a foot member extending at an incline from an anterior portion to a posterior portion thereof and configured to flex during motion, and an adapter mounted solely at a posterior section thereof to the posterior portion of the foot member so that the adapter's anterior section can move relative to the foot member and “roll-up” onto the foot member during motion.
US08377141B2	Knee prosthesis A femoral component of a knee prosthesis comprises a femoral flange from an inner end of which extend lateral and medial condylar parts which are interconnected by a box-like bridging part at an intercondylar groove. The interior surface of the femoral component has six discrete flat sections, with the sixth flat section which extends to a free end of the femoral component being angled relative to a plane normal to the third flat section and to the length of the intercondylar groove. Also disclosed is a trial femoral component and a method of use thereof to prepare a femur for the fitting of the femoral component of the prosthesis.
US08377140B2	Expandable spinal implant device An expandable spinal implant device for supporting vertebral bodies can include first and second body members and first and second expansion mechanisms. The body members can each have a first end positionable toward one of the vertebral bodies and can each define a hollow interior. The expansion mechanisms can be spaced apart from each other and can include a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft, respectively. The first and second drive shafts can each have a gear member fixedly coupled thereto. Each drive shaft can be threadably engaged at a first side to the first body member and at a second side to the second body member. The expansion mechanisms can be operable to effect axial displacement of the first body member relative to the second body member by rotationally driving the gear members of the first and second drive shafts.
US08377136B2	Method for stabilizing an intervertebral disc device The invention relates to a biocompatible settable polymer useful in retaining an implant, more evenly distributing any force loading on the implant, and/or promoting tissue growth around and onto the implant.
US08377135B1	Textile-based surgical implant and related methods A combination pre-filled and in situ filled implant for the replacement of an intervertebral disc of the spine, including a textile core and a flange with apertures dimensioned to receive screws or other affixation elements. The combination pre-filled and in situ filled implant may also have attached side pockets comprised of extra layers of embroidered fabric. The pockets on the implant may serve a dual purpose: to facilitate insertion and to expand the dimensions of the implant after insertion.
US08377131B2	Medical implant A medical implant includes a flexible container having two layers of flexible surrounding walls, each surrounding wall being provided with a plurality of through holes; a tubular fitting being connected to an open end of the flexible container for inserting or infusing a medical filling material into the flexible container through the tubular fitting; and a thrust part connected to the flexible surrounding walls of the flexible container and at a distal end of the flexible container. The thrust part has a receiving seat and a ring, the receiving seat having a central bore and an annular groove surrounding the central bore and opposite to the central bore, wherein a tubular surrounding wall is inserted into the ring and is folded so that the two layers of flexible surrounding walls are formed with the ring imbedded between the two layers of flexible surrounding walls, and the ring with the two layers of flexible surrounding walls are received in the annular groove and detained therein due to friction.
US08377125B2	Intraocular lens with accommodation An intraocular lens (IOL) assembly for correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism is provided. The intraocular lens assembly comprises a lens extending along an optical axis between an anterior optical surface and a posterior optical surface. The IOL has a circumferential edge disposed about the optical axis at a junction of anterior and posterior optical surfaces with N haptics, where N is an integer greater than 1. Each haptic extends from an associated portion of the circumferential edge and along an associated haptic axis and extends between end portions joined to the lens at the circumferential edge. Each of the haptics includes M footplates extending symmetrically about its associated haptic axis, where M may be an integer greater than 0. The resultant vaulted structure provides an intraocular lens assembly that, when implanted in the eye, allows accommodation.
US08377124B2	Two-element system to provide an ease of accommodation with variable-spherical aberration control In one aspect, the present invention provides a two-element ophthalmic lens in which a lateral shift of the elements relative to one another can cause a variation not only in a spherical power provided by the lens but also in spherical aberration exhibited by that lens. In some implementations, the thickness profiles of the two elements are designed such that the variation in spherical aberration is positively correlated with that of the spherical power of the lens.
US08377120B2	Intraoccular implant system with external lens and mirrors An intraocular implant adapted to be implanted within the interior of a human eye is disclosed. The aforesaid implant is selected from a group consisting of: an intracorneal implant, an anterior chamber implant, a sulcus implant, implant in the bag, posterior chamber implant and any combination thereof. The implant comprises means selected from a group consisting of reflective surfaces and electronic device. The implant is adapted to form at least one image of at least part of the field of vision on the retina. The image is selected of a group consisting of: artificial image and reflected image, and any combination thereof. The image is formed on the retina by a predetermined indirect path selected from (z) optical reflective path and (U) electronic processing. Optionally, also a refracted image may also be created on the retina.
US08377118B2	Unstented heart valve with formed in place support structure An implantable prosthetic valve (100) has an in situ formable support structure. The valve comprises a prosthetic valve (104), having a base and at least one flow occluder. A first flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The first component (126) extends proximally of the base of the valve. A second flexible component (128) is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The second component extends distally of the base of the valve. At least one rigidity component (300) combines with at least one of the first and second flexible components to impart sufficient rigidity to the first or second components to retain the valve at the site.
US08377116B2	Implantable medical device coatings with improved mechanical stability The present invention provides an implantable medical device coating that has improved stability, a medical device coated with such coating, and a method of increasing the stability of an implantable medical device coating, wherein the coating comprises a stereocomplex f poly(D-lactic acid) and poly(L-lactice acid).
US08377115B2	Implantable valve prosthesis for treating venous valve insufficiency A valve prosthesis for percutaneous placement within a vein is disclosed that includes a valve scaffold and a backflow barrier. The valve scaffold is of a shape memory or resilient material and the backflow barrier is a flap of flexible material attached to the valve scaffold. The valve prosthesis is operable to alternate between open and closed configurations in response to changes in retrograde blood flow pressure. In the open configuration, the valve scaffold has a frustoconical coil shape of consecutive windings with open spaces therebetween and the backflow barrier allows antegrade blood flow through the open spaces. In the closed configuration, the consecutive windings of the valve scaffold are collapsed such that the valve scaffold has a substantially flat profile and the backflow barrier covers the opens spaces of the flattened valve scaffold to prevent retrograde blood flow from leaking there through.
US08377111B2	Medical devices Medical devices, particularly stents, suitable for drug delivery and including a porous structure and/or colors are disclosed.
US08377110B2	Endolumenal vascular prosthesis with neointima inhibiting polymeric sleeve The present invention is related to a low profile endolumenal prosthesis. The prosthesis comprises a radially expandable tubular wire support and an expanded PTFE membrane. The density, wall thickness and intranodal distance of the ePTFE are selected to inhibit the formation and nourishment of a viable neointima on the inner surface of the prosthesis, through the ePTFE membrane.
US08377108B2	Staggered two balloon bifurcation catheter assembly and methods A catheter assembly and related methods directed to stent delivery systems that include a stent and a catheter assembly having first and second balloons. The stent includes a side branch aperture and expandable structure defining the side branch aperture. The expandable structure is configured to move into a radial outward orientation relative to a sidewall of the stent. The portions of the first and second balloons are positioned within the stent in a generally coaxial arrangement with the first balloon extending distally from the distal open end of the stent and the second balloon extending proximally from the proximal open end of the stent. The expandable structure of the stent is moved towards the radial outward orientation by advancing the second balloon at least partially distally through the side branch aperture. In some arrangements, the second balloon is at least partially inflated when advanced through the side branch aperture.
US08377104B2	Dual action rod reducing and locking device and method Provided is a dual action surgical instrument for use in orthopedic surgical procedures that is capable of reducing a rod into position in a rod receiving notch in the head of a bone screw with a first action and subsequently locking the rod into the receiving notch by a second action of the same instrument. A method of using the device is also provided.
US08377102B2	Polyaxial bone anchor with spline capture connection and lower pressure insert A medical implant assembly includes a polyaxial bone anchor having a shank with an upper portion, a receiver, a retainer for holding the shank upper portion in the receiver, a lower compression insert with surfaces for closely receiving an elongate connecting member and a closure structure that may independently engage the lower compression insert to lock the shank with respect to the receiver while selectively not locking the elongate member. Projections or splines of the shank upper portion mate with holding pockets on the retainer. The bone anchor includes a shank upper surface exclusively engaging the lower compression insert that is spaced from the retainer, the retainer and shank being configured for polyaxial motion with respect to the receiver prior to locking.
US08377099B1	Surgical fixation system and method A surgical fixation system comprising at least one pair of elongate members and a plurality of pedicle screws. The elongate members are installed along the length of the spine of the patient. The elongate members are coupled to vertebrae by a set of pedicle screws.
US08377097B2	Bone tissue clamp Systems, methods, and kits incorporate a fusion member for vertebral processes. The fusion member may be unitary or modular. The fusion member comprises extensions configured to be crimped to vertebral processes. The extensions may comprise tabs configured to be deformed to further penetrate the vertebral processes. The tabs may also lock together modular components of the fusion member. The fusion member may comprise fasteners extending between the extensions. The fusion member may comprise a cage with a movable cover or a graft retention feature.
US08377096B2	Suture retention device A tissue retractor for displacing body tissue during surgery includes a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle, a wire-like filament such as a suture line affixed to the surgical needle, a fixed element such as an anchoring port being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor and a movable element such as an anchoring plug cooperating with anchoring port to engage a portion of suture line after the suture line is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle and after the suture wire is tensioned to effect a predetermined displacement of the body tissue. The predetermined displacement of body tissue is maintained by retention of the engaged portion of suture line by the fixed anchoring port and the movable anchoring plug.
US08377092B2	Embolic protection device An embolic protection device includes a basket formed from flexible struts. The struts extend from a first end of the basket to the second end of the basket. The struts form a middle portion of the basket where the struts extend substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, running between the first and second end of the basket.
US08377088B2	Lancet A lancet including a needle; a body for holding the needle; and a cap for shielding at least the tip of the needle; the body and/or the cap being moulded, wherein the body and the cap are bonded together during moulding, and wherein, at the interface between the body and the cap, the bonding force per area unit is less than within both the body and the cap. Also a lancet including: a needle; a body for holding the needle; and a cap for shielding at least the tip of the needle, wherein the body has a first engagement formation and the cap has a second engagement formation, wherein the engagement formations are formed such that, once the cap has been removed from the remainder of the lancet, the engagement formations can be made to engage with each other so that the cap is carried by the body.
US08377084B1	Method of using a catheter for traversing total occlusions A medical device and method for traversing an occlusion in a vessel includes a straightening sleeve positioned at a distal aspect of a catheter, a steering sleeve having an arcuate distal end, and a guidewire disposed through the steering sleeve. The steering sleeve has a first position in which the arcuate distal end is straightened within the straightening sleeve, and a second position in which the steering sleeve extends distally past the straightening sleeve to expose the arcuate distal end. The tip of the arcuate distal end of the steering sleeve or the guidewire can be used to pierce the occlusion. An arrangement of hub assemblies with locking mechanisms and motion limiting structures facilitates adjusting and locking the relative positions of the straightening sleeve, the steering sleeve, and the guidewire. Detent mechanisms are associated with the motion limiting structures for providing controlled incremental movement of the sleeves and the guidewire.
US08377083B2	Percutaneous methods and apparatus for creating native tissue venous valves Percutaneous methods and apparatus for forming a venous valve from autologous tissue by creating at least one subintimal longitudinal dissection that forms at least one flap of intimal tissue are disclosed. In one method, a balloon catheter having a dissecting blade mounted thereon is delivered to a target site where a new venous valve is to be created. The balloon is inflated to deploy the blade against the vein wall, and the catheter is longitudinally translated such that the blade dissects a subintimal layer of the vein wall. The balloon is subsequently deflated such that the blade pulls a flap of the dissected tissue towards the vein lumen, thereby creating a leaflet and corresponding pocket/sinus in the vein that collectively act as a monocuspid venous valve. Methods of forming new bicuspid and tricuspid venous valves utilizing two or three dissecting blades mounted on the balloon are also disclosed.
US08377073B2	Method of designing orthopedic implants using in vivo data The present disclosure is directed to orthopedic implants and methods of designing orthopedic implants using in vivo data specific to an orthopedic implant or orthopedic trial. Specifically, the instant disclosure utilizes permanent orthopedic implants and orthopedic trials outfitted with pressure sensors to provide feedback regarding the position and magnitude of pressures exerted upon the devices to discern which design is preferable or which designs are preferable.
US08377071B2	Spacer with height and angle adjustments for spacing vertebral members A device to space vertebral members that may include a deploying device with a first member with an elongated first shaft and a first body at an end of the first shaft, a second member with an elongated second shaft that extends around the first shaft and a second body at an end of the second shaft, and a third member with an elongated third shaft that extends around the second shaft and a third body at an end of the second shaft. The device may include a first plate positioned on a first side of the deploying device, and a second plate positioned on a second side of the deploying device. First, second, and third jointed linkages may be spaced apart along the deploying device and each having a pair of links and each having a first end attached to the first plate, a second end attached to the second plate, and an intermediate joint connecting the pair of links together and being attached to the deploying device.
US08377070B2	Compressor distractor tool A combined compressor and distractor tool is provided that includes a mechanism capable of switching the mode of operation of the tool from a compression tool to a distraction tool. The tool includes engagement tips and handles at opposed ends of the tool that are pivotally connected to a central shaft. A saddle is slidably mounted on the shaft between and pivotally connected to the handles. When the saddle is engaged with the shaft in a before center position, squeezing the handles results the movement of the shaft forwardly to operate the engagement tips as a distractor. However, when the saddle is engaged with the shaft in a past, or over center position, squeezing the handles results the movement of the shaft rearwardly to operate the engagement tips as a compressor.
US08377067B2	Orthopedic implant rod reduction tool set and method A tool set for implanting a rod in a human spine in conjunction with bone screws. The tool set includes a pair of end guide tools that receive opposite ends of the rod in channels and under manipulation by a surgeon facilitate transport of the rod toward the bone screws attached to the guide tools. Intermediate guide tools having guiding pass through slots are utilized to guide intermediate locations along the rod toward associated bone screws. An attachment structure operably connects the guide tools to the bone screws. The guide tools each include a lower guide and advancement structure to allow a closure top with mating structure to be rotated and driven downward against the rod and to cooperate with similar structure in the bone screw to seat and lock the rod therein.
US08377065B2	Surgical instrument for fixing a clamp to a bone fixation device A surgical instrument for moving a clamp relative to a bone anchor to properly position and secure the clamp to the bone anchor. The surgical instrument including a housing, a socket assembly, a manipulating assembly, a gripping assembly and a reduction assembly.
US08377061B1	External fixation apparatus with adjustable pin clamping means An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. A first embodiment includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A second embodiment includes one or two internal mounting surfaces, each of which holds a row of pin holders that is clamped in place by a single clamping member.
US08377059B2	Cordless medical cauterization and cutting device A cordless surgical device includes a modular battery, a radio-frequency signal generating assembly, a surgical handle and an interchangeable circuit casing. The RF signal generating assembly includes RF-signal-generating circuitry, a voltage-control circuit and an external output. The voltage circuit is configured to control an output of the RF-signal-generating circuitry. The handle is configured to support a bipolar end effector having jaws with bipolar contacts and a cutting blade disposed between the jaws. The handle includes leads operable to receive RF signals from the external output and defines an aseptically sealable battery-holding compartment configured to hold the battery. The circuit casing is configured to house the RF signal generating assembly and includes a securing connection adapted to couple the external output of the RF signal generating assembly to the leads. The external output is operable to impart RF signals to the handle when the circuit casing connects to the handle.
US08377057B2	Cool-tip combined electrode introducer The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for positioning and placing multiple electrodes in a target surgical site. An introducer is provided for facilitating the insertion of a cluster of electrodes into the body of a patient for performing tissue ablation. The introducer includes a body portion including a plurality of holes formed therein for selectively receiving a respective elongated shaft of the electrodes therethrough, wherein the holes of the introducer orient and space each electrode relative to one another, wherein the introducer includes a centrally disposed hole formed therein for receiving a guide needle therethrough.
US08377056B2	Method of treating tissue with radio frequency vascular electrode array A method of treating a patient is provided. The method comprises delivering an electrically conductive material within a vascular network, wherein the electrically conductive material embolizes in a region of the vascular network to form a vascular electrode array that assumes a geometry of the embolized region of the vascular network. The method may optionally comprise delivering a containment agent within the vascular network proximal to the delivered electrically conductive material to stabilize the vascular electrode array. The method further comprises applying electrical energy (e.g., radio frequency (RF) energy) to the vascular electrode array to therapeutically conduct electrical energy into a region of the targeted tissue adjacent the embolized region of the vascular network.
US08377055B2	Methods and systems for determining physiologic characteristics for treatment of the esophagus A method and apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus is disclosed, such that the depth of the treated tissue is controlled. The depth of ablation is controlled by monitoring the tissue impedance and/or the tissue temperature. A desired ablation depth is also achieved by controlling the energy density or power density, and the amount of time required for energy delivery. A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen, where a balloon is inflated inside the body lumen at a fixed pressure.
US08377053B2	Electrosurgical apparatus with high speed energy recovery A circuit for controlling the discharging of stored energy in an electrosurgical generator includes a pulse modulator which controls an output of a power supply. At least one comparator is configured to provide an error signal to the pulse modulator based on a comparison between an output signal generated by the power supply and a feedback signal generated in response to the application of energy to tissue. A discharge circuit is configured to control the discharge of the output of the power supply to an inductive load disposed in parallel with the output of the power supply based on the comparison between the output signal and the feedback signal.
US08377035B2	Unbalanced reinforcement members for medical device A medical device shaft including an unbalanced braid reinforcement layer. The reinforcement layer may be an unbalanced braid by having a first set of strands and a second set of strands, the sets wound in opposing directions on a mandrel or on the device shaft. The first set and second set may have different numbers of strands, sizes of strands, or pitch, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the unbalanced braid increases contact area between the inner layer and the outer layer of the shaft without compromising the function of the braid. In other embodiments, the variations in strand size and number between the first set and the second set allows improved kink and torque performance in a reduced thickness braid layer. The improved shaft of the present invention may be incorporated into a wide variety of medical devices such as guide catheters, diagnostic catheters, balloon catheters, etc.
US08377034B2	Vascular access port An access port, wherein the access port may include a body having an exterior surface and a chamber defined therein, a bore defined in the body providing fluid communication between the chamber and the exterior surface, a needle in fluid communication with the chamber, a passage defined in the body providing communication between the chamber and the exterior surface, a seal secured within the passage, and an actuator in communication with the needle, configured to move the needle relative to the passage or move the passage relative to the needle.
US08377033B2	Methods of modifying myocardial infarction expansion A reinforcement region is formed within the myocardium by introducing a delivery device through a vessel wall to a treatment site within a myocardium. A biomaterial is then delivered to the treatment site as the delivery device is withdrawn from the treatment site to form the reinforcement regions. Formation of the reinforcement region may further include introducing a delivery device through a vessel wall to a region within a myocardium such that the delivery device is positioned within the myocardium substantially parallel to a wall of the myocardium. A biomaterial may be delivered into a space formed within the region by the delivery device. The reinforcement region may be formed around an infarct tissue region of a myocardium to reinforce the damaged tissue.
US08377029B2	Drug solution filling plastic ampoule and process for producing the same A drug solution filling plastic ampoule having gas, steam and light ray barrier properties, a drug permeation preventing capability and an absorption/adsorption preventing capability, and a production method for the plastic ampoule. The drug solution filling plastic ampoule includes a container body, a fusion-bonded portion which seals a mouth of the container body, and a wrench-off holder tab connected to the fusion-bonded portion. The ampoule is formed from a parison including two or more layers, at least one of which is a functional layer having at least one characteristic property selected from the group consisting of a gas permeation preventing capability, a steam permeation preventing capability, a light ray permeation preventing capability, a drug permeation preventing capability and a drug absorption/adsorption preventing capability.
US08377026B2	Absorbent wearing article and method for making the same The present invention aims to provide an absorbent wearing article being capable of alleviating irritation to the wearer's skin as well as to be easily produced and a method for making the same.A liquid-absorbent chassis 4 is provided with a barrier cuff 5 including first and second barrier cuffs 5a, 5b each comprising an outermost edge 21, an innermost edge 24 and front and rear ends 22, 23 opposed to and spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction Y. The outermost edge 21 as well as the front and rear ends 22, 23 are joined to a topsheet 10 to define a fixed edge and the innermost edge 24 is not joined to the topsheet 10 to define a free edge adapted to be freely spaced from the liquid-absorbent chassis 4. Of the first and second barrier cuffs 5a, 5b, at least the fixed edge is formed by an inelastic, substantially non-extensible first sheet 25 while the free edge is formed by an elastically extensible second sheet 26. The first sheet 25 is formed along its innermost edge 24 with a notch 27 in which the second sheet 26 is exposed.
US08377017B2	Low-profile reduced pressure treatment system A low-profile reduced pressure treatment apparatus and system are provided. The apparatus includes a moldable conduit holder, a conduit through the conduit holder, and a flexible base. The conduit holder has first and second bulkhead surfaces, a convex top surface, and a bottom surface adapted to conform to a tissue contact region adjacent to a tissue site. An end of the conduit is substantially flush with the first bulkhead surface and a longitudinal axis of the conduit is substantially perpendicular to the first and second bulkhead surfaces. The base is connected on a first side to the bottom surface of the conduit holder, and extends beyond the first bulkhead surface to form an overlay zone adjacent the first bulkhead surface. An adhesive is disposed on a second side of the flexible base to secure the flexible base to the tissue contact region.
US08377016B2	Apparatus and method for wound treatment employing periodic sub-atmospheric pressure A tissue treatment apparatus and method are provided for treating tissue by the application of the time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure. The apparatus includes a cover adapted to cover a wound and adapted to maintain sub-atmospheric pressure the site of the wound. The apparatus further includes a source of suction configured to generate a time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure having a periodic waveform comprising a gradual change in pressure. The suction source cooperates with the cover to supply the time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure under the cover to the wound. The time-varying sub-atmospheric pressure may vary between a first pressure value below the inherent tissue tension of the wound tissue and a second pressure value above the inherent tissue tension of the wound tissue.
US08377014B2	Implantable site with a casing having multiple perforations The invention relates to an implantable medical device for injecting and/or collecting fluid substance into and/or from a human or animal organism, said device comprising a casing (6) whose wall (3) delimits a chamber and is pierced with at least a first access orifice (7) designed to allow a needle to pass through said wall (3), said device being characterized in that the first access orifice has a staged structure comprising: a guide portion designed to limit the angular clearance of the needle when said needle is engaged therein, and a flared intake portion that forms a continuation of the guide portion, so as to be able to cause the trajectory of the incoming needle to converge on the guide portion. Implantable medical devices.
US08377009B2	Intranasal cartridge devices Intranasal delivery devices include dosage forms containing medical compositions for use in the intranasal devices, and methods of delivering medical compositions to the nasal mucosa of users. The devices dispense a predetermined quantity of fluid into the nasal passage of a user, in which the predetermined quantity of fluid is contained in, or produced in a dosage form or blister that is crushed by a plunger with sufficient force to drive the dosage form against a piercing mechanism, piercing the dosage form and forcing the liquid contents from the dosage form and through a delivery channel into a spray to be directed into the nasal passage of a user. The plunger is connected to a trigger device by a linkage that confers a mechanical advantage to the trigger mechanism.
US08377006B2	Access device An access device places a medical article within a body space of a patient. The device has a needle section that includes an elongated body and a needle hub. The device further includes a dilator portion that has a dilator and a dilator hub. The dilator is coaxially disposed and slideable over the elongated body of the needle section. The device further includes a sheath section that has a sheath and a sheath hub. The sheath is coaxially disposed and slideable over the dilator. The device further includes a first locking mechanism operably disposed between the needle hub and the dilator hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the needle section and the dilator portion and a second locking mechanism operably disposed between the dilator hub and the sheath hub to inhibit at least unintentional axial movement between the dilator portion and the sheath section.
US08377005B2	Neural injection system and related methods A novel neural injection system and related methods are herein disclosed. Various embodiments of an embodiment of a neural injection system of the present invention provide for at least one benefit of enhanced injection characteristics, increased operational efficiency, reduced cost per unit, reduced incidence of injury through intraneural/intravascular injection, reduced incidence of injury through pricking/piercing, and/or the like.
US08377002B2	Connection and alignment systems and methods A medical device system may include a set of housing portions, which includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, and a third housing portion configured to be selectively operatively engaged with and disengaged from each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Each of one or more fluid conduits may provide a fluid path between a user and one or more reservoirs, for containing fluidic media, supported by at least one of the third housing portion and a selected one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. A drive device supported by the third housing portion may be configured to transfer fluidic media between one of the one or more reservoirs and the user via the fluid conduit in a case where the third housing portion is operatively engaged with one of the first housing portion and the second housing portion.
US08376997B2	Device for delivering medicament The present invention relates to a device for expelling a predetermined quantity of medicament comprising driving means comprising an energy-accumulating member, a nut, and a driver for driving a pressure means; and activation means for activating said driving means wherein said pressure means comprises a movable wall part arranged inside a 2 container and a threaded plunger rod arranged to interact with said driving means for pushing said movable wall part forwardly, and wherein said activation means comprises a manually operated push button arranged on the front end of the device for promoting an ergonomic handling of the device and wherein said activation means are capable of interacting with said driving means in a stepwise mode; such that each time said push button is depressed said pressure means moves an step exerting pressure on the medicament inside the container and expelling a predetermined quantity of the medicament through the opening.
US08376995B2	Stretch resistant therapeutic device A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08376992B2	Balloon catheter and sheath fabrication method A balloon catheter including: a flexible sheath which has at least one lumen; and a cylindrical balloon which is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the sheath and can be inflated with a fluid supplied from the lumen; wherein the sheath has a large diameter portion whose outer diameter is greater than a basic outer diameter thereof, and the balloon is set to have a maximum inner diameter greater than the basic outer diameter when deflated, and is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter portion.
US08376981B2	Gastrointestinal implant and methods for use Methods and devices for modifying the location at which bodily fluids interact with nutrients in a gastrointestinal tract. The methods and devices utilize a conduit configured to divert bodily fluids from an entrance within a gastrointestinal tract to a location downstream from the entrance.
US08376980B2	Ingrowth preventing indwelling catheter assembly A surgically implantable delivery or drainage catheter assembly includes a porous fiber membrane that is permeable to the intended drainage or delivery fluid, yet has an outer surface morphology and porosity that prevents the ingrowth of tissue. The porous fiber membrane is created using a phase-inversion process which is controlled to select a desired porosity. A reinforcement member is also disposed within the porous fiber membrane.
US08376974B2	Knee orthosis swing assist mechanism A knee orthosis gait swing assist mechanism is provided having an adjustable portion and upper and lower fulcrum points, each of the upper and lower fulcrum points attaching opposing ends of an elastic band, the elastic band stretching over the adjustable portion.
US08376970B2	Ultrasound apparatus and methods for mitigation of neurological damage This invention discloses methods and devices using ultrasound energy for use before, during or after surgery for providing a therapeutic effect on nerve tissue. The disclosure describes the use of ultrasound devices consisting of an ultrasound generator, ultrasound transducer and ultrasound horn at least partially enclosed by a shield to enhance neurogenesis on neurons of the central nervous system and other nerve tissue. The shield allows the application of therapeutic levels of ultrasound to nerve tissue to enhance the regeneration of the nerve tissue and mitigate damage to the nerve tissue. The shield serves to protect patient from unwanted contact with portions of the ultrasound horn not being utilized for therapeutic effect. The ultrasound application may be included in devices that have other uses such as a cutting edge for removing tissue.
US08376969B2	Methods for treatment of spider veins A medical ultrasound apparatus and associated methods of use is disclosed enabling a relatively non-invasive or minimally invasive method to treat skin or tissue. The apparatus is constructed from an ultrasound tip mechanically coupled to a shaft. The shaft is mechanical coupled to an ultrasound transducer driven by an ultrasound generator. The ultrasound tip possesses at least one radial surface, a cavity, or some other form of a hollowed out area, within at least one of the radial surfaces, and a non-metallic sheath covering portions of the tip so that only the sheath and not the tip would normally contact the patient's skin. The disclosed method of treating spider, reticular or small varicose veins with the apparatus can be practiced by contacting the sheath with the patient's epidermal skin layers and delivering ultrasonic energy released from the various surfaces of the vibrating tip to the skin and/or tissue through direct contact and/or with a coupling fluid focused from a cavity.
US08376968B2	Method and system for quantifying an intention of movement of a user A method for quantifying an intention of movement of a user, the method comprising: extracting a mechanomyogram (MMG) signal in response to surface vibration of a muscle of the user; and averaging the MMG signal by calculating the MMG root mean squared (RMS) amplitude or frequency variance in a predetermined time window; where an increasing RMS amplitude of the MMG signal corresponds to increasing muscle voluntary contraction or a decreasing frequency variance of the MMG signal corresponds to increasing muscle voluntary contraction.
US08376954B2	Techniques for prediction and monitoring of respiration-manifested clinical episodes A method is provided for predicting an onset of a clinical episode, the method including sensing breathing of a subject, determining at least one breathing pattern of the subject responsively to the sensed breathing, comparing the breathing pattern with a baseline breathing pattern, and predicting the onset of the episode at least in part responsively to the comparison. Other embodiments are also described.
US08376951B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method for displaying probe operation guide An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention including a storage unit that stores reference three-dimensional volume data of an examinee obtained by an image pickup device, an ultrasonic probe that is inserted in a body cavity of the examinee and can perform ultrasonic scanning in a radial direction, an ultrasonic image generating unit that generates an ultrasonic tomographic image on the basis of a reflection echo signal from the ultrasonic probe, a position detector that detects a position and a posture of the ultrasonic probe on the basis of a sensor attached to the ultrasonic probe, an image generating unit that generates a scanning position mark representing an ultrasonic scanning position on a tomographic plane parallel to a travel direction of the ultrasonic probe from the reference three-dimensional volume data of the storage unit on the basis of an output of the position detector, and a display unit that displays the ultrasonic tomographic image and the scanning position mark.
US08376947B2	Application of image-based dynamic ultrasound spectrography (IDUS) in detection and localization of breast microcalcifcation A method for the detection and localization of breast microcalcification through a precise method of ultrasound impacting and ultrasound frequency wave detection which will enable the system to detect not only if there is a microcalcification in the breast, but the precise location of the microcalcification and the mass of the microcalcification. The invention is also a method and system that provides bi-modal guided stimulation of a targeted mass within the breast to determine the location and nature of the microcalcification within the breast.
US08376945B2	Method and system for providing calibration of an analyte sensor in an analyte monitoring system Method and apparatus for providing calibration of analyte sensor including applying a control signal, detecting a measured response to the control signal, determining a variance in the detected measured response, and estimating a sensor sensitivity based on the variance in the detected measured response is provided.
US08376944B2	Caloric consumption measuring device, caloric consumption measuring method, and caloric consumption measurement preparation processing method A caloric consumption measuring device measures a caloric consumption of a user during an activity. The caloric consumption measuring device includes a first personal data creating component, a second personal data creating component, a heart rate input component, and a caloric consumption calculating component. The first personal data creating component sets at least one personal physical condition of the user and creates first personal data based on the set personal physical condition. The second personal data creating component sets at least one environmental condition of the user and creates second personal data based on the environmental condition. The heart rate input component receives data indicative of a detected heart rate. The caloric consumption calculating component calculates the caloric consumption based on the detected heart rate that was received and the first and second personal data created by the first and second personal data creating components.
US08376942B2	Articulation mechanism for a vaginal speculum An articulation mechanism for a vaginal speculum enables selective relative movement between an upper blade member and a lower blade member to affect vertical and angular spacing. The mechanism selectively enables quiet or clicking articulation according to at least one version.
US08376940B2	Minimally invasive retractor with separable blades and methods of use A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a screw-based retractor, are disclosed herein and allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by separating the opposed blades to allow the retractor portions to be pulled out of the wound. The retractor is intended to be made of a flexible metal material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.
US08376939B1	Coronary artery retraction and CO2 dispensing device The present invention is referred to a coronary artery retraction means for retracting tissue and/or fat from the coronary artery during coronary anastomosis and a CO2 supplying device capable of blowing CO2 on the coronary artery during a bypass procedure while the retracting means holds and keeps the fat away from the artery. This device comprises, in one embodiment, a stainless steel ‘V’-shaped wire, including a couple of elastic arms, which end with a hook-like retracting means, and also including on said arms grabbing means allowing the surgeon to place the device in place in an easy and fast maneuver, and a CO2 supplying means on each arm, including at least one gas intake on one end and a gas outlet over said retracting means. In a second embodiment, all the different parts of the device define an integral piece made of plastic material which is fully disposable after the procedure.
US08376936B2	Videoscope preheater A videoscope preheater for preheating an endoscope includes: a support tube; an electrical heating layer uniformly coated on an outer surface of the support tube, one side of the electrical heating layer being connected with a power cable for connecting with an external power supply; and a capsule layer coated on an outer surface of the electrical heating layer for fixing and protecting the electrical heating layer and the power cable. The capsule layer is a thermally contractible capsule film, which is fitted around the electrical heating layer and then heated to contract for insulating the electrical heating layer and the support tube from ambient environment. In use, the endoscope is fitted into the support tube and the electrical heating layer is powered on to generate heat and uniformly heat the endoscope. The heating efficiency of the videoscope preheater is controllable by means of adjusting the current and voltage input.
US08376931B2	Visualizing ablation cannula A medical needle set for visualized tissue ablation within a subject's body includes a cannula and components configured for inclusion in the cannula, including a trocar for occlusion of the cannula lumen during needle placement, and a visualizing ablation probe used for simultaneous endoscopic viewing and ablation of tissue sites with a laser beam. The cannula can include a tissue-gripping surface for stabilization of the needle set on the target tissue. A surgical system for tissue ablation includes a visualizing ablation needle set operably connected to an endoscope and a laser. A surgical procedure using this system permits simultaneous visualization and ablation of tissues, including those of the facet joints of the spine.
US08376930B2	Implantable pump for erectile dysfunction treatment An implantable system for erectile dysfunction treatment includes an implantable pump having an inlet and an outlet port. The inlet port is configured to receive blood from an artery within the body. The outlet port is configured to receive the blood from the inlet port and deliver that blood to an artery having a direct or indirect path to the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Activation of the pump, preferably via manual compression or electrical activation, causes the transfer of blood and ultimately an erection. Upon conclusion of sexual activity, blood drains from the penis in a normal manner and returns the penis to a flaccid state. The pump preferably incorporates a non-return valve to prevent backflow of blood from outlet port to inlet port.
US08376923B2	Bag-making packaging machine A bag-making packaging machine includes a bag-producing part, a bag receiving part, and a bottom forming part. The bag-producing part is configured and arranged to transversely seal a tubular packaging material to produce a bag having a top seal part and a bottom seal part formed above and below a product-enclosing main body of the bag. The bag receiving part is configured and arranged to receive and hold the bottom seal part and a part of the main body of the bag, which has been dropped from the bag-producing part. The bottom-forming part is configured and arranged to deform the bag in contact with the bag receiving part to form a bottom portion of the bag into a prescribed shape.
US08376917B2	Isometric exercise apparatus and storage rack therefor The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and more specifically, to an isometric exercise apparatus and a storage rack therefor. The isometric exercise apparatus includes a frame which has a base and a sidewall joined to the base. The base has an exercise platform for supporting a user's body. Also provided is a restraint arm assembly connected to the frame. The arm restraint assembly includes a swing arm pivotally connected to the base, a restraint arm carried by the swing arm and positionable above the exercise platform to inhibit movement of a portion of the user's body so as to allow the user to perform isometric exercises. An indexing assembly is provided to fix the swing arm in a predetermined angular position selected from a set of discrete angular positions relative to the base. At least one limb restraint accessory is positionable at predetermined locations along the base for inhibiting movement of the user's limb so as to allow the user to perform isometric exercises. The apparatus can rapidly be adapted or configured to target a plurality of joint angles to work different muscle groups (or different muscles within the same muscle group) for an enhanced isometric workout.
US08376914B2	Aquatic exercise device An aquatic exercise device is provided that has a body made of foam that extends 360° about an axis and at least partially defines a central aperture that extends through the axis. The body has an inner half with an outer surface oriented generally towards the central aperture. The body has an outer half with an outer surface oriented generally away from the central aperture. The entire outer surface of the outer half is convex in shape, and the outer surface of the inner half is convex in shape along an arc length of at least 270° of the inner half of the body about the axis. A ledge extends from the inner half and at least partially defines the central aperture.
US08376913B2	Exercising device An exercising device includes left and right linking units each having a swing link pivotally mounted on a front support of a frame, a crank link coupling a crank arm to the swing link, and a pedal link connected to a lower end of the swing link, and left and right foot engaging pedals each mounted on a rear linkage end of the pedal link to be movable along an elliptical path with rotation of the crank arms. A sloping ramp member has an inclined surface to guide the foot engaging pedals to simulate stair climbing during the elliptical movement of the foot engaging pedals through left and right rollable anti-friction members mounted under the foot engaging pedals and rollably engaged with the inclined surface.
US08376912B1	Facial muscle exercise ball-like device and method The present invention relates to a ball-like exercise device adapted for insertion in the mouth and to be used for exercising, strengthening and/or toning facial and/or jaw muscles.
US08376910B2	Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing remote participation in multi-media events Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing remote participation in events are provided. A method includes providing a view of an instance of an application on endpoint systems in response to a common option selected by the endpoint systems of the application. The method also includes receiving performance data from the endpoint systems, and populating the view with virtual representations of users of each of the endpoint systems. The populating includes positioning the virtual representations at various locations in the view. The various locations are indicative of the performance data.
US08376907B2	Braking system and method for a vehicle A vehicle comprises a plurality of wheels is supported by a frame. At least one of the plurality of wheels is operatively connected to an engine for propelling the vehicle. A limited slip differential is supported by the frame. A first half-shaft and a second half-shaft are operatively connected to the limited slip differential. The first half-shaft supports a first wheel of the plurality of wheels. The second half-shaft supports a second wheel of the plurality of wheels. A brake is operatively connected to the limited slip differential. The brake selectively exerts a braking torque on the first and second wheels via at least one portion of the limited slip differential to reduce the speed of the vehicle. A method of operating a vehicle is also described.
US08376905B2	Vehicle drive device A vehicle drive device that includes a speed change mechanism; a fluid transmission device provided closer to an engine attachment side than the speed change mechanism is and including a lock-up clutch; an electric motor having a rotor and a stator and connecting the rotor to an input portion of the fluid transmission device; and an engine power cut-off clutch that transmits or cuts off a driving force of an engine to or from the fluid transmission device.
US08376904B2	Motor vehicle A motor vehicle with a hybrid drive system (1) comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, one of an automatic or automated transmission (2) connected between the hybrid drive (1) and a drive output (3) and a driver-operated element (4). The driver-operated element (4) has several conditions that can be selected by a driver with which one of a number of driving ranges or one of several groups of gears are associated for operation of the transmission. The driver-operated element (4) has at least one condition that can be selected by the driver with which, alternatively or in addition to a driving range or group of gears, a hybrid function mode is associated.
US08376903B2	Clamping force generator Mechanisms and methods for clamping force generation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clamping force generator includes a spring coupled to a traction ring and to a load cam roller cage. The traction ring can be provided with a recess to receive the spring. In some embodiments, a relatively short spring is provided. In other embodiments, a spring couples to a wire and the spring-wire combination couples to the traction ring and the load cam roller cage. In some embodiments, the load cam roller cage is provided with tabs adapted to engage the wire and/or the spring. In yet other embodiments, the traction ring is configured to receive a dowel pin for coupling to the spring. One or more of the tabs can include a tab notch that cooperates with a stop pin coupled to the traction ring to provide adjustment of the travel of the load cam roller cage.
US08376899B2	Rotary actuator A rotary actuator comprises a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear, a drive input, and a drive transmission whereby rotary device is transmitted between the drive input and the sun gear. The drive transmission incorporates a brake operable to apply a braking load to the sun gear in the event that the torque applied to the drive transmission in at least a first rotary direction exceeds a predetermined level.
US08376897B2	Internally geared hub for bicycle An internally geared hub is provided with a hub axle, a hub shell, a driver, a planetary gear mechanism and a gear changing mechanism. The hub shell rotates freely about the hub axle. The driver rotates freely relative to both the hub axle and the hub shell. The planetary gear mechanism is operatively connected between the hub shell and the driver. The planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of driver rotation transmission paths that transmits rotation of the driver in a prescribed operating direction to the hub shell, and a hub shell rotation transmission path that transmits rotation of the hub shell in the prescribed operating direction to the driver. The gear changing mechanism is operatively connected the planetary gear mechanism for selectively establishing one of the driver rotation transmission paths or the hub shell rotation transmission path.
US08376892B2	Multi-speed transmission having three planetary gear sets A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08376887B2	Power transfer unit drive disconnect system A drive system includes a rotating power source, a planetary differential including a ring gear engaged with the power source, a sun gear secured to a first shaft and a carrier secured to a second shaft, a member secured to an output shaft, and a coupler alternately connecting and disconnecting the member and the ring gear.
US08376885B2	Methods and devices for altering the transmission ratio of a drive system The transmission ratio between a first motor and an output shaft is varied by changing the speed of a second motor. The first and second motors are coupled to the output shaft with a planetary gear set. The first and second motors may both add power to the drive system.
US08376881B2	Ball bat including multiple failure planes A composite ball bat includes multiple failure planes within a barrel wall. By including multiple failure planes in a barrel wall, the bat exhibits a drop in performance when subjected to rolling or other extreme deflection, with no temporary increase in barrel performance. Because the barrel performance does not increase, the ball bat is able to comply with performance limitations imposed by regulatory associations.
US08376876B2	Golf club head with variable face thickness A face or face insert (40) for a golf club head (20) is disclosed herein. The face (40) has an interior surface (40b) with a first thickness section (200) and a second thickness region (205). The first thickness section (200) preferably has a thickness that is at least 0.025 inch greater than the thickness of the second thickness region (205). In a most preferred embodiment, the first thickness section (200) has an X shape that is rotated around the Y axis (500) by at least 10 degrees. In another preferred embodiment, the face has a first thickness section (200), a second thickness region (205), and a central region (400) having a third thickness. The face or face insert (40) with variable thickness allows for a face or face insert (40) with less mass in a golf club head (20) that conforms to the United States Golf Association regulations.
US08376870B2	Game table with pop-up scoring unit and touch screen for game controls A game table has a game playing surface and a railing extending around the perimeter of the game playing surface. The railing extends at least slightly above the game playing surface to prevent escape of a game playing piece from the game playing surface and has a top surface. The game table includes a score display unit having a display screen, the display unit being at least partially mounted within the railing. The display screen is moveable between a first flat or hidden position and a second observable display position. At the display position, at least part of the display screen is projected above the top surface of the railing.
US08376869B2	Amusement ride system and method An amusement ride system includes: a shooting device adapted to shoot a projectile; an aiming facility operable by a user to aim the shooting device; and a triggering device operable by the user to fire the shooting device. The user rides the vehicle, aims the shooting device, and fires the device to shoot the projectile. A method for a ride includes: providing a shooting device; providing a plurality of projectiles; and aiming and shooting the projectiles utilizing the shooting device.
US08376868B2	Rotation shaft vibration damping mechanism A vibration damping mechanism of a rotation shaft that is not likely to be subject to the limitation in layout and that is capable of stably maintaining damping properties by a frictional contact portion without variation for a long term is provided. The vibration damping mechanism includes a shaft for outputting torque inputted from its input side end portion to its output side end portion, and a damping member having a fixed portion fixed to the shaft and a frictional contact portion held in frictional contact with the shaft, in which the frictional contact portion is provided with a clamping band for urging the frictional contact portion toward the shaft to be held in frictional contact with the shaft at a predetermined contact pressure.
US08376866B2	Unbalance correction device of propeller shaft An unbalance correction device of a propeller shaft includes a propeller shaft configured by a plurality of annular dampers being elastic members mounted along an axial direction between a metallic outer shaft and a metallic inner shaft and a balance weight in which a primary weight plate part and an auxiliary weight plate part that are formed in an arc along a width direction and include a substantially quadrilateral planar shape are formed continuously and integrally along a longitudinal direction, and a protruding piece is protrusively formed on a concave arced surface on a rear surface side of the primary weight plate part and from each corner part at four locations. The primary weight plate part is disposed in a non-mounted area of the dampers at an axial direction end of the outer shaft coinciding with an axial direction of the outer shaft.
US08376864B2	Damper mechanism A damper mechanism has a first rotating body, a second rotating body, at least one first elastic member, and at least one second elastic member. The second rotating body is disposed rotatably with respect to the first rotating body. The first elastic member is disposed so as to link elastically the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the rotation direction, and to operate only on the positive side of the torsional characteristics. The second elastic member is disposed so as to link elastically the first rotating body and the second rotating body in the rotation direction, and operate only on the negative side of the torsional characteristics.
US08376863B2	Torque limiter A torque limiter, in particular for a surgical instrument, comprises a rotor (4) and a cage (8) arranged coaxially in relation to the rotor (4), the cage has at least one rolling body holder (7) with a rolling body (6) held in it, the rolling body holder (7) has at least one side wall which is arranged at an oblique angle relative to a circumferential direction of the cage (8).
US08376860B1	Game flicz systems A membership-based video game delivery system for securely providing an internet-based video game catalog to paying video game playing members for immediate downloading availability. A video game playing user may log into a video game database hosted on a central server via the user's video gaming console. Once the user is verified by an authentication and security program, the user may browse, select, download, and play a wide variety of video games. The video game delivery system comprises user-configurable game accessibility and game playability parameters. The user may restrict, limit, and filter certain video games and may further configure real-time game update delivery options, such as enabling text messaging and email updates.
US08376859B2	Online game provision system using storage medium and method thereof The present invention discloses an online game provision system using a storage medium and a method thereof. The online game provision system includes a database server, a storage medium, and a Personal Computer (PC). The database server stores patch files corresponding to a video and image file, a sound file and a game program executable file which are necessary to play the game, and information about the version of each of the patch files. The storage medium stores the video and image file, the sound file, the game program executable file, the latest patch executable file, and an account authority processing executable file which are necessary to play the game. The PC is connected to the database server, receives the input of the storage medium, and includes an Operating System (OS) for detecting the input of the storage medium and automatically executing the latest patch executable file.
US08376858B2	System and method for communicating game information between a portable gaming device and a game controller A method and system for transmitting game related information from a hand-held gaming device through a game console to a game controller and vice versa. In one aspect, the game related information comprises command information that causes the game controller to respond either by vibrating, rumbling or other action associated with a game being played. In another aspect, the game related information may include controller signals that cause an action at the hand-held device.
US08376856B2	Monitoring method and system using collective intelligence and rating propagation in virtual world community A method and system for monitoring and judging activities in a virtual world environment are disclosed. The method comprises a first user engaging in an activity in the virtual world environment, a witness witnessing the first activity and reporting the activity to a monitor as possibly malicious, and the monitor organizing a jury comprised of a plurality of jurors. The jurors view and judge the activity in the virtual world environment; and on the basis of this judging, defined benefits in the virtual world environment are awarded to the witness, monitor and jurors. The method may further comprise penalizing the first user in the virtual world environment. For instance, if the first user has friends in the virtual world environment, the penalizing may include penalizing these friends.
US08376855B2	Methods and apparatus for distributed gaming over a mobile device A system and method are provided for updating game participants. In some embodiments, the participants receive game control information via a one-way broadcast. The method selects a set of sampling participants from the set of all participants of a game. In some embodiments, the selection occurs prior to the start of the game. The method of some embodiments establishes a two-way connection between a server and each of the sampling participants. For some embodiments, the two-way connection is realtime. The method continuously maintains the two-way connection throughout the game. During each discrete game period, the method receives from a sampling participant, data for the sampling participant's game period performance. Based on the received data, the method determines the performance for the game period and broadcasts this information to a non-sampling participant. A non-sampling participant is a participant who was not selected for the set of sampling participants. In some embodiments, the non-sampling participant determines a standing relative to the other participants in the game event. Some embodiments provide a method and system for detecting unusual performance in a game. The game has a participant. The method calculates for the participant an average performance level. Based on the average performance level, the method tracks for the participant a participant improvement factor and stores the participant improvement factor. The method compares the participant improvement factor to a threshold value.
US08376854B2	Around device interaction for controlling an electronic device, for controlling a computer game and for user verification An electronic device includes an around device interaction module configured to interact with a user of the electronic device. The around device interaction module includes a magnetic sensor operable to measure a magnetic field strength of a magnetic element and a control unit configured to control the electronic device based on a movement of the magnetic element while the magnetic sensor measures the magnetic field strength of the magnetic element.
US08376852B2	Electronic sport sensing device An electronic sensing device includes a blanket, at least a sensor unit, and a display unit. The blanket has a circuit unit thereon and a plurality of couplers electrically connected to the circuit unit. The sensor unit is detachably fastened to the blanket and electrically connected to the couplers. The sensor unit has an impact surface. The display unit is electrically connected to the circuit unit of the blanket to show a message when the impact surface of the sensor unit receives an external force.
US08376849B2	Apparatus and method for controlling objects on a stereoscopic display An apparatus and method is provided for managing objects on a stereoscopic display. The location of the object on the stereoscopic display is determined and the visual distance of the object from the stereoscopic display is determined. The apparatus and method determines if the visual distance of the object exceeds a threshold value and the appearance of the object is transitioned from (e.g., gradually faded out from) the display if the visual distance exceeds the threshold value. In this manner, the object is properly transitioned on the display so that it does not distract the viewer or appear unnatural.
US08376846B1	Kiosk system and method for a gaming machine An embedded additional user interface configured as a kiosk for use in a gaming machine includes a multimedia display screen, wherein the display screen presents kiosk functionality data to a user via the display screen. A network connection connects the embedded additional user interface to a gaming network. An embedded processor employs an internal operating system and communicates with one or more kiosk data servers through the gaming network. The embedded processor reads incoming kiosk data, and maps the data to the multimedia display screen. The embedded processor further sends input kiosk data received from a user to the one or more kiosk data servers through the gaming network. In one embodiment, the gaming network connects to a wide area network for connection to the one or more kiosk data servers.
US08376839B2	Gaming machine with improved lighting arrangement A gaming machine includes a cabinet frame, a display, and an emotive lighting area. The cabinet frame has a cabinet surface visible to and facing a player position in front of the gaming machine. The display is mounted to the cabinet frame and is configured to display a randomly selected outcome from a wagering game. The emotive lighting area is integrated with the cabinet frame on the cabinet surface, proximate the display, and is separate from the display. The emotive lighting area includes a light source and a reflective surface, each of the light source and the reflective surface being concealed within the cabinet frame such that they are not viewable from the player position, the reflective surface configured to receive light directly from the light source and to reflect the light to a viewable area.
US08376836B2	Server based gaming system and method for providing deferral of bonus events A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a bonus event unit based system to provide one or more awards to one or more players. Such bonus event units are accumulated by a player based on one or more events associated with the player's gaming experience. The bonus event units utilized in the gaming system are selectively redeemed by the player in exchange for one or more opportunities to win an award.
US08376824B2	Wagering game with concealed elements continuously revealed A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a bonus round of a slot machine game. A plurality of concealed elements are displayed, and a player can reveal each element one by one, until a terminating symbol is revealed. Combinations are formed and a player is awarded a highest combination upon revealing a terminating symbol.
US08376823B2	Bonus round feature for communal gaming A plurality of players participate in a primary video poker game. Anytime a player is dealt a natural Three-of-a-Kind, the player's on screen counter will be incremented by one unit. Whenever any player achieves an on screen counter that has reached three units (meaning that player has experienced three dealt Three-of-a-Kinds), then the bonus round occurs, which is three separate stud poker hands. The player who achieved the three Three-of-a-Kinds that triggered the bonus round plays all three of the bonus round hands. Any other player who has a counter of two when the bonus round is triggered, gets two of the bonus round hands, Hand One and Hand Two. Any other player who has a counter of one when the bonus round is triggered, gets one of the bonus round hands, Hand One. Any player whose counter is still at zero does not play in that bonus round.
US08376820B2	Fender-accessible air filter An air induction system is provided for a work machine having at least one fender. The air induction system has an air inlet flow member and an air filter. The air filter is disposed within the at least one fender and accessible from outside of the work machine. The air filter is fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air inlet flow member. The air induction system also includes a conduit fluidly connected to and disposed downstream of the air filter.
US08376817B2	Cabin for work vehicle A cabin for a work vehicle comprises: a driver's seat positioned within the cabin; cabin frames including at least a transverse frame located in a rear region of the cabin; a roof supported by at least some of the cabin frames; at least one air-conditioning duct located within the roof; an air conditioning unit located rearwardly with respect to a rearward end of a seat portion of the driver's seat and adjacent the transverse frame for conditioning air and for feeding air-conditioned air into the at least one air-conditioning duct.
US08376814B2	Deboning method and apparatus for meat with bone using X-ray In an automatic deboning apparatus, an X-ray irradiation unit is provided on the upstream side of a meat cutting unit in a direction of transport of the work. In the X-ray irradiation unit, an X-ray r is irradiated to a work w from an X-ray irradiation device, an image of the X-ray transmitted through the work is subjected to image processing in an image analysis process unit, and two-dimensional position coordinates of a bone part are thereby obtained. In the meat cutting unit, three robot arms are provided with cutting blades. A storage unit of a controller stores three-dimensional position coordinates of a target operation course of each of the cutting blades. The target operation course is corrected on the basis of the two-dimensional position coordinates of the bone part obtained for each work in the image analysis process unit.
US08376809B2	Cylindrical grinder and cylindrical grinding method of ingot A cylindrical grinder is disclosed that includes a support unit including an upper support device and a lower support device, in which an ingot of silicon single crystal is interposed in a direction of axis line between the upper support device and the lower support device and is clampingly held to be rotated around the axis line, and a grinding unit that relatively moves along the direction of axis line of the ingot to traverse grind an outer circumference of the ingot. The upper support device is placed at an upper position and the lower support device is placed at a lower position, so that the support unit clampingly holds the ingot in a state in which the direction of the axis line of the ingot is disposed along a vertical direction.
US08376806B2	Toys with view ports A toy including a housing and at least one view port disposed within the housing and adapted to permit a user to view objects through the at least one view port.
US08376804B2	Motorized toy creature A multi-directional radio controlled toy, having a main vehicle with housing configured as a creature-like head containing propulsion and control components including two drive motors with controller, drive wheels coupled with the motors, power supply and wireless signal receiver coupled with the controller. An unpowered body portion trails the main vehicle and body members movably connected together by articulated couplings to permit body articulation throughout substantially the entire body portion of the creature-like device. A jaw moving mechanism in the main vehicle is powered by the motors to raise an upper jaw portion of the head until tripped by contact of a trigger at the front end of the main vehicle.
US08376803B2	Child-care robot and a method of controlling the robot A child-care robot for use in a nursery school associates child behavior patterns with corresponding robot action patterns, and acquires a child behavior pattern when a child behaves in a specified pattern. The robot selects one of the robot action patterns, which is associated with the acquired child behavior pattern, and performs the selected robot action pattern. Additionally, the robot associates child identifiers with parent identifiers, and receives an inquiry message from a remote terminal indicating a parent identifier. The robot detects one of the child identifiers, which is associated with the parent identifier of the inquiry message, acquires an image or a voice of a child identified by the detected child identifier, and transmits the acquired image or voice to the remote terminal. The robot further moves in search of a child, measures the temperature of the child, and associates the temperature with time of day at which it was measured.
US08376802B2	Organic electroluminescent display device and manufacturing method thereof An electroluminescent display device includes a display panel having scan lines, data lines, and pixel circuits. The pixel circuit includes an electroluminescent element having a first electrode layer, a first insulation film, and an emitting layer for displaying images. A driving circuit is coupled to the electroluminescent element. The first electrode layer is superimposed on a power source line, a scan line, or both, with a second insulation film therebetween.
US08376793B2	Method for controlling a surface drive for a watercraft in the upper speed range A surface drive for a watercraft with at least two drive units that is operated in different speed-dependent driving modes. The trim angles (τ—1, τ—2) of the drive units (140, 140) are adjusted automatically and independently of one another, in order to reach a defined rotational speed (n—40) at which the maximum speed (v—40) is reached, during the driving mode in which the maximum speed of the watercraft is reached.
US08376792B2	Method for controlling a watercraft having a surface drive A method of controlling a watercraft having a drive which can be pivoted about a control angle. A maximum adjustable control angle is automatically reduced by a defined gradient with an increasing speed. The drive is configured as a surface drive comprising at least two drive units, and the drive units are adjusted in the vertical direction about a trim angle (T) in a pre-adjustable automatic operating mode (301). During a driving mode in which the maximum speed is reached, once the control angle (σ) exceeds a first threshold angle (σ—41) which is smaller than the maximum adjustable control angle σ_L), the adjustment of trim angle (T) exits the automatic operating mode (301) and enters a stand-by operating mode (300) in which the trim angle (T) is manually adjusted until the control angle (σ) falls below a second threshold control angle (σ—42) and the automatic operating mode (301) is re-activated.
US08376791B2	Method for controlling a surface drive for a watercraft A surface drive for a watercraft (100) that is operated in different operating ranges dependent on a speed of the watercraft (100). A trim angle (τ) is adjusted automatically in at least one operating range, via a closed control loop, with detection of preset regulating parameters and is automatically controlled, in at least one other operating range, with detection of preset control parameters in a manner established for the operating range.
US08376789B2	Jack assemblies with cylindrical contacts Jack assemblies having cylindrical contacts are provided. For example, an enclosure may provide a cavity with a longitudinal axis for receiving an electrical plug. The jack assembly may also include at least one jack contact positioned in the cavity. The jack contact may include a first end region extending about at least a portion of the axis and a contact region extending from the first end region towards the axis. The first end region may extend completely about the axis or just about a portion of the axis. The contact region may deflect and contact a first conductive region of the plug in multiple contact areas when the plug is inserted into the cavity.
US08376787B2	Termination cap for use in wired network management system A termination unit (144) for use with a system that permits the monitoring of a computer network to perform network inventories. The termination unit takes the form of a cap that engages the termination face of a network jack and has a sensing circuit (246) integrated therewith so that, once engaged with the jack, the sensing circuit is connected to two terminals of the jack. The sensing circuit may include a resistor, capacitor or inductor, any of which provide a known sensing value that is different than a sensed value of an end-user device used on the network, but less than infinity so that the system senses when an end-user device is connected to or disconnected from the network.
US08376785B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector having an insulative housing, a plurality of first terminals and a plurality of second terminals. The first terminals are disposed in the insulative housing. Each of the first terminals has a first contact portion, a first solder portion, and a first connection portion between the first contact portion and the first solder portion. The plurality of second terminals are also disposed in the insulative housing. Each of the second terminals has a second contact portion, a second solder portion, and a second connection portion between the second contact portion and the second solder portion. The first solder portions of the first terminals and the second solder portions of the second terminals are arranged in two rows in a lateral direction, respectively. The row of the first solder portions is separated from the row of the second solder portions by a predetermined distance in a longitudinal direction.
US08376783B2	Multipolar connector The invention provides a multipolar connector wherein one terminal row can be divided into a plurality of rows (row conversion) while reducing an impedance mismatch. A multipolar connector (1) includes a terminal group (40) in which a plurality of terminals (4) are arranged in one row in contact portions (4a) with respect to terminals of a counter connector, and, while being then passed through a row converting portion (45), one terminal row (41) is divided into a plural-row portion (44) consisting of two rows (42, 43) and functioning as a connecting portion that is opposite to the counter connector, and row-converted to a substantially zigzag arrangement. The terminal group includes two specific terminals (46, 47) in which, in the plural-row portion (44), the terminal width (L1) is wider than the terminal width (L2) of the contact portions (4a). The two specific terminals constitute a terminal pair for transmitting differential signals.
US08376781B2	Socket for holding electronic device and flame sensor A recessed portion is provided into which an ultraviolet detecting device is inserted, and a case is provided for holding removably in the state wherein the ultraviolet detecting device is inserted into the recessed portion. A conducting portion is provided that is connected on one end to the electrode portion of the ultraviolet detecting device and wherein the other end is led out from the case. The recessed portion is provided with first through fourth protrusions which insert into grooves that are formed in the ultraviolet detecting device.
US08376772B2	Electrical plug connector An electrical plug connector comprises a first housing part and a second housing part. The second housing part has a first journal. The first housing part has a first locking hook. A first end of the first locking hook is rotatably connected to the first housing part. A second end of the first locking hook has a rotatably arranged first locking element. In this case, the first locking element can be passed on a path partially around the first journal by pivoting the first locking hook. The first locking element has a contour having at least two concave outer edges arranged at an angle to one another.
US08376768B2	Locking device for power feeding plug A locking device for a power feeding plug that prevents unauthorized removal of the power feeding plug from an inlet. The locking device includes a lock mechanism that locks the power feeding plug to the inlet. The lock mechanism includes an actuator and a lock member pivotable by the actuator between a lock position, at which the lock member locks the power feeding plug to the inlet, and an unlock position.
US08376764B1	Card connector A card connector is disclosed. The card connector comprises an insulative base, a plurality of connecting terminals, a card ejecting mechanism and a shielding case. The shielding case covers the insulative base. A card insertion region is formed between the insulative base and the shielding case. A plurality of terminal slots is defined on a surface of the insulative base facing the card insertion region. The connecting terminals are received in the terminal slots. The tray comprises an inner tray and an outer tray. The outer tray is pivotally connected to the inner tray. The inner tray and the outer tray are connected together to form a receiving groove for receiving a SIM card. The tray is formed by pivotally connecting the inner tray to the outer tray, therefore, the card connector according to the present invention can be used more conveniently.
US08376762B2	Electrical connector having a shell with a holding portion and a releasing portion An electrical connector comprising a housing provided on one of opposite end portions thereof with an opening through which an FPC is inserted into the housing, a plurality of conductive contacts arranged on the housing for coming into contact with signal connecting terminals on the FPC inserted in the housing, and a shell member mounted on the housing and provided therein with a holding portion operative to hold the FPC inserted in the housing, a releasing portion operative to release the FPC from holding by the holding portion and a connecting portion for connecting the releasing portion with the holding portion, wherein the releasing portion extends from the shell member, the connecting portion extends to be bent from the releasing portion, and the holding portion extends to be bent from the connecting portion, so that a U-shaped portion is constituted in the shell member with the releasing portion, the connecting portion and the holding portion.
US08376761B2	Connector A rib (54) of a sub-connector (30) is inserted into a groove (22) of a housing (10) if the sub-connector (30) is accommodated inside a correct accommodation concavity (11). A projected strip (77) of a wire cover (70) then is inserted into the groove (22) with the projected strip (77) and the rib (54) being side by side. Thus the wire cover (70) is prevented from being opened. The rib (54) may be inserted into the groove (22) if the sub-connector (30) is accommodated inside an incorrect accommodation concavity (11). But when an operation of mounting the wire cover (70) on the housing (10) in the above-described state is performed, the projected strip (77) interferes with the rib (54) inserted into the groove (22) to stop the mounting the wire cover (70) on the housing (10).
US08376760B1	Avionics data storage device and transfer system with electro-opto-mechanical identification An avionics data storage device and data transfer system are provided. The data storage device, has a slanted, “shark-like” door, which provides an environmental seal when not installed in the data transfer system. The storage device and data transfer system maintain environmental seals at all times other than installation. The storage device and transfer system can implement a variety of identification and authentication methods, including electrical, physical, and optical authentication or identification.
US08376757B2	Slip ring device A slip ring device includes a hollow pipe-shaped shaft rotatably supported inside a tubular body of a main case through a bearing and an electricity-collecting body integrally and concentrically provided in the shaft. The electricity-collecting body preferably includes a plurality of electricity-collecting rings and a plurality of insulating rings alternately layered with one another. The slip ring device further includes a plurality of brushes held by the main case and tip end portions making sliding contact with outer circumferential surfaces of the electricity-collecting rings and a plurality of lead lines introduced into the shaft. The lead lines include tip end portions electrically connected to the respective electricity-collecting rings. Two or more of the lead lines include shielded lines.
US08376750B1	Online game system and method to promote healthy behaviors An online game that promotes healthy behavior by engaging computer users and by providing educational information about health and nutrition. User participation is measured in relation to an avatar of a belly that gains and loses weight according to game play. Users are assigned an avatar according to answers to profile questions. Users earn points by correctly answering health and nutrition questions. When a user answers a question correctly, the player can help him- or herself or “sabotage” a friend. Users also have options to help a friend. The game has consequences for incorrect answers. Updates to a leader board and a message board allow users to see how friends are doing. Social networking aspects of the game keep users engaged and entertained, and therefore, more likely to participate. Participation helps users to increase their knowledge of health and nutrition facts and therefore, their knowledge regarding healthy behaviors.
US08376742B2	Dental tray A dental tray and system is disclosed. The dental tray may include a frame, an arch bridging two halves of the frame, and a bite block projecting upward from the arch to contact a palate. The system may further include a suction system connected to the frame for suctioning liquid away from an area being worked on. The dental tray may be integral or split in two halves.
US08376741B2	Handle for crimpable orthodontic archwire stop, archwire assembly and method of using A handle for releasably retaining tubular sleeve-like crimpable stops is disclosed. The handle includes an elongated body with opposed ends and at least one receptacle positioned at one end of the body. The receptacle has an inside surface and defines an entry opening. The receptacle may be configured to mechanically retain the stop, or the stop may be releasably bonded to the receptacle by sticky substances like wax, any suitable adhesive or techniques such as heat bonding. The handle is molded from plastic in a color contrasting with the oral environment, such as orange. The handle aids in handling and positioning crimpable stops during installation of archwire assemblies in the oral environment. A stop retained in the disclosed handle is highly visible and can be handled without tools.
US08376738B2	Universal impression trays and method of use A universal impression tray can be reshaped shortened or lengthened allowing a clinician the ability to use one tray in any clinical situation. The tray itself can be used with patients requiring complete removable dentures, root supported and implant-supported overdentures and in some selected dentate cases. The tray can be infinitely modified allowing total control by the clinician. Trays in accordance with features of the present invention are made of a material composition including thermoplastic resin and thermochromic pigment. The material composition softens and changes color in warm water but tends to hold its shape until manipulated by the dentist. The thermoplastic resin portion of the tray can include polycaprolactone resin, styrene resin and dental modeling compound and can vary for specific uses to roughly 50% polycaprolactone /styrene resin and 50% dental modeling compound. Thermochromic pigment can represent up to 5% of the overall material composition of a tray.
US08376735B2	Thermal curing methods and systems for forming contact lenses Contact lens curing systems and methods are described. A contact lens curing system includes an oven that has a plurality of curing zones, a mold advancement system for moving contact lens mold assemblies between the plurality of zones, and a controlled atmosphere in the curing zones that provides a substantially chemically inert environment in which contact lens precursor materials can be polymerized in contact mold assemblies located in the curing zones. Methods of producing contact lenses include curing contact lens precursor materials in contact lens mold assemblies in the lens curing system.
US08376733B2	Burner for heater A vented, gas-fired air heater especially designed for temporary heating applications includes an improved burner design providing effective air and gas mixing and efficient burning in the combustion chamber. Highly efficient heat exchanger including corrugated heat exchanger panels provides enhanced heat transfer characteristics.
US08376728B2	Device for making textured portions of food products This invention relates to a device for producing portions of food products in pieces, especially chunks of fresh meat, comprising at least one pump capable of outputting an approximately constant flow rate of food product in pieces, a tubular distributing pipe (2) connected to the delivery outlet of said pump, and comprising at least one delivery opening (22a, 22b), and cutting and shaping means (61) acting on the food product distributed by the outlet opening of the pipe to form portions (P1), said tubular pipe being equipped with a cutting system (3) comprising at least one cutting means, such as a flat oscillating blade (310a, 310b1 320a, 320b, 410), which traverses transversely from one side to the other of said main internal passageway in order to cut the food product into at least two layers and so produce textured portions (P1) of food products.
US08376727B2	Moulder safety guard A dough molder including a housing for at least one pair of rollers 1 having an access opening 5 to the at least one pair of rollers 1. The access opening 5 is provided with a guard arrangement 7 on which the operators arm rests during operation of the rollers. The dough molder further includes a detector 6 having means to interrupt operation of the molding rollers when the operator's hand is detected by light beams 18, 19 as extending beyond predetermined limits through the access opening 5 and moving to a position where the rollers 1 can be reached by the operator.
US08376723B2	Connecting rod without wrist pin A reciprocating pump assembly has a pump within a housing. The pump has a crankshaft that rotates and a crosshead that is connected to a plunger via a pony rod. The plunger pumps fluid through cylinders in the pump. A connecting rod connects at one end to the crankshaft and at another end to the crosshead to translate the crankshaft's rotational movement into linear movement of the crosshead and thereby the plunger. The end connected to the crosshead is secured to the crosshead by a bushing located within the crosshead that allows the connecting rod end to pivot during operation. The bushing extends more than 180 degrees, retaining the connecting rod with the crosshead without the need for a wrist pin. The end secured by the bushing can be retained within the bushing by a lock plate, and retainers without the need for a wrist pin.
US08376718B2	Multistage compressor installation A multistage compressor installation in which compression stages utilizing centrifugal compressors are independently driven by drivers that can be electric motors configured to be controlled by a speed controller. Intercoolers are located between stages to remove the heat of compression and the stages are connected such that outlets are located opposite to inlets of the compressors and conduits connecting the intercoolers to the stages are in an in-line relationship to inhibit the formation of pressure drops between stages. The conduits connecting the stages incorporate tapered transition sections configured such that flow velocity gradually decreases towards the intercooler and gradually increases from the intercooler to the next succeeding compression stage to further inhibit pressure drops.
US08376714B2	Variable water pump control system and the control method thereof A variable water pump control apparatus, may include a detecting portion detecting engine speed, operation of an idle stop and go system (ISG), coolant temperature, operation of a blower, and outside temperature, a variable water pump selectively circulating a coolant through an engine, and a control portion controlling the variable water pump according to the detected information including operating conditions and outside environmental factors, and a variable water pump control method may include detecting a driving condition and an environmental condition of a vehicle, and engaging or releasing a clutch of a variable water pump according to a detected condition so as to selectively circulate a coolant.
US08376705B1	Turbine endwall with grooved recess cavity A vane assembly for a gas turbine engine including an endwall and an airfoil extending from the endwall. An inner rail extends radially inwardly of the endwall, and an overhang portion extends axially from a location of the inner rail to a downstream edge. A recess cavity is defined in the overhang portion between the inner rail and the downstream edge. The recess cavity extends radially into the overhang portion and defines a cavity surface. A plurality of grooves extend radially into the cavity surface and have an elongated dimension extending in a direction from the inner rail toward the downstream edge. A plurality of cooling passages extend axially through the overhang portion, and are located between the grooves.
US08376703B2	Blade extension for rotor blade in wind turbine A blade extension for a rotor blade and a rotor blade assembly for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade assembly includes a rotor blade having exterior surfaces defining a pressure side, a suction side, a leading edge, and a trailing edge each extending in a generally span-wise direction between a tip and a root. The rotor blade assembly further includes a blade extension including a first panel and an opposed second panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel includes an interior surface and an exterior surface each extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of each of the first panel and the second panel is spaced apart from the rotor blade in a generally chord-wise direction in a standard operation position.
US08376702B2	Universal fan blade mount and ceiling fan employing same A universal fan blade mount for connecting an integral fan blade assembly having two or three or four fan blades to a fan blade rotor, wherein the fan blade mount includes an adapter plate having a plurality of peripheral holes each for accommodating a respective mounting pin of the fan blade assembly, at least one of the holes being configured to accommodate a mounting pin of any one of the fan blade assemblies.
US08376699B1	Vortex hydro turbine The Vortex Hydro Turbine takes water through an inlet from the current in which it is submerged. The water inlet reduces the cross-sectional area for the water that flows into the vortex chamber and thus increases the velocity of the water into a specially designed cylindrical chamber. The top of the chamber is specifically left open allowing the water now traveling at an increased velocity to disperse toward outlet as it rotates around the chamber, and then reintegrate into the existing environmental regime. This expansion creates a low pressure area in the center of the vortex chamber that is applied to the back side of a turbine blade system either directly or through a connecting tube depending on configuration.
US08376696B2	Variable-capacity exhaust turbocharger equipped with variable-nozzle mechanism A variable-capacity exhaust turbocharger is provided which is equipped with a variable-nozzle mechanism having a lever plate and a peripheral structure capable of ensuring regular operability of a nozzle vane and of preventing an occurrence of local excessive stress by increasing rigidity of the lever plate without increasing a thickness of the lever plate. In a variable-capacity exhaust turbocharger equipped with a variable-nozzle mechanism including: a plurality of nozzle vanes; an annular drive ring; and a lever plate provided as many as the number of the nozzle vanes so that one end is connected to an engagement pin portion engaging with a groove portion formed in the drive ring and the other end is fixed to each nozzle vane, the drive ring is disposed between the lever plate and a nozzle mount in an axial direction, and the lever plate is curved in an axial direction from a surface of the lever plate connected to the fixed portion on the side of the nozzle vane so as to be connected to the groove portion of the drive ring.
US08376695B2	Variable geometry vane ring assembly with stepped spacer A vane ring assembly includes a lower vane ring (20), an upper vane ring (30), one or more guide vanes (80) positioned at least partially between the vane rings, and a spacer (50) positioned between the lower and upper vane rings (20, 30) for maintaining a distance between the lower and upper vane rings (20, 30). The spacer has a first end (52) with a first diameter, a second end (54) with a second diameter, and a middle section (56) with a third diameter. The third diameter is larger than the first and second diameters. The first and second ends (52, 54) of the spacer (50) are inserted at least partially into a first counter bore (22) and a second counter bore (32) formed in the lower and upper vane rings (20, 30). A nut (40) and a fastener (42) running through a central through hole (58) of the spacer (50) are used to connect the vane ring assembly to a turbocharger housing. A clearance (c) of greater than e.g. 5% of the fastener diameter is formed between an inside wall (51) of the spacer (50) an outside wall (43) of the metal fastener (42) to offset any thermal expansion or deformation.
US08376692B2	Turbo compressor in an axial type of construction A turbo compressor in an axial type of construction is disclosed. The turbo compressor has a bladed stator and a bladed rotor, and has a longitudinally split compressor casing and a guide blade ring with adjustable guide blades. The guide blades are pivotably mounted about radial axes radially within their aerofoil on an inner ring belonging to the stator. The inner ring is split, i.e., segmented, at at least two points of its circumference. Furthermore, the inner ring has for each guide blade at least one bearing bush which can be inserted radially into an opening from inside.
US08376687B2	System and method for cooling steam turbine rotors A steam turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of early stages and a stator portion surrounding a portion of the rotor and arranged such that a leakage region exists between the stator portion and the rotor and having a cooling steam channel that passes cooling steam from one portion of the stator portion to the leakage region. The turbine also includes at least one cooling steam transmission channel axially displaced about the rotor that receives the cooling steam from the leakage region and provides it to at least a portion of the early stages.
US08376685B2	Dual scara arm A substrate transport apparatus having a drive section and a scara arm operably connected to the drive section to move the scara arm. The scara arm has an upper arm and at least one forearm. The forearm is movably mounted to the upper arm and capable of holding a substrate thereon. The upper arm is substantially rigid and is adjustable for changing a predetermined dimension of the upper arm.
US08376683B2	Low center of gravity carrier A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Using Super Single rear wheels and an airbag suspension, for example, sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle and an increase in payload height.
US08376682B2	Obstruction clearance mode for silo with reciprocating frame A method for clearing obstructions in a silo having a reciprocating frame uses an obstruction clearance mode. The method includes driving at least one frame in a reciprocal motion across a silo floor until sensing an indication that at least one frame has encountered an obstruction. Upon sensing the indication of obstruction, an obstruction clearance mode is initiated in an attempt to clear the obstruction.
US08376680B2	Assembly An assembly comprises first and second components provided with holes receiving a retaining element in the form of a pin, in order to retain the components together. The pin is made from a shape memory effect material, and is inserted into the holes in a straight configuration, following which a change in temperature causes a retaining portion of the pin to deform into a second configuration, in which withdrawal of the pin is prevented.
US08376675B2	Moveable tiedown A system for securing objects in an aircraft can comprise a structure in an aircraft having a plurality of receiving holes and a tie down. The tie down can comprise a housing and a fitting. The housing can have at least one engagement pin for selective positioning wherever the receiving holes are located. The fitting can be capable of receiving and securing a restraint to the housing and configured to rotate about the engagement pin to facilitate securing objects in an aircraft.
US08376674B1	Cargo strap assembly A cargo strap assembly constructed and arranged for receipt by a stake pocket of a vehicle wherein the vehicle includes a sidewall which further defines an opening in communication with the stake pocket. The cargo strap assembly includes a cargo strap module which is constructed and arranged to fit within the stake pocket, the cargo strap module including a retractable cargo strap having an extendable end which is constructed and arranged to extend through the sidewall opening of the vehicle. The cargo strap assembly is completed by the addition of a cover plate which is constructed and arranged to be positioned against the sidewall of the vehicle and attach directly to the cargo strap module for securing the cargo strap module within the stake pocket.
US08376665B2	Cutting tool, cutting tool kit, and method of operating the same A rotary cutting system for releasable connection to a power tool, the power tool including a housing, a motor supported in the housing and a drive mechanism driven by the motor, the rotary cutting system comprising a universal shaft having a first shaft end and a second shaft end positioned opposite the first shaft end, the first shaft end being removably securable to the power tool, and a cutting tool having a first tool end, and a second tool end spaced a distance of at least 3.5 inches from the first tool end and operable to cut a workpiece, the first tool end being removably securable to the second shaft end of the universal shaft.
US08376664B2	Cutting tool and cutting insert therefor A cutting tool has a cutting insert releasably retained in an insert pocket. The insert pocket includes a supporting portion having support surfaces and a clamping portion including a socket having a socket wall, the socket extending rearwardly from the supporting portion. The cutting insert has a cutting portion with front abutment surfaces and an elongated locating portion extending rearwardly from the cutting portion. The cutting insert is retained in the insert pocket with the front abutment surfaces abutting the support surfaces and with the locating portion located in the socket with abutment surfaces of the locating portion in abutment with the socket wall.
US08376663B2	Segmented conveyor and air film chute A package sorting system. The package sorting conveyor system includes a conveying track, at least one unloading station and an air-film lubricated entrance chute upstream of the unloading station to receive the package. In one embodiment, the entrance chute includes a plenum including a plurality of spaced apart apertures and an opening for communicating with an air supply; and a segmented conveying surface in communication with the apertures, wherein the segmented conveying surface includes at least one air-film lubricated bottom surface and at least one air-film lubricated side wall substantially perpendicular to the at least one bottom surface. In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of the entrance chute.
US08376662B2	Dynamic blower system, and methods of constructing and utilizing same A dynamic blower system to apply shredded aluminum foil on top of existing building insulation, including: a tank into which the foil is loaded; an air input port connected with the tank to generate an air vortex in the tank; an output hose connected with an outlet port of the tank; and an internal output louver connected with the tank and positioned relative to the vortex to direct the spinning foil into and through the outlet port and output hose.
US08376661B2	System and method for increasing roadway width incorporating a reverse oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports A system and method are provided for increasing the width of an existing roadway. The system incorporates a reverse-oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports. The retaining wall is formed by a first set of soil nails, wire mesh material, and one or more geotextile material layers. An alternate embodiment forms the retaining wall with a plurality of concrete blocks stacked and spaced to form a block wall. The blocks are mounted over the first set of nails and can be filled with mortar. Backfill material fills a gap between the existing sloping surface and the retaining wall. A second set of soil nails can be provided for additional subsurface support. An upper surface of the backfill material can be paved to form the extended roadway width.
US08376657B2	Berm and method of construction thereof A berm to increase capacity of an existing landfill comprises a reinforced portion and backfill material. The landfill comprises a waste-receiving recess having a surface and an outer perimeter, an edge surface peripherally adjacent at least a portion of the outer perimeter, and an existing accumulation of waste within the recess having a collective top surface. The reinforced portion has opposing inner and outer surfaces and comprises structural fill material and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed therein. The backfill material has an inner surface adjacent the inner surface of the reinforced portion. The backfill material comprises contaminated fill material and is at least partially encapsulated by an impermeable membrane. At least a portion of the berm sits on at least a portion of the edge surface of the landfill. Portions of the berm are substantially parallel to corresponding portions of the outer perimeter.
US08376656B2	Electrical power generating system with storage system and methods for use therewith A method for selectively generating electrical power uses water gravity flow to generate electrical power. An electrical power generator is driven to generate electrical power in response to the waste. A portion of the electrical power generated by the at least one electrical power generator can be stored and tapped later to supplement the output of the electrical power generator. A portion of the water flow can be stored and tapped later to supplement the water flow.
US08376655B2	Compactor with smooth hose routing A compactor with a hose routing includes a drum connected to a frame with a support. The frame defines an interior space of the compactor and includes a plate through which an opening extends to the interior space. A hose assembly extends from an end of the drum through the opening to the interior space without the use of bulkheads.
US08376653B2	Self-propelled road construction machine In an automotive road construction machine (1), with a working drum (6) for working a ground surface or traffic surface (3) mounted at a machine frame (4), a combustion engine (10) for driving the working drum (6), and a drive train (8) between the combustion engine (10) and the working drum (6), it is provided that at least one vibration damper (5) and/or vibration absorber is arranged at the working drum (6) or in the drive train (8) downstream of the combustion engine (10), with the said vibration damper (5) and/or vibration absorber eliminating or reducing rotary vibrations generated by the combustion engine (10).
US08376651B2	Water-ballasted protection barriers and methods A water-ballasted molded plastic barrier system incorporates barrier segments wherein each segment employs a sawtooth reflective design, designed to prevent the tire of a vehicle, impacting the barrier, from climbing up the side of the barrier segment. Adjacent barrier segments are attached together using an interlocking knuckle design, having a lug pin connection system. Wire rope cable assemblies are internally molded into each barrier segment to create an impenetrable cable fence. The wire rope cable assemblies include steel bushings which are molded into the interlocking knuckles to further strengthen the barrier system.
US08376650B2	Bollard assembly A bollard assembly is disclosed that includes an elongate hollow bollard having opposed first and second ends, a sidewall extending between the first and second ends, and through hole formed in the side wall. The assembly also includes a sleeve configured to receive and support a lower portion of the bollard, and a hollow cylindrical insert disposed within the lower end of the bollard. A pin protrudes outward from the insert sidewall, extends through the bollard through hole and engages the sleeve, whereby the assembly is retained in an assembled configuration. The bollard includes a prescribed breakaway line along which an upper portion of the bollard can be separated from the lower portion upon sufficient impact. Once the upper portion is broken away, the insert permits the lower portion of the bollard to be removed from the sleeve and replaced with a replacement bollard.
US08376649B2	Coupling device for transmitting a torque A coupling device is provided for transmitting a torque between a drive element and a clutch, for example of a motor vehicle. The coupling device includes a first shaft and a second shaft being coupled together in a positive fit. The device is equipped with an elastic element which in the positive-fit connection generates a pre-tension to suppress rattling noises.
US08376648B2	Rotational bearing assembly The present invention relates to a rotational bearing assembly including a pivot pin and a rotation member having an aperture within which the pivot pin is located such that the rotation member can rotate relative to the pivot pin. A bearing is at least partially disposed between the pivot pin and rotation member. The bearing has an axial portion which extends axially within the aperture of the rotation member and at least partly over the pin, and first and second flanges which extend at least partly over upper and lower edges of the aperture.
US08376643B2	Oral care instrument including an oral care agent An oral care instrument includes at least one oral care agent. In one embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided on one or more surfaces of the oral care instrument or included within cavities within the head or in one or more surfaces of a head. In other embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided in or on a thin slab subsequently bonded onto a surface, or applied as a stable coating. The oral care instrument can also be provided with a wear indicator. The oral care agents can be released during one use, during multiple uses, or throughout the life of the instrument. Water, oral secretions and/or chemicals within the mouth can activate the oral care agents.
US08376638B2	Keyboard with rotation detection module and pivotable supporting member A keyboard includes a main body, a rotation detecting module, and a swivel hinge. The main body is disposed with a plurality of keys. The rotation detecting module is used for detecting the rotation of the main body. The swivel hinge is detachably connected to the main body. The swivel hinge includes an extending arm being rotatable with respect to the main body; and a supporting member pivotally engaging with the extending arm for supporting the main body.
US08376636B2	Focal-plane shutter and optical apparatus A focal plane shutter includes: an electromagnet; a board including an opening; blades capable of opening and closing the opening; a drive member holding an iron piece adsorbed to the electromagnet and driving the blades, the drive member being movable such that the iron piece moves toward and away from the electromagnet and being biased by a spring such that the iron piece moves away from the electromagnet; and a holding board facing the board and including a pair of sandwiching portions elastically deformable and holding and sandwiching the electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a restriction portion engaging the board and restricting a movement of the electromagnet in a direction where the iron piece moves away from the electromagnet.
US08376633B2	Optical path changer component, optical connector and optical device An optical connector is comprised of a main body and a wall formed in the main body and having a wall face which has guiding slots curving at an angle of about 90 degrees or one or more optical fiber holes. Optical fibers inserted into the main body along the lateral direction are made curved by the guiding slots or the optical fiber holes toward photoelectric devices disposed on an upper or lower face thereof.
US08376630B2	Hybrid 8P8C RJ-45 modular plug configured with both optical and electrical connections for providing both optical and electrical communications capabilities, and a method A hybrid RJ-45 plug is provided that has both an electrical coupling configuration and an optical coupling configuration. The electrical coupling configuration is an 8P8C electrical wiring configuration that complies with the RJ-45 electrical wiring standard. The optical coupling configuration includes an optics system that provides the plug with optical communications capabilities. The hybrid RJ-45 plug is backwards compatible with an existing RJ-45 jack that implements an RJ-45 electrical wiring standard. However, the hybrid RJ-45 plug is also configured to mate with an optical jack that has only optical communications capabilities and to mate with a hybrid RJ-45 jack that has both optical and electrical communications capabilities.
US08376629B2	Fiber optic connector assembly employing fiber movement support and method of assembly A fiber optic connector assembly and method employing one or more fiber movement supports. The one or more fiber movement supports are each disposed around one or more optical fibers and are configured to inhibit kinks or sharp bends from occurring in the one or more optical fibers. The fiber movement support is more rigid than an optical fiber. Thus, when a force is exerted on an optical fiber in a direction angled to the axis of the optical fiber, the force is directed to the fiber movement support. The fiber movement support translates the non-axial force in a direction toward the axis of the optical fiber. This causes the optical fiber to be pushed back towards the fiber optic cable instead of the kinking or bending the optical fiber, thus avoiding or reducing high insertion losses resulting from bending of the optical fiber.
US08376628B2	Optical connector plug A stopper 50 is fixed to an optical connector 10, and the optical connector 10 is accommodated in an opening section 21 of a housing 20. The housing 20 is engaged with the stopper 50 so as to be displaceable with respect to the stopper 50 by a predetermined amount in a direction of inserting the optical connector 10 to a receptacle, and the stopper 50 is biased rearward by a coil spring 40 with respect to the housing 20. The free end of a clip piece 15 is placed on the free end of a latch piece 14 of the optical connector 10, and the free end of the clip piece 15 is placed on an inclination surface 23a at the front end of a concave section 23 formed on an inner wall surface of the opening section 21. At the time of detachment from the receptacle, the housing 20 is displaced in a direction to be pulled out against the biasing force of the coil spring 40. Accordingly, the clip piece 15 and the latch piece 14 are pushed down by the inclination surface 23a to release the lock of the latch piece 14. The detachment from the receptacle can be made in one motion.
US08376627B2	Thrust plate for engaging a bearing of a drive assembly A thrust plate for use in a drive assembly between an end of an axle shaft and a bearing, the bearing retained within a housing of a rotatable final drive component, the thrust plate having a first end that defines an axle engaging wear surface and a second end that includes an extension configured for fitted engagement with the bearing, the thrust plate further including a central axis of rotation, where the axle engaging wear surface is disposed transverse to the central axis. A thrust plate and bearing assembly for a final drive cover plate includes the thrust plate in combination with a spherical thrust bearing, these components also being provided in a rebuild kit.
US08376621B2	Washer and motor bearing system comprising the same A washer, including a central axial hole, a first oil retainer, a second oil retainer, and a transition groove. The central axial hole allows a motor shaft to pass therethrough. The first oil retainer and the second oil retainer are formed on the washer. The transition groove is disposed between the first oil retainer and the second oil retainer.
US08376618B2	Thrust washer and radial/axial bearing having such a thrust washer A thrust washer (14) in the form of a semi-circular flanged ring includes at least two radially inward-directed outer connection pieces (22) on the inner edge of the thrust washer (14) for the connection with a radial bearing part (12), which are located in the circumferential direction on both sides of a contrived centerline (M) of the thrust washer (14) and in each case have an inner edge (23) facing the center line (M) and an outer edge (23a) turned away from the centerline (M). The invention also relates to a radio axial bearing with a radial bearing part and a thrust washer of such a type connected with the radial bearing part. The inner edges (23) in each case include an angle (α), which is 45° and 85°, with a tangent on the inner side connected in the center of the connection piece (22) at the semi-circle described by the thrust washer (14), in which the outer edge (23a) runs parallel to the respective inner edge (23). Such a thrust washer (14) can be connected with a radial-axial bearing (10) with a radial bearing part (12).
US08376616B2	Bearing assembly for a downhole motor In a downhole motor bearing section having a cylindrical mandrel rotatably disposed within a cylindrical housing, a bi-directional thrust bearing is disposed within a four-shouldered annular containment chamber formed partially into the inner cylindrical wall of the housing and partially into the outer cylindrical wall of the mandrel. Under on-bottom loading conditions, thrust loads are transferred through the thrust bearing by the upper shoulder of the housing and the lower shoulder of the mandrel. The radial widths of these two shoulders are both symmetrical about the centerline of the thrust bearing such that on-bottom thrust loads are transferred non-eccentrically to the thrust bearing, thereby avoiding twisting loads on the thrust bearing races, increasing the effective on-bottom load capacity of the thrust bearing and extending its service life.
US08376611B2	Circuits and methods for temperature detection A temperature detection circuit includes a sensor, an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and a resistor. The sensor is operable for sensing a temperature. The IC chip can compare a sense voltage indicative of the temperature with a threshold voltage indicative of a temperature threshold to determine a temperature condition. The IC chip has a substantially constant parameter. The resistor is externally coupled to the IC chip. The IC chip maintains a current ratio, including a ratio of a first current flowing through the sensor to a second current flowing through the resistor, equal to the substantially constant parameter.
US08376608B2	Energy-saving static stirring apparatus for automatically stirring a fluid An energy-saving static stirring apparatus for automatically stirring a fluid includes a deflector adapted for stationary placement in a container that holds a fluid for boiling. The deflector may include at least one friction contact point for frictionally engaging the container to prevent movement of the deflector. An inner portion of the deflector may be configured for placement proximate to a center of the container. An outer portion of the deflector may be configured for placement proximate to a side of the container. One or more deflector ramps define one or more vent openings to impart lateral movement to heated fluid currents and/or vapor bubbles moving upwardly away from a heat source below the container and to redirect the fluid currents and/or vapor bubbles into a swirling motion that stirs the fluid without movement of the deflector.
US08376606B2	Water resistant and replaceable LED lamps for light strings Disclosed is a waterproof lamp assembly that allows easy replacement of LED elements to be replaced. The electrical wires providing power to the light string are molded together with a lamp holder and covered with a lamp cover to create a watertight seal. The entire lamp assembly is waterproof and the LED elements are replaceable. No soldering is required in the assembly process.
US08376604B2	Frame structure of backlight module A frame structure of a backlight module includes a body and a mold frame. A side wall surrounds a bearing surface of the body, and the side wall has at least one stopper and at least one positioning hole. A side edge of the mold frame has at least one positioning post. When the mold frame is disposed on the side wall, the side edge of the mold frame leans against the stopper, and the positioning post of the mold frame is embedded in the positioning hole.
US08376602B2	LED lamp An LED lamp has one or more red LEDs, one or more green LEDs, and one or more white LEDs. The plurality of LEDs produces light that is mixed to produce a combined light output that has color approximating that of a blackbody radiator and having a correlated color temperature of 3,800 to 5,400 Kelvin.
US08376600B2	Lighting device A lighting device includes a substantially cylindrical tube defining an interior and an exterior, and a longitudinal axis extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the tube defines a substantially cylindrical opening disposed in a plane at a first angle that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the second end of the tube defines a substantially elliptical opening disposed in a plane at a second angle that is substantially non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A reflective surface is provided on the interior of the tube, and a substantially cylindrical flashing is provided about the exterior of the tube. A substantially transparent dome is coupled to the tube proximate the first end, and a diffuser is coupled to the tube proximate the second end.

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