最新美国发明专利第2013-02-26期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08383977B2	System and method for sorting items A system and associated method is provided for sorting parts, which includes a conveyor system for receiving and circulating a plurality of randomly presented parts, a sorting buffer for accumulating selected parts from the plurality of randomly presented parts in an assigned buffer location, and a sequencing system for sequencing the accumulated selected parts.
US08383973B2	Tripping assembly for switching device A tripping assembly is provided for a switching device. The tripping assembly includes: a body part, a tripping axle configured to turn between a trip position and a tensioned position in relation to the body part; a tripping frame configured to turn between a trip position and a tensioned position in relation to the body part and whose turning axis is substantially parallel with the turning axis of the tripping axle; at least one tripping spring which has an non-tensioned state and a tensioned state and which is functionally connected to the tripping axle and to the tripping frame; a frame spring which has a non-tensioned state and a tensioned state and which is functionally connected between the body part and the tripping frame; and a connecting member which is arranged to functionally connect the tripping axle and the tripping frame both in the final stage of a tensioning event and in the initial stage of a tripping event. In the tripping event: (i) both the frame spring and the at least one tripping spring are configured to transfer from the tensioned state to the non-tensioned state, thus releasing energy needed for the tripping event to the tripping assembly; and (ii) the tripping frame and the tripping axle are configured to turn from their tensioned positions to their trip positions, and while doing so, to turn to opposite directions with respect to one another.
US08383962B2	Exposed die pad package with power ring A packaged semiconductor is disclosed. The packaged semiconductor comprises a conductive integral frame that includes an inner portion and a ring portion encircling the inner portion, a semiconductor die that is mounted to a first surface of the inner portion of the conductive frame, and a casing that supports the conductive frame and covers the semiconductor die. Sections of the conductive frame that connect the inner portion to the ring portion are removed after the casing is applied to the conductive frame.
US08383961B2	EMI shields and methods of manufacturing the same An electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding apparatus generally includes a lid and a framework. The lid includes a top portion having at least one projection joining part thereon. The at least one projection joining part has a peripheral contour. The framework includes a top portion and a lateral side extending downward from the top portion. The top portion includes at least one joining opening having a peripheral contour coinciding with the peripheral contour of the at least one projection joining part of the lid. Accordingly, the at least one projection joining part of the lid is engagable with the at least one joining opening of the framework via an interference fit.
US08383956B2	Plating apparatus, plating method and multilayer printed circuit board A multilayer printed circuit board has an insulation layer, a first conductor layer provided over a first side of the insulation layer, a second conductor layer provided over a second side of the insulation layer opposite to the first side, and multiple filled vias electrically connecting the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. The filled vias have upper surfaces, respectively, and each of the upper surfaces is made such that a difference between a lowest point and a highest point of each of the upper surfaces is less than or equal to about 7 μm.
US08383953B2	Circuit board and method for manufacturing the same In a circuit board, a laminate includes a plurality of laminated insulating material layers made of a flexible material. First external electrodes are provided on an upper surface of the laminate, and an electronic component is mounted thereon. Second external electrodes are provided on a lower surface of the laminate and mounted on a wiring board. An internal conductor is provided between first and second adjacent insulating material layers, fixed to the first insulating material layer, and not fixed to the second insulating material layer. The internal conductor is arranged so as to extend across regions obtained by connecting certain ones of the second external electrodes to certain ones of the first external electrodes located closest to the certain ones of the second external electrodes.
US08383952B2	Printed compatible designs and layout schemes for printed electronics Embodiments of the present invention relate to circuit layouts that are compatible with printing electronic inks, printed circuits formed by printing an electronic ink or a combination of printing and conventional blanket deposition and photolithography, and methods of forming circuits by printing electronic inks onto structures having print-compatible shapes. The layouts include features having (i) a print-compatible shape and (ii) an orientation that is either orthogonal or parallel to the orientation of every other feature in the layout.
US08383947B2	Conductor module and electromagnetic welding method The present invention is intended to provide an enhanced conductor module capable of reducing a joint area between conductors, and a method for preparing the same. The conductor module has a pair of flattened circuits each of which comprises a rectangular shaped conductors, a pair of sheeted coverings disposed on both sides of the conductor, and at least one hole having a diameter smaller than a width of the conductor, and formed in the coverings so as to expose one surface of the conductor to outside the flattened circuit. The conductor of one flattened circuit is joined to the conductor of the other flattened circuit via the hole by application of electromagnetic welding.
US08383943B2	Electrical cable harness and assembly for transmitting AC electrical power An electrical connector/cable harness includes an electrically insulative housing and first and second passageways extending from a first end of the connector/cable harness to a second end thereof, first and second electrically conductive wires disposed in the passageways, respectively, wherein the passageways and the wires therein reverse their dispositions in the connector/cable harness such that at the second end of the connector/cable harness the two wires are disposed oppositely to their disposition at the first end of the connector/cable harness.
US08383941B2	Headphone tangle prevention apparatus A method and apparatus for keeping headphone and earpiece cables from tangling is disclosed. The apparatus may include a flexible sleeve capable of moving relative to a headphone cord to restrict the movement of earpiece cables associated with the headphone cord.
US08383939B2	Structure of bus bar assembly A bus bar assembly used for establish electric connections with semiconductor modules of an electric power converter. The bus bar assembly includes a resinous body, a first and a second bus bar to which terminals of the semiconductor modules are to be connected. Each of the first and second bus bars includes a plate body and a plurality of connecting terminals extending from the plate body substantially in parallel to a major surface of the plate body. At least a portion of the body plate of the first bus bar is disposed inside the resinous body. The second bus bar is mounted at the plate body on the resinous body and laid to overlap the first bus bar at a given distance away from the first bus bar. This structure minimizes the misalignment between the first and second bus bars after the resinous body is formed.
US08383938B2	Sliding cover faceplate and electronic device using the same A sliding cover faceplate and an electronic device using the same are provided. The sliding cover faceplate includes a sliding cover, a cover plate, and a sliding structure. The cover plate is provided on the electronic device, and the sliding cover is disposed on one side of the cover plate. The sliding structure includes a guiding portion and an elastic positioning portion. The guiding portion is disposed on the cover plate and is connected to the sliding cover to guide the sliding cover to slide between a first location and a second location on the cover plate. The elastic positioning portion connects the cover plate with the sliding cover to provide an elastic force to the sliding cover, such that when the sliding cover slides close to the first location or the second location, the sliding cover is automatically positioned on the first location or the second location.
US08383936B2	Grounding mechanism for slide-type electronic devices A grounding mechanism is used for a slidable electronic device including a first housing, a second housing, a conductive member and a grounding tab. The grounding tab is for attachment to the first housing. The receiving portion is formed in the second housing. The conductive member is attached to the receiving portion. The grounding tab contacts the conductive member, the first housing is electrically connected to the second housing.
US08383933B2	Earthing system for a wind turbine connected to a utility grid and for a wind turbine park The invention relates to an earthing system for a wind turbine connected to a utility grid. The wind turbine comprises at least one electric system such as low or high voltage power systems and cables (16), at least one control system such as a SCADA system and control cables (18), and/or at least one safety system such as a lightning protection system, wherein a connection to an electrically earth potential is established from one defined place (12) within the wind turbine for said systems.
US08383931B2	Derivatives or dipyrannylidene type as anode interface layer in electronic devices The present invention relates to substrates coated with films comprising compounds of general formula (I) below: and also to the process for manufacturing them and to their use as anode interface layer in electronic devices. The present invention also relates to organic electroluminescent diodes (OLED), polymeric electroluminescent diodes (PLED), organic field-effect transistors (OFET) and organic solar cells (OSC) comprising a substrate according to the invention, to specific organic solar cells and to the process for manufacturing them.Compounds of formula (I) as such also form part of the invention.
US08383930B2	Solar cell and method for producing solar cell Disclosed is a solar cell including a passivation film formed on a light-receiving surface of a silicon substrate, and an antireflection film formed on the passivation film, wherein the passivation film has a refractive index higher than that of the antireflection film. The passivation film and the antireflection film can each be made of a silicon nitride film.
US08383928B2	Concentration solar battery protected against heating The invention concerns concentration solar batteries which are protected against heating caused by the fraction of solar radiation which does not enable excitation of the photovoltaic cells (101) constituting said generator. It consists in covering the concentrator (106) which reflects the solar flux (107) towards the photovoltaic cells (101) with a filter (206) which enables the useless part of the radiation to be eliminated. It consists in using for that purpose either an absorbent material or an oblique or Fresnel stepped arrangement of the outer surface (107) of said transparent layer enabling said useless part to be reflected outside the photovoltaic cells (101).
US08383925B2	Sound collector, sound signal transmitter and music performance system for remote players A music station is connected through a communication network to another music station, and pieces of music data expressing an exhibition performance on a automatic player piano and pieces of voice data expressing tutor's explanation are transmitted from the music station to the other music station through different communication channels; and a close-talking microphone and a bone conduction microphone are incorporated in a sound collector on the music station, and a vibration signal from the bone conduction microphone is examined to see whether or not the cord of tutor vibrates; when the answer is given affirmative, a voice signal from the close-talking microphone is relayed to a transmitter module so that the sound collector does not permit the transmitter module to transmit the voice signal expressing noises such as the tones; whereby the music performance system prevents the trainee from tones reproduced from a headphone.
US08383923B2	System and method for musical game playing and training A system and method for musical training allows users to visually and aurally associate musical notes. The system allows user input to designate musical notes and instruments on which those notes are to be played. Users can spell words and phrases using the letter designations of the musical scale. The note associated with the letter designation of the musical scale is played back to the user on demand. Words and phrases are spelled with the letter designations can also be played back as musical notes associated with the letters used. The system can generate musical notes in a variety of musical instruments.
US08383916B1	Maize variety hybrid X05B936 A novel maize variety designated X05B936 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05B936 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05B936 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05B936, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05B936. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05B936.
US08383914B1	Maize variety hybrid X8H569 A novel maize variety designated X8H569 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8H569 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8H569 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8H569, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8H569. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8H569.
US08383912B1	Maize variety hybrid X7K442 A novel maize variety designated X7K442 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X7K442 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7K442 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7K442, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7K442. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7K442.
US08383911B1	Maize variety hybrid X13A467 A novel maize variety designated X13A467 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13A467 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13A467 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13A467, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13A467. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13A467.
US08383910B1	Maize variety hybrid X8K858 A novel maize variety designated X8K858 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8K858 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8K858 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8K858, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8K858. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8K858.
US08383908B1	Maize variety hybrid X03A121 A novel maize variety designated X03A121 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X03A121 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03A121 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03A121, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03A121. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03A121.
US08383906B1	Maize variety hybrid X13A494 A novel maize variety designated X13A494 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13A494 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13A494 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13A494, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13A494. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13A494.
US08383905B1	Maize variety hybrid X08A147 A novel maize variety designated X08A147 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A147 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A147 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A147, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A147. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A147.
US08383903B1	Inbred maize variety PH17PC A novel maize variety designated PH17PC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH17PC with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH17PC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH17PC or a locus conversion of PH17PC with another maize variety.
US08383900B2	Soybean variety XB15C11 A novel soybean variety, designated XB15C11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB15C11, cells from soybean variety XB15C11, plants of soybean XB15C11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB15C11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB15C11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB15C11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB15C11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB15C11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB15C11 are further provided.
US08383899B2	Soybean variety XB17V11 A novel soybean variety, designated XB17V11 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB17V11, cells from soybean variety XB17V11, plants of soybean XB17V11, and plant parts of soybean variety XB17V11. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB17V11 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XB17V11, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB17V11, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XB17V11. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB17V11 are further provided.
US08383896B2	Soybean variety A1023758 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1023758. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1023758. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1023758 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1023758 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08383895B2	Soybean variety A1024198 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024198. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024198. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024198 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024198 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08383893B2	Soybean variety A1020078 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1020078. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1020078. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1020078 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1020078 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08383892B2	Soybean variety A1015895 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1015895. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1015895. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1015895 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1015895 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08383891B2	Wuschel (WUS) gene homologs This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding WUS polypeptides. The invention further provides isolated WUS polypeptides. The invention also provides methods of using the polynucleotides to modulate the level of WUS, improve transformation efficiency, to stimulate plant cell growth, including stem cells, to stimulate organogenesis, to stimulate somatic embryogenesis, to induce apomixis, and to provide a positive selection for cells comprising the polynucleotide. The invention also relates to cells, plants and seeds comprising the polynucleotides of the invention or produced by the methods of the invention.
US08383890B1	Genes encoding fatty acid desaturases from Sorghum bicolor This invention relates to the fatty acid desaturase genes, designated SbDES2 and SbDES3, cloned from an expressed sequence tag (EST) database prepared from isolated root hairs from sorghum. Heterologous expression of the cDNAs in S. cerevisiae revealed that recombinant SbDES2 converted palmitoleic acid (16:1Δ9) to hexadecadienoic acid (16:2Δ9, 12), and that recombinant SbDES3 was capable of converting hexadecadienoic acid into hexadecatrienoic acid (16:3Δ9, 12, 15). Desaturase enzymes capable of performing desaturation reactions producing a terminal double bond have not previously been characterized in a plant system.
US08383888B1	Plants and plant products useful for biofuel manufacture and feedstock, and methods of producing same A method of processing plant cellulose includes providing plant cellulose that is from a plant expressing a CESA polypeptide variant having at least one amino acid mutation in its carboxy-terminal transmembrane region; and saccharifying the plant cellulose to produce fermentable sugars. The method can also include fermenting the fermentable sugars to produce alcohol. A method of producing a plant having beneficial saccharification properties includes introducing into a plant a polynucleotide encoding a CESA polypeptide variant having at least one amino acid mutation in its carboxy-terminal transmembrane region; and expressing in the plant the CESA polypeptide variant, wherein plant cellulose of the plant expressing the CESA polypeptide variant has beneficial saccharification properties as compared to a wild-type plant.
US08383884B1	Maize variety hybrid X8N327 A novel maize variety designated X8N327 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8N327 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8N327 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8N327, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8N327. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8N327.
US08383883B1	Maize variety hybrid X8M174 A novel maize variety designated X8M174 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8M174 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8M174 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8M174, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8M174. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8M174.
US08383879B2	Non-human animal disease mode for hepatitis B virus-associated disease A non-human animal disease model for hepatitis B virus-associated liver disease is disclosed. The animal disease model is transduced with a hepatitis B virus genome in the liver cells thereof and exhibits the following symptoms: hepatitis B viral particles and hepatitis B viral DNA in the serum, hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope and HBV e proteins in the serum, expression of HBV core and HBV envelope proteins in the liver but not in the kidney, heart, lung, brain, pancreas, spleen, stomach or intestine tissues. The animal disease model may develop hepatocellular carcinoma, exhibiting an elevated level of alanine aminotransferase as compared to a control animal without the hepatitis B virus genome in the liver cells thereof, and liver pathological symptoms such as tumor nodules, dysplasia, inflammatory infiltrates, necrosis and fibrosis.
US08383874B2	Process for isoparaffin olefin alkylation A reactor for the autorefrigerant alkylation process has a reactor vessel with a lower end inlet for the refrigerant reactant and the sulfuric acid and a series of inlets for the olefin reactant at vertically spaced intervals. A flow path for the reactants is provided by co-acting baffles which define sequential reaction zones. The baffles interact with a rotary mixer with multiple impellers to provide agitation. Outlets for the vaporized refrigerant and the reaction effluent are provided at the upper end of the vessel. In the alkylation process, the liquid isoparaffin hydrocarbon reactant/refrigerant with a sulfuric acid alkylation catalyst is introduced into the lower end and passed along the extended reactant flow path with the olefin reactant introduced at intervals along the path. The reaction mixture flows in the sequence of serial reaction zones within the reactor to promote mixing of the isoparaffin reactant with the acid catalyst.
US08383873B2	Terminal 1,1-disubstituted alkenes, method of making and using thereof Disclosed is a process for preparing terminal 1,1-disubstituted alkenes and is to compounds prepared therewith.
US08383868B2	Method of producing iodizing agent, and method of producing aromatic iodine compound A method of the present invention, for producing an iodizing agent, includes the step of electrolyzing iodine molecules in a solution by using an acid as a supporting electrolyte. This realizes (i) a method of producing an iodine cation suitable for use as an iodizing agent that does not require a sophisticated separation operation after iodizing reaction is completed, and (ii) an electrolyte used in the method. Further, a method of the present invention, for producing an aromatic iodine compound, includes the step of causing an iodizing agent, and an aromatic compound whose nucleus has one or more substituent groups and two or more hydrogen atoms, to react with each other under the presence of a certain ether compound. This realizes such a method of producing an aromatic iodine compound that position selectivity in iodizing reaction of an aromatic compound is improved.
US08383866B2	Process for preparing diols by hydrogenating a carboxylic acid-comprising mixture by means of cobalt-comprising catalysts The present invention relates to a process for preparing diols by hydrogenating a mixture comprising carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydrides and/or carboxylic esters/lactones by means of a cobalt-comprising catalyst, wherein alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal ions are added to the hydrogenation feed, excluding alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal ions of mineral acids.
US08383860B2	Process to selectively manufacture diethylenetriamine (DETA) or other desirable ethyleneamines via continuous transamination of ethylenediamine (EDA), and other ethyleneamines over a heterogeneous catalyst system The present invention reacts ethylenediamine with one or more additional ethyleneamines in the presence of a transamination catalyst to provide a different, preferably more desirable product mix of one or more ethyleneamines.
US08383858B2	Processes and intermediates for preparing steric compounds This invention relates to processes and intermediates for the preparation of an alpha-amino beta-hydroxy acid of Formula 1 wherein the variables R1, R′1 and R2 are defined herein and the compound of Formula 1 has an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 55% or greater.
US08383856B2	Process for urea production and related plant A process for urea production from ammonia and carbon dioxide, made to react at a predetermined high pressure in an appropriate synthesis reactor (112), from the reaction between NH3 and CO2 being obtained a reaction mixture comprising urea, ammonium carbamate and free ammonia in aqueous solution, from which a recovery of ammonium carbamate and ammonia is carried out with their subsequent recycle to the synthesis reactor (112), said recovery from the reaction mixture taking place through operative steps of decomposition of the ammonium carbamate into NH3 and CO2 and of their stripping and a subsequent operative step of their recondensation into ammonium carbamate that is recycled to the synthesis reactor, the said reaction mixture obtained from the reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide being pumped to the operative steps of decomposition and stripping.
US08383854B2	Use of chemical reaction to separate ethylene from ethane in ethane-based processes to produce acetic acid Described herein is a process in which acetic acid is produced by ethane oxidation. One byproduct of the ethane oxidation is ethylene. High ethylene content in the recycle gas stream will lead to poor efficiencies and higher losses to the COx byproduct in the acetic acid reactor. In fact, ethylene in the recycle feed competes with the ethane for the limited amount of oxygen feed, resulting in higher inefficiencies to carbon oxides than straight ethane oxidation. Ethylene is removed in this process by a further oxidation reaction at a temperature low enough such that ethane is not reactive, but the ethylene is converted to acetic acid. Either the ethane oxidation reactor effluent or a portion or all of the recycle stream to the ethane oxidation reactor, or any combination of the same, can be processed in this manner to reduce the ethylene content of those streams.
US08383850B2	Blocked mercaptosilane coupling agents, process for making and uses in rubber The invention relates to sulfur silane coupling agents containing multiple blocked mercapto groups which are in a state of reduced activity until activated. The coupling agents are advantageously used in rubber formulations, for example, for fabricating tires with low rolling resistance.
US08383844B2	Process for producing (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho [2,1-b]furans The present invention relates to a process for producing (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans from crude (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans obtained by subjecting (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan-2(1H)-ones which are produced by cyclizing a homofarnesylic acid amide or a monocyclohomofarnesylic acid amide in the presence of an acid agent and then hydrolyzing the cyclized product, to reduction reaction and then to cyclization reaction, said process including (i) an alkali treatment step in which the crude (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans are heated in the presence of an alcohol and a metal hydroxide; and (ii) a washing treatment step in which the crude (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans are washed with an aqueous acid solution. The thus obtained (±)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl dodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furans have a less off-odor and hardly suffer from deterioration of their smell during storage.
US08383841B2	Phenyl xanthene dyes Fluorescent phenyl xanthene dyes are described that comprise any fluorescein, rhodamine or rhodol comprising a particular C9 phenyl ring. One or both of the ortho groups on the lower C9 phenyl ring is ortho substituted with a group selected from alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino. In one embodiment, halo and/or hydroxy groups are used. Optimal dyes contain a lower C9 phenyl ring in which both ortho groups are the same and the lower ring exhibits some form a symmetry relative to an imaginary axis running from the phenyl rings point of attachment to the remainder of the xanthene dye through a point para to the point of attachment. The phenyl xanthene dyes may be activated. Furthermore, the phenyl xanthene dyes may be conjugated to one or more substances including other dyes. The phenyl xanthene dyes are useful for a number of purposes, including labels for use in automated DNA sequencing as well the formation of fluorescent “bar codes” for polymeric particles used in the multiplexed analysis of analytes.
US08383838B2	5-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-benzo[b]oxepine-4-carboxylic acid amides and 2,3-dihydro-benzo[b]oxepine-4-carboxylic acid amides for treatment and prevention of diabetes typ 1 and 2 The present invention relates to novel compounds of general formula (I) and uses thereof.
US08383836B2	Methods and systems for treating cell proliferation disorders with psoralen derivatives Psoralen compounds of Formula (I): wherein (N+ Aryl) is a member selected from the group consisting of nitrogen containing aromatic heterocycles of formulae (i)-(iii): wherein Z is a group of formula: wherein R is C1-C30 hydrocarbyl, which may be linear, branched or cyclic and contains from 1 to 15 carbon-carbon double bonds, which may be conjugated or unconjugated with one another or may include an aryl ring, and may contain one or more substituents; R1 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkene-aryl, alkene-heteroaryl, alkene-heterocyclyl, alkene-cycloalkyl, fused cycloalkylaryl, fused cycloalkylheteroaryl, fused heterocyclylaryl, fused heterocyclyheteroaryl, alkylene-fused cycloalkylaryl, alkylene-fused cycloalkylheteroaryl, alkylene-fused heterocyclylaryl, alkylene-fused heterocyclyheteroaryl; n is an integer from 1 to 8 and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable counter ion; and their use in methods for the treatment of a cell proliferation disorder in a subject, pharmaceutical compositions containing the psoralen derivatives, a kit for performing the method, and a method for causing an autovaccine effect in a subject using the method.
US08383834B2	Process for preparing unsaturated lactones The invention relates to a process for preparing saturated or unsaturated lactones. This process involves reacting a bicyclic compound or a monocyclic compound with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a first acid having a pKa of 3 or less and a first organic solvent, thereby forming a hydroperoxide. The obtained mixture comprising the hydroperoxide is subsequently metered to a mixture of a second organic solvent and a dissociation-enhancing catalyst, optionally comprising a second organic acid. The invention also pertains to a process of preparing the hydroperoxide.
US08383833B2	Method for producing optically active amino acid derivative The present application relates to a method for producing an optically active α-amino acid derivative, comprising steps of reacting an α-haloester derivative represented by the general formula (1): of which alcohol part of the ester group is an optically active alcohol derivative, with an amine compound; then deprotecting the obtained compound; further carrying out an ester exchange reaction. According to the present invention method, it is possible to easily produce an optically active α-amino acid ester derivative which is useful as an intermediate for drugs with high selectivity.
US08383831B2	Dye for dye-sensitized solar cell, semiconductor electrode, and dye-sensitized solar cell The dye for a dye-sensitized solar cell, which dye is a compound classified into melocyanine dyes and has a structure in which an electron donor unit and an electron acceptor unit are connected with conjugated double bonds, provided by this invention, has excellent photoelectric conversion efficiency and excellent durability, and according to this invention, there can be provided a semiconductor electrode sensitized by the dye and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the semiconductor electrode.
US08383828B2	Transition metal complexes comprising one noncarbene ligand and one or two carbene ligands and their use in OLEDs The present invention relates to heteroleptic carbene complexes comprising both carbene ligands and heterocyclic noncarbene ligands, to a process for preparing the heteroleptic carbene complexes, to the use of the heteroleptic carbene complexes in organic light-emitting diodes, to organic light-emitting diodes comprising at least one inventive heteroleptic carbene complex, to a light-emitting layer comprising at least one inventive heteroleptic carbene complex, to organic light-emitting diodes comprising at least one inventive light-emitting layer, and to devices which comprise at least one inventive organic light-emitting diode.
US08383825B2	Kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to drug delivery systems comprising ocular implant, which include organic molecules, capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation, in combination with a polymer, which polymer serves to control, modify, modulate and/or slow the release of the therapeutic component into the environment of the eye in which said composite is placed.
US08383816B2	Aryl-quinolyl compounds and their use The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds for treating proliferative disorders, cancer, etc., and more specifically to certain aryl-quinolyl compounds, as described herein, which, inter alia, inhibit RAF (e.g., B-RAF) activity. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit RAF (e.g., BRAF) activity, to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity, to inhibit cell proliferation, and in the treatment of diseases and disorders that are ameliorated by the inhibition of RAF, RTK, etc., proliferative disorders such as cancer (e.g., colorectal cancer, melanoma), etc.
US08383811B2	Process for preparing efavirenz polymorph The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of crystalline non-hygroscopic form H1 of efavirenz, and pharmaceutical compositions containing it. In accordance with the present invention efavirenz was dissolved in acetone at 25° C.-30° C., the solution was slowly added to water at 0° C.-5° C., the separated solid was filtered, washed with mixture of acetone and water and dried at 25° C.-35° C. under below 65% relative humidity for 18 hours to give crystalline non-hygroscopic efavirenz form H1.
US08383810B2	Process for the synthesis of azetidinones A process is provided for preparing azetidinones useful as intermediates in the synthesis of penems and as hypocholesterolemic agents, comprising reacting a β-(substituted-amino)amide, a β-(substituted-amino)acid ester, or a β-(substituted-amino)thiolcarbonic acid ester with a silylating agent and a cyclizing agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carboxylates, quaternary ammonium carboxylates, quaternary ammonium hydroxides, quaternary ammonium alkoxides, quaternary ammonium aryloxides and hydrates thereof, or the reaction product of: (i) at least one quaternary ammonium halide and at least one alkali metal carboxylate; or (ii) at least one quaternary ammonium chloride, quaternary ammonium bromide, or quaternary ammonium iodide and at least one alkali metal fluoride, wherein a quaternary ammonium moiety of the cyclizing agent is unsubstituted or substituted by one to four groups independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, arylalkyl and arylalkyl-alkyl.
US08383808B2	Method to prepare D-glucosamine hydrochloride A method to prepare D-glucosamine hydrochloride, obtaining product from raw material of citric acid residue from citric acid production by means of fermentation, and through processes of hydrolysis, suction filtering, concentration etc. Due to recovery of the citric acid residue, the present invention alleviates the environment pollution caused by the residue; Moreover, the D-glucosamine hydrochloride product produced from the raw material of citric acid residue is vegetarian D-glucosamine hydrochloride, without fishy odor and heavy metal pollution, safe and environment-friendly, with product purity up to 98-102%, and in line with the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) 32nd edition quality standards; Meanwhile, due to sufficient resources of the raw material, there is no limitation of resources for production, and production cost is low; the present invention further saves the cost to treat environment pollution and has a good effect of recycling economy; More importantly, it overcomes people's bias in this technical field, reduces the time of hydrolysis reaction, and enhances product output and production efficiency while ensuring a high product purity.
US08383804B2	Group of nucleic acid fragments for prevention of HIV infection or AIDS and the usage thereof The invention provides a group of nucleic acid fragments, shown in the sequence listing, for prevention of HIV infection or AIDS and the usage thereof. In the invention, a series of RNA fragments, which are highly homogenous to all the published HIV gene sequences, were obtained by homology compare. The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) derived from these fragments can effectively inhibit the expression of the HIV genes. The RNA transcribed by plasmid, also can suppress the expression of the HIV in the cell. After the adenovirus or associated virus which carry DNA corresponding above RNA infect the cell, the transcription dsRNA can inhibit the expression of the HIV genes.
US08383803B2	PITX3 expression promoters Isolated polynucleotides comprising a PITX3 promoter are provided, where a PITX3 regulatory element is operably joined to a PITX3 basal promoter utilizing a non-native spacing between the promoter and regulatory elements. The promoter may be operably linked to an expressible sequence, e.g. reporter genes, genes encoding a polypeptide of interest, regulatory RNA sequences such as miRNA, siRNA, anti-sense RNA, etc., and the like. In some embodiments a cell comprising a stable integrant of an expression vector is provided, which may be integrated in the genome of the cell. The promoter may also be provided in a vector, for example in combination with an expressible sequence. The polynucleotides find use in a method of expressing a sequence of interest, e.g. for identifying or labeling cells, monitoring or tracking the expression of cells, etc.
US08383800B2	MK167 mini-promoters Isolated polynucleotides comprising an MKI67 mini-promoter are provided. The mini-promoter may be operably linked to an expressible sequence, e.g. reporter genes, genes encoding a polypeptide of interest, regulatory RNA sequences such as miRNA, siRNA, anti-sense RNA, etc., and the like. In some embodiments a cell comprising a stable integrant of an expression vector is provided, which may be integrated in the genome of the cell. The mini-promoter may also be provided in a vector, for example in combination with an expressible sequence. The polynucleotides find use in a method of expressing a sequence of interest, e.g. for identifying or labeling cells, monitoring or tracking the expression of cells, etc.
US08383796B2	Nucleic acids encoding monoclonal antibodies to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to PD-L1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of this disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The disclosure also provides methods for detecting PD-L1, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer and infectious diseases, using anti-PD-L1 antibodies.
US08383795B2	Detection and quantification of biomolecules using mass spectrometry The present invention is directed in part to a method for detecting a target nucleic acid using detector oligonucleotides detectable by mass spectrometry. This method takes advantage of the 5′ to 3′ nuclease activity of a nucleic acid polymerase to cleave annealed oligonucleotide probes from hybridized duplexes and releases labels for detection by mass spectrometry. This process is easily incorporated into a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification assay. The method also includes embodiments directed to quantitative analysis of target nucleic acids.
US08383793B2	Methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer resistant to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) kinase inhibitors Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer that is resistant to at least one anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) kinase inhibitor are provided herein. The present invention is based on the discovery of mutations within ALK that confer resistance to at least one ALK kinase inhibitor. Polynucleotides and polypeptides having at least one ALK inhibitor resistance mutation are provided and find use in methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis, prognosis, and/or treatment of diseases associated with aberrant ALK activity, more particularly, those that are resistant to at least one ALK kinase inhibitors. Methods and compositions are also provided for the identification of agents that can inhibit the kinase activity and/or reduce the expression level of the ALK resistance mutants.
US08383792B2	Compound having structure derived from mononucleoside or mononucleotide, nucleic acid, labeling substance, and method and kit for detection of nucleic acid The present invention provides, for example, a labeling substance that allows the double helix structure of a nucleic acid to be detected effectively. The present invention provides a compound having a structure derived from mononucleoside or mononucleotide, with the structure being represented by the following formula (1), (1b), or (1c), a tautomer or stereoisomer thereof, or a salt thereof. In the above formulae, B is an atomic group having a nucleobase skeleton, E is an atomic group having a deoxyribose skeleton, a ribose skeleton, or a structure derived from either one of them, or an atomic group having a peptide structure or a peptoid structure, and Z11 and Z12 each are a hydrogen atom, a protecting group, or an atomic group that exhibits fluorescence and may be identical to or different from each other.
US08383786B2	Pesticidal compositions The invention disclosed in this document is related to the field of pesticides and their use in controlling pests. A compound having the following structure is disclosed.
US08383775B2	Cytokine zalpha11 ligand Antibodies that bind to polypeptides and peptides comprising the sequence of zalpha11 Ligand as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 are described. The antibodies may bind the full length sequence of 162 amino acid residues or a fragment thereof, including a mature polypeptide of 131 amino acid residues and smaller polypeptide and peptide sequences. The antibodies may include antibodies that are polyclonal, monoclonal, murine, humanized or neutralizing. Methods for producing the antibodies are also described.
US08383772B2	Ang-(1-7) receptor agonist The application provides Ang-(1-7) receptor agonist peptides and their use for treating acute lung injury.
US08383770B2	Boc and Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis A solid phase method for synthesizing a peptide containing three or more amino acid residues utilizing both Boc and Fmoc protected amino acids and a chloromethylated polystyrene resin.
US08383762B2	Black soluble conjugated polymers with high charge carrier mobilities A soluble fused donor-acceptor conjugated polymer (fDA-CP) is prepared that absorbs light throughout nearly all the visible spectrum and is essentially black to the human eye when in the neutral state. The conjugated polymer has acceptor units that are isolated by a plurality of fused donor units. The fDA-CP assumes a conformation that results in a close π-stacking between adjacent lamella with a separation of less than 4.5 Å in the solid state and extended conjugation to promote high charge carrier mobilities. The fDA-CP is prepared by the polycondensation of a plurality of at least one fused donor-acceptor oligomer (fDA-oligomer) that has a flat internal acceptor unit and at least one fused donor unit incorporated in the oligomers, and optionally, an additional conjugated aromatic monomer or oligomer copolymerized with the fDA-oligomers.
US08383760B2	Production of vinylidene-terminated and sulfide-terminated telechelic polyolefins via quenching with disulfides Provided herein are methods for preparing vinylidene-terminated polyolefins. Further, provided herein are novel sulfide-terminated polyolefins of the formula: wherein R1 is a polyolefin group and R2 is hydrocarbyl; and methods for producing the same.
US08383758B2	Biodegradable polyketal polymers and methods for their formation and use The present invention relates to biodegradable biocompatible polyketals, methods for their preparation, and methods for treating animals by administration of biodegradable biocompatible polyketals. In one aspect, a method for forming the biodegradable biocompatible polyketals comprises combining a glycol-specific oxidizing agent with a polysaccharide to form an aldehyde intermediate, which is combined with a reducing agent to form the biodegradable biocompatible polyketal. The resultant biodegradable biocompatible polyketals can be chemically modified to incorporate additional hydrophilic moieties. A method for treating animals includes the administration of the biodegradable biocompatible polyketal in which biologically active compounds or diagnostic labels can be disposed.The present invention also relates to chiral polyketals, methods for their preparation, and methods for use in chromatographic applications, specifically in chiral separations. A method for forming the chiral polyketals comprises combining a glycol-specific oxidizing agent with a polysaccharide to form an aldehyde intermediate, which is combined with a suitable reagent to form the chiral polyketal. A method for use in chiral separations includes the incorporation of the chiral polyketals in the mobile phase during a chromatographic separation, or into chiral stationary phases such as gels.The present invention further relates to chiral polyketals as a source for chiral compounds, and methods for generating such chiral compounds.
US08383755B2	Enzyme-medicated cross-linking of silicone polymers Disclosure herein are methods of preparing cross-linked silicone polymers by contacting a silicone polymer and optionally a cross-linking agent with a hydrolytic enzyme under conditions for the cross-linking of the silicone polymer, wherein the silicone polymer has been modified to comprise functional groups that react with the hydrolytic enzyme.
US08383754B2	Catalyst compositions for producing high Mz/Mw polyolefins The present invention provides a polymerization process utilizing a dual ansa-metallocene catalyst system. Polymers produced from the polymerization process are also provided, and these polymers have a reverse comonomer distribution, a non-bimodal molecular weight distribution, a ratio of Mw/Mn from about 3 to about 8, and a ratio of Mz/Mw from about 3 to about 6.
US08383753B2	Polydentate heteroatom ligand containing metal complexes, catalysts and methods of making and using the same Metal complexes comprising certain polydentate heteroatom containing ligands, catalysts, and coordination polymerization processes employing the same are suitably employed to prepare polymers having desirable physical properties.
US08383747B2	Water absorbent resin production method, water absorbent resin, and usage thereof A method for producing a water absorbent resin by (i) polymerizing a monomer including an unsaturated monomer containing a carboxyl group, in the presence of an internal cross-linking agent (A) having two or more radical polymerizable unsaturated groups and in the presence of a non-polymeric internal cross-linking agent (B) having two or more functional groups each allowing formation of an ester bond or an amide bond by reacting with a carboxyl group, while crushing a cross-linked polymer hydrogel; and (ii) drying the cross-linked polymer hydrogel of step (i), wherein: an amount of the internal cross-linking agent (A) is 0.01 mol % or more and 0.2 mol % or less relative to an amount of the unsaturated monomer containing a carboxyl group, and a molar ratio (B)/(A) of the internal cross-linking agent (A) and the non-polymeric internal cross-linking agent (B) is 0.01 or more and 1.8 or less.
US08383741B2	Particulate flow control process The present invention relates to the control of flow of a particulate feed to a reactor, and in particular provides a process for providing a slurry of particulate matter to a reactor, comprising providing a slurry comprising said particulate matter and diluent, and passing said slurry to the inlet of a reactor feed pump from where it is then pumped to the reactor, characterized in that a stream of additional diluent is also passed to the inlet of the reactor feed pump, the reactor feed pump is operated at an essentially constant volumetric flow rate, and the amount of particulate matter in slurry passed into the reactor is adjusted by adjusting the flow.
US08383739B2	Systems and methods for monitoring a polymerization reaction Systems and methods for monitoring a polymerization reactor are provided. The method can include estimating an acoustic condition of a polymer produced in a reactor. The method can also include estimating a stickiness control parameter of the polymer produced in the reactor. The method can further include pairing the acoustic condition with the stickiness control parameter to provide a paired acoustic condition and stickiness control parameter.
US08383738B2	Epoxy resin composition, and prepreg and printed circuit board using the same Disclosed is an epoxy resin composition for printed circuit board, which includes (A) an epoxy resin; (B) a composite curing agent, including amino-triazine-novolac resin, diaminodiphenylsulfone, and dicyandiamide mixed in a certain proportion; (C) a curing accelerator; and (D) an optional inorganic filler.
US08383734B2	Multi-solution bone cements and methods of making the same The present invention relates to bone cements and, more particularly, to acrylic-based orthopedic bone cements, their use in spinal applications, and methods for making the same. An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of grafting PMMA brushes on cross-linked PMMA nanospheres comprising at least one of the following steps: performing a hydrolysis reaction of surface methyl ester groups of said cross-linked PMMA nanospheres to form surface carboxylic acid groups of said cross-linked PMMA nanospheres; forming a 2-aminoethyl acrylate compound; coupling said surface carboxylic acid groups of said cross-linked PMMA nanospheres with said 2-aminoethyl acrylate compound to form a coupled compound with an initiating site; and grafting said PMMA brushes onto said initiating site. Another embodiment of the present invention includes an orthopedic bone cement including cross-linked PMMA nanospheres comprising PMMA brushes prepared by this method, and a monomer, wherein polymer to monomer ratio is between about 1:1 and 1.3:1.
US08383728B2	Adhesives based on polyester-graft-poly(meth)acrylate copolymers The present invention relates to the use of mixtures comprising polymer types A, B and AB as or in adhesives, polymer type A being a copolyester prepared with cocondensation of unsaturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, polymer type B being a (meth)acrylate homopolymer and/or copolymer, and polymer type AB being a graft copolymer of polymer type A and polymer type B.
US08383726B2	Impact resistance improver, thermoplastic resin composition, shaped article and method for producing graft copolymer Disclosed is a thermoplastic resin composition having excellent impact resistance at a low temperature, while maintaining high transparency; this thermoplastic resin composition is obtained by compounding an impact resistance improver into a thermoplastic resin, the impact resistance improver being composed of a graft copolymer which is obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer component in the presence of a polymer mixture containing a polymer having butadiene units as an essential component and a polymer having styrene units as an essential component, the polymer mixture containing 45 to 65% by mass of the butadiene units and 35 to 55% by mass of the styrene units.
US08383723B2	Aqueous polymer dispersions and products from those dispersions A method for forming a heat sealable coating on a substrate, wherein the substrate is formed from at least one oriented polymer is shown. The method includes depositing an aqueous polymer dispersion on the substrate, wherein the aqueous polymer dispersion includes (A) at least one thermoplastic resin; (B) at least one dispersing agent; and (C) water; wherein the dispersion has a pH of less than 12, and drying the dispersion to form a first layer.
US08383722B2	Electrically neutral dispersions and method of preparing same The invention is a method of producing an essentially electrically neutral polymer dispersion, comprising a polymerizing one or more monomers in the presence of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the polymerization preferably occurs in the absence of ionic surfactants. The invention also includes methods of producing positively or negatively charged polymer dispersions comprising producing the essentially nonionic polymer dispersion and further adding a cationically-charged or anionically-charged surfactant or electrolyte. The invention further includes dispersions produced by the methods of the invention and polymer films and powders produced from these dispersions.
US08383721B2	Polymerizable ionic liquid compositions The compositions comprise an acid functional monomer or acid-functional copolymer (or conjugate base thereof), and an imidazole compound (or conjugate acid thereof).
US08383717B2	Synthetic polymers controlled in spiral structure, host-guest compounds prepared by using the same, and processes for production of both The invention provides a process for producing spiral polymers controlled in the direction of spiral winding easily from inexpensive general-purpose polymers; and spiral polymers controlled in the direction of spiral winding. The invention relates to a process for the production of syndiotactic polymethacrylate- or polyacrylate-type spiral polymers controlled in the direction of spiral winding which comprises dissolving a syndiotactic polymethacrylate- or polyacrylate-type polymer and a chiral compound in a solvent preferably under heating, subjecting the obtained solution to cooling or concentration to form a solid matter, and separating the solid matter; and so on.
US08383716B2	Polyester nanocomposites Polyester nanocomposite compositions contain silica nanoparticles that have been subjected to surface treatment with novel trialkoxysilane compositions. The novel silane compositions are prepared by reacting a 3-isocyanatopropyl trialkoxysilane with 1,3-propanediol or certain polyether diols. The silica nanoparticles exhibit improved dispersion in the polyester. This leads to haze reduction and improvements in mechanical properties.
US08383715B2	Primer for fluorocarbon polymer substrates An aqueous primer dispersion which contains surfactant-stabilized polymer particles, an organic solvent and a mineral thicker, when coated onto a fluorocarbon substrate, significantly increase the bond strength between the fluorocarbon substrate and a subsequently applied water-derived protective coating, provided that the amount of surfactant-stabilized polymer particles in the aqueous primer dispersion, if any, is about 8 wt. % or less.
US08383714B2	Alumina fiber aggregate, process for producing the same, and use thereof A process for producing the alumina fiber aggregate which, when examined by the electron microscope method, gives a frequency distribution regarding number of fibers, wherein the number of fibers having a fiber length of 50-200 μm is 70% or more (including 100%), the number of fibers having a fiber length smaller than 50 μm is 30% or less (including 0), the number of fibers of 50-100 μm is 30-50%, the number of fibers longer than 100 μm but not longer than 200 μm is 30-50%, and the number of fibers longer than 200 μm is 20% or less (including 0). The process including the steps of grinding cottony alumina-based fibers comprising 70-100% by mass of Al2O3 and 0-30% by mass of SiO2 while applying a pressure of 0.1-20 MPa thereto and then classifying the ground fibers.
US08383709B2	Easy-flowing polycarbonate/ABS moulding compositions with good mechanical properties and a good surface The present invention relates to flame-resistant moulding compositions of polycarbonates and graft polymers which, in addition to good flow properties, have very good mechanical properties and a particularly good, trouble-free surface. These moulding compositions are suitable in particular for injection moulding uses for mouldings with thin wall thicknesses and high-gloss surfaces. The thermoplastic moulding compositions according to the invention comprise A) 65.0 to 82.0 parts by wt. of at least one aromatic polycarbonate, B) 4.0 to 11.0 parts by wt. of at least one graft polymer, C) 14.0 to 24.0 parts by wt. of at least one phosphorus-containing flameproofing agent, wherein the sum of the parts by weight of components A to C adds up to 100 parts by weight and the total content of the polymer which is formed from the grafting monomers or is added in the free form and is not bonded chemically to the graft base is less than 2.0 wt. %, based on the total moulding composition.
US08383707B2	Coloured polypropylene composition having a high content of β-modification The invention relates to a colored β-nucleated polypropylene composition having a high content of β-modification, wherein the polypropylene composition comprises at least one β-nucleating agent and an inorganic blue pigment and an inorganic yellow pigment.
US08383705B2	Ink extenders and inks utilizing organic based resins An extender for flexographic and other ink compositions and inks using such extender where potato starch serves as the ink carrier and an emulsion resin. The use of potato starch provides for a readily available, cost effective, substantial and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum and soy based resins.
US08383701B2	Polymer encapsulated pigment dispersion with high solids content The present invention is drawn to a method of forming an encapsulated pigment dispersion and pigment dispersions that can be prepared therefrom. The method includes mixing a pigment particle in liquid vehicle dispersion with a mini-emulsion of monomers. A redox initiating agent is added to the liquid vehicle and the monomers are polymerized on the surface of the pigment particles. The resulting encapsulated pigment dispersion has a total solid content of at least 12 wt %.
US08383699B2	Printing inks for nonwoven substrates A flexographic and/or rotogravure printing ink used on non-woven substrates contains polyurethane resin, solvent, and colorant.
US08383691B2	Methods of making improved cobalt-molybdenum-sulfide catalyst compositions for higher alcohol synthesis This invention improves prior methods of making cobalt-molybdenum-sulfide catalysts for alcohol production from syngas. In one aspect, improved methods are provided for making preferred cobalt-molybdenum-sulfide compositions. In another aspect, processes utilizing these catalysts for producing at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol, from syngas are described.
US08383686B2	Foaming alcohol compositions with selected dimethicone surfactants Foaming alcohol compositions with selected dimethicone surfactants are disclosed. The dimethicone surfactants are PEG-8 to PEG-12 linear dimethicone surfactants and in particular PEG-10 linear dimethicone surfactant. The compositions are useful as antimicrobial products and in particular handcare or skincare products.
US08383685B2	Use of RR/SR-ractopamine A method of promoting or improving the feed efficiency and the muscle-to-fat ratio in animals by administering to the animals a therapeutically effective amount of a mixture of RR-ractopamine and SR-ractopamine is disclosed. Manufacturing methods for making RR/SR-ractopamine are presented.
US08383683B2	Pharmaceutical use of substituted amides The use of substituted amides for modulating the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydro-genase type 1 (11βHSD1) and the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical composi-tions, are described. Also a novel class of substituted amides, their use in therapy, phar-maceutical compositions comprising the compounds, as well as their use in the manufac-ture of medicaments are described. The present compounds are modulators and more specifically inhibitors of the activity of 11βHSD1 and may be useful in the treatment of a range of medical disorders where a decreased intracellular concentration of active gluco-corticoid is desirable.
US08383681B2	Droxidopa and pharmaceutical composition thereof for the treatment of mood disorders, sleep disorders or attention deficit disorders The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising droxidopa alone, or in combination with one or more further active ingredients, for the treatment of conditions, such as mood disorders, sleep disorders, or attention deficit disorders. In certain embodiments, the compositions useful in the methods of the invention comprise droxidopa and a compound selected from the group consisting of DOPA decarboxylase inhibiting compounds, catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibiting compounds, cholinesterase inhibiting compounds, monoamine oxidase inhibiting compounds, norepinephrine reuptake inhibiting compounds, selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting compounds, tricyclic antidepressant compounds, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibiting compounds, norepinephrine dopamine reuptake inhibiting compound, noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants, and combinations thereof. The inventive compositions are particularly useful in the treatment of depression, narcolepsy, insomnia, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD).
US08383678B2	Type a gelatin capsule containing PUFA in free acid form A pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in free acid form or a pharmacologically acceptable derivative thereof is contained in a soft gelatin capsule characterized in that the capsule comprises gelatin extracted by an extraction process comprising acid pre-treatment of a collagen source. One advantage of the present invention over a soft gelatin capsule containing the same formulation but comprising gelatin extracted by an extraction process comprising alkali pre-treatment of the collagen source is that the present invention does not harden significantly over time and thus has a longer shelf life.
US08383674B1	Synthesis of silver nanoclusters on zeolite substrates Silver nanoclusters were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate with ethylene glycol at a certain temperature in the presence of zeolite. A one-pot procedure rendered uniform size distributions of quasi-spherical silver clusters synthesized on the surfaces of cubic-like zeolite.
US08383672B2	Halogenated rhodamine derivatives and applications thereof Methods for treating a bacterial infection in a tissue sample are described. Tissue samples that are harvested from a patient may be infected with bacteria. A rhodamine compound is mixed with the infected tissue sample to form a mixture. The mixture is then exposed to radiant energy to inhibit or kill the bacteria. The exposed mixture is then transplanted into the patient. Examples of rhodamine compounds include 2′-(6-dimethylamino-3-dimethylimino-3H-xanthen-9-yl) 4′,5′-dichloro-benzoic acid methyl ester hydrochloride; 4,5-dibromorhodamine 110 2-(2-methoxy ethoxy)ethyl ester hydrobromide; acetate salt of 2,7-dibromorhodamine B hexyl ester; acetate salt of 2,7-dibromorhodamine B methyl ester; 4,5-dibromorhodamine 6G hydrobromide; rhodamine B 3-bromopropyl; acetate salt 2,7-dibromo-4′-carboxytetramethylrosamine methyl ester; 4-bromo-5-phenyl rhodamine B methyl ester chloride; 2,7-dibromo-4,5-dimethyl rhodamine B methyl ester bromide; 2-bromo-7-ethynyl rhodamine B methyl ester bromide; and 4,5-dibromo-2,7-di-n-butyl rhodamine B methyl ester bromide.
US08383671B1	Method of treating malignant solid tumors This invention is directed to methods of treating solid tumor cancers, particularly refractory cancers by administration of a drug capable of inhibiting mTOR and/or inhibiting an efflux pump and/or inhibiting HIF-1α and VEGF, the drug in particular being selected from the group consisting of sirolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, tacrolimus, iolimus A9, deforolimus, AP23572, tacrolimus, temsirolimus, pimecrolimus, novolimus, 40-O-(3-hydroxypropyl), 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin and 40-O-tetrazolylrapamycin, the drug being administered along with a chemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation therapy.
US08383668B2	11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 active compounds The use of substituted amides for modulating the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions, are described. Also a novel class of substituted amides, of the general formula I. Their use in therapy, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, as well as their use in the manufacture of medicaments are described. The present compounds are modulators and more specifically inhibitors of the activity of 11βHSDI and may be useful in the treatment of a range of medical disorders where a decreased intracellular concentration of active glucocorticoid is desirable.
US08383666B2	Pyrrole derivatives, preparation of same and therapeutic application thereof The subject of the invention is Compound of Formula (I): in which R1-R8 and R10 are defined within, its method of preparation, and its therapeutic application.
US08383656B2	Thiazolidinedione energy restriction-mimetic agents A method of inhibiting glycolysis in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition including a thiazolidinedione derivative to the subject is described. The thiazolidinedione derivatives are effective energy restriction mimetic agents, and can therefore be used to treat or prevent cancer in a subject, treat metabolic disorder, or increase the longevity of a subject. Various thiazolidinedione derivatives are also suitable for activating adenosine phosphate-activated protein kinase or inhibiting IL-6 expression.
US08383655B2	Modulators of pharmacokinetic properties of therapeutics The present application provides for a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, and/or ester thereof, compositions containing such compounds, therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, and therapeutic methods and include the administration of such compounds with at least one additional therapeutic agent.
US08383653B2	SIR2 regulation Compounds are disclosed which inhibit SIR2 base exchange more than deacetylation, thus enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity. Methods of using the compounds for enhancing SIR2 deacetylation activity and increasing longevity of an organism are also disclosed. Methods for screening for compounds that enhance SIR2 deacetylation activity and increase longevity of an organism are additionally disclosed.
US08383651B2	Compounds which selectively modulate the CB2 receptor Compounds of formula (I) are disclosed. Compounds according to the invention bind to and are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists of the CB2 receptor, and are useful for treating inflammation. Those compounds which are agonists are additionally useful for treating pain.
US08383648B2	Amelioration of the development of cataracts and other ophthalmic diseases Ophthalmically acceptable compositions used in arresting the development of cataracts or macular degeneration comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent and a compound having the formula: where R1 and R2 are, independently, H or C1 to C3 alkyl; R3 and R4 are, independently C1 to C3 alkyl; and where R1 and R2, taken together, or R3 and R4, taken together, or both may be cycloalkyl; R5 is H, OH, or C1 to C6 alkyl; R6 is or C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl; R7 is C1 to C6 alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or substituted alkyl or alkenyl or where R6 and R7, or R5, R6 and R7, taken together, form a carbocycle or heterocycle having from 3 to 7 atoms in the ring.
US08383637B2	2-amino-quinazoline derivatives useful as inhibitors of β-secretase (BACE) The present invention is directed to novel 2-amino-3,4-dihydro-quinazoline derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders. The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of β-secretase, also known as β-site cleaving enzyme and BACE.
US08383632B2	Method for making cetirizine tablets In one aspect, the present invention features a method of producing a tablet including cetirizine including the steps of: (i) mixing cetirizine, a polyol, and a solvent for the cetirizine to form a cetirizine:polyol complex, wherein the solvent comprises water and an alkalizing agent and has a pH from about 2 to about 7; (ii) isolating particles of the cetirizine:polyol complex from the mixture; and (iii) forming the particles into a tablet.
US08383630B2	Azaindazole compounds and methods of use Provided are methods for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using compounds of formula Ia and Ib: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or N-oxide thereof.
US08383629B2	Inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 This invention relates to novel compounds of the Formulae I or II and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11 β-HSD 1 in mammals. Formula (I).
US08383628B2	Pyridyl derivatives and their use as therapeutic agents Methods of treating an SCD-mediated disease or condition in a mammal, preferably a human, are disclosed, wherein the methods comprise administering to a mammal in need thereof a compound of formula (I): wherein W, V, x, y, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R7a, R8, R8a, R9, R9a, R10 and R10a are defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) are also disclosed.
US08383618B2	C2-fluoro substituted piperazine linked pyrrolo[2,1-C][1,4] benzodiazepine dimers and a process for the preparation thereof The present invention provides a compounds of general formula IXa-d, useful as potential antitumour agents and pharmaceutical composition comprising these compounds exhibits binding affinity with calf thymus (CT) DNA at a molar ratio of 1:5 in aqueous sodium phosphate buffer at pH of 7.00. The present invention further provides a process for the preparation of C2-Fluoro substituted piperazine linked pyrrolo[2,1c][1-4], benzodiazepine of formula (IX).
US08383614B2	Hypercholestrolemia and tendinous injuries This invention provides compositions and methods of inhibiting, suppressing, or treating a tendinous or musculoskeletal soft tissue injury. The invention further provides a method of ameliorating symptoms associated with a tendinous or musculoskeletal soft tissue injury. Additionally, the invention provides methods for evaluating the risk of developing a tendinous or musculoskeletal soft tissue injury.
US08383612B2	Use of megestrol acetate for improving heart function and the treatment of heart insufficiency The present invention relates to improving the heart function, the survival and/or the treatment of heart insufficiency using megestrol acetate (Megace®; MA) in patients with heart insufficiency and after a myocardial infarction.
US08383610B2	Salts and polymorphs of 9-(2,2-dimethylpropyl-aminomethyl) minocycline Crystalline forms, including salts and polymorphs, of a compound useful in the treatment of tetracycline compound-responsive states are provided herein. The crystalline compounds are useful for the treatment or prevention of conditions and disorders such as bacterial infections and neoplasms, as well as other known applications for tetracycline compounds in general.
US08383605B2	Use of alkylphosphocholines in combination with antimetabolites for the treatment of benign and malignant oncoses in humans and mammals The invention relates to the use of alkylphosphocholines in combination with antimetabolites for the treatment of multiple myeloma, colon cancer or renal cancer. Preferred alkylphosphocholines are described by the Formula II. A particularly effective treatment includes administering a combination of perifosine and capecitabine.
US08383604B2	Modulation of BCL11A for treatment of hemoglobinopathies The invention relates to methods and uses of modulating fetal hemoglobin expression (HbF) in a hematopoietic progenitor cells via inhibitors of BCL11A expression or activity, such as RNAi and antibodies.
US08383601B2	Tissue specific gene therapy treatment The invention provides nucleic acid segments, compositions and methods for the treatment of heart failure, vascular dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, diabetes, [Ca2+]i regulation and NO synthase dysfunction. Adeno-associated and adenovirus are used as gene delivery vectors for the nucleic acid segments to product long term over-expression of S100A1, a small calcium sensing protein associated with the disclosed ailments and dysfunctions.
US08383598B2	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.
US08383597B2	G proteins in tumor growth and angiogenesis The invention provides an agent that reduces the expression of Gα12 or Gα13 polypeptide, as well as an agent that enhances G protein Gα12 or Gα13 expression and/or activity. An agent of the invention may be used to decrease or increase G protein Gα12 or Gα13 expression and/or activity thereby to treat or prevent the onset of a disease or condition associated with Gα12 or Gα13 expression and/or activity. The invention also provides a method for screening for an anti-cancer or anti-angiogenesis agent, as well as an agent that promotes angiogenesis.
US08383594B2	Peptides modified with triterpenoids and small organic molecules: synthesis and use in cosmeceuticals The present invention relates to the Synthesis of Triterpenoid peptides and mechanism of action for Anti ageing and skin care. The present invention is directed towards anti-aging skin care compositions comprising peptides which are made by linking herbal actives to a pentapeptide for enhanced anti ageing activity by regenerating the dermal matrix. In detail, the present invention relates to the synthesis of Triterpenoid peptides, providing an enhanced and synergistic activity for reducing the consequences of ageing such as appearance of fine expression lines and wrinkles on the skin by cosmetic modes of application. The Triterpenoid peptides of the present invention with its novel dual action mode can be used for skin ageing & collagen insufficiency. Its Triterpenoid group acts by preventing oxidation and excess activity of serine proteases like elastase and collagenase that result in wrinkling of skin. With added peptides which boost the collagen and other matrix protein, Triterpenoid peptides provide a complete protection against pre mature ageing and functions as a best anti ageing ingredient.
US08383593B2	αvβ6 peptide ligands and their uses AVβ6 peptide ligands, functional variants thereof and their nucleic acids encoding them are disclosed with their uses in the treatment and imaging of AVβ6 mediated diseases.
US08383588B2	Fibrosis inhibitor for implanted organ A pharmaceutical preparation comprising a hepatocyte growth factor or a DNA molecule encoding the same and the like according to the present invention can suppress the fibrosis of a transplanted organ after organ transplantation. The present invention is useful in the fields of organ transplantation and regeneration therapy.
US08383582B2	Inhibitor against forming biofilm comprising κ-casein macropeptide An inhibitor against the formation of biofilm includes κ-casein macropeptide. The inhibitor prevents or reduces the formation of a biofilm by inhibiting attachment or attachment/invasion followed by biofilm formation on the abiotic or biotic surfaces by L. monocytogenes. The inhibitor can be applied as a food or pharmaceutical additive, a detergent for food or equipments for manufacturing food or pharmaceutics as well as a packing material for food or pharmaceutics.
US08383581B2	Short-chain peptides as parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor agonist The present invention provides novel short-chain peptides, which primarily act as parathyroid hormone (PTH/PTH-1) receptor agonist. These short-chain peptides exhibit increased stability to proteolytic cleavage. Most of short-chain peptides were found to be stable in rat plasma up to 24 hours (in vitro), showed increased stability against GIT enzymes such as pepsin and acidic stomach pH and also against liver microsomes (in vitro). Due to increased metabolic stability, other than parenteral route of administration, some of the short-chain peptides can also be delivered by oral routes of administration, for the treatment/prevention of hypoparathyroidism and diseases characterized by bone mass reduction, such as osteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis and for stimulating bone repair. A-Z1-Z2-Z3-Z4-Z5-Z6-Z7-Z8-Z9-Z10-Z11-Z12-Z13-Z14-Z15-B
US08383578B2	Peptides, derivatives and analogs thereof, and methods of using same Human proIslet Peptides (HIP) and HIP analogs and derivatives thereof, derived from or homologous in sequence to the human REG3A protein, chromosome 2p12, are able to induce islet neogenesis from endogenous pancreatic progenitor cells. Human proIslet Peptides are used either alone or in combination with other pharmaceuticals in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and other pathologies related to aberrant glucose, carbohydrate, and/or lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, overweight, obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, eating disorders and the metabolic syndrome.
US08383573B2	Dual character biopolymer useful in cleaning products New cleaning compositions including novel amphoteric dispersant polymers containing anionic and nitrogen containing substitution are disclosed. In particular, cleaning compositions containing modified polysaccharides having anionic and nitrogen containing substitution and methods of forming the same are disclosed.
US08383564B2	Heterocoagulate, and compositions and method for polishing and surface treatment A heterocoagulate comprises first particles, having a particle size of at most 999 nm, on a second particle, having a particle size of at least 3 microns. The first particles comprise cerium oxide, and second particle comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of silicon oxides, aluminum oxides and zirconium oxides.
US08383559B2	Releasable corrosion inhibitors The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.
US08383556B1	High carrying capacity temperature-stable breakable gel for well drilling, completion, and other uses A high carrying capacity temperature-stable breakable gel of selectable viscosity with exceptional lubricity and high-temperature stability for varied use as a carrier of solids and particulate matter, as well as semi-solids and liquids in water and petroleum well drilling, completion and production such as gravel pack fluid, drilling fluid, fracturing fluid, pigging fluid, sweep for coiled tubing, and other uses. A preferred formulation comprises a formulated “Base Concentrate” which is added to water or drilling fluids to be viscosified and an “Activator” which is added in amounts to develop the desired gel consistency. When breaking of the gel is desired a “Breaker” composition containing multivalent ions collapses the gel into a free-flowing liquid.
US08383554B2	Quantitative microarray of intact glycolipid CD1d interaction and correlation with cell-based cytokine production The protein CD1d binds self and foreign glycolipids for presentation to CD1-restricted T cells by means of TCR recognition, and activates TH1 and TH2 chemokines release. Accordingly, a variety of glycolipid ligands were attached to a microarray surface and their binding with CD1d investigated. An α-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer) bearing a carbamate group at the 6′-OH position was tethered to the surface and the dissociation constant with CD1d determined. Competition assays were used to determine the dissociation constants (Ki) of the new and intact glycolipids. The para-fluoroheptaphenyl-modified α-GalCer was found to bind most strongly with CD1d (Ki 0.14 μM), two orders of magnitude stronger than α-GalCer and more than three times more selective for IFN-γ release. Various α-GalCer analogs were analyzed and the results showed that the binding affinity of glycolipids to CD1d correlates well with IFN-γ production, but poorly with IL-4 secretion by NKT cells, suggesting that tighter binding ligands could bias cytokine release through the TH1 pathway.
US08383547B2	Aflatoxin production inhibitor and method for controlling aflatoxin contamination using the same The present invention relates to provide an aflatoxin production inhibitor that inhibits aflatoxin production specifically and efficiently, is highly safe, and is practical, and an efficient production method thereof; and a method for controlling aflatoxin contamination that uses the aflatoxin production inhibitor, specifically relating to an aflatoxin production inhibitor that includes at least one of a dioctatin represented by the following formula (I) and a derivative thereof, as an active ingredient: where, in the formula (I), R represents one of hydrogen and a methyl group.
US08383546B2	Heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet A heat-sensitive transfer image-receiving sheet, having on a support: at least one heat insulation layer and at least one receptor layer containing a vinyl chloride-series latex copolymer in this order, in which at least one intermediate layer is provided between the heat insulation layer and the receptor layer, the total dry film thickness of the receptor layer and the intermediate layer is 2.5 to 4.0 μm, and the intermediate layer contains 90 mass % or more of a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 30° C. or higher.
US08383545B2	Strategies, linkers and coordination polymers for high-performance sorbents A linking ligand compound includes three bidentate chemical moieties distributed about a central chemical moiety. Another linking ligand compound includes a bidentate linking ligand and a monodentate chemical moiety. Coordination polymers include a plurality of metal clusters linked together by residues of the linking ligand compounds.
US08383543B2	Hydroconversion multi-metallic catalyst and method for making thereof The invention relates to a bulk multi-metallic catalyst for hydrotreating heavy oil feeds and to a method for preparing the catalyst. The bulk multi-metallic catalyst is prepared by sulfiding a catalyst precursor having a poorly crystalline structure with disordered stacking layers, with a type IV adsorption-desorption isotherms of nitrogen with a hysteresis starting point value of about 0.35, for a sulfided catalyst that will facilitate the reactant's and product's diffusion in catalytic applications. In another embodiment, the precursor is characterized as having a type H3 hysteresis loop. In a third embodiment, the hysteresis loop is characterized as having a well developed plateau above P/Po of about 0.55. The mesapores of the precursor can be adjustable or tunable.
US08383542B2	Polymerization modifiers A composition comprising a polymerization modifier for the copolymerization of at least one olefin monomer and 1-octene and a polymerization process using the polymerization modifier.
US08383541B2	Solid titanium catalyst component for ethylene polymerization, ethylene polymerization catalyst and ethylene polymerization method Provided are a solid titanium catalyst component for ethylene polymerization which can polymerize ethylene at a high activity and which can provide an ethylene polymer having an excellent particle property, an ethylene polymerization catalyst and an ethylene polymerization method in which the catalyst is used. The solid titanium catalyst component (I) for ethylene polymerization according to the present invention is obtained by bringing a liquid magnesium compound (A) including a magnesium compound, an electron donor (a) having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and an electron donor (b) having 6 to 30 carbon atoms into contact with a liquid titanium compound (C) under the presence of an electron donor (B) and includes titanium, magnesium and a halogen. The ethylene polymerization catalyst of the present invention includes the component (I) and an organic metal compound catalyst component (II). Further, the ethylene polymerization method of the present invention is a method for polymerizing ethylene under the presence of the catalyst.
US08383538B2	Apparatus and process for treating a hydrocarbon stream One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having one or more compounds with a boiling point of about 140° to about 450° C. The apparatus can include an extraction zone and a regeneration zone. The extraction zone can include at least one settler. Each settler can have a height and a length. Typically the length is greater than the height. Also, the settler can form a boot, which can be adapted to receive a feed at one end. The regeneration zone may include a regenerator for an ionic liquid. The regenerator can include a column adapted to provide a regenerated ionic liquid to the extraction zone.
US08383535B2	Laminated ceramic capacitor A laminated ceramic capacitor includes a capacitor body of alternately stacked dielectric layers and internal electrode layers, and an external electrode provided on the end face of the capacitor body on which the internal electrode layer is exposed. The dielectric layer has a crystal phase composed mainly of barium titanate and having a cubic system crystal structure. The grain diameter of crystal grains constituting the crystal phase is 0.05 to 0.2 pm. The dielectric layer is formed of a ceramic containing, per mole of barium, 0.0014 to 0.03 moles yttrium, 0.0002 to 0.045 moles manganese, 0.0075 to 0.04 moles magnesium and 0.025 to 0.18 moles ytterbium. The dielectric bonding material is formed of a ceramic containing the same components as those of the main crystal phase of the dielectric ceramic constituting the dielectric layer.
US08383533B2	Low-temperature sintering ceramic material and ceramic substrate A low-temperature sintering ceramic material showing little variation in composition after firing, realizing high bending strength in a sintered body, and capable of forming a reliable ceramic substrate showing high peel strength of a surface electrode includes a main constituent ceramic material containing about 48 weight % to about 75 weight % in terms of SiO2 of Si, about 20 weight % to about 40 weight % in terms of BaO of Ba, and about 5 weight % to about 20 weight % in terms of Al2O3 of Al, and an accessory constituent ceramic material containing, relative to 100 parts by weight of the main constituent ceramic material, about 2 parts to about 10 parts by weight in terms of MnO of Mn and about 0.1 parts to about 10 parts by weight respectively in terms of TiO2 and Fe2O3 of at least one selected from Ti and Fe, and substantially not includes both Cr oxide and B oxide.
US08383530B2	Glass substrate for display and display A glass substrate for a display, which is formed of a glass having a light weight and having high refinability with decreasing environmental burdens, the glass comprising, by mass %, 50 to 70% of SiO2, 5 to 18% of B2O3, 10 to 25% of Al2O3, 0 to 10% of MgO, 0 to 20% of CaO, 0 to 20% of SrO, 0 to 10% of BaO, 5 to 20% of RO (in which R is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba), and over 0.20% but not more than 2.0% of R′2O (in which R′ is at least one member selected from the group consisting of Li, Na and K), and containing, by mass %, 0.05 to 1.5% of oxide of metal that changes in valence number in a molten glass, and substantially containing none of As2O3, Sb2O3 and PbO.
US08383525B2	Plasma-enhanced deposition process for forming a metal oxide thin film and related structures Methods of forming metal oxide thin films and related structures are provided. One embodiment of the methods includes conducting a plurality of cycles of deposition on a substrate. Each cycle includes supplying oxygen gas and an inert gas into a reaction space substantially continuously during the cycle. A metal precursor is supplied into the reaction space for a first duration. The metal precursor is a cyclopentadienyl compound of the metal. After the metal precursor is supplied, the continuously flowing oxygen gas is activated for a second duration to generate a plasma in the reaction space. The cycle is conducted at a temperature below about 400° C. The methods can be performed after forming a structure on the substrate, wherein the structure is formed of a material which is physically and/or chemically unstable at a high temperature.
US08383522B2	Micro pattern forming method There is provided a micro pattern forming method including forming a thin film on a substrate; forming a film serving as a mask when processing the thin film; processing the film serving as a mask into a pattern including lines having a preset pitch; trimming the pattern including the lines; and forming an oxide film on the pattern including the lines and on the thin film by alternately supplying a source gas and an activated oxygen species. Here, the process of trimming the pattern and the process of forming an oxide film are consecutively performed in a film forming apparatus configured to form the oxide film.
US08383521B2	Substrate processing method A substrate processing method processes a substrate including a processing target film, an organic film provided on the processing target film and having a plurality of line-shaped portions having fine width, and a hard film covering the line-shaped portions and the processing target film exposed between the line-shaped portions. The method includes a first etching step of etching a part of the hard film to expose the organic film and portions of the processing target film between the line-shaped portions; an ashing step of selectively removing the exposed organic film; and a second etching step of etching a part of the remaining hard film.
US08383518B1	Method for forming contact holes A method for forming contact holes is applied in a transistor array substrate. The transistor array substrate includes first contact pads, second contact pads located over the first contact pads, a first insulation layer covering the first contact pads, and a second insulation layer covering the second contact pads. Firstly, a photoresist pattern layer having recesses and first openings is formed on the second insulation layer. The first openings expose the second insulation layer partially. Then, the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer inside the first openings are removed partially, to expose the first contact pads. Then, the thickness of the photoresist pattern layer is reduced, so that the recesses form a plurality of second openings which expose the second insulation layer partially. After that, a part of the second insulation layer which is located inside the second openings is removed, to expose the second contact pads.
US08383512B2	Method for making multilayer connection structure A method provides electrical connections to a stack of contact levels of an interconnect region for a 3-D stacked IC device. Each contact level comprises conductive and insulation layers. A portion of any upper layer is removed to expose a first contact level and create contact openings for each contact level. A set of N masks is used to etch the contact openings up to and including 2N contact levels. Each mask is used to etch effectively half of the contact openings. When N is 3, a first mask etches one contact level, a second mask etches two contact levels, and a third mask etches four contact levels. A dielectric layer may be formed on the sidewalls of the contact openings. Electrical conductors may be formed through the contact openings with the dielectric layers electrically insulating the electrical conductors from the sidewalls.
US08383511B2	Method for manufacturing mask Openings are formed in first and second mask layers. Next, diameter of the opening in the second mask layer is enlarged so that the diameter of the opening in the second mask layer becomes larger by a length X than diameter of the opening in the first mask layer. Thereafter, mask material is formed into the opening in the second mask layer, to form a cavity with a diameter X within the opening in the second mask layer. There is formed a mask which includes the second mask layer and the mask material having therein opening including the cavity.
US08383510B2	Semiconductor device comprising metallization layers of reduced interlayer capacitance by reducing the amount of etch stop materials Upon forming a complex metallization system, the parasitic capacitance between metal lines of adjacent metallization layers may be reduced by providing a patterned etch stop material. In this manner, the patterning process for forming the via openings may be controlled in a highly reliable manner, while, on the other hand, the resulting overall dielectric constant of the metallization system may be reduced, thereby also significantly reducing the parasitic capacitance between stacked metal lines.
US08383503B2	Methods for forming semiconductor structures using selectively-formed sidewall spacers Methods for forming semiconductor structures using selectively-formed sidewall spacers are provided. One method comprises forming a first structure and a second structure. The second structure has a height that is greater than the first structure's height. A first sidewall spacer-forming material is deposited overlying the first structure and the second structure. A second sidewall spacer-forming material is deposited overlying the first sidewall spacer-forming material. A composite spacer is formed about the second structure, the composite spacer comprising the first sidewall spacer-forming material and the second sidewall spacer-forming material. The second sidewall spacer-forming material is removed from the first structure and the first sidewall spacer-forming material is removed from the first structure.
US08383499B2	Method for forming gallium nitride semiconductor device with improved forward conduction A method for forming a gallium nitride based semiconductor diode includes forming Schottky contacts on the upper surface of mesas formed in a semiconductor body formed on a substrate. Ohmic contacts are formed on the lower surface of the semiconductor body. In one embodiment, an insulating layer is formed over the Schottky and ohmic contacts and vias are formed in the insulating layer to the Schottky and ohmic contacts to form the anode and cathode electrodes. In another embodiment, vias are formed in the insulating layer to the Schottky contacts and vias are formed in the semiconductor body to the ohmic contacts. An anode electrode is formed in electrical contact with the Schottky contacts. A cathode electrode is formed in electrical contact with the ohmic contacts on the backside of the substrate.
US08383497B2	Method for manufacturing solid-state image sensor A method for manufacturing a sensor having pixels on a substrate, each pixel including a photoelectric converter, a charge-voltage converter, and a gate for forming a channel for transferring charges in the photoelectric converter to the charge-voltage converter, comprises a step of implanting ions into target regions of the substrate, where the photoelectric converters are to be formed, wherein the step is performed N times, and in each of the steps, the ions are implanted along a direction with an inclined angle with respect to a normal to the substrate surface, the target regions where the ions are implanted are different in each step, and for each step, a mask is formed on the substrate, having an opening for every N pixels, a plurality of the openings periodically arranged in a direction along an intersection line between the surface and a plane determined by the normal and the direction.
US08383492B2	Method for the production of thin layer of silicon by utilization of mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion between screen printed metal layer and silicon mother substrate A method is provided for producing a thin substrate with a thickness below 750 microns, comprising providing a mother substrate, the mother substrate having a first main surface and a toughness; inducing a stress with predetermined stress profile in at least a portion of the mother substrate, said portion comprising the thin substrate, the induced stress being locally larger than the toughness of the mother substrate at a first depth under the main surface; such that the thin substrate is released from the mother substrate, wherein the toughness of the mother substrate at the first depth is not lowered prior to inducing the stress. The method can be used in the production of, for example, solar cells.
US08383490B2	Borderless contact for ultra-thin body devices After formation of a semiconductor device on a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) layer, a first dielectric layer is formed over a recessed top surface of a shallow trench isolation structure. A second dielectric layer that can be etched selective to the first dielectric layer is deposited over the first dielectric layer. A contact via hole for a device component located in or on a top semiconductor layer is formed by an etch. During the etch, the second dielectric layer is removed selective to the first dielectric layer, thereby limiting overetch into the first dielectric layer. Due to the etch selectivity, a sufficient amount of the first dielectric layer is present between the bottom of the contact via hole and a bottom semiconductor layer, thus providing electrical isolation for the ETSOI device from the bottom semiconductor layer.
US08383482B2	Three-dimensional semiconductor memory device and method of fabricating the same A method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device includes alternately and repeatedly stacking sacrificial layers and insulating layers on a substrate, forming an active pattern penetrating the sacrificial layers and the insulating layers, continuously patterning the insulating layers and the sacrificial layers to form a trench, removing the sacrificial layers exposed in the trench to form recess regions exposing a sidewall of the active pattern, forming an information storage layer on the substrate, forming a gate conductive layer on the information storage layer, such that the gate conductive layer fills the recess regions and defines an empty region in the trench, the empty region being surrounded by the gate conductive layer, and performing an isotropic etch process with respect to the gate conductive layer to form gate electrodes in the recess regions, such that the gate electrodes are separated from each other.
US08383480B1	Method for forming semiconductor structure and method for forming memory using the same A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes following steps. A substrate structure is provided. The substrate structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer, and a second ONO layer. The semiconductor substrate has first and second surfaces opposite to each other. The first ONO layer includes a first oxide layer, a first nitride layer and a second oxide layer formed on the first surface in sequence. The second ONO layer includes a third oxide layer, a second nitride layer and a fourth oxide layer formed on the second surface in sequence. A nitride mask layer is formed on the first ONO layer. The fourth oxide layer is removed. The second nitride layer and the nitride mask layer are removed. The second oxide layer and the third oxide layer are removed. A fifth oxide layer is formed on the first nitride layer.
US08383479B2	Integrated nanostructure-based non-volatile memory fabrication Nanostructure-based charge storage regions are included in non-volatile memory devices and integrated with the fabrication of select gates and peripheral circuitry. One or more nanostructure coatings are applied over a substrate at a memory array area and a peripheral circuitry area. Various processes for removing the nanostructure coating from undesired areas of the substrate, such as target areas for select gates and peripheral transistors, are provided. One or more nanostructure coatings are formed using self-assembly based processes to selectively form nanostructures over active areas of the substrate in one example. Self-assembly permits the formation of discrete lines of nanostructures that are electrically isolated from one another without requiring patterning or etching of the nanostructure coating.
US08383475B2	EEPROM cell A method of forming a device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a cell area separated by other active areas by isolation regions. First and second gates of first and second transistors in the cell area are formed. The first gate includes first and second sub-gates separated by a first intergate dielectric layer. The second gate includes a second sub-gate surrounding a first sub-gate. The first and second sub-gates of the second gate are separated by a second intergate dielectric layer. First and second junctions of the first and second transistors are formed. The method also includes forming a first gate terminal coupled to the second sub-gate of the first transistor and a second gate terminal coupled to at least the first sub-gate of the second transistor.
US08383473B1	Methods of forming replacement gate structures for semiconductor devices Disclosed herein are various methods of forming replacement gate structures for semiconductor devices. In one example, the method includes forming a sacrificial gate structure above a semiconducting substrate, removing the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity for a replacement gate structure, forming a gate insulation layer in the gate cavity and forming a layer of metal above the gate insulation layer. In this example, the method also includes forming a patterned etch mask layer above the metal layer that exposes substantially vertically oriented portions of the metal layer within the cavity and covers a substantially horizontally oriented portion of the metal layer within the cavity, performing an etching process through the patterned etch mask layer to reduce a thickness of the exposed substantially vertically oriented portions of the metal layer and removing the patterned etch mask layer.
US08383469B2	Producing transistor including reduced channel length A method of producing a transistor includes providing a substrate including in order a first electrically conductive material layer and a second electrically conductive material layer. The first electrically conductive material layer has a thickness. A resist material layer is deposited over the second electrically conductive material layer. The resist material layer is patterned to expose a portion of the second electrically conductive material layer. Some of the second electrically conductive material layer is removed to expose a portion of the first electrically conductive material layer. The second electrically conductive material layer is caused to overhang the first electrically conductive material layer by removing some of the first electrically conductive material layer. The second electrically conductive material layer, the first conductive material layer, and at least a portion of the substrate are conformally coated with an electrically insulating material layer having a thickness such that the thickness of the first conductive material layer is greater than the thickness of the electrically insulating material layer.
US08383467B2	Thin film transistor and method of manufacturing the same A thin film transistor (TFT) and a method of manufacturing the same are provided, the TFT including a gate insulating layer on a gate. A channel may be formed on a portion of the gate insulating layer corresponding to the gate. A metal material may be formed on a surface of the channel. The metal material crystallizes the channel. A source and a drain may contact side surfaces of the channel.
US08383463B2	Semiconductor package having an antenna with reduced area and method for fabricating the same A semiconductor package includes an electromagnetic shielding member for shielding electromagnetic waves. An antenna is disposed on an upper face of the electromagnetic shielding member and includes an antenna part with a plurality of conductive particles electrically connected with each other and an insulation part disposed on the upper face of the electromagnetic shielding member and insulating the antenna part. Ball lands are disposed on the electromagnetic shielding member and are electrically connected with the antenna part. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip is electrically connected to the ball lands.
US08383461B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor package having improved bump structures A method for manufacturing a semiconductor package includes the steps of forming first circuit patterns on an upper surface of a carrier substrate. Bumps are formed in recesses defined on the upper surface of the carrier substrate. An insulation layer is formed on the upper surface of the carrier substrate to cover the first circuit patterns. Second circuit patterns are formed on an upper surface of the insulation layer so as to be electrically connected with the first circuit patterns. The carrier substrate is then separated from the insulation layer.
US08383454B2	Charge injection and transport layers Compositions for use in hole transporting layers (HTLs) or hole injection layers (HILs) are provided, as well as methods of making the compositions and devices fabricated from the compositions. OLED devices can be made. The compositions comprise at least one conductive conjugated polymer, at least one semiconducting matrix component that is different from the conductive conjugated polymer, and an optional dopant, and are substantially free of an insulating matrix component.
US08383450B2	Large scale chemical bath system and method for cadmium sulfide processing of thin film photovoltaic materials A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic material. The method includes providing a plurality of substrates. Each of the substrates has a surface region, an overlying first electrode material, an absorber material including at least a copper species, an indium species, and a selenium species. The method immerses the plurality of substrates in an aqueous solution including an ammonia species, a cadmium species, and a organosulfur (for example, thiourea) species in a bath to form a cadmium sulfide window material having a thickness of less than about 200 Angstroms overlying the absorber material. The aqueous solution is maintained at a temperature ranging from about 50 to about 60 Degrees Celsius. The plurality of substrates having at least the absorber material and the window layer are removed from the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is further subjected to a filter process to substantially remove one or more particles greater than about 5 microns.
US08383439B2	Apparatus for manufacturing group-III nitride semiconductor layer, method of manufacturing group-III nitride semiconductor layer, group-III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, method of manufacturing group-III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, and lamp The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a group-III nitride semiconductor layer having high crystallinity. An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a group-III nitride semiconductor layer on a substrate 11 using a sputtering method. The apparatus includes: a chamber 41; a target 47 that is arranged in the chamber 41 and includes a group-III element; a first plasma generating means 51 that generates a first plasma for sputtering the target 47 to supply raw material particles to the substrate 11; a second plasma generating means 52 that generates a second plasma including a nitrogen element; and a control means that controls the first plasma generating means 51 and the second plasma generating means 52 to alternately generate the first plasma and the second plasma in the chamber 41.
US08383438B2	Method for fabricating InGaAIN light-emitting diodes with a metal substrate One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for fabricating light-emitting diodes. The method includes etching grooves on a growth substrate, thereby creating mesas on the growth substrate. The method further includes fabricating on each of the mesas an indium gallium aluminum nitride (InGaAlN) multilayer structure which contains a p-type layer, a multi-quantum-well layer, and an n-type layer. In addition, the method includes depositing one or more metal substrate layers on top of the InGaAlN multilayer structure. Moreover, the method includes removing the growth substrate. Furthermore, the method includes creating electrodes on both sides of the InGaAlN multilayer structure, thereby resulting in a vertical-electrode configuration.
US08383434B2	Thin film transistor and manufacturing method thereof A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor having high electric characteristics with high productivity. In the method for forming a channel region of a dual-gate thin film transistor including a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode which faces the first gate electrode with the channel region provided therebetween, a first microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed under a first condition for forming a microcrystalline semiconductor film in which a space between crystal grains is filled with an amorphous semiconductor, and a second microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed over the first microcrystalline semiconductor film under a second condition for promoting crystal growth.
US08383432B2	Colloidal-processed silicon particle device Colloidal-processed Si particle devices, device fabrication, and device uses have been presented. The generic device includes a substrate, a first electrode overlying the substrate, a second electrode overlying the substrate, laterally adjacent the first electrode, and separated from the first electrode by a spacing. A colloidal-processed Si particle layer overlies the first electrode, the second electrode, and the spacing between the electrodes. The Si particle layer includes a first plurality of nano-sized Si particles and a second plurality of micro-sized Si particles.
US08383429B2	Method and apparatus for thermal treatment of semiconductor workpieces The present invention provides an apparatus and method for rapid and uniform thermal treatment of semiconductor workpieces in two closely arranged thermal treatment chambers with a retractable door between them. The retractable door moves in between two thermal treatment chambers during heating or cooling process, and additional heating and cooling sources are provided for double-side thermal treatment of the semiconductor workpiece.
US08383428B2	Exhaust pressure detector An exhaust pressure measuring device including a connection pipe connected to a middle of an exhaust line for carrying byproduct gas, the connection pipe having an opening formed in a middle of a body thereof; a chamber provided at an outer side of the connection pipe and communicating with an inside of the connection pipe through the opening, the chamber having a nitrogen supply line connected thereto, the nitrogen supply line allowing nitrogen gas to be supplied from the outside; and a pressure sensor installed to the chamber to measure pressure in the chamber, whereby a change of exhaust pressure in the exhaust line is measured from the measured pressure in the chamber.
US08383416B2	Microbead optical sensor with layered plasmon structure for enhanced detection of chemical groups by SERS An optical sensor and method for use with a visible-light laser excitation beam and a Raman spectroscopy detector, for detecting the presence chemical groups in an analyte applied to the sensor are disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate, a plasmon resonance mirror formed on a sensor surface of the substrate, a plasmon resonance particle layer disposed over the mirror, and an optically transparent dielectric layer about 2-40 nm thick separating the mirror and particle layer. The particle layer is composed of a periodic array of plasmon resonance particles having (i) a coating effective to binding analyte molecules, (ii) substantially uniform particle sizes and shapes in a selected size range between 50-200 nm (ii) a regular periodic particle-to-particle spacing less than the wavelength of the laser excitation beam. The device is capable of detecting analyte with an amplification factor of up to 1012-1014, allowing detection of single analyte molecules.
US08383415B2	Hydrogel composition to enhance fluorescence A composition comprising a hydrogel particle and a fluorophore; wherein said composition produces an enhanced fluorescent signal when excited by an energy source capable of exciting the fluorophore.
US08383414B2	Methods of manufacturing a light guide test sensor An optic light guide test sensor comprises a light guide, a reagent-coated membrane, and a mesh layer. The reagent-coated membrane and the mesh layer are attached to the light guide at an output end of the light guide. The light guide test sensor is adapted to be used to test the level of an analyte in a biological fluid sample when used with a readhead. A method of manufacturing the light guide test sensor involves providing a plurality of light guides, providing a strip of reagent-coated membrane, and providing a strip of mesh layer. The reagent-coated membrane and mesh layer are attached to the light guides by ultrasonic welding. The reagent-coated membrane and mesh layer may also be attached to the light guides by adhesive.
US08383413B2	Method for analyzing oligomeric proanthocyanidin (OPC) The present invention provides a novel method for assaying OPC contained in natural substances, foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and/or cosmetics.The present invention is a novel method for assay of OPC which assays anthocyanidin, obtained by hydrolysis of OPC, to determine the total amount of OPC, and elucidates the proportions of the polymerization degrees of OPC by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the contents of the respective polymers in OPC.
US08383409B2	Cell culture substrate and its production method The invention is directed to methods for the propagation or cultivation of cells including preparing a cell culture substrate, wherein the cell culture substrate includes a substrate and a layer formed by surface modification. The layer includes a polymer containing an amino group. The polymer is produced by reacting a polymer represented by formula (II): with a polymer having at least one amino group, —NH2, capable of forming a Schiff base in a monomer of formula (II), thereby forming a polymer layer constituting the layer formed by surface modification. “n” in Formula (II) is 0 or a positive integer, and m is a positive integer. n and m represent the degree of polymerization. Formula (II) is formed by chemical vapor deposition of formyl[2.2]paracyclophane. The methods further include providing cells in a medium; inoculating the cells onto the cell culture substrate; and culturing the cells, wherein the cells adhere to the cell culture substrate.
US08383404B2	Hematopoietic stem cell identification and isolation The present invention relates to methods of identifying, collecting and isolating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and compositions of purified HSCs. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of isolating and purifying CD150+ HSCs, CD48− HSCs, and CD244− HSCs. The present invention also relates to purified cell samples with enriched CD150+ HSCs, CD48− HSCs, and CD244− HSCs populations, as well as methods of treating subjects with such compositions.
US08383401B2	T-cell receptor and nucleic acid encoding the receptor A polypeptide comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 5 of Sequence Listing or a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence having deletion, addition, insertion or substitution of one to several amino acid residues in the sequence, the polypeptide being capable of constituting an HLA-A24-restricted, MAGE-A4143-151-specific T cell receptor together with a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 of Sequence Listing.
US08383397B2	Method and system for the production of cells and cell products and applications thereof A cell culture system for the production of cells and cell derived products includes a reusable instrumentation base device incorporating hardware to support cell culture growth. A disposable cultureware module including a cell growth chamber is removably attachable to the instrumentation base device. The base device includes microprocessor control and a pump for circulating cell culture medium through the cell growth chamber. The cultureware module is removably attached to the instrumentation base device. Cells are introduced into the cell growth chamber and a source of medium is fluidly attached to the cultureware module. Operating parameters are programmed into the microprocessor control. The pump is operated to circulate the medium through the cell growth chamber to grow cells or cell products therein. The grown cells or cell products are harvested from the cell growth chamber and the cultureware module is then disposed.
US08383396B2	Apparatus and method for measuring biological material Disclosed is a biomolecular detection device that can be used easily, at a low operating cost, and with a detection probe that can be immobilized easily. Using an insulated gate field effect transistor having a conductive electrode on the gate insulator between a source and a drain, a probe for detecting biomolecules is immobilized on the surface of the conductive electrode. For analysis, a conductive electrode on which a probe for detecting biomolecules is immobilized on the surface, and a reference electrode are placed in the sample solution in the analytical cell, an alternating current voltage is applied from a power source to the reference electrode and the electrical characteristics of the insulated gate field effect transistor that changes before and after binding of the measurement target substance such as DNA and proteins included in the sample solution with a probe for detecting biomolecules, namely the changes in the current values running between the source and the drain, are detected.
US08383395B2	Cell culture apparatus, cell culture method, cell culture program and cell culture system The invention intends to provide a cell culture apparatus which is able to realize an adequate culture according to the culture state of cells while alleviating the labor of an operator. The cell culture apparatus includes a culture bag for causing the cells to proliferate, a cell inoculation cassette (or culture bag as an antibody stimulating and proliferation culture vessel) for stimulating the cells by an inducer for the proliferation, a culture medium cassette for storing a culture medium supplied to the culture bag and the cell inoculation cassette, a CCD camera 88 for acquiring images of the cells in the cell inoculation cassette, and an image processing computer and an operation control computer for determining the culture state (proliferation capability and proliferation ability of the cells) of the cells from the images of the cells acquired by the CCD camera, and causing a culture operation to be carried out on the basis of the determination.
US08383394B2	System and method for electroporating a sample A system and method are described for electroporating a sample that utilizes one or more sets of electrodes that are spaced apart in order to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the electrodes. The first electrode is connected to the lower body of the system while the second electrode is connected to the upper body. Both electrodes are connected to a pulse generator. Each electrode has a sample contact surface such that the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned to hold a surface tension constrained sample between the two sample contact surfaces and the sample may receive a selected electric pulse.
US08383393B2	Titer plate, reading device therefor and method for detecting an analyte, and use thereof A titer plate and a method for detecting an analyte, and the use thereof are disclosed. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that a plurality of depressions and a biochip of the titer plate sposed adjacent thereto be surrounded by a wall in order to effectively prevent sample contamination when there is a high degree of spatial integration.
US08383392B2	Transformant and method for production of non-natural antibiotic Disclosed is a transformant prepared by introducing a ketoreductase gene involved in the biosynthesis of L-epivancosamine into an actinobacterium originally capable of producing daunorubicin. Also disclosed is a process of efficiently producing a non-natural daunorubicin derivative using the transformant. The transformant is capable of efficiently producing a non-natural daunorubicin derivative such as epidaunorubicin.
US08383391B2	Mutant cell with deleted or disrupted genes encoding protease This disclosure relates to mutant cells with deleted or disrupted genes encoding protease(s).
US08383386B2	Compositions and methods for modulating hemostasis Factor Xa variants and methods of use thereof are disclosed.
US08383382B2	Variant LovD polypeptides and their uses The present disclosure provides acyltransferases useful for synthesizing therapeutically important statin compound.
US08383376B2	Carbon capture in fermentation The invention relates to processes for converting CO by microbial fermentation to one or more products including alcohols and/or acids and optionally capturing CO2 to improve overall carbon capture. More particularly the invention relates to a method for producing one or more products from a CO comprising substrate, the method comprising a natural gas reforming step for producing a syngas stream, and converting at least a portion of CO from the syngas stream to one or more products including ethanol.
US08383375B2	Thermostable gluconate dehydratase and use thereof The present invention relates to a novel thermostable gluconate dehydratase from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus, a coding sequence, and an expression system. The gluconate dehydratase has a molecular weight of about 320,000 to 380,000 daltons as the native protein, and about 40,000 to 50,000 daltons as the monomer protein, and catalyzes the dehydration reaction of aldonic acids to 2-keto-3-deoxy derivatives at temperatures of less than 120° C. The gluconate dehydratase can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and thereby used in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, and other industries.
US08383371B2	Nucleic acid construct containing a nucleic acid derived from the genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 2a, and a cell having such nucleic acid construct introduced therein The present invention relates to a replicon RNA comprising a nucleotide sequence at least containing the 5′ untranslated region, the nucleotide sequence encoding NS3 protein, NS4A protein, NS4B protein, NS5A protein and NS5B protein, and the 3′ untranslated region on the genomic RNA of hepatitis C virus of genotype 2a.
US08383370B2	Modified RNA ligase for efficient 3′ modification of RNA The invention provides a novel truncated mutated T4 RNA ligase 2. In addition, methods are provided for ligating pre-adenlylated donor molecules to the 3′ hydroxyl group of RNA in the absence of ATP using the ligase.
US08383365B2	Methods of making FGF-21 mutants comprising non-naturally encoded phenylalanine derivatives Modified FGF-21 polypeptides and uses thereof are provided.
US08383362B2	Fixative of polymerized carbon nanotubes encapsulating osmium nanoparticles for biological tissue A fixative for biological tissue made up of polymerized carbon nanotubes encapsulating osmium nanoparticles and its method of synthesis are disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are first oxidized. Next, the oxidized carbon nanotubes and monohydrated citric acid are mixed to synthesize carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid). The carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) are then mixed with an osmium source to synthesize carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) encapsulating osmium nanoparticles. The nano-fixative of this application has been shown to improve fixation of biological tissue relative to well-known fixatives.
US08383360B2	Methods of diagnosing and treating autism The present invention provides diagnostic methods for determining the risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a fetus or child by detecting in a biological sample from the mother antibodies that bind to one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), guanine deaminase (GDA), collapsin response mediator protein 1 (CRMP1), stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1), alpha subunit of the barbed-end actin binding protein Cap Z (CAPZA2), Y Box Binding Protein 1 (YBX1), eukaryotic translation and elongation factor 1A1 (EEF1A1), microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT), dihydropyrimidinase-like protein 2 (DPYSL2), dynamin 1-like protein (DNM1L), radixin (RDX), moesin (MSN), and ezrin (EZR). The invention further provides methods of preventing or reducing the risk of a fetus or child developing an ASD by administering to the mother an agent that blocks the binding of maternal antibodies to the one or more fetal biomarkers listed above or by removing from the mother antibodies that bind to the one or more fetal biomarkers.
US08383355B2	Combination of sPLA2 type IIA mass and OXPL/APOB cardiovascular risk factors for the diagnosis/prognosis of a cardiovascular disease/event The present invention related to a method of identifying a subject having or at risk of having or developing a cardiovascular disease and/or a cardiovascular event, comprising: —measuring, in a sample obtained from said subject, at least two cardiovascular risk factors: a) sPLA2 type HA mass and b) oxidized phospholipids on apolipoprotein B-IOO particles (OxPL/apoB), —combining said measurements, the combined value of sPLA2 type HA mass and OxPL/apoB being indicative of having or a risk of having or developing a cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular event.
US08383343B2	Methods of enriching for and identifying polymorphisms The invention encompasses methods for enriching for and identifying a polymorphism within a nucleic acid sample either by separating a subset of a nucleic acid sample or by selectively replicating a subset of a nucleic acid sample such that the polymorphism is contained within a nucleic acid population with reduced complexity, and then identifying the polymorphism within the enriched nucleic acid sample. Methods also are disclosed for enriching for and identifying a polymorphism by contacting a nucleic acid sample that includes a subset of nucleic acid molecules having a sequence that binds to a sequence-specific binding activity with a molecule having a sequence-specific binding activity under conditions which permit specific binding, such that the subset of nucleic acid molecules bound to the activity is enriched for nucleic acid molecules having the sequence recognized by the sequence-specific binding activity, and detecting a polymorphism with respect to a reference sequence in the subset of nucleic acid molecules.
US08383337B2	Methods using metal oxide particles for analyte detection A method includes binding a probe to an analyte present in a sample, wherein the probe comprises a binder bonded to a metal particle that is capable of releasing metal ions when contacted with a reagent solution. The method includes contacting the metal particle with the reagent solution to release the metal ions, and observing an optical signal from the released metal ions to determine a presence or amount of the analyte in the sample. An associated kit is also provided.
US08383334B1	Laminar library screen Described is a method of screening libraries of variant proteins produced in plant leaves using a plant viral vector to identify a gene of interest comprising, inoculating leaves with a library of viruses expressing variant genes, allowing time for infected foci to form, harvesting a leaf, sticking one face of the leaf to a sticky support material to immobilize the leaf and leaving the opposing face of the leaf exposed, abrading the exposed face with granular material, placing the abraded face in contact with a blot membrane having a backing comprising blotting paper, placing the assembly into a vacuum seal bag; evacuating and sealing the bag; removing the assembly and separating the membrane, performing an assay on the membrane to identify an infected focus of interest; recovering virus corresponding to the infected focus; recovering nucleic acid from the virus, and identifying the gene of interest from the nucleic acid.
US08383324B2	Mask registration correction A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising forming an active region in a device substrate using a first phase shift mask (PSM) having a first patterned light shielding layer formed thereon, forming a polysilicon feature on the device substrate over the active region using a second PSM having a second patterned light shielding layer formed thereon, forming a contact feature on the polysilicon feature using a third PSM having a third patterned light shielding layer formed thereon, and forming a metal feature on the contact feature using a fourth PSM having a fourth patterned light shielding layer formed thereon, wherein at least one of the third and fourth patterned light shielding layers is patterned substantially similarly to at least one of the first and second patterned light shielding layers.
US08383319B2	Lithographic printing plate precursors and stacks Lithographic printing plate precursors have been designed so that they can be stored, shipped, and used in stacks without interleaf paper between individual precursors. This is achieved by incorporating polymeric particles having an average diameter of from about 3 to about 20 μm into the outermost precursor layer such as an imagable layer or topcoat. The polymeric particles comprise a core of a crosslinked polymer and have grafted hydrophilic polymeric surface groups that are grafted onto the particle surfaces by polymerizing hydrophilic monomers in the presence of the crosslinked polymeric particles. The lithographic printing plates can be either negative- or positive-working elements.
US08383318B2	Acid-sensitive, developer-soluble bottom anti-reflective coatings Acid-sensitive, developer-soluble bottom anti-reflective coating compositions are provided, along with methods of using such compositions and microelectronic structures formed thereof. The compositions preferably comprise a crosslinkable polymer dissolved or dispersed in a solvent system. The polymer preferably comprises recurring monomeric units having adamantyl groups. The compositions also preferably comprise a crosslinker, such as a vinyl ether crosslinking agent, dispersed or dissolved in the solvent system with the polymer. In some embodiments, the composition can also comprise a photoacid generator (PAG) and/or a quencher. The bottom anti-reflective coating compositions are thermally crosslinkable, but can be decrosslinked in the presence of an acid to be rendered developer soluble.
US08383315B2	Raised letter printing using large yellow toner particles Electrophotographic printing of one or more layers of toner to enable the printing of a wide range of toner mass laydown using electrophotography to produce prints with raised letters. This method encompasses the steps of forming multicolor toner images and fusing the print one or more times to create the raised print, having the desired height of raised print.
US08383312B2	Resin for toner and toner A resin for toner containing a resin component having both a polyester unit produced by polycondensation of a polyhydric alcohol component and a polycarboxylic acid component, and an aryl group having a sulfonic ester group as a substituent; and a toner that contains the resin for toner.
US08383311B2	Emulsion aggregation toner composition A toner composition that includes at least one low molecular weight amorphous polyester resin, at least one high molecular weight amorphous polyester resin, at least one crystalline polyester resin, at least one wax, at least one biocide and at least one colorant, and wherein the toner composition has a minimum fusing temperature of from about 100° C. to about 125° C.
US08383309B2	Preparation of sublimation colorant dispersion A chemical toner composition that includes at least one curable amorphous resin and at least one sublimation colorant.
US08383308B2	Positively chargeable two-component developer, image forming method, and image forming apparatus A positively chargeable two-component developer, including at least a toner and a carrier, wherein the toner contains a binder resin, a colorant, a wax, and a charge control agent, the binder resin contains at least a polyester resin and an addition polymerization resin grafted with a polyolefin, the wax and the addition polymerization resin grafted with a polyolefin are contained at a wax:addition polymerization resin grafted with a polyolefin ratio of from about 40:60 to about 80:20, and the carrier is a magnetic powder having a coating layer containing a methyl-containing silicone resin.
US08383306B2	Electrophotographic toner and method of preparing the same The present disclosure provides an electrographic toner and methods for preparing an electrographic toner. In particular, the present disclosure provides an electrophotographic toner comprising a latex, a colorant and a releasing agent. The electrophotographic toner may further comprise zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and silicon (Si). The [Zn]/[Fe] ratio may be in the range of about 5.0×10−2 to about 2.0. The [Si]/[Fe] ratio may be in the range of about 5.0×10−4 to about 5.0×10−2. [Zn], [Fe] and [Si] denote the intensities of Zn, Fe and Si, respectively, as measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.
US08383303B2	Color filter plate A color filter includes a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer, a plurality of filter layers, and a plurality of bumps. The filter layers are disposed between the transparent substrate and the transparent conductive layer, and the bumps are disposed on a plane of the transparent conductive layer. A sheet resistance of each of the bumps is above 1014Ω/□, and an optical density (OD) of each of the bumps is above 1.5.
US08383297B2	Pellicle for lithography and method for manufacturing pellicle film Provided are a pellicle for lithography which can prevent a haze from being generated on a photomask even if a short wave length laser such as an ArF excimer laser is used for a long period of time, and a method for producing a pellicle film to be attached to the pellicle for lithography. The pellicle 1 for lithography is comprised of a frame-like pellicle frame 4 having one open frame on one side of the pellicle frame and another open frame on another side of the pellicle frame; and a laser beam transmissive pellicle film 2 for lithography, which is attached to the one side of the pellicle frame. The another open frame is capable of attaching to a photomask 10 and the pellicle film has a venting hole 7 having a hole size through which a gas molecule 15 can pass but not a foreign particle 16.
US08383296B2	Method for manufacturing photomasks and device for its implementation The photomask manufacturing method comprises at least one step of cleaning the photomask and at least one step of placing a protective pellicle onto the photomask at the end of manufacturing. The inventive method further comprises at least one step of removing ammonia and sulfate residue between the cleaning step and the pellicle placement step. This step comprises the following operations: placing the photomask into a sealed chamber, creating a low pressure within the sealed chamber by pumping out the gases that it contains, exposing the photomask to infrared radiation, stopping the infrared radiation, checking that the temperature of the photomask does not exceed 50° C., restoring the atmospheric pressure within the chamber, and removing the photomask from the chamber. The device for implementing the inventive method comprises a sealed chamber containing at least one photomask, a pumping unit for creating and maintaining a vacuum inside the chamber, a system for holding at least one photomask, placed inside the sealed chamber, infrared radiation means and a gas injection system.
US08383291B2	Three-dimensional hydrophilic porous structures for fuel cell plates One embodiment includes three-dimensional hydrophilic porous structures for fuel cell collector plates.
US08383286B2	Method for preparing metal oxide sol, method for preparing metal oxide thin film using said sol, and solid oxide fuel cell comprising said thin film A metal oxide thin film structure for a solid oxide fuel cell, prepared by a method comprising dispersing a metal oxide nanopowder in a metal oxide salt solution and subsequent coating of the resulting metal oxide powder dispersed sol and the metal oxide salt solution on a porous substrate, has excellent gas impermeability, excellent phase stability, and is devoid of cracks or pinholes.
US08383284B2	Fuel cell The present invention is concerned with a fuel cell comprising: an electrolyte layer defining first and second faces and with said first face mounted on and in electrochemical contact with a first electrode and with said second face mounted on and in electrochemical contact with a second electrode, and an electrically conductive current collector joined to or mounted on or in said second electrode and in electrical contact with said second electrode, said electrically conductive current collector having an at least one extension extending outwards of a perimeter defined by said first and second electrodes and said electrolyte, fuel cell stack assemblies comprising same and methods of manufacture of same.
US08383283B2	Fuel cell with electrical short circuit prevention means A fuel cell includes an electrolyte matrix having a cathode side with a cathode disposed thereon and an anode side with an anode receiving portion and a sealing portion positioned peripherally to the anode receiving portion. The anode receiving portion has an anode disposed thereon. A fuel conduit has one or more one sealing platforms and having an opening extending through the fuel conduit. The anode is positioned in the opening.The fuel cell includes one or more devices for preventing the occurrence an electrical short circuit between the cathode and the sealing platform. The device for preventing the electrical short circuit is aligned with the sealing portion and sealing platform and is positioned on the electrolyte matrix, the cathode and/or the sealing platform.
US08383278B2	Fuel cell system and operating method thereof In order to provide a fuel cell system (which ensures high proton conductivity and high energy conversion efficiency and, in addition, copes with an operating mode of the startup/shutdown type and which has excellent durability capable of effectively preventing a polymer electrolyte membrane from deterioration) and an operating method of such a fuel cell system, a fuel cell system (100) is provided with a fuel cell (11), a fuel gas supplier (16) and an oxidizing gas supplier (17), a temperature supplier (19) which controls the temperature of the fuel cell, and a humidifier unit (18) which humidifies oxidizing gas, wherein there is further provided a controller (20) which controls the dew point of fuel gas and the dew point of oxidizing gas as follow: during the generation of electric power, the fuel gas dew point is made higher than or equal to the temperature of the fuel cell while the oxidizing gas dew point is made less than the temperature of the fuel cell and, before interrupting the electric connection between the fuel cell and a load, at least, the temperature of the fuel cell and the oxidizing gas dew point are made to conform to each other.
US08383277B2	Concentration distribution estimation device for impurity in anode side, and fuel cell system using the device The standard permeation amount of an impurity substance, that is, the permeation amount per unit area of the impurity substance under a standard concentration is calculated from the gas pressures in the gas channels, the impedance, and the fuel cell temperature. The permeation index of the impurity substance at each of locations in the anode-side gas channel is calculated on the basis of the previously calculated value of the concentration distribution of the impurity substance. Then, on the basis of the standard permeation amount and the permeation index, the permeation amounts of the impurity substance at the locations in the anode-side gas channel are calculated. On the basis of a total of the permeation amounts, the amount of the impurity substance accumulated in the anode-side gas channel is calculated. Furthermore, the distribution of existence rate of the impurity substance in the anode-side gas channel is calculated on the basis of the gas pressure in the anode-side gas channel and the electric current value.
US08383275B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising an electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode including a material for absorbing-desorbing lithium ions, and a separator arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a nonaqueous electrolyte impregnated in the electrode group and including a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt dissolved in the nonaqueous solvent, and a jacket for housing the electrode group and having a thickness of 0.3 mm or less, wherein the nonaqueous solvent γ-butyrolactone in an amount larger than 50% by volume and not larger than 95% by volume based on the total amount of the nonaqueous solvent.
US08383274B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte solution for lithium battery, lithium battery using same, and formyloxy group-containing compound used therein Disclosed are a nonaqueous electrolytic solution for lithium secondary battery comprising an electrolyte dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent and containing at least one compound represented by the formula (I) in an amount of from 0.01 to 10% by mass of the nonaqueous electrolytic solution; a lithium battery containing the electrolytic solution and excellent in low-temperature and high-temperature cycle property; and a formyloxy group-containing compound having a specific structure which is used in lithium batteries, etc. (wherein X represents an alkylene group, an alkenylene group or an alkynylene group; R1 represents H, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a group of the formula (II); R2 represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a group of the formula (II); R3 to R7 each represent H, F, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group.)
US08383273B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte composition and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery A nonaqueous electrolyte composition includes: a nonaqueous solvent; an electrolyte salt; a matrix resin; a filler; and a surfactant.
US08383270B2	Positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, secondary battery employing the same, and process for producing positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery A subject for the invention is to provide a positive-electrode material, which has high capacity and high output and is inhibited from suffering a decrease in output with repetitions of charge and use. The invention provides a positive-electrode material for lithium secondary battery, which comprises a secondary particle of a lithium/transition metal composite oxide containing boron and/or bismuth, and wherein the atomic ratio of the sum of boron and bismuth to the sum of the metallic elements other than lithium, boron, and bismuth in a surface part of the secondary particle is from 5 times to 70 times the atomic ratio in the whole secondary particle.
US08383265B2	Lithium secondary battery comprising electrode active material containing surfactant Provided is a lithium secondary battery comprising a lithium transition metal compound-containing cathode and a graphitized carbon-containing anode with addition of a surfactant to the cathode and/or the anode, whereby the addition of the surfactant improves the wettability of an electrolyte on the electrode, thereby increasing the battery capacity and improving rate properties and cycle properties of the battery, in conjunction with a significant reduction of a manufacturing process time of the battery.
US08383264B2	Current collecting post seal for high durability lithium-ion cells A cover assembly for a Lithium-ion battery container to improve the durability of the battery. A high pressure injection molded polymer is combined with flanges disposed on the current collecting posts of the battery to provide an improved seal for the battery cover, especially at the interface of the cover and the current collecting posts. The injection molded polymer is fused to the flanges, current collecting posts and container cover to result in a diffusion path of increased length for gases and/or liquids which are known to enter or escape from battery containers. Additional polymer layers can be applied to the assembly to further improve the seal.
US08383263B2	Battery pack for cordless devices A battery pack comprising a housing having an first housing portion and a second housing portion and an electrostatic discharge protection device to prevent electrostatic discharge from entering the housing.
US08383260B2	U-formed cooling plate with solid fins for lithium pouch cells A cooling system for a battery pack module with a plurality of battery cells includes a cooling plate assembly having a first side wall and a second side wall spaced apart from one another. The first and second side walls are connected by a base wall. The first side wall, the second side wall and the base wall have at least one flow channel formed therein. The first side wall has an inlet in fluid communication with the flow channel. The second side wall has an outlet in fluid communication with the flow channel. The cooling plate assembly is configured to be placed in heat transfer communication with the battery cells disposed between the first and second side walls. The cooling plate assembly permits a coolant to flow into the inlet, through the at least one flow channel, and out of the outlet to regulate a temperature of the battery cells.
US08383253B2	Magnetic recording medium utilizing a recording layer having more and less concentrated parts of a nonmagnetic element in an in-plane direction and manufacturing method thereof Embodiments of the present invention produce discrete track media and bit patterned media having both excellent read/write performance and reliability. According to one embodiment, the medium comprises a magnetic layers formed by at least two ferromagnetic alloy layers with different compositions on a substrate. The ferromagnetic alloy layer located closest to the medium surface has more concentrated parts and less concentrated parts of nonmagnetic element in the in-plane direction. The more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element contain more nonmagnetic elements than the other parts except for an intermediate layer in the magnetic recording layer. The more concentrated parts and the less concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the ferromagnetic alloy layer located closest to the medium surface are formed substantially concentric. The more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element is formed by being doped with ions of nonmagnetic element.
US08383243B2	Composite containing polymer, filler and metal plating catalyst, method of making same, and article manufactured therefrom Disclosed herein is a component comprising a substantially homogeneous composition of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of epoxies, acetals, polyesters, non-ionic rubbers, non-ionic polyurethanes, polyether sulfones, polyether ether ketones, polyether imides, polystyrenes, polyethylene terephthalates, polyamides, polyimides, polyvinylchlorides, polyphenylene oxides, polycarbonates, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymers, silicones, fluropolymers, and polyolefins, a filler, and a metal plating catalyst. A method of making a component also is described comprising obtaining a polymeric material, a liquid, a filler and a metal plating catalyst; combining the metal plating catalyst with the polymeric material, liquid, and filler to form a substantially homogeneous mixture; and evaporating and/or curing the mixture to form a solidified component. The method is useful for making small, precisely engineered, electronic components without requiring the use of caustic solutions or complex equipment.
US08383242B2	Lightweight component of hybrid The present invention relates to lightweight components of hybrid design, also termed hybrid component or hollow-chamber lightweight component, composed of a parent body which is composed of galvanized iron and which is reinforced by means of thermoplastics and is suitable for the transmission of high mechanical loads.
US08383241B2	Plasticizer-containing films based on polyvinyl acetal having selective permeability for UV radiation Plasticizer-containing films based on polyvinyl acetal containing a UV absorbers of the oxanilide type of formula (1) exhibit high UVA transmission while also exhibiting low UVB transmission, with reduced tendency to yellow.
US08383240B2	Adhesion promoter composition with a low content of VOC or free of the same The invention relates to bonding agent composition containing at least one bonding agent and at least one carrier medium which is liquid at room temperature and has a boiling point higher than 250° C. The carrier medium part represents between 40 and 99 wt. % of the total weight of the composition.
US08383239B2	Bearing and method of producing the same A bearing comprises at least one inner ring and at least one outer ring. At least a part of the surfaces of the inner ring and/or the outer ring is coated with a layer consisting of or containing fullerene-like carbon nitride (FL-CNx), and wherein an inter-layer of chromium (Cr) or aluminum (Al) or molybdenum (Mo) or titanium (Ti) or tungsten (W) or a diamond-like coating (DLC) or a metal-mix diamond-like coating (Me-DLC) is arranged between the surface of the inner ring and/or the outer ring and the layer.
US08383234B2	Charging member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus Provided is the following charging member of an electrophotographic apparatus. The charging member suppresses the occurrence of each of a streak-like image, a spot-like image, and a rough image that occur when image formation is performed over a long time period. Also provided are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the charging member. A compound having a siloxane dendrimer structure at a vinyl group or a side chain of a vinyl polymer is incorporated into the surface layer of the charging member comprising a conductive substrate and the surface layer.
US08383230B2	Flexible printed wiring board, multilayered flexible printed wiring board, and mobile telephone terminal employing multilayered flexible printed wiring board An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible printed wiring board and multilayered flexible printed wiring board in which, in methods of laminating substrates comprising a non-adhering section and an adhering section, adhesion of the FPC substrates of the flexure part can be prevented and adequate flex resistance can be maintained.The present invention provides a flexible printed wiring board comprising at least an electric insulating layer and a conductor layer wherein the surface of the electric insulating layer has a 10-point average roughness of at least 1.5 μm and less than 2.0 μm and contact angle of at least 60° and less than 120°, or has a 10-point average roughness of at least 2.0 μm and less than 4.0 μm, and also provides a multilayered flexible printed wiring board formed by the lamination of two or more of the flexible printed wiring boards in which the surface of the electric insulating layers of the two or more flexible printed wiring boards exposed in a bendable state are opposing in a non-adhered state, and a part of the wiring boards is laminated on each of a first multilayered flexible printed wiring board and a second multilayered flexible printed wiring board.
US08383228B2	Shingle with reinforcement layer A laminated shingle and a method of making it is provided in which the rear surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.
US08383226B2	Structures and methods for increasing the speed of electroactive polymers Structures are provided that include electroactive polymers. According to these structures, the electroactive materials have enhanced conductivity in a first direction. Also, the structures include either pores or inclusions. These pores or inclusions are non-parallel to the first direction. In addition, methods for forming structures that include electroactive polymers that have enhanced conductivity in a first direction are provided. These methods allow for pores and/or inclusions to be formed in the electroactive polymers.
US08383224B2	Extended table pad assembly A table pad assembly having at least one table pad end section that extends beyond the longitudinal edge of a table top. In addition to the table pad end section, the assembly includes at least two brackets each having a female attaching portion and a base portion, at least one spline having a first opening and a second opening, at least a set of legs, and an adjustable foot on each leg.
US08383223B2	Roll of fibrous cellulose-based product A product made of tissue for sanitary or domestic use is aimed in particular at products in rolls such as rolls of bathroom tissue (or sanitary paper) and similar rolls. A roll of fibrous cellulosic product includes a rolled strip of sheets of tissue separated by perforated or pre-cut lines, the individual plies of each sheet being bonded over a peripheral surface area of between 4% and 60% of the total surface area of each sheet.
US08383221B2	Multi-layer film The present invention relates to a deep-drawable multi-layer film having low water vapor and oxygen permeability, the inventive film being suitable for blister packaging and preferably including a layer composite specifically a PVC/PVDC/PCTFE/PVC composite.
US08383220B2	Acrylic rubber To provide an acrylic rubber composition having an excellent heat resistance, especially an excellent balance between the residual ratio of the tensile strength and the residual ratio of the elongation after heat aging, when formed into a vulcanized product, and a hose article, a sealing article and a rubber vibration insulator using the acrylic rubber composition.An acrylic rubber composition containing an acrylic rubber obtainable by copolymerizing 100 parts by mass of an alkyl acrylate with from 10 to 100 parts by mass of an alkyl methacrylate and from 0.5 to 4 parts by mass of a crosslinkable monomer. Here, the alkyl methacrylate is preferably at least one compound selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate and n-butyl methacrylate, and the alkyl acrylate is preferably at least one compound selected from the group consisting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and n-butyl acrylate.
US08383219B2	Multilayer plastic container A multilayer thermoplastic container for storing and transporting liquid contents, especially combustible or explosive contents, is made of at least three superimposed layers and includes at least one layer for discharging an electric charge. The innermost layer of the container in contact with the liquid content is made of virgin material and a second integrated inner layer which is covered by the innermost virgin material layer is electrically conductive as a result of incorporated additives, e.g. conductive carbon black and is covered on the outside by another electrically non-conductive layer. Electric charge carriers that accumulate on the surface of the thin inner layer due to the friction with the content are “suctioned through” large areas of the inner, electrically non-conductive layer by the second, electrically conductive layer and discharged.
US08383200B2	High hardness nanocomposite coatings on cemented carbide A method of creating adherent surface coatings on carbide cutting tools or other workpiece substrates through the development of polycrystalline diamond coatings or composite coatings comprising a refractory metal carbide and polycrystalline diamond is described. The coating is deposited through a sequenced chemical vapor deposition process, first using a specified gas mixture of hydrogen and a refractory metal halide to deposit a base layer of a refractory metal carbide. This step is followed by a second step in which polycrystalline diamond is deposited from a gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon and hydrogen. Co-deposition of refractory metal carbide and diamond in the second step to create a toughened diamond coating is also contemplated.
US08383198B2	Water dispersible polymer compositions The water dispersibility of water-soluble polymer particles can be improved by a method which comprises the following step: i) foaming a fluid composition comprising a compound A) having a weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 or a water-insoluble polymer B) having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000; ii) contacting the produced foam with water-soluble polymer particles having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000; and iii) drying the particles, whereby the foam collapses during the contacting and/or drying step and the water-soluble polymer particles are encrusted with the compound having a weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 or the water-insoluble polymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000.
US08383195B2	Production method for laminated electronic component In a production method for a laminated electronic component, a ceramic base body is formed by stacking a plurality of ceramic layers, and internal electrodes are formed in the ceramic base body. Lead-out portions of the internal electrodes are exposed from side surfaces of the ceramic base body. Belt-shaped external terminal electrodes are formed on the side surfaces by plating so as to be electrically connected to the exposed portions of the internal electrodes. The distance from an end surface to an external terminal electrode closest to the end surface in the ceramic base body is measured. When the measured distance does not correspond to a predetermined reference value, the ceramic base body is removed as being defective.
US08383189B2	Selectable gloss coating system A coating system comprises a high gloss coating ink supply source, and a low gloss coating ink supply source. The system includes a coating module configured to receive the high gloss coating ink and the low gloss coating ink. The coating module includes a first and second group of nozzles configured to emit the high gloss and low gloss coating inks, respectively. The coating system has a controller that is configured to selectively actuate the first group and second group of inkjet nozzles to deposit the high gloss and low gloss coating inks onto the image receiving surface in accordance with a halftone pattern to form a gloss coating, the halftone pattern specifying a halftone density for the high gloss coating ink and for the low gloss coating ink, the halftone densities of the high and low gloss coating inks corresponding to a gloss level for the gloss coating.
US08383187B2	Rough porous constructs The present invention provides a method for processing a green body comprising a powder mixture in which a metal powder and a space filler assume respective positions, comprising applying a material that comprises aspherical metallic particles to at least one surface of the green body, thereby forming a coating on the green body. The present invention also provides implants that are produced in accordance with such method.
US08383186B2	System and method for continuous citrus peel cellular expansion A method for treating citrus peel by processing pieces of raw citrus peel through a plurality of progressive, continuous clean steaming and mechanical pressing stages; rupturing at least some of the cells of the pieces of raw citrus peel to release liquid, sugar and oil bound within the pieces of raw citrus peel; and transforming the pieces of raw citrus peel into press cake and pressate. The clean steaming step ay involve using clean steam that is free of chemical water treatment additives.
US08383184B2	Device and method for producing a frothed whitened beverage The invention concerns a method for hygienically and automatically producing from a beverage dispensing device a frothed whitened beverage in a receptacle comprising upon the actuation of a command on the device the following operations controlled by a control unit of said device: —a. metering and delivering a pre-warming volume of heated water in a receptacle for prewarming a whitening food component already contained in the receptacle and forming a warmed liquid in said receptacle, —b. metering and delivering a frothing volume of heated water in the form of at least a pressurized jet directed toward the receptacle for frothing the warmed liquid, —c. producing and delivering in the receptacle a liquid mixture made of a second food component and a metered mixing volume of water. The invention also concerns a device for implementing said method.
US08383181B2	Method and device for crema production based on volumetric flow A method for producing crema in a coffee vending machine that has a flow-through heater for heating water and that is charged with substrate capsules which include a Venturi nozzle for crema production. The method includes a) heating the water in the flow-through heater; b) brewing ground coffee using the heated water in a brewing chamber in order to produce a coffee drink; and c) producing crema by mixing the coffee drink with a gas in the Venturi nozzle. In step c), at least one of two volumetric flows of the coffee drink or the gas is increased in the Venturi nozzle during a predetermined time interval.
US08383180B2	Vacuum brewed beverage method The desired amount of coffee grounds, tea leaves, herbs or other beverage making material is placed in a chamber of glass vessel located on a moveable table top in its lowered position. The table top is then elevated until the upper edge of the vessel seals against a top seal. With the top sealed, the desired amount of water of about 185°-212° F. is introduced into the chamber through a port in the top. Thereafter, a vacuum is drawn in the chamber and is held within the range of about −5 to −20 Hg in. Using an external heat source, the brewing liquid is maintained at about 185°-212° F. Alternatively, the vacuum can be pulsed by turning it on and off several times during the brewing cycle. After the beverage has brewed for the desired amount of time, the heat and vacuum are removed, the chamber is returned to atmospheric pressure and the table top is lowered to release the vessel. The contents of the chamber are then strained to remove solids from the beverage.
US08383179B2	Self-heating container for preparing a fresh hot drink A self-heating container (1, 2) to prepare a fresh hot beverage containing a compartment containing a heat-delivering substance (8) to heat the liquid in the device, an airtight compartment (11) containing a measured amount of liquid to be heated, an airtight compartment containing a measured amount of dry matter for preparing a hot beverage, a filter (11) for separating the dry matter from the liquid (optional) and a compartment containing a measured amount of liquid to actuate the heat-delivering substance (8) with the attribute that the heat-delivering substance is actuated (13) simultaneously with the release of the dry matter to the compartment containing the measured amount of liquid to be heated during actuation.
US08383176B2	Han-burger and making method thereof A method of preparing a han-burger includes the steps of: providing a dough of the han-burger; shaping a first portion of the dough to form a burger shell having a filling compartment and a top opening, and a second portion of the dough to form a burger cover having a size and shape geographically matching the top opening of the burger shell; applying heat to the burger shell and the burger cover to retain the shapes thereof; preparing a filling with predetermined ingredients and nutrition, wherein the filling is disposed in the filling compartment of the burger shell; and covering the burger cover at the top opening of the burger shell to enclose the filling within the filling compartment.
US08383172B2	Recovery of hydrophobic peptides from oils Methods for separation and recovery of individual cyclic peptides from plant materials, said method comprising the steps of: (a) extracting an oil from a plant material; (b) separating the extracted oil into a non-polar fraction and a polar fraction; (c) separation and recovery of cyclic peptides from the non-polar fraction, and (d) separation and recovery of cyclic peptides from the polar fraction. The methods are suitable for separation and recovery of individual cyclolinopeptides from flax seed oil. Individual cyclolinopeptides are useful for modulation physiological disorders associated with apoptosis. Modified flaxseed oils may be produced by commingling flaxseed oils absent cyclolinopeptides, with at least one cyclolinopeptide separated and recovered with the methods disclosed herein.
US08383170B2	Mucosal formulation Provided, among other things, is a method of treating or ameliorating an indication of mucosal or adjacent tissue comprising periodically applying to mucosa at or adjacent to disease affected tissue a rinse comprising: an effective amount of appropriate composition of herbal bioactive comprising active(s) of one or more of Sambucus nigra, Centella asiatica or Echinacea purpurea; an antimicrobially effective amount of a quaternary ammonium surfactant; and optionally a polymer or mixture of polymers effective to coat said tissue and entrap said extract(s).
US08383166B2	Stable hydrophobic topical herbal formulationn Disclosed herein is stable topical herbal composition, useful for the treatment of specific skin conditions, such as, including, but not limited to, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, inflammation, pigmentation, extreme dry skin and other skin conditions requiring therapeutic intervention, wherein the said topical herbal composition comprises, oil extract of Wrightia tinctoria in combination with hydrophobic excipients and other functional excipients, such as emulsifying agent, preservatives, humectant and anti oxidant.
US08383165B1	Composition and method for fertility therapy using nutritional supplements A new composition and method are described for female fertility therapy. In one alternative, the composition utilizes three nutritional supplements, grape seed, para amino-benzoic acid (PABA), and red clover. When it is administered to females as fertility therapy following the recommended dosage, interleukin-6 is inhibited by the dose of grape seed, blood levels of folic acid are supported by the dose of PABA, and the dose of red clover provides phytoestrogenic isoflavones.
US08383159B2	Dosage forms having a microreliefed surface and methods and apparatus for their production The present invention provides an edible dosage form that incorporates optical elements (e.g., printed patterns, microrelief gratings, and/or macrorelief gratings), capable of producing unique optical effects and images in order to enable a user to better identify and differentiate the dosage forms, as well as to improve the detection of counterfeit production thereof, wherein the edible dosage forms may be made in a variety of ways to incorporate the optical elements therein.
US08383157B2	Preparation of chitin and derivatives thereof for cosmetic and therapeutic use The invention relates to novel chitin derivatives and their use in medical treatments of plastic surgery, dermocosmesis and therapy, in particular it relates to natural chitin derivatives, like chitin in nanofibrillar form, oxychitin and other chemical derivatives of chitin, chitosan-hyaluronate and associations for use as subcutaneous fillers or skin protectants.
US08383148B2	Clay-based hemostatic agents and devices for the delivery thereof A device for promoting the clotting of blood comprises a clay material in particle form and a receptacle for containing the clay material. At least a portion of the receptacle is defined by a mesh. Another device comprises a gauze substrate and a clay material disposed on the gauze substrate. Another device is a bandage comprising a substrate, a mesh mounted on the substrate, and particles of a clay material retained in the mesh. A hemostatic sponge comprises a substrate, a hemostatic material disposed on a first surface of the substrate, and a release agent disposed on a second surface of the substrate. The release agent is disposed on the wound-contacting surface of the substrate. When treating a bleeding wound, application of the hemostatic sponge causes at least a portion of the hemostatic material to come into contact with blood through the release agent and through the substrate.
US08383140B2	Absorbable crystalline copolyester-based bioactive hydroforming luminal liner compositions Bioactive, hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of high molecular weight crystalline, absorbable copolyesters dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.
US08383130B2	Partial peptide of lacritin The invention provides a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, which is a particular partial sequence of lacritin, and having an amino acid length of not more than 70 residues. The polypeptide of the invention can promote adhesion between a cell and an extracellular matrix, and can promote tear fluid secretion from lacrimal gland acinar cells.
US08383128B2	Method of protecting plant(s) and a process thereof The present invention relates to a method of treating plant(s) against larval pests by the use of terreulactone. It also relates to a process for producing meroterpenoid from fungus Aspergillus terreus strain MTCC5390.
US08383127B2	Polysaccharide extract of Lentinus and pharmaceutical, cosmetic or nutraceutical compositions comprising such an extract The present invention relates to a polysaccharide extract derived from a mushroom of the Lentinus genus and also to the method for preparing such an extract. This polysaccharide-rich extract can be used as a nutraceutical, cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparation.
US08383125B2	Antimicrobial protein The present invention provides improved antimicrobial compositions comprising peptide fragments of tammar wallaby milk proteins and analogs and derivatives thereof exemplified by the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID Nos: 1-40 and uses therefor in the treatment of a range of infections by bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial compositions are particularly useful for broad spectrum applications, especially for the treatment of bacterial infections.
US08383121B2	Monoclonal antibodies specific to hemagglutinin and neuraminidase from influenza virus H5-subtype or N1-subtype and uses thereof Monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins that bind specifically to the envelope glycoprotein of H5 subtypes or neuraminidase glycoprotein of N1 subtypes of avian influenza virus (AIV) are provided. The monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins are useful for the detection of H5 and N1 subtypes of AIV, including H5N1 subtypes and provide means for the diagnosis, surveillance and treatment of dangerous viral infections.
US08383120B2	Concomitant treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with anti-TNF-alpha antibodies and methotrexate Methods for treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising methotrexate and an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.
US08383118B2	Human monoclonal antibodies to fucosyl-GM1 and methods for using anti-fucosyl-GM1 The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to Fucosyl-GM1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of this disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of this disclosure are also provided. This disclosure also provides methods for detecting Fucosyl-GM1, as well as methods for treating various diseases, including cancer, using anti-Fucosyl-GM1 antibodies.
US08383117B2	CD44E tumor specific antibody The present invention provides the amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of heavy chain and light chain complementarity determining regions of a tumor specific antibody. In addition, the invention provides tumor-specific antibodies and immunoconjugates comprising the tumor-specific antibody attached to a toxin or label, and methods and uses thereof. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods and kits using the tumor-specific antibodies of the invention.
US08383114B2	Pharmaceutical formulations A stable pharmaceutical formulation is provided that comprises a biologically active protein and an excipient selected from carnitine, creatine or creatinine.
US08383110B2	Modulators of Candida hyphal morphogenesis and uses thereof The invention relates to modulation of fungal morphology between yeast-to-hyphal growth transition by controlling muramyl-L-alanine concentration and uses thereof.
US08383108B2	Therapeutic uses of monoclonal antibodies to the angiotensin-II type 1 receptor The use of monoclonal antibodies to the angiotensin-II type-I receptor is provided for the treatment of cancer and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Specifically, use is provided of a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof to a peptide comprising the N-terminal portion of the angiotensin-II type-1 receptor defined by the sequence MILNSSTEDG IKRIQDDCPK AGHRHNYIFVM IPTLYSIIFV VGIFG in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cancer or in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cell proliferation.
US08383105B2	Pharmacological vitreolysis A method of treating or preventing a disorder, or a complication of a disorder, of an eye of a subject comprising contacting a vitreous and/or aqueous humor with a composition comprising a truncated form of plasmin comprising a catalytic domain of plasmin (TPCD). TPCDs include, but are not limited to, miniplasmin, microplasmin and derivatives and variants thereof. The methods of the invention can be used to reduce the viscosity of the vitreous, liquefy the vitreous, induce posterior vitreous detachment, reduce hemorrhagic blood from the eye, clear or reduce materials toxic to the eye, clear or reduce intraocular foreign substances from the eye, increase diffusion of a composition administered to an eye, reduce extraretinal neovascularization and any combinations thereof. The method can be used in the absence of, or as an adjunct to, vitrectomy.
US08383104B2	Thrombin-free biological adhesive and use thereof as a medicament The invention relates to a thrombin-free, fibrinogen-based biological adhesive for therapeutic use, which comprises factor VIIa and a source of calcium ions. The invention also relates to the use of the biological adhesive as a medicament, in particular as a dressing for biological tissues, wounds or biomaterials.
US08383103B2	Botulinum toxin compositions and methods Disclosed herein are methods of using extracellular matrix digesting enzymes and neurotoxins, such as a Clostridial neurotoxins, to treat various medical conditions, such as overactive bladder, benign prostatic hyperplasia, hyperhidrosis, and cholecystitis for example.
US08383099B2	Adoptive cell therapy with young T cells The invention provides a method of promoting regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising (i) culturing autologous T cells; (ii) expanding the cultured T cells; (iii) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy; and (iv) after administering nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, administering to the mammal the expanded T cells, wherein the T cells administered to the mammal are about 19 to about 35 days old and have not been screened for specific tumor reactivity, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.
US08383098B2	Multipotent neural stem cells An isolated multipotent neural stem cells has a phenotype identified by expression of the protein β-tubulin IV and Olig2 and the absence of the proteins NG2, PLP, and GFAP.
US08383092B2	Bioadhesive constructs The invention describes substrates, such as prosthetics, films, nonwovens, meshes, etc. that are treated with a bioadhesive. The bioadhesive includes polymeric substances that have phenyl moieties with at least two hydroxyl groups. The bioadhesive constructs can be used to treat and repair, for example, hernias and damaged tendons.
US08383091B2	Biodegradable polyacetals for in vivo polynucleotide delivery Degradable complexes comprising a polycation, a polyanion and a polynucleotide are useful for in vivo polynucleotide delivery applications.
US08383090B2	Cleansing composition based on oily substances A cleansing composition based on oily substances, particularly for cleansing skin and/or hair and having excellent dermatological properties, is described. The composition is characterized in that it comprises one or more oily substances at a total concentration of between 10% and 90% by weight relative to the composition and one or more surfactants selected from the N-acylates of amino-acids, proteins, and peptides, in acid or neutralized form, at a total concentration within the range of between 2% and 80% by weight relative to the composition, and in that it is substantially anhydrous or has a water content no greater than 10% by weight.
US08383088B2	Coumestan-like antioxidants and UV absorbants The present invention relates to derivatives of the 1H-pyrano[4,3-b]benzofuran-1-one structure and their nitrogen analogues which possess powerful antioxidant properties combined with a highly effective UV absorbing functionality in one molecule. These compounds are especially useful in cosmetical and dermatological formulations.
US08383087B2	Zinc oxide powder blends, their production and use This disclosure provides sunscreen products that contain metal oxide powders having discrete size distributions. Metal oxide powders include, for example, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sunscreen products made in accordance with the principles of this disclosure contain metal oxide powders having primary particle sizes of about 10-30 ran and about 50-200 nm.
US08383086B2	Nicotinamide riboside kinase compositions and methods for using the same The present invention relates to isolated nicotinamide riboside kinase (Nrk) nucleic acid sequences, vectors and cultured cells containing the same, and Nrk polypeptides encoded thereby. Methods for identifying individuals or tumors susceptible to nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug treatment and methods for treating cancer by administering an Nrk nucleic acid sequence or polypeptide in combination with a nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug are also provided. The present invention further provides screening methods for isolating a nicotinamide riboside-related prodrug and identifying a natural source of nicotinamide riboside.
US08383084B2	Destruction of spores through glycoconjugate enhanced phagocytosis Methods for enhancing destruction and killing of bacterial spores via phagocytosis, where phagocytosis of bacterial spores is enhanced by using a glycoconjugate. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of modifying a surface of a bacterial spore to increase adherence to a phagocyte; and ingesting the adherence-increased spore with the phagocyte, thereby destructing and killing the spore by blocking spore-induced phagocyte cell death, while increasing phagocyte activation level and production of antimicrobial and cytocidal agents such as NO and inflammatory cytokines. The adherence of spore to a phagocyte is increased after the surface thereof is coated with a glycoconjugate to form a glycoconjugate-coated spores. The glycoconjugate-coated spores also increase ingestion of the spores by phagocytes and facilitate phagosome-lysosome fusion, which in turn results in destruction and killing of bacterial spores via phagocytosis. The method enhances adherence, ingestion, destruction and killing of bacterial spores via phagocytes, which otherwise may be resistant to phagocytosis.
US08383075B2	Manufacturing method of hexafluorophosphate In the manufacturing method of hexafluorophosphate (MPF6: M=Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, NH4, and Ag) of the present invention, at least a HxPOyFz aqueous solution, a hydrofluoric acid aqueous solution, and MF.r (HF) are used as raw materials (wherein, r≧0, 0≦x≦3, 0≦y≦4, and 0≦z≦6). According to the above description, a manufacturing method of hexafluorophosphate can be provided which is capable of manufacturing hexafluorophosphate (GPF6: G=Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, NH4, and Ag) at a low cost in which the raw materials can be easily obtained, the control of the reaction is possible, and the workability is excellent.
US08383073B2	Method and apparatus for controlling acid gas emissions from cement plants A method and apparatus for controlling emissions of acid forming gases such as sulfur dioxide from cement plants is disclosed. Gaseous effluent from the cement plant pyroprocessing chamber is routed to the plant's raw mill to heat and dry the feed meal used in cement production. When the raw mill is in operation microfine lime particles are sprayed into the raw mill using a nozzle system. The spraying of hydrated lime into the raw mill scrubs acid forming gases in the process gaseous effluent. When the raw mill is not operational, microfine lime is sprayed into a gas conditioning tower that is also used to reduce the temperature of the effluent gases to facilitate efficient collection of dust particles prior to emission of the cleansed effluent flow into the atmosphere.
US08383069B2	Incubation device for serology and histology slides This application relates to an incubation device for serology or histology supports. It also relates to any apparatus comprising one such device, and to the use of said apparatuses and/or devices in analysis or diagnosis methods.
US08383060B2	System-in-package platform for electronic-microfluidic devices An integrated electronic-micro fluidic device an integrated electronic-micro fluidic device, comprising a semiconductor substrate on a first support, an electronic circuit on a first semiconductor-substrate side of the semiconductor substrate, and a signal interface structure to an external device. A micro fluidic structure is formed in the semiconductor substrate, and is configured to confine a fluid and to allow a flow of the fluid to and from the microfluidic structure only on a second semiconductor-substrate side that is opposite to the first semiconductor-substrate side and faces away from the first support.
US08383058B2	Quantitative analysis of a biological sample of unknown quantity Disclosed is a method for testing a modified specimen such as a dried blood spot, plasma or serum specimen, for an analyte of interest, such as cholesterol. In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, the level of the analyte of interest in the medium from which the modified specimen was obtained (e.g., from a patient's blood) is determined based on the level of an analyte in a solution formed from the modified specimen and on the level of at least one normalizing analyte. The analyte and normalizing analyte each may be an ion, compound, biochemical entity, or property of the specimen. Also disclosed are a fluid collector and a fluid collection device.
US08383057B2	Probe array substrate and method for producing the same, and probe array and method for producing the same A probe array substrate suitable for forming a probe array that has high packing density, that can hold sufficient amounts of probe molecules, and that has little variation in the amounts of probe molecules. A plurality of arrayed probe-holding portions are defined by recesses, and isolating grooves are formed between the adjacent probe-holding portions to prevent probe solutions introduced into the probe-holding portions from spreading to adjacent probe-holding portions. Inner surfaces of the probe-holding portions are made hydrophilic, whereas inner surfaces of the isolating grooves are made hydrophobic. Liquid-introducing protrusions are formed in the probe-holding portions.
US08383054B2	Integrated combustion reactors and methods of conducting simultaneous endothermic and exothermic reactions Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices.
US08383053B2	Microwave reactor and method of producing polymer compound using the same Provided is a microwave reactor including a reaction container for receiving a reaction solution, a microwave radiator for irradiating the reaction solution received in the reaction container with microwaves, and a cooler for cooling the reaction solution received in the reaction container, wherein a heat-generating medium generating heat by absorbing the microwaves is arranged on a surface of the cooler or in the vicinity of the surface at a position receiving the microwaves from the microwave radiator through the reaction solution.
US08383049B2	System for making renewable fuels Multiple catalytic processing stations couple with a system which produces volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to useful renewable fuel components based on input feedstock and desired outputs.
US08383047B2	Fibre optic sensor A sensor for measuring the concentration of an assay substance, such as oxygen in tissue. The sensor comprises an optical fiber (2) which passes through, a gas isolation collar (11) into a cavity (15) defined by a needle tube (13) attached to the gas isolation collar. Both the optical fiber (2) and the needle tube (13) are bonded to the gas isolation collar (11) in gas-tight fashion. The cleaved end (8) of the optical fiber within the cavity is provided with an optically active substance (9) having optical properties, such as fluorescence, dependent on the concentration of the assay substance. The cavity (15) is filled with a polymer (16) which is permeable to the assay substance. Lateral flow passages (18) are provided for the assay substance to pass into the permeable polymer (16) and to the fluorophor (9). Light is supplied to the fluorophor via the optical fiber, and functions of its fluorescence are measured to calculate the concentration of the assay substance.
US08383045B2	Measuring unit for measuring characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular viscoelastic characteristics of a blood sample The present invention is directed to a measuring unit, for measuring characteristics of a sample liquid, comprising a support member, having at least one upper bearing arm, with an upper bearing unit, at least one lower bearing arm, with a lower bearing unit, and a base, for being attachable to a respective measuring system; a shaft, having shaft toes and being rotatably supported about a rotation axis, by said upper bearing unit, and said lower bearing unit, wherein said upper bearing unit, said lower bearing unit, and said shaft toes form toe bearings, respectively; an interface member, having a detecting element, and a drive element, said interface member, being fixed on said shaft, and being connected to a coupling shaft, with a probe connector section, for measuring characteristics of said sample liquid; wherein said interface member, and the coupling shaft, are coaxially aligned with said shaft.
US08383044B2	Blood sampling device A blood sampling device useful for collecting a blood sample from a separate vascular access device is described herein. The blood sampling device includes a body shaped and sized for partial insertion into a separate vascular access device. The body includes a reservoir defined within the body, which has an internal volume sufficient to contain enough blood for use in a diagnostic blood test. The body also includes a gas permeable vent disposed on the body, in which the gas permeable vent is in gaseous communication with the reservoir. When connected to a separate vascular access device the blood sampling device collects a blood sample as blood flows into the reservoir from the separate vascular access device and as gases pass out the reservoir via the gas permeable vent.
US08383038B2	Method and apparatus for supplying liquid with ions, sterilization method and apparatus A method and apparatus is provided for efficiently supplying a liquid with ions or radicals generated by plasma and so on, or for effectively sterilizing microorganisms present in a liquid or on the surface thereof. The method includes generating plasma in a gas phase by a plasma generation device, producing ions or radicals in the gas phase by the plasma; electrophoresing the ions or radicals toward the liquid by an electric field applied to the produced ions or radicals; and diffusing the ions or radicals into the liquid. The liquid is adjusted to have a pH value of 4.8 or lower for effective sterilization.
US08383033B2	Method of bonding porous metal to metal substrates A method for preparing an implant having a porous metal component. A loose powder mixture including a biocompatible metal powder and a spacing agent is prepared and compressed onto a metal base. After being compressed, the spacing agent is removed, thereby forming a compact including a porous metal structure pressed on the metal base. The compact is sintered, forming a subassembly, which is aligned with a metal substrate portion of an implant. A metallurgical bonding process, such as diffusion bonding, is performed at the interface of the subassembly and the metal substrate to form an implant having a porous metal component.
US08383032B2	Turbulence inhibiting impact well for submerged shroud or sprue poured castings An impact well configured to reduce the turbulence in a flowing fluid. The impact well has the shape of a frustum and includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a base portion. The base portion includes a domed portion that extends upwards into the intermediate portion. The upper portion, the intermediate portion and the base portion each included stepped areas configured to assist in the alignment of the portions and the assembly of the well.
US08383028B2	Method of manufacturing co-molded inserts A method for manufacturing a co-molded insert part for use in composite, plastic, or metal parts is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a three-dimensional molding insert produced by a layer additive manufacturing process. The method further comprises the step of applying a layer material in contact with at least a portion of the molding insert. The method further comprises the step of co-molding the layer material and the molding insert simultaneously to produce a co-molded insert part.
US08383026B1	Fabrication of fiber supported ionic liquids and methods of use One or more embodiments relates to the production of a fabricated fiber having an asymmetric polymer network and having an immobilized liquid such as an ionic liquid within the pores of the polymer network. The process produces the fabricated fiber in a dry-wet spinning process using a homogenous dope solution, providing significant advantage over current fabrication methods for liquid-supporting polymers. The fabricated fibers may be effectively utilized for the separation of a chemical species from a mixture based on the selection of the polymer, the liquid, and the solvent utilized in the dope.
US08383025B2	Method of manufacturing micro patterned device and device obtained by the method The present invention refers to a method of manufacturing a micro patterned device. The method can comprise or consist of applying a light curable epoxy resin to a mold to obtain a curable resin filled mold. In a further step a polymeric film or an epoxy resin-coated glass is applied over the curable resin filled mold. Subsequently, the curable resin filled mold to which the polymeric film or the epoxy resin-coated glass is applied is irradiated to cure the resin. In another aspect the present invention refers to a micro patterned device obtained by a method described herein.
US08383022B2	Method for manufacturing a light guide plate Disclosed are a film-type light guide plate capable of readily securing mass-production and realizing low weight and slimness, a method for manufacturing the same and a backlight unit using the same. The method includes loading a base film on a movable first conveyor belt, coating a liquid ultraviolet curable resin on the first surface of the base film, rotating a surface-treated roll on the coated ultraviolet curable resin to form a prism pattern provided with a first protrusion pattern, and curing the prism pattern using an ultraviolet lamp.
US08383017B2	Conductive compositions and processes for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices The present invention is directed to a thick film conductive composition comprising: (a) electrically conductive silver powder; (b) zinc-containing additive; (c) glass frit wherein said glass frit is lead-free; dispersed in (d) organic medium. The present invention is further directed to an electrode formed from the composition above wherein said composition has been fired to remove the organic vehicle and sinter said glass particles. Still further, the invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device from a structural element composed of a semiconductor having a p-n junction and an insulating film formed on a main surface of the semiconductor comprising the steps of (a) applying onto said insulating film the thick film composition detailed above; and (b) firing said semiconductor, insulating film and thick film composition to form an electrode. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a semiconductor device formed by the method detailed above and a semiconductor device formed from the thick film conductive composition detailed above.
US08383014B2	Metal nanoparticle compositions A metal nanoparticle composition for the fabrication of conductive features. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously has a low viscosity permitting deposition of the composition by direct-write tools. The metal nanoparticle composition advantageously also has a low conversion temperature, permitting its deposition and conversion to an electrical feature on polymeric substrates.
US08383008B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display employing the same A liquid crystal composition and a liquid crystal display employing the same are provided. The liquid crystal composition includes: 100 parts by weight of at least one nematic liquid crystal; 1-20 parts by weight of at least one photosensitive chiral compound; and 1-20 parts by weight of at least one non-photosensitive chiral compound.
US08383006B2	Composition for the protection of moisture sensitive devices Improved polisiloxane composite barrier to control, preventing the ingress, limiting the level of H2O within devices sensitive to its presence, method for its production, sensitive devices employing such barriers for the control of the H2O level within.
US08383005B2	Thermally conductive silicone grease composition A thermally conductive silicone grease composition comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups in one molecule and having a kinetic viscosity of 5,000 to 100,000 mm2/s at 25° C.; (B) a hydrolyzable methylpolysiloxane having a trifunctional termination at one end and represented by the following general formula (2): wherein R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and b is an integer of 5 to 100; (C) a thermally conductive filler having a thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/m·° C.; (D) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing from 2 to 5 hydrogen atoms in one molecule directly bound to silicon atoms (Si—H groups); (E) a bonding aid having a triazine ring and at least one alkenyl group in one molecule; and (F) a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum and platinum compounds.
US08383004B2	Amine stabilizers for fluoroolefins The present invention relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of stabilizer that may be an amine or a mixture of an amine with other stabilizers. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers, and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants.
US08383002B2	Method of processing a workpiece in a plasma reactor with independent wafer edge process gas injection The disclosure concerns a method of processing a workpiece or in a plasma reactor chamber, using independent gas injection at the wafer edge.
US08383001B2	Plasma etching method, plasma etching apparatus and storage medium There is provided a plasma etching method capable of achieving a sufficient organic film modifying effect by high-velocity electrons. In forming a hole in an etching target film by plasma etching, a first condition of generating plasma within a processing chamber by way of turning on a plasma-generating high frequency power application unit and a second condition of not generating the plasma within the processing chamber by way of turning off the plasma-generating high frequency power application unit are repeated alternately. Further, a negative DC voltage is applied from a first DC power supply such that an absolute value of the applied negative DC voltage during a period of the second condition is greater than an absolute value of the applied negative DC voltage during a period of the first condition.
US08383000B2	Substrate processing apparatus, method for measuring distance between electrodes, and storage medium storing program A distance between electrodes can be accurately measured by using a lifter. A substrate processing apparatus includes an upper electrode 120 and a lower electrode 310 facing each other within a processing chamber 102; a lift pin 332 that is protrusible from and retractable below the lower electrode and lifts up a substrate mounted on the lower electrode to be separated from the lower electrode; a lifter 330 that elevates the lift pin up and down; and a controller 400 that elevates the lift pin upward and brings the lift pin into contact with the upper electrode by driving the lifter while the substrate is not mounted on the lower electrode and measures a distance between the electrodes based on a moving distance of the lifter.
US08382999B2	Pulsed plasma high aspect ratio dielectric process Radial distribution of etch rate is controlled by controlling the respective duty cycles of pulsed VHF source power applied to the ceiling and pulsed HF or MF bias power on the workpiece. Net average electrical charging of the workpiece is controlled by providing an electronegative process gas and controlling the voltage of a positive DC pulse on the workpiece applied during pulse off times of the pulsed VHF source power.
US08382998B2	Process of manufacturing a three-dimensional relief on a metal surface A process of manufacturing a three-dimensional relief on a metal surface includes steps of preparing a water transfer label, transferring, roasting, electro-plating and removing. An anti-corrosion pattern ink layer of the water transfer label is first transferred onto a metal surface and then roasted and dried with high temperature for covering a part of the metal, which will not be etched by electro-plating, but the other part of the metal not covered by the pattern ink layer will be etched and colored. Thus, after the pattern ink layer is removed, the part of the metal covered by the pattern ink layer will present a bulgy state and possess original color that is different from the color of the other part of the metal not covered by the pattern ink layer, attaining a three-dimensional visual esthetic sense.
US08382997B2	Method for high aspect ratio patterning in a spin-on layer A method of patterning a substrate is described. The method includes preparing a film stack on a substrate, wherein the film stack comprises a spin-on layer, and heating the spin-on layer to a cure temperature less than a thermal decomposition temperature of the spin-on layer and exceeding about 200 degrees C. to increase mechanical strength of the spin-on layer. The method further includes forming a feature pattern without pattern collapse in the spin-on layer, wherein the feature pattern is characterized by a critical dimension less than 35 nm (nanometers) and an aspect ratio relating a height of the feature pattern to the critical dimension exceeding 5:1.
US08382983B2	Systems and methods for converting gaseous byproducts of wastewater treatment into energy A method for removing methane from biogas is described. The method includes: (i) receiving biogas including methane and other components into a first tank; (ii) receiving water into the first tank; (iii) contacting the biogas with the water inside the first tank; (iv) dispensing methane gas from an outlet of the first tank; and (v) producing from the tank an effluent stream that includes other components of the biogas.
US08382979B2	Liquid chromatograph system A channel-switching valve into which a high-pressure liquid and a low-pressure liquid flow is provided. The channel-switching valve includes a stator and a rotor which has a surface in contact with one surface of the stator and rotates while sliding on the contact surface. The stator has a plurality of liquid flow ports open to the contact surface, and the rotor has a plurality of channel grooves for connecting the liquid flow ports. One of the channel grooves is a straight groove passing through the rotational center of the rotor, and the other channel grooves are line-symmetrically arranged with respect to the straight channel groove. Alternatively, among the channel grooves, the channel grooves into which the high-pressure liquid flows are configured to be located on both sides of the rotational center of the rotor. Thus, a local load acting on the rotor during a high-pressure liquid-feeding process is reduced.
US08382977B1	Built in pool skimmer enhancement system A pool has an opening formed with upper and lower surfaces and first and second side surfaces. A chamber located interiorly of the opening has a cylindrical well with a vertical axis. A first diverter plate has an exterior edge adjacent to the first side surface and an interior edge between the opening and the well. The first diverter plate is arcuate with a vertical axis of rotation adjacent to the first side surface. A second diverter plate has primary and secondary sections. The primary section has an exterior edge adjacent to the second side surface and an interior edge between the opening and the well and is arcuate with a vertical axis of rotation adjacent to the second side surface. The secondary section is located adjacent the primary section with a vertical axis of rotation essentially co-extensive with the axis of the well.
US08382974B2	Sensor to measure a concentration of alkali alcoholate A sodium sensor to measure a concentration of sodium methylate in methanol. The sensor assembly includes a solid alkali ion conducting membrane, a reference electrode, and a measurement electrode. The solid alkali ion conducting membrane transports ions between two alkali-containing solutions, including an aqueous solution and a non-aqueous solution. The reference electrode is at least partially within an alkali halide solution of a known alkali concentration on a first side of the solid alkali ion conducting membrane. The measurement electrode is on a second side of the solid alkali ion conducting membrane. The measurement electrode exhibits a measurable electrical characteristic corresponding to a measured alkali concentration within the non-aqueous solution, to which the measurement electrode is exposed.
US08382970B2	Metallization process for making fuser members The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to an improved metallization process for making fuser members which avoids the extra steps of metal nanoparticle seeding or special substrate treatment. In embodiments, a metallized substrate, formed by dip-coating or spraying with a metal nanoparticle dispersion which is subsequently thermally annealed, is used for the complete fabrication of the fuser member.
US08382965B2	Tools and methods for mounting transport rails in a substrate processing system Devices and methods for mounting and aligning transport rails to a processing chamber of a substrate processing system are described. An alignment feature is built-in to the transport rail and a corresponding alignment feature is added to the valves separating processing chambers. The alignment feature may be a pin-groove arrangement.
US08382962B2	Distillation of ionic liquids A method of distilling mixtures of salts having a melting point of less than 200° C. at 1 bar (ionic liquids). The cation of the ionic liquid has a heterocyclic ring system having at least one nitrogen atom, and all nitrogen atoms of the heterocyclic ring system have an organic group as substituent. The anion of the ionic liquid is a compound having at least one carboxylate group or at least one phosphate group. The distance from the surface via which the heat of distillation is introduced in the distillation (vaporizer surface) to the surface at which condensation takes place (condenser surface) is less than 50 cm at at least one point, with the vaporizer surface and condenser surface themselves having at least one length dimension of greater than 50 cm.
US08382961B2	System and method for reduction of water consumption in purified terephthalic acid production The invention disclosed is an apparatus and method for the recovery of acetic acid, azeotropic agent, extraction agent, re-usable water and other reaction products such as p-toluic acid, from an aqueous stream generated during a terephthalic acid production process, having superior energy efficiency and reduced water consumption. The apparatus of the invention includes: an azeotropic distillation column to remove water from acetic acid, a pair of mother liquor extraction columns sequentially connected in series for primary recovery of extraction solvent and other organics, an azeotropic agent stripper for recovery of azeotropic agent and a post-separation solvent stripper distillation column for further separation of the aqueous bottoms stream from said extraction columns into a volatiles stream comprising mainly organics with a very low amount of water and a liquid stream comprising water containing very low amounts of organics, each stream being sufficiently pure that it can be recycled for reuse in the purification of crude terephthalic acid.
US08382959B2	Transportable hydrocarbon-recovery unit This invention relates to improvements to a transportable hydrocarbon-recovery unit. More particularly, this invention relates to an integral hydrocarbon-recovery unit that comprises a first evaporation system and a condensation system. The actual first evaporation system comprises means for supplying the material to be extracted that includes means for controlling supply, means for conveying said material, treatment-chamber means including internal cleaning means, means for heating the material, means for increasing the heat-transfer area, means for removing excess material, including means for increasing hermeticity, and means for conveying the extracted vapors towards the condensation system. The purpose of the invention is to provide a unit for extracting hydrocarbons and other contaminants from impregnated material at the same time as providing, over a shorter time period and with greater effectiveness, the recovery process.
US08382956B2	Device and method for producing a material web A device for drainage of a pulp web, particularly a tissue web, having a first pressing zone having a first pressing zone length through which the pulp web is fed horizontally between a circulating, permeable band and a circulating, permeable support band. The first pressing zone is designed such that a fluid can flow through the band, the pulp web and the support band at least on one part of the first pressing zone length. In addition, the device has a subsequent second pressing zone having a second pressing zone length. The pulp web is guided through the second pressing zone between two bands having differing compressibility.
US08382953B2	Wet-end manufacturing process for bitumen-impregnated fiberboard A process for manufacturing fiberboard by preparing a fiber slurry mixture including containing cellulose fibers and water then atomizing a liquid bituminous material, such as asphalt. The liquid bituminous material is atomized by mixing it with a pressurized gas, such as compressed air, forming a mist comprising droplets of bituminous material having a diameter between 20 microns and 50 microns. A water spray solidifies the bituminous material droplets thereby forming bituminous particles which fall into the fiber slurry within the spray chamber. From there the slurry is sheared, dewatered, and dried, forming a finished fiberboard.
US08382948B2	Production of paper The use of water-soluble, amphoteric copolymers which are obtainable by copolymerization of a) at least one N-vinylcarboxamide of the general formula in which R1 and R2, independently of one another, are H or C1- to C6-alkyl, b) at least one monomer which is selected from the group consisting of (b1) monoethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphoric acid esters and derivatives thereof, and (b2) monoethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids, the salts thereof and dicarboxylic anhydrides, c) if appropriate, at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer differing from the components (a) and (b), and d) if appropriate, at least one compound which has at least two ethylenically unsaturated double bonds in the molecule, with the proviso that the monomer mixture comprises at least one monomer (b) having at least one free acid group and/or an acid group in salt form,and subsequent partial or complete hydrolysis of the groups —CO—R1 from the monomers (a) incorporated in the form of copolymerized units into the copolymer,as agents for increasing the initial wet web strength of paper.
US08382946B2	Paper sizing composition, sized paper, and method for sizing paper Embodiments of the present invention provide a paper surface sizing composition, a paper web coated on one or more sides or surfaces with a paper surface sizing composition, and a method for treating one or more sides of the paper web with a paper surface sizing composition to impart benefits relating to one or more of the following properties: (1) brightness; (2) opacity; (3) paper smoothness; (4) print quality; (5) optionally ink dry time (e.g., for ink jet printing where the sizing composition has option); and (6) optionally minimizing or eliminating edge welding (e.g., for paper webs used in, for example, form printing).
US08382945B2	Expandable microspheres and methods of making and using the same Expandable microspheres formed by suspension polymerization using a shot growth method are provided. The microspheres are formed of a continuous, gas impermeable shell surrounding a blowing agent. The shell includes a first polymer layer formed from primary monomers and a second layer that includes a chemically reactive monomer or a high Tg monomer. To form the microspheres, the primary monomers are polymerized in a reaction vessel to an approximate 90% polymerization, at which time a secondary monomer that is either a monomer having a Tg of at least 85° C. or a chemically reactive monomer, is added to the reaction vessel to drive the polymerization reaction to completion. The outer layer thus contains either a larger amount of the high Tg monomer or a chemically reactive monomer that possesses the ability to covalently bond a cationic species. The microspheres may be used in papermaking processes to increase the paper bulk.
US08382944B2	Method for slitting a label A method for assisting in the removal of a pressure sensitive label from a slender glass vessel wherein said label is wrapped around the circumference of the vessel and extends along the length of the vessel includes positioning a planar cutting blade at two angles relative to the label, drawing the blade down along the length of the label, cutting the label into two opposite cut edges with one edge adhering to the vessel and the other cut edge being raised slightly away from the circumference of the vessel and forming a space between the two cut edges.
US08382942B2	Method and apparatus for reducing substrate backside deposition during processing A focus ring assembly configured to be coupled to a substrate holder comprises a focus ring and a secondary focus ring coupled to the focus ring, wherein the secondary focus ring is configured to reduce the deposition of process residue on a backside surface of the substrate.
US08382939B2	Plasma processing chamber with enhanced gas delivery A method and apparatus for providing flow into a processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a vacuum processing chamber is provided that includes a substrate support pedestal disposed in an interior volume of a chamber body, a lid enclosing the interior volume, a gas distribution plate positioned below the lid and above the substrate support pedestal, and a vortex inducing gas inlet oriented to induce a vortex of gas circulating in a plenum around a center line of the chamber body prior to the gas passing through the gas distribution plate.
US08382935B2	Rapid exchange balloon catheter having a reinforced inner tubular member A balloon catheter including an elongated shaft having an inflation lumen, a guidewire lumen, a proximal shaft section, and a distal shaft section with a balloon on the distal shaft section, the distal shaft section formed by an outer tubular member having an opening in a sidewall, and an inner tubular member having a distal portion in the outer tubular member and a proximal portion extending through the sidewall opening and along an outer surface of a portion of the outer tubular member located proximal to the sidewall opening, with polymeric filler material around the outer surface of at least the proximal portion of the inner tubular member. The inner tubular member preferably comprises a polymeric tube having a reinforcing coiled member embedded therein. Preferably, a crescent shaped portion of the inflation lumen extends along side the proximal portion of the inner tubular member.
US08382932B2	Method for blocking a lens blank, adhesive composition and use of the latter in lens blocking A new lens blocking material (adhesive composition 78) is proposed that essentially overcomes the drawbacks of previous blocking materials. This new material combines traditional UV and/or visible light (VIS) curable polymer materials with specially selected filler (s) as a non polymerizing solid in order to achieve or improve certain desirable material properties, including those of low shrinkage, low exothermic heat of polymerization, and improving the ability to deblock, while simultaneously reducing the high cost associated with such UV/VIS radiation curable materials. The new material is being used in methods for blocking a lens blank (54) onto a lens block (62) with a lens mounting face (64) that has a predetermined block curve, in which the number of different block curves required to cover the full range of standard lenses is minimized.
US08382925B2	Method and apparatus of adhering belt edge tape Adhering a belt edge tape to both respective side edge portions of the belt on the outer peripheral surface of the building drum by supplying a belt edge tape toward the outer peripheral surface of the building drum by pressing using an extruder which constitutes a supply device facing the building drum in an opposed manner and by pressing the tape to the building drum using a press roller on a leading side as viewed from a position where the tape is supplied in the rotational direction of the building drum, the building drum is rotated in the direction that end portions of the reinforcing cords on the side edge portion of the belt which constitutes a tape adhering side are positioned on a trailing side in the rotational direction of the building drum thus adhering the tape to the side edge portion.
US08382922B2	High performance, low toxicity hypergolic fuel A group of tertiary amine azides are useful as hypergolic fuels for hypergolic bipropellant mixtures. The fuels provide higher density impulses than monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) but are less toxic and have lower vapor pressures that MMH. In addition, the fuels have shorter ignition delay times than dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) and other potential reduced toxicity replacements for MMH.
US08382919B2	Process of forming nanocrystal layer A process of forming an ultrafine crystal layer in a workpiece constituted by a metallic material. The process includes: performing a machining operation on a surface of the workpiece, so as to impart a large local strain to the machined surface of the workpiece, where the machining operation causes the machined surface of the workpiece to be subjected to a plastic working that causes to have large local strain in the form of a true strain of at least one, such that the ultrafine crystal layer is formed in a surface layer portion of the workpiece that defines the machined surface of the workpiece. Also disclosed are a nanocrystal layer forming process, a machine component having the ultrafine crystal layer or the nanocrystal layer, and a machine component producing process of producing the machine component.
US08382916B2	Method for production of steel product with outstanding descalability; and steel wire with outstanding descalability The present invention aims at providing a method for production of a steel product which surely retains scale during cooling, storage, and transportation and permits scale to scale off easily at the time of mechanical descaling and pickling that precede the secondary fabrication. The steel product is produced by heating and hot rolling a steel billet and spraying the hot-rolled steel product with steam and/or water mist having a particle diameter no larger than 100 μm, for surface oxidation.
US08382911B2	Stage device and stage cleaning method A method for a stage device of an electron beam exposure system which conducts a cleaning operation and an electron beam (EB) exposure operation is disclosed. The method includes the steps of moving a movable stage within a predetermined range and regulating pressure of gas supplied to an air bearing; and setting a floating height of the movable stage in the cleaning operation lower than that in the EB exposure operation and setting the pressure in a differential pumping portion in the cleaning operation equal to that in the EB exposure operation, or setting the floating height of the movable stage in the cleaning operation equal to that in the EB exposure operation and setting the pressure in the differential pumping portion in the cleaning operation higher than that in the EB exposure operation.
US08382910B2	Cleaning method for substrate processing system, storage medium, and substrate processing system A cleaning method for a substrate processing system capable of appropriately cleaning a housing chamber. In the substrate processing system, the number of execution times of product processing is accumulated, if the product processing to be executed next corresponds to first product processing for a subsequent lot, a time interval between preceding and subsequent lots is not longer than a predetermined time period, and a type of the last product processing performed for the preceding lot is the same as that of the first product processing to be performed for the subsequent lot. When the accumulated number of execution times is not less than a predetermined number of times, a cleaning treatment is executed, which corresponds to a chamber indicated in a system recipe set for a lot including a wafer on which the product processing is performed immediately before execution of the cleaning treatment.
US08382906B2	Autonomous surface cleaning robot for wet cleaning An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
US08382902B2	Single disc vapor lubrication Apparatus and method for vapor deposition of a uniform thickness thin film of lubricant on at least one surface of a disk-shaped substrate. The invention has particular utility in depositing thin films of polymeric lubricants onto disc-shaped substrates in the manufacture of magnetic and MO recording media.
US08382901B2	System and method for depositing a material on a substrate A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.
US08382900B2	Localized linear microwave source array pumping to control localized partial pressure in flat and 3 dimensional PECVD coatings A system and method for controlling deposition of thin films on substrates. One embodiment includes a vacuum chamber; a plurality of sources located inside the vacuum chamber; and a plurality of gas tubes, each of the plurality of gas tubes comprising a first volume for delivering precursor gas and a second volume for providing pumping.
US08382891B2	Preparation of coating dispersions The invention relates to a process for the preparation of coating dispersions for use in the paper industry by co-grinding natural calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), characterized in that powdery GCC is co-ground with a slurry containing from 5 to 70% by weight of PCC to obtain a particle size distribution of the calcium carbonate with at least 90% by weight of smaller than 5 μm, at least 70% by weight of smaller than 2 μm, and at least 20% by weight of smaller than 1 μm, with a weight average particle size within a range of from 0.7 to 3 μm.
US08382890B2	Method for preparing coated materials based on bituminous products and uses thereof The invention relates to mixtures of bituminous products with granulates in the form of coated materials that can be used in the field of sealing, building and maintenance of road coatings, sidewalks and aviation strips, and to road coatings, sidewalks, cycling corridors, parking areas and aviation strips.
US08382888B2	Composition for use in edible biodegradable articles and method of use One embodiment of the present invention is a composition for use in making edible biodegradable containers comprising water, pregelatinized and native starch, a first protein or natural polymeric compound, natural fibers, a wax emulsion, a mold release agent, a flavoring agent, and a coloring agent, wherein the composing consisting essentially of food grade materials.
US08382882B2	Air pollution control apparatus and air pollution control method An air pollution control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a stack that discharges flue gas discharged from a boiler outside; a blower that is provided downstream of the stack and draws in the flue gas; and a CO2 recovering apparatus that recovers CO2 in the flue gas drawn in by the blower. The stack includes a controlling unit that suppresses release of the flue gas outside from the stack and suppresses inflow of atmosphere to the stack, and the controlling unit is a channel forming unit that forms a serpentine channel through which the flue gas and the atmosphere in the stack flow.
US08382878B2	Silver nanoparticle process A process comprising: (a) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a silver salt, the reducing agent comprising a hydrazine compound, a thermally removable stabilizer, and an optional solvent, to form a plurality of silver-containing nanoparticles with molecules of the stabilizer on the surface of the silver-containing nanoparticles, wherein the reaction mixture generates an acid; and (b) removing the acid to produce the silver-containing nanoparticles substantially free of acid.
US08382877B2	Process for metal oxide and metal nanoparticles synthesis The present invention provides an approach to control the generation and grow of nanocrystal with membrane diffusion method and related apparatuses to produce inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles. With this method, the size and size distribution of inorganic oxide nanopowders and metal nanoparticles can be tuned. It overcomes the shortcomings possessed by the common chemical and physical method of preparing nanoparticles.
US08382876B2	Air cleaner arrangement; serviceable filter cartridge; and, methods Principles, techniques and configurations applicable in air cleaner arrangements and filter cartridges therefore, are described. In general the filter cartridge includes an axial pivot arrangement, for pivoting the filter cartridge in place, when mounted in an air cleaner for use. The air cleaner may include a base pivot, for engagement with the pivot projection on the filter cartridge. Methods of assembly, installation and use are described.
US08382872B2	Dust collection device for sanding tool A dust collection device for a sanding tool includes a paper bag having a sidewall with an inner surface and a coupler attached to the bag. A sleeve having an outer surface, a sleeve sidewall, a first end, a second end, and at least one gap at either the first end or the second end is positioned within the bag. The sleeve's first end is positioned adjacent the coupler to direct incoming air towards the sleeve and the sleeve is positioned within the bag such that a bypass volume is present between the outer surface and the inner surface.
US08382871B2	Vacuum cleaner filter bag and use of said bag A vacuum cleaner filter bag with an inlet opening including a deflection device and an air-permeable material is provided. The deflection device is arranged in the interior of the vacuum cleaner filter bag in the area of the inlet opening and which is implemented such that an air current flowing in through the inlet opening can be deflected by the deflection device. The air-permeable material layer is arranged in the interior of the vacuum cleaner filter bag, is connected to the vacuum cleaner filter bag at least one point, and includes at least one part that is not connected to the vacuum cleaner filter bag and that includes part of the boundary of the material layer.
US08382866B2	Reaction apparatus, fuel cell system and electronic device The invention relates to a reaction apparatus that efficiently heats a reaction portion, and a fuel cell system and an electronic device that include such a reaction apparatus. A reaction apparatus (1) includes a reformer (4) in which formed are a reforming reaction chamber (31) and a reformer combustion chamber (30) that generates heat to be supplied to the reforming reaction chamber (31), which (30, 31) are adjacent to each other with a partition interposed therebetween; a CO remover (5) in which formed are a removing reaction chamber (35) where a chemical reaction is performed at a temperature lower than that in the reforming reaction chamber (31) and a remover combustion chamber (34) that generates heat to be supplied to the removing reaction chamber (35), which (34, 35) are adjacent to each other with a partition interposed therebetween; and a connecting portion (6) that connects the reformer (4) and the remover (5). At least one of the reformer (4) and the CO remover (5) is configured by combining ceramic parts (11, 12) and metal components (15, 16), and the ceramic parts (11, 12) and the metal components (15, 16) are connected with second members (18, 20) interposed therebetween.
US08382864B2	Hydrogen-generating apparatus and fuel cell system The present invention provides a hydrogen-generating apparatus in which the reduction in reforming efficiency associated with an increase in switching frequency to the regeneration reaction can be suppressed, and generation of hydrogen by reforming can stably be performed. In the reforming reaction, a cathode offgas discharged from a hydrogen-separation-membrane fuel cell 30 having a hydrogen-permeating film is supplied to PSR reformers 10 and 20, in which the reforming reaction and the regeneration reaction are performed alternately.
US08382862B2	Sorbent containing engineered fuel feed stock Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, methods of making the fuel feed stocks, methods of producing energy from the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles and contain a sorbent. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels. In addition, one or more sorbents can be added to the feed stocks in order to reduce the amount of a variety of pollutants present in traditional fuel and feed stocks, including, but not limited, sulfur and chlorine. Further, these feed stocks with added sorbent can mitigate corrosion, improve fuel conversion, extend power generating plant lifetime, reduce ash slagging, and reduced operating temperature.
US08382859B2	Process for compacting powders Fluffy powders, such as calcined kaolin clays or air floated clays, can be compacted using a process which comprises applying increasing amounts of pressure to a powder moving through a confinement area. The compacted product has an improved bulk density and improved wet out and slurry incorporation times as compared to the non-compacted starting material feed.
US08382854B2	Hair coloring compositions with a non-ammonia alkalizing agent Oxidative hair coloring compositions comprising a non-ammonia alkalizing agent, such as monoethanolamine, and hydrogen peroxide in a specific ratio. The compositions of the invention have a relatively high lift power for relatively low hair damage. The compositions may comprise little or no ammonia.
US08382848B2	Position adjustable trial systems for prosthetic implants A trial system for an implantable joint replacement includes a guide assembly having a baseplate and a guide plate, the guide plate translatable relative to the base plate along a straight path while directly connected to the baseplate. A first adjustment mechanism may selectively control the translational juxtaposition of the guide plate relative to the baseplate. The guide plate may further be rotatable relative to the baseplate around a rotation axis. A second adjustment mechanism may selectively control the rotational juxtaposition of the guide plate relative to the baseplate, and can lock the plates together. The rotation axis may be medially offset from the center of the guide assembly. The guide plate provides in situ positionable cutting guidance for implantation of prosthetic joint components. The system may further include an articulating insert trial mounted on the guide assembly to determine preferred joint alignment and/or optimal positioning of the guide plate.
US08382841B2	Method, system and apparatus for interbody fusion Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for interbody fusion. In some embodiments, a device is provided for fusing vertebral bodies. The device includes a shell configured to be disposed between a first body and a second body, an injection opening to receive fusing material, and a delivery hole configured to enable fusing material to flow into at least one of the first body and the second body.
US08382839B1	Intervertebral fusion device and method of use Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus that (1) delivers a fusion member between two vertebral bodies after at least a portion of the fibrocartilaginous disc between the vertebral bodies has been removed, and (2) affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes (1) a fusion member that is delivered and positioned between the vertebral bodies, (2) a delivery mechanism that delivers and positions the fusion member between the vertebral bodies, and (3) an anchoring member that affixes the fusion member to the vertebral bodies.
US08382838B2	Intervertebral implant An intervertebral implant including a central axis, a bottom cover plate and a top cover plate, which are respectively provided with an exterior surface that extends transversal to the central axis, and a central part.
US08382837B2	Cement-directing orthopedic implants A cement-directing structure for use in cement-injection bone therapy includes a collapsible, self-restoring braided structure with regions of differential permeability to the bone cement. The regions of differential permeability may be provided by areas where the braided mesh density is greater or lesser than surrounding areas and/or by means of a baffle. After the structure is placed in a void within a bony structure, cement is injected into the interior of the structure then oozes out in preferred directions according to the locations of the regions of differential permeability.
US08382836B2	Method to impregnate a porous bone replacement material A method to impregnate a porous bone replacement material (1) with a liquid impregnating agent (5), wherein a) the bone replacement material (1) is or will be enclosed in a chamber (2) with two openings (3, 4) that can be closed, b) the impregnating agent (5) is introduced into the chamber (2) until the bone replacement material (1) is at least partly immersed in the impregnating agent (5), c) one of the two openings (3, 4) will be closed, d) the chamber (2) is evacuated at least partly via the other, open, opening (4, 3), so that the air contained in the pores of the bone replacement material (1) is at least partly removed from it, e) the vacuum produced in the chamber is terminated again by supplying air or a gas through one of the openings (3, 4), and f) the vacuum produced in the pores of the bone replacement material (1) is terminated by the impregnating agent (5) penetrating into the pores of the bone replacement material (1) immersed into the impregnating agent (5).
US08382830B2	Implantable VAD with replaceable percutaneous cable There are disclosed apparatus and methods for replacing a percutaneous cable in connection with a vascular device. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a distal disconnect coupler, a distal connector portion of the cable configured for removable connection with the distal disconnect coupler, and a connector cap configured for removable connection with the distal disconnect coupler and for tunneling through skin and tissue. In one embodiment, a method of repositioning a percutaneous cable in connection with a vascular device includes providing the cable with a distal disconnect coupler, disconnecting the cable at the distal disconnect coupler, attaching a connector cap to the distal disconnect coupler, removing the percutaneous cable from a first exit site, tunneling the connector cap together with the distal disconnect coupler through skin and tissue to form a new exit site, disconnecting the connector cap, and connecting the cable to the distal disconnect coupler.
US08382828B2	Mitral annuloplasty rings A mitral annuloplasty ring with an inner core and an outer band located therearound. The ring has an anterior region, a posterior region opposite the anterior region, and two side regions therebetween. A cross-sectional width dimension of the outer band is greater in the posterior region of the ring than in the anterior region. A cross-sectional width dimension of a semi-flexible core is thinner in the anterior and posterior regions than in the side regions so that the mitral ring is more rigid in bending in the anterior-posterior direction. A tricuspid annuloplasty ring of the invention has an inner core and an outer band located therearound. The inner core has an anterior region separated across a gap from a septal region, and a posterior region. A cross-sectional width dimension of the outer band is greater in the septal region than either the anterior or posterior regions.
US08382826B2	Method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve A method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site within the human vasculature. The prosthetic valve is disposed on a balloon at the end of a balloon catheter. The balloon catheter passes through a delivery sleeve assembly. A pull wire travels from the handle to a distal end of the delivery sleeve assembly. Actuation of the handle pulls on the pull wire, which causes the delivery sleeve assembly to bend for facilitating navigation through a patient's vasculature. A stretchable cover is preferably placed over the slotted tube for biasing the steerable catheter toward a straight position. Once advanced to the vicinity of the native valve site, the prosthetic valve may be accurately positioned by advancing the balloon catheter relative to the delivery sleeve assembly and then deployed within the native valve site by inflating the balloon. In an alternative embodiment, the delivery sleeve assembly may be used to advance a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve through a patient's vasculature and a pusher member may be used to eject the prosthetic valve at the native valve site.
US08382823B2	Biodegradable stent and method for manufacturing the same A stent includes a magnesium layer, a ceramic layer formed over the magnesium layer, and a magnesium compound layer interposed between the magnesium layer and the ceramic layer. The initial corrosion of the stent can be delayed, and the stent has excellent biocompatibility and thus can reduce side effects during cell proliferation and differentiation.
US08382820B2	Stent having helical elements An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.
US08382816B2	Single-piece endoprosthesis with high expansion ratios and atraumatic ends A new endoluminal prosthesis for use in sealing a vascular graft to corporeal lumen provides for a flattened bulbous tail at the end of each cell of the prosthesis. The flattened bulbous tails reduce the amount of wear between the prosthesis and the softer material of the vascular grafts or corporeal lumen walls. A method of manufacturing a stent from a flat sheet of material is also included.
US08382815B2	TiNxCy modified surface for an implantable device and a method of producing the same Implantable devices, such as stents, having a surface modified with TiNxCy are disclosed.
US08382812B2	Apparatus for photodynamic therapy and photodetection The present invention provides an apparatus for photodynamic therapy and fluorescence detection, in which a combined light source is provided to illuminate an object body and a multispectral fluorescence-reflectance image is provided to reproduce various and complex spectral images for an object tissue, thus performing effective photodynamic therapy for various diseases both outside and inside of the body.For this purpose, the present invention provides an apparatus for photodynamic therapy and photodetection, which provides illumination with light of various wavelengths and multispectral images, the apparatus including: an optical imaging system producing an image of an object tissue and transmitting the image to a naked eye or an imaging device; a combined light source including a plurality of coherent and non-coherent light sources and a light guide guiding incident light emitted from the light sources; a multispectral imaging system including at least one image sensor; and a computer system outputting an image of the object tissue to the outside. Thus, the apparatus for photodynamic therapy and photodetection of the present invention can effectively perform the photodynamic therapy and photodetection by means of the combined light source capable of irradiating light having various spectral components to an object tissue and the multispectral imaging system capable of obtaining images from several spectral portions for these various spectral ranges at the same time, thus improving the accuracy of diagnosis and efficiency of the photodynamic therapy.
US08382810B2	Torsion cutter and cannulated cutter for cutting orthopedic fasteners A surgical instrument includes a first component and a second component moveable about an axis relative to the first component. The second component is moveable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the second component from the first position to the second position applies a torsional force to an orthopedic fastener to remove a portion of the orthopedic fastener.
US08382809B2	Poly-axial pedicle screw implements and lock screw therefor A lock screw assembly for use with a pedicle screw assembly comprises a lock screw and an upper saddle. The lock screw includes a fastening tool engaging structure at a first end portion thereof and an upper saddle receiving structure at a second end portion thereof. The upper saddle is engaged with the upper saddle receiving structure of the lock screw in a manner allowing the upper saddle to rotate about a centerline axis of the lock screw. A plurality of intersecting spine rod receiving channels extend through a spine rod engaging portion of the upper saddle in a manner such that an outwardly-extending spine rod engaging structure is provided between adjacent ones of the spine rod receiving channels. Upper and lower surfaces of each spine rod engaging structure are acutely angled with respect to each other and wherein a channel edge defined between the surfaces is sharply pointed.
US08382807B2	Systems and methods for using polyaxial plates Certain embodiments of the invention provide plates for treating periarticular fractures or other non-full body weight bearing applications that combine polyaxial fixation with a low profile and enhanced contouring that more closely conforms to bone. Such plates can be designed to achieve buttressing effect and/or to be used in a reinforcement mode. Other features can be combined with these. Such plates can be created for use on bone sites such as on a tibia, fibula, metatarsal, calcaneous, other foot bone, humerus, radius, ulna, spinal, maxillofacial, as well as sites on other bones.
US08382806B2	Capless multiaxial screw and spinal fixation assembly and method A spinal fixation assembly and capless multi-axial screw system and method are shown. The assembly comprises a receiver having a rotary lock which in one embodiment includes a plurality of channels which urge and lock the elongated member to the screw using a bayonet type connection.
US08382803B2	Vertebral stabilization transition connector A transition connector of a vertebral stabilization system for connecting a rigid rod and a flexible member to provide regions of rigid support and regions of dynamic support along a region of the spinal column is disclosed. A rigid rod may form one portion of the transition connector and a tubular member configured to receive a flexible member may form another portion of the transition connector. The tubular member may be configured to be secured to an end portion of the flexible member.
US08382797B2	Methods for sealing a vascular puncture A method for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall using a sealing device including an elongate tubular body, a balloon carried by the body, an outer tubular member carried over the elongate tubular body, and a sealant carried by the elongate tubular body adjacent the balloon. Retracting the outer tubular member exposes the sealant.
US08382786B2	Self-activating endoluminal device An improved endoluminal device. The device includes at least a control element (such as a guide wire, tube or related structure) connected to a surrounding sheath and an elastic bias section to control changes to a bias force formed between the control element and the sheath. By applying an external force at a proximal end of the device, the shape can change between varying degrees of deformed shapes and an undeformed shape. In this way, both ease of insertion into the body lumen and anchoring to the lumen is promoted. A distal end of the assembly can be made to change shape for improved steerability, anchoring or both. In a particular form, the anchoring section can work as a floating parachute-like device to pull the assembly by means of the flow in the body lumen, while in a more particular form, the floating parachute-like device may be modified to act as a filter for trapping emboli.
US08382779B2	Vascular clamps for vascular repair A magnetic vascular clamp for vascular repair is described. There are two clamp pieces, where each clamp piece forms a partial cylindrical section of an annular cylinder. Each clamp piece has an outer surface and an inner surface, structural ribs arranged across the inner surface from one sectional end to the other, and a pair of magnetic sectional end surfaces connecting the outer surface and the inner surface and having a characteristic magnetic field arrangement. The sectional end surfaces and magnetic field arrangements of each clamp piece cooperate with the sectional end surfaces and magnetic field arrangements of the other clamp piece to form a complete annular cylinder held together by the magnetic field arrangements and enclosing an inner cylinder so as to structurally support damaged vascular tissue therein with minimal fluid leakage.
US08382772B2	Gastropexy kit A gastropexy kit includes a plurality of safety needle assemblies. Each safety needle assembly includes a needle and a stylus. A fastener is positioned in a distal end of the needle. The fastener is coupled to one end of the suture and a suture retention hub is coupled to an opposite end of the suture. The fastener is deployed in a patient's stomach via the needle and stylus which has a blunt distal end which extends through the needle to push the fastener out of the needle and to blunt the needle. The suture retention hub is positioned on a patient's skin and adjustably tensions the suture, which, desirably, is a resorbable suture.
US08382771B2	Radial coil expandable medical wire An expandable medical wire can be used to entrain biological or foreign material during a medical procedure, such as lithotripsy. The wire also can be used to remove the material safely from the body. Generally, the wire includes a sleeve and a core, where the sleeve, the core, or both include a portion or portions that can be deployed to form an expanded coiled configuration. The expanded coiled configuration can be collapsed to facilitate positioning the wire within an anatomical lumen. In addition, the wire can be used as a conventional guide wire or as a self-anchoring guide wire.
US08382767B2	Implant insertion tool An insertion tool for placing a spinal implant in an intervertebral space includes a handle assembly, a jaw assembly having first and second jaw members movable with respect to each other, and a holding member adapted to hold and release an implant in response to a manipulation of the handle assembly. The holding member is configured to move longitudinally with respect to the jaw assembly upon manipulation of the handle assembly.
US08382764B2	Femoral sizing guide An instrument for use in determining an anterior-posterior dimension of a femur during a minimally invasive surgical procedure includes a body having a base and a member extending upwardly from the base, said member providing a first part of a sliding mechanism. A stylus includes a stylus support providing a second part of a sliding mechanism which can engage with the member to allow relative sliding movement between the stylus and base, and a stylus member mounted on the stylus support. An implant size indicator interacts with the sliding mechanism to be moved relative to a scale by the member to indicate a size of an implant corresponding to the relative positions of the body and stylus.
US08382762B2	Endoscopic bone debridement The invention described includes an osteoendoscopic cylinder for tamponading bleeding along a longitudinal canal surface of an osteocentral canal of a femoral neck so as to allow endoscopic visualization of a segment of osteonecrotic bone within a femoral head. The osteoendoscopic cylinder is of a dimension adapted to receive an endoscope therein and includes an inner visual surface and an outer bony contact surface. An orientation mark along the inner visual surface is of a size and dimension to ensure a first visualization thereof with the endoscope. The first visualization is of an effect to allow spatial orientation of the endoscope within the femoral head. A side opening proximally situated thereabout a proximal handle end is of a size and dimension adapted to mount a vacuum apparatus comprising of a transparent tube.
US08382752B2	Medical device A medical device for fusing or necrosing a biological tissue, including a first electrode member and a second electrode member protruded from a non-electrically-conductive attachment portion configured to sandwich the biological tissue; and an energy supply unit configured to supply electric energy to between the first electrode member and the second electrode member, wherein the region of a predetermined length in a direction of axial line from the attachment portion in at least one of the electrode members within the first electrode member and the second electrode member is coated with an electrical insulator.
US08382751B2	System and method for power supply noise reduction A method for minimizing current draw on a power source for an electrosurgical system includes the step of generating a first pulse signal from a master device to electrically cooperate with a first floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between one or more first loads and a power supply. The method also includes the step of triggering an ensuing pulse signal from a slave device based on the first pulse signal to electrically cooperate with a subsequent floating power supply configured to create an electrical connection between one or more subsequent loads and the power supply.
US08382748B2	High efficiency, precision electrosurgical apparatus and method A method and associated electrosurgical apparatus for cutting and/or coagulating living tissue of a mammal. The glow blade cuts and/or coagulates the tissue with a glow blade accompanied by sufficient electrical current across the tissue to enable the cutting and/or coagulating to be performed while the glow blade is heated to a sufficient temperature. The electrosurgical apparatus includes the glow blade, a radio frequency (RF) generator such that a first output of the RF generator is electrically connected to the glow blade, and an energy source coupled to the glow blade. The RF generator is configured to supply sufficient RF power and associated electrical current across the living tissue for performing the cutting and/or coagulating by the glow blade while sufficient energy is being supplied by the energy source to heat the glow blade to a sufficient temperature for performing the cutting and/or coagulating by the glow blade.
US08382746B2	Cryogenic ablation system and method A device for treating esophageal target tissue comprises a catheter, a balloon and a refrigerant delivery device. The catheter has a distal portion and a refrigerant delivery lumen. The balloon is mounted to and the refrigerant delivery device is coupled to the distal portion. The refrigerant delivery device comprises a chamber with the refrigerant delivery lumen opening into the chamber, a refrigerant delivery opening fluidly coupled to the balloon interior, and a distribution passageway fluidly coupling the chamber and the refrigerant delivery opening. A refrigerant is deliverable through the refrigerant delivery lumen, into the chamber, through the distribution passageway, through the refrigerant delivery opening and into the balloon interior so to place the balloon into an expanded, cooled state so that the balloon can press against and cool esophageal target tissue. The medical device may include means for sensing a leak in the balloon.
US08382743B2	Ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus for irradiating a laser beam to a patient's eye, comprises: a delivery optical system for forming the laser beam emitted from a laser source into a plurality of spots on a target surface, the delivery optical system including: a diffraction optical element for dividing the laser beam incident thereon into a plurality of diffraction beams in a predetermined spot pattern; a first zoom optical system placed on a side closer to the laser source than the diffraction optical element, the first zoom optical system being configured to change a spot size without changing a spot interval on the target surface; and an objective lens.
US08382741B2	Positive displacement fluid lock port Positive displacement fluid lock ports for use in combination with an indwelling catheter and a syringe during a flushing/locking procedure are provided. The fluid lock port includes a housing having a distal and a proximal end; a resilient conduit supported within the housing, wherein the conduit defines a lumen therethrough; and at least one biasing member supported in the housing and being operatively associatable with the resilient conduit. The at least one biasing member has a first condition restrained from deforming the resilient conduit and a second condition operatively engaged with the resilient conduit to at least partially occlude the lumen of the resilient conduit.
US08382739B2	Composite medical device and method of forming Composite medical devices, such as catheters, or the like. In at least some embodiments, composite medical devices, and/or shafts for use therein, that can include a more flexible inner portion and a less flexible outer portion. In some embodiments, the composite elongate shaft can be constructed by forming a metallic outer portion including a first metallic material about a metallic inner portion including a second metallic material different from the first material. The second metallic material can be more flexible than the first metallic material. A segment of the metallic outer portion can then be removed from the composite shaft to expose a segment of the metallic inner portion. As portions of the outer portion are removed, and/or portions of the inner portion are exposed, certain characteristics along the length of the shaft can be achieved. For example, portions of the shaft can be rendered more flexible by the removal of the outer portion to expose the inner portion. Additionally, portions of the shaft can be maintained and/or rendered less flexible, or stiffer, by allowing the outer portion to remain thereon. As such, the composite elongate shaft can provide a shaft for a medical device that can include desired characteristics, such as flexibility, torqueability, or the like, along different portions of the shaft.
US08382733B2	Absorbent product In an absorbent product (1), a front pocket (26) and a rear pocket (27) are formed between a front absorbent core (212) and a rear absorbent core (222) and a back sheet (23). A pair of side sheets (3) are located on both side portions of an absorbent sheet member (20) having an opening (25). Both absorbent cores are raised so that they become spaced apart from the back sheet (23) by contraction of a third elastic member (35) bonded to an inner edge (331) of a bonded part (33) of each side sheet (3). It is possible to keep the distance larger in a thickness direction between the absorbent sheet member (20) and the back sheet (23) in the vicinity of the opening (25) and fit a portion around the opening (25) of the absorbent sheet member (20) to a wearer.
US08382728B1	Emergency medical dispenser An emergency medication storage and integrated single use device for providing oral dissolving medications strips in a convenient transparent transfer environment. A thin card size dispenser holds a single medicated strip in user access orientation positioned for direct card insertion to the user's mouth assuring proper dispensing of the medication in an emergency situation.
US08382725B2	Eye coloring systems A novel system for coloring the sclera of a human eye, including steps of accessing the conjunctiva, drying a portion of the conjunctiva, applying one or more colorants to the dried portion of the conjunctiva, drying the colorant, and closing access to the conjunctiva. The system avoids tattooing, implanting, and corneal modification. Permanent results may be obtained. Colorants may be coverings or stains.
US08382722B2	Blunt tip vial access cannula and method for manufacture A method of manufacturing a metal cannula is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a metal cannula having a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid channel. Next, the metal cannula is pressed to substantially close the fluid channel and define a first segment and a second segment. In a next step, the metal cannula is cut to separate the first segment from the second segment of the metal cannula. Each of the first and second segments have a pressed edge. The pressed edge substantially seals the fluid channel and has two pressed corners. Afterwards, each of the pressed corners are cut from the pressed edge of the first segment to define a pair of side openings and a distal blunt edge on the first segment. The side openings are in fluid communication with the fluid channel.
US08382717B2	Safety device for drug delivery devices and containers A drug administration safety device having a label configured to be attached to a drug container such as a syringe or IV bag, an adhesive on the back face of the label, and a backing or substrate for holding the label and protecting the adhesive prior to the application of the label to the drug container. In one embodiment, the label includes a first drug name section in a first orientation, a second drug name section in a second orientation, a third drug name section in a third orientation, a drug concentration section, a variable information section, and a gradiation viewing section. The first orientation, second orientation, and third orientation are different from each other to enable a user to readily see the drug name regardless of the position and orientation of the drug container.
US08382715B2	Tearaway sheath assembly with split hemostasis valve seal A tearaway sheath assembly (100) having a splittable sheath tube (102) a splittable hub (110), a split valve (150,250) and a split cap (180). The valve (150,250) has a slit (158,258) at least partially across the transverse distal section (154) such that transverse distal section may be displaced laterally during insertion through the slit (158,258), of a dilator (200) or a catheter. The valve (150,250) is formed in two separate halves (152A,152B;252) that are fused or adhered to each other to form a sealed weak bond (154) that is easily broken during splitting of the sheath; each valve half is mechanically affixed in a proximal valve-receiving recess (130) of the hub such as by anchor posts (136) extending through apertures (166A,166B) in ears (164A,164B) of each valve half. A two-part cap (180) is affixed to the hub proximal end (120) and traps the valve between itself and the hub. Pairs of opposed gaps (184,122) of the cap (180) and the hub (110) are aligned with lines of weakness or seams (106) of the sheath tube (102) and the weak bond (154) of the valve, facilitating splitting of the assembly (100) when desired by the practitioner to peel it away from the inserted catheter.
US08382709B2	Designs for balloon welds A catheter assembly comprising a first polymer, a second polymer and a first weld region. The first polymer forms a balloon having a first waist. The second polymer forms a catheter shaft. The first waist is positioned about a portion of the catheter shaft thereby forming the first weld region. The first weld region comprises a first weld and a second weld which engage the first waist to the catheter shaft. The first weld has a first longitudinal position and the second weld has a second longitudinal position, where the first longitudinal position is different from the second longitudinal position.
US08382708B2	Zero-pressure balloon catheter and method for using the catheter A safety catheter includes a multi-lumen shaft. The shaft has a proximal shaft portion with a distal end having a given outer diameter and a distal tip portion having an outer diameter less than the given outer diameter. A hollow balloon is disposed at a junction of the proximal shaft portion and the distal tip portion. The balloon has a distal leg fixedly secured to the distal tip portion and a proximal leg removably secured to the proximal shaft portion.
US08382707B2	Balloon trocar advanced fixation A trocar cannula assembly can have a retention mechanism for advanced fixation. The retention mechanism can include a first, or distal balloon, and a second or proximal balloon to retain the position of the trocar cannula assembly with respect to a body wall of a patient. An inlet can be fluidly coupled to the retention mechanism via a fluid conduit so that the balloons can be selectively inflated and deflated. The retention mechanism can be coupled to the cannula, forming an integrated cannula assembly, or the retention mechanism can be removably attached to the cannula. Where the retention mechanism is removably attached to the cannula, it can include a double layer inflatable member with an outer layer including the first and second balloons, and an inner layer for retaining the cannula.
US08382705B2	Conveyor apparatus and method for supplying a medicine-solution mixture A conveyor apparatus and a method for supplying a medicine-solution mixture from a plurality of medicine-active ingredient solutions and additional solution constituents in a body by means of a plurality of feed devices is disclosed. The medicine-active ingredient solutions have different medicine-active ingredient parameters and constituents; the solution constituents have different parameters and constituents. The constituents of at least two medicine-active ingredient solutions and solution constituents are saved in at least one storage device; and are selected by means of one selection device for selection of at least one specific parameter and/or constituent of each medicine-active ingredient solution and/or the solution constituents. By means of a calculating device, at least one additional parameter from all selected parameters is calculated for the control and operation of at least one additional feed device for supplying at least one additional medicine-solution mixture to the body.
US08382704B2	Systems and methods of delivering a dilated slurry to a patient A system for delivering a cell-slurry to a patient may include a fluid, cells that are non-dissolvable or immiscible in the fluid, thereby forming the cell-slurry, a syringe adapted to contain the cell-slurry and a supernate of the cell-slurry, the syringe defining a first end having an outlet through which the cell-slurry is delivered to the patient, a fluidizing system associated with the syringe and adapted to effect dilation of the cell-slurry with a portion of the supernate, to form a dilated cell-slurry, the dilated cell-slurry being transferred from the fluidizing system to the syringe, while maintaining at least a portion of the supernate, the cell-slurry and supernate being transferred from the fluidizing system to the syringe, a pressurizing mechanism adapted to create a pressure to cause the dilated cell-slurry contained within the syringe to flow for delivery to the patient and a control unit in communication with and adapted to control the fluidizing system, the pressurizing mechanism and movement of the dilated cell-slurry.
US08382703B1	Piezoelectric dual-syringe insulin pump The piezoelectric dual-syringe insulin pump includes a single piezoelectric motor configured to pump insulin. The pump is controlled by a single controller. The pump uses two insulin reservoirs (in the form of two syringes), one of which is filled with a rapid-acting insulin, the other reservoir being filled with slow-acting insulin (providing the basal function). Both syringes are alternately actuated by a single PZT linear motor (particularly, a squiggle motor), depending upon polarity of the voltage applied to the motor, and feed into a common infusion line to the patient. The device includes an LCD display, audio alarm, controller, keypad, USB port, and a micro-energy harvesting circuit for recharging an on-board battery.
US08382702B2	Fluid injection device and medical instrument including fluid injection device Fluid is pressurized and supplied to a fluid chamber with a fluid pressurizing and supplying unit. The pressurized fluid within the fluid chamber is ejected through an injection nozzle by reduction of the volume of the fluid chamber caused by applying a driving voltage to a volume varying unit. In applying the driving voltage to the volume varying unit, the effect imposed on fluid injection by pressure fluctuations of the fluid pressurized and supplied to the fluid chamber is compensated by changing the voltage waveform of the driving voltage. When the pressure of the supply flow amount is decreased to a pressure lower than a predetermined pressure, the time intervals of the driving waveform are corrected. The maneuverability of a fluid injection device does not deteriorate even when the pressure of the fluid pressurized and supplied to the fluid chamber fluctuates.
US08382696B2	Drug delivery devices and related systems and methods This disclosure relates to drug delivery devices and related systems and methods. In certain aspects, a drug delivery device includes a pump extending from a surface of the drug delivery device and a door that includes a spring-loaded member exposed along its inner surface. The fluid line can be compressed between the spring-loaded member and the pump in a manner such that the fluid line is occluded in at least one location.
US08382695B1	Method and apparatus for treatment of congestive heart disease In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for treating congestive heart failure that restores kidney renal functions by artificial perfusion of at least one kidney. In one aspect, a catheter inserted into the aorta of the patient has an outlet port that supplies the patient's blood obtained from a patient's aorta into an adjoining renal artery of the patient to perfuse the kidney. The catheter comprises a rotor housed inside a portion of the catheter to supply the blood to the kidney at a desired pressure. The restoration of kidney function assists the heart by removing excess fluid, urine and toxin from the patient, and by normalizing the patient's renin-angiotensin system and other neurohormonal substances.
US08382694B2	Ankle-foot orthotic for treatment of foot drop An ankle-foot orthotic is provided that treats steppage gate by preventing foot drop during movement. The orthotic having an ankle brace linked to a user's shoe by an elastic strap. The elastic strap having sufficient elasticity to provide the appropriate amount of tensile force to the shoe to prevent foot drop, while having sufficient flexibility to allow the user to naturally flex their foot and ankle during movement. The elastic strap comprises hook fasteners attachable to and removable from the shoe, such that the orthotic can be easily put on or taken off by the user.
US08382689B2	Device and method for high intensity focused ultrasound ablation with acoustic lens A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer includes an ultrasonic emitter having a surface that emits ultrasonic energy along a beam path, at least one low attenuation polymeric ultrasonic lens acoustically coupled to the surface in the beam path of the ultrasonic energy, such that the lens can direct the ultrasonic energy in at least one direction, and at least one stress mitigation feature, such as a kerf, a heat sink, or an acoustic matching layer, to mitigate thermal expansion mismatch stresses within the transducer. For manufacturing simplicity, the first surface is typically either flat or monotonically curvilinear. The lens may take a variety of shapes, including Fresnel features, and may focus, collimate, or defocus the ultrasonic energy. Any orientation and positioning of the at least one ultrasonic lens relative to the first ultrasonic emitter is contemplated. Manufacture is further simplified by molding, casting, or thermoforming the lens.
US08382688B2	Sensor device for gait enhancement A foot sensor device and method for gait enhancement, the device including: (a) a sensor unit having a casing, the sensor unit for disposing within a shoe of a user, the sensor unit for sensing a parameter associated with a gait event; (b) an electronic communication unit, electrically associated with the sensor unit, for receiving a signal pertaining to the parameter, the electronic unit having: (i) a microcontroller; (ii) a transmitting unit for transmitting, in a wireless fashion, gait information based on the signal, to a unit of an orthosis external to the foot sensor device, and (iii) a housing for housing at least one of the microcontroller and the transmitting unit, and (c) a fastening unit, attached to the housing, adapted to fasten on to the shoe, so as to secure the communication unit in a fixed position during gait.
US08382687B2	Method for determining the biological age of a companion animal A method for determining the biological age of the companion animal. A companion animal ambulates from a first region to a second region of a pressure detection unit and the footfall data is utilized in the determination of the biological age of the companion animal.
US08382685B2	Electronic safety device for sport-helmets Some embodiments of the invention provide an electronic safety device, adapted for use in a helmet suitable for an impact-sport, which operates to warn a first participant that a head inside the helmet is in an unsafe position relative to a body coupled to the head. In some embodiments, the head may belong to the first participant, in which case the first participant is warned of their own unsafe head position. Alternatively and/or additionally, the head may belong to a second participant, in which case the first participant is warned of the unsafe head position of the second participant. In very specific embodiments the electronic safety includes a sensor that senses head position and provides corresponding readings, and a processor that interprets the reading of the sensor in order to determine whether or not to produce a signal that indicates that the head is in an unsafe position.
US08382677B2	Anchored implantable pressure monitor An anchored implantable pressure monitor.
US08382676B2	Biologic information detecting apparatus In measurement requiring application of pressure to a tissue of a living body such as blood pressure measurement, noise due to vibration tends to occur. It is therefore difficult to accurately measure a pulse wave and a blood pressure value, and there is a problem of measuring blood pressure stably. It is also difficult to measure blood pressure in daily life activities or to measure blood pressure at predetermined intervals or continuously in a state where a tonometer is always attached. There is consequently a problem of providing a method of holding a biologic information detecting apparatus. The present invention has been achieved to solve the problems and an object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-wear biologic information detecting apparatus for stably detecting biologic information.In order to achieve the above object, biologic information detecting apparatus according to the invention has a structure in which the apparatus includes a sensor for detecting biologic information in a pair of arms connected via a spindle, and the sensor is tightly attached to a projecting part in a living body, particularly, a tragus of an auricle.
US08382674B2	Visualization of a catheter viewed under ultrasound imaging A catheter for use in a patient's body lumen, having a shaft section configured to minimize ultrasonic image artifacts and the direct ultrasonic image brightness of the shaft surface and its internal components, and to produce its image at a wide range of imaging angles, preferably with an intensity not substantially different than surrounding tissue of the body lumen under ultrasound visualization. The shaft section is operative for the desired use of the catheter, yet is also configured to facilitate accurately imaging the shape and location of the shaft section, and easily differentiate it from the surrounding anatomy without unduly obscuring the images of the adjacent anatomy using an ultrasound imaging system.
US08382669B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control method A living tissue region determining unit of a gain correction data generating section determines a diagnostic living tissue region on the basis of an S/N and a dispersion value of ultrasound data collected from each of a plurality of slice sections in a gain correction scan mode intended for the generation of gain correction data for volume data. A gain correction map generating unit applies a least squares method to the average value of the ultrasound data in a plurality of regions set by dividing the living tissue region into predetermined sizes, thereby generating two-dimensional gain correction maps. Then, an interpolating processing unit interpolates, in a slice direction, the gain correction map generated for each of the plurality of slice sections, and generates three-dimensional gain correction data corresponding to each voxel of the volume data.
US08382668B2	Non-invasive determination of characteristics of a sample Systems and methods for non-invasively scanning and analyzing one or more characteristics of a sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are described. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver in a variety of different manners and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets that are used to create one or more composite spectrograms, which are then analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications. Samples include inert and living items, and the characteristics include a wide variety of different applications.
US08382666B1	Medical device probe connector A connector of a sensor probe and its receptacle on a console have security mechanisms that ensure that the connector and the receptacle are properly connected and mated. The connector and receptacle can have physical security features that block insertion of the connector into the receptacle if they are not aligned in a proper orientation. The console can also include a software security feature that allows optical measurements from the sensor probe only if the connector of the sensor probe and receptacle on the console are connected properly. An adapter can also be used to convert a conventional receptacle mounted on a console into a receptacle with security features.
US08382665B1	Endotracheal tube placement system and method An endotracheal tube placement system and method is provided including a placement-assistive handle, an oral anchor, a mechanized advancer, a video system, an endotracheal tube lock, an endotracheal tube manipulator, and an endotracheal tube stabilizer. The endotracheal tube is slipped over the endotracheal tube manipulator and is secured by the endotracheal tube lock. The placement-assistive handle houses the power supply, provides a foundation for attachment of other elements of the invention, and provides control of the tube placement. Attached to the handle is the mechanized advancer, which propels the endotracheal tube lock, endotracheal tube manipulator, and the endotracheal tube forward. The oral anchor comprises a bite block and mouth rest, and is attached to the ET supportive sheath-like ET stabilizer. The integrated video system comprises a video camera, a light source, and an LCD screen held by a swivel base.
US08382663B2	Surgical devices, systems and methods thereof having gel material, gel coatings, or gel lubricants Gel materials, and surgical devices containing gel materials, having reduced tackiness while retaining low durometer, high tear strength, high elongation, high compliance, and resistance to compression are described.
US08382661B2	Endoscope sucking operation apparatus When a suction button is pushed in a pushing operation direction, the suction button pushes down longer lever ends of inversion levers, shorter lever ends of the inversion levers are pushed up based on a seesaw operation and the principle of leverage, and a piston body coupled through a coupling body moves in a direction opposed to a pushing operation direction against an urging force of a spring in cooperation with this upward movement. As a result, a valve moving portion moves away from a valve receiving portion to open a suction duct valve portion and suction is carried out, but the piston body retires to an outer periphery side of a bent duct when the valve portion is opened, and hence a suction duct is widened, thereby facilitating suction of even, e.g., a fluid having high viscosity.
US08382659B2	Endoscope apparatus and controlling method thereof comprising curving control mechanism An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope main body and an assisting drive unit. The endoscope main body includes an endoscope insertion portion having a curving portion on the leading end side thereof, a curving operation portion operating or curving the curving portion, and a curving drive portion driving or curving the curving portion according to an operation force applied to the curving operation portion. The assisting drive unit generates a drive force assisting a curving drive operation to be carried out by the curving drive portion. Curving information regulated at each curving angle corresponding to curving amount of the curving portion is stored previously. The curving amount θa of the curving portion is detected. The drive force is generated from the assisting drive unit using the curving information corresponding to the detected curving amount θa.
US08382655B2	Adjustable tourniquet for venous flow control A disposable penile erection device that has a positive locking mechanism on the superficial veins around the base of a human penile organ. The device is a tubular structure adapted to the penis to be secured in loop configuration about the base of the penis to provide two (2) adjustable and lockable radial constriction force about the base of the penis. Methods for using the device are also provided.
US08382650B2	Catheter marking for multi-lumen catheter identification Systems and methods that facilitate visualization and identification of lumens of a multi-lumen brachytherapy device are disclosed. In one embodiment, visualization and identification can be attained by modifying a feature of at least one of the lumens relative to the other lumens. The feature may include a marking on the lumen, a diameter of the lumen or a composition of the lumen. In an additional embodiment, for brachytherapy devices in which multiple lumens are coupled to a distal end point such as a rigid connection member, visualization and identification of the lumens can be attained by modifying a feature of the rigid connection member. It will be readily appreciated that visualization and identification can be further enhanced through a combination of two or more of the techniques described herein.
US08382648B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing boxes made of paper or cardboard A method for manufacturing boxes made of paper or cardboard, whereby the boxes have a base or a lid with a glued-on sidewall and the sidewalls are formed from a strip with a beginning, an end, and connecting tabs on a long side. First, the connecting tabs are bent by about 90°. Next, the strip beginning is placed against the lateral surface of a cylindrical matrix, whose cross section corresponds to the cross section of the box, with the aid of a patrix and attached by vacuum. Next, the matrix is rotated. In so doing, the strip is suctioned by vacuum onto the lateral surface and held in place. After application of an adhesive at the beginning or end of the strip, the beginning and end of the strip are glued together. A base along whose periphery an adhesive bead is applied is then pressed onto the connecting tabs. After the adhesive has hardened, the finished box can be removed from the matrix.
US08382647B1	Weighted exercise device providing two grips Weighted exercise device includes a generally hemispherical body defining a hollow cavity opening at a first edge of the body, and an outwardly projecting rim arranged on the body proximate to the first edge. A handle is arranged in the cavity. The rim provides a first grip during use of the device and the handle provides a second grip during use of the device. By providing two different grips on the same weighted device, and due to the symmetrical rounded shape, with a low center of gravity, the weight is evenly distributed around a user's hands, and a user can safely and efficiently perform a larger variety of exercises in comparison to using conventionally shaped exercise devices that include only a single type of grip.
US08382645B2	Method and apparatus for fitness exercise A method of exercising a human body, the method comprising: providing a sliding element having a body portion adapted for receiving a limb of the human body, and a sliding surface adapted to slide on a exercise floor; placing the sliding element on an exercise floor and placing the human body limb on the body portion; and performing an exercise routine including sliding the sliding element by moving the human body limb. The exercise routine includes routines performed with the human body in a standing position; routines performed with the human body in a prone position; routines performed with the human body in a supine position; and routines performed with the human body in a side-lying position. The invention also includes an exercise device for exercising a human body, the device comprising: a sliding disc having a body portion adapted for receiving a limb of the human body; and a sliding surface adapted to slide on an exercise floor.
US08382642B2	Vehicle control apparatus A vehicle control apparatus includes: an automatic-stop-and-restart-control-unit stopping/restarting an engine, a brake-fluid-pressure-control-unit controlling wheel-cylinder-pressure using a brake-system, which intensifies brake-manipulation-force by a brake-booster to cause master-cylinder-pressure in a master-cylinder while the engine operates, and which transfers the master-cylinder-pressure to wheel-cylinders to cause the wheel-cylinder-pressure, the brake-system including an actuator automatically increasing pressure in the wheel-cylinders irrespective of the brake-manipulation-force; a negative-pressure-detection-unit which detects the vacuum-pressure; a first-determination-unit which determines whether the vacuum-pressure is not more than a first threshold while the engine stops, a restarting-unit which allows the automatic-stop-and-restart-control-unit to restart the engine when the first-determination-unit determines that the vacuum-pressure is not more than the first threshold; a second-determination-unit which determines whether the vacuum-pressure is not more than a second threshold; and a braking-boost-unit which allows the brake-fluid-pressure-control-unit to automatically increase the pressure in the wheel-cylinders when the second-determination-unit determines that the vacuum-pressure is not more than the second threshold.
US08382641B2	Motor grader A motor grader includes an engine, a torque converter, a drive wheel, an engine revolution detector, and a control unit. The torque converter, including a lock-up clutch, transmits driving force from the engine. The drive wheel is rotationally driven by the driving force from the engine. The engine revolution detector detects engine revolution. When the lock-up clutch is engaged, the control unit is configured to: maintain the engaged state of the lock-up clutch when the engine revolution is greater than a predetermined lock-up release revolution lower than a low idle revolution; and switch the lock-up clutch into a disengaged state when the engine revolution is less than or equal to the predetermined lock-up release revolution.
US08382638B2	Method for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle A method is provided for controlling a drive unit of a motor vehicle with an automatic or automated transmission. The drive unit includes at least one drive motor, which generates a drive torque in an overrun mode. The drive torque acts as a drag torque or as a creep torque on the drive wheels as a function of the current speed. The level of the drive torque in the overrun mode can be at least partially controlled by actuating a brake pedal. The drag torque applied to the drive wheels in the overrun mode can be controlled by actuating the brake pedal in such a way that a reduced drag torque dependent on the actuation of the brake pedal is applied to the drive wheels.
US08382636B2	Continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission having a continuously variable transmission mechanism for transmitting torque between an input side and an output side by means of frictional forces generated by pushing the input disc and the output disc against the planetary balls and continuously varying a transmission gear ratio between the input side and the output side includes a second group of helical gears capable of generating a first axial force for pushing the input disc toward the output disc, a first group of helical gears capable of generating a second axial force for pushing the output disc toward the input disc, and a thrust bearing and a central shaft for transmitting, when an opposite force in such a direction as to move the input disc away from the output disc and opposite force to the first force is generated on a side of the input disc, the opposite force to the output disc.
US08382631B2	Accessory drive and engine restarting system A drive system includes a pulley, an engine, a variator for varying a ratio of an output speed and an input speed, a gearset including a first and second components driveably connected to the engine and pulley, respectively, and a third component connected to the output, and a second gearset for increasing an input speed relative to an pulley speed.
US08382630B2	High speed and continuously variable traction drive A fixed ratio traction drive is disclosed that uses multidiameter planet rollers. The high speed traction drive provides speed reduction from a high speed shaft. A planet carrier is used to rotationally mount the multidiameter rollers. A continuously variable transmission that uses planetary ball traction is also disclosed that provides infinitely variable speed ratios.
US08382629B2	Reduction gear transmission A reduction gear transmission capable of realizing a large reduction ratio while preventing both an increase in its diameter and a decrease in the diameter of its through hole, including: a motor gear; an intermediate shaft; a first and second gear; an input shaft; and an external and internal gear. The first and second gears are fixed to the intermediate shaft. The first gear meshes with the motor gear. The input shaft causes an eccentric rotation member to rotate eccentrically with the rotation of the input gear, which meshes with the second gear. The external gear engages the eccentric rotation member, revolving orbitally around an axis line of the input shaft. The internal gear meshes with the external gear, each having a different number of teeth. The motor gear and first gear mesh at a position offset from a straight line formed by connecting an axis line of the intermediate shaft and of the input shaft.
US08382628B2	Method and apparatus for lubricating a differential in an axle assembly A power transmitting assembly having a differential case and a differential gearset that is received in an interior chamber in the differential case. The power transmitting assembly is configured to provide improved lubrication into an interior of the differential case.
US08382623B2	Hybrid transmission having synchronizers A transmission used in a hybrid vehicle comprising a planetary gear set and a synchronizer. The planetary gear set having a plurality of members and the synchronizer coupling and decoupling one of the members to change a speed ratio in the transmission.
US08382616B2	Fletching system and method therefor A fletching system and method that allows for quick and easy attachment of a fletching member to an arrow or cross bolt shaft provides a slotted fletch holder adapted to receive a fletching member projecting therethrough and an external end cap member to provide frictional fit engagement with a flanged base portion of the fletching member wherein the flanged base portion is secured between the end cap member and an internal surface of a sidewall of the fletch holder.
US08382615B2	Golf turf repair device A golf device is provided for turf repair and holding golf tees and a ball marker. The device utilizes the golf tees themselves to do turf repair and firmly holds the tees in place during the repair function. The device includes a body having a cap section and base section which are slidable held together so that the cap section is positioned immediately atop the base section to hold golf tees in place and prevent them from sliding upward during repair. Inserts are provided to magnetically attract the cap section to the base section and to removably hold a ball marker.
US08382610B2	Golf balls having multi-layer cores based on polyalkenamer compositions The present invention generally relates to golf balls and more particularly to golf balls having multi-layered cores comprising a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. A cover layer is disposed about the multi-layered core. At least one of the center, intermediate core layer, and outer core layer comprises a polyalkenamer rubber. The rubber composition helps improve resiliency of the core and provides the ball with a comfortable and soft feel.
US08382608B2	Golf club head with grooves and method of manufacture Embodiments of golf clubs with grooves and methods of manufacturing thereof are described herein. In some embodiments, a golf club head includes: a body having a strike face with one or more channels; and at least one insert located within at least one of the one or more channels. The at least one of the one or more channels includes a single groove. The at least one insert forms at least a portion of the single groove. A radius of an exterior edge of the single groove is partially formed by the at least one insert and is also partially formed by the strike face. A first part of the at least one insert is formed by a first material, and a second part of the at least one insert is formed by a second material different from the first material. Other embodiments and related methods are disclosed herein.
US08382607B2	Length adjustment system for joining a golf club head to a shaft A length adjustment system for joining a golf club head to a shaft is provided. The length adjustment system may be utilized to produce a minor length, an intermediate length, and an extended length of a golf club. In a minor length configuration, the length adjustment system includes a shaft sleeve attached to an end of the shaft. A retainer releasably secures the shaft and shaft sleeve to the golf club head. The minor length configuration also features a minor length weight system. The intermediate length configuration further includes a first spacer, a first hosel sleeve, and an intermediate length weight system. The extended length configuration further includes a second spacer, a second hosel sleeve, and an extended length weight system. The length adjustment system incorporates the discovery of unique relationships among its components so that the resulting golf club has similar characteristics in each configuration.
US08382605B2	Golf putter A golf putter head is provided that includes a base element, the base element including a golf ball striking surface, at least one alignment rail, a lip, the lip extending the entire front width of the golf putter head and a top surface, the top surface located at the rear of the golf putter head, an upper plate the upper plate configured to be secured to the base element at the lip and the top surface, the upper plate includes at least one aperature and the upper plate completely covering the top surface. The upper plate further includes at least one indicator marking, the at least one indicator marking configured to align with the at least one alignment rail and the aperature is sized such that the at least one alignment rail may be viewed through the aperature. The mass of the putter head is distributed such that the mass of the upper plate is greater than the mass of the base element, thereby positioning the center of gravity of the putter head above a centerline of the golf ball striking surface and an equator of a golf ball when the golf ball is positioned proximate the golf ball striking surface of the golf putter head.
US08382604B2	Modular hosel, weight-adjustable golf club head assembly A golf putter head with a front portion comprising traditional shape and appearance, with an integral face insert extending through the head to an alignment and weighting portion extending beyond the main body of the putter, adding improved alignment, increased MOI and adjustable weighting and adjustable balance and optimizable Center of Percussion. The putter head comprises a central face insert portion extending through the body and above the traditional weight flange, with mass relieved portions below the top of the alignment piece in order to receive one or more optional weights, and the upper side of the rearwardly extending portion being engraved or marked with various alignment indicia, and the whole through-head insert face portion and rearwardly extending portion being affixed to the base portion of the head at least in part with threaded fasteners.
US08382601B2	Method and device for manufacturing fastenings or fasteners with radial outer contours, especially screws or threaded bolts A method of manufacturing fastenings or fasteners with radial outer contours, especially screws or threaded bolts, made of solid metal is performed by a device. The method manufactures the fastenings or fasteners preferably on a multi-stage press. Several recesses running in an axial direction at a fixed radial distance are formed in the shank-shaped section of a blank. The prefabricated blank with the recesses is inserted into a multi-part split mold within a multi-stage press, whose die stocks have an inner profiling forming the outer contour, and are opened in the starting position, that at the places where the die stocks are opened, there are the recesses. During the closing movement of the die stocks, at least one radial outer contour is pressed on the shank-shaped section of the blank by radial action of forces, with the recesses preventing material from getting between the die stocks during the pressing process.
US08382597B2	Vibration damper A vibration damper comprising at least two damper assemblies connectable in series, coupled with one another through a floating intermediary flange, and torque transmission devices and/or damping coupling devices and rotation angle limiting devices between the floating intermediary flange and a damper component of one of the damper assemblies, wherein the damper component is disposed in a force flow in front and/or behind the floating intermediary flange.
US08382596B2	Low noise flexible shaft A rotary flexible shaft for coupling between driving and driven member having female couplings has ends of noncircular cross-section. A strand of compressible material such as flocked yarn is helically wrapped around each end so as to leave spaces between turns which expose portions of the lateral surfaces of the ends. A coating of a silicone adhesive or other elastomer, or of a highly ductile material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, covers and is adherent to the strands and the exposed portions of the lateral surfaces of the shaft ends. Instead of a strand, the compressible material may constitute spaced ridges, islands, and/or protuberances adhering to the shaft ends.
US08382595B2	Torque limiting driveline A torque-limiting device assembly is provided that includes a bell having a top wall and a circumferential side wall defining a bell interior. A plurality of radially-arrayed engagement grooves are formed on an inner surface of the top wall. A clutch stub shaft having a stem and a plurality of engagement protrusions formed on a clutch flange is disposed within the bell interior. A resilient member is secured to the bell, and the resilient member biases the clutch stub shaft towards the top wall of the bell such that the engagement grooves frictionally engage the engagement protrusions to transfer torque from the stem to the bell when the stem is rotated. An input torque applied to the stem that is greater than a predetermined input torque causes the engagement protrusions to disengage from the engagement grooves such that the input torque is not transferred from the stem to the bell.
US08382588B2	System, method, and apparatus for the electronic operation, management, sponsorship, advertising, promotion, marketing, and regulation of games of chance on a network The present invention is directed to a computer network system that allows a user to register for games of chances throughout the country and in accordance with national, state and local laws and ordinances. This system analyzes the geographical location and residency information of a user in relation to the geographical access and participation areas permitted, excluded, and restricted for a game of chance as governed by jurisdictional laws, statutes, rules, and regulations. If the user is not located within a permitted area or falls within an excluded or restricted area, the user will not be allowed to access or participate in the game of chance. The ability of the system to limit participation by geographical location is based on user input, data, and variable analysis, and the comparison between the areas where games of chance are permitted, excluded, restricted, and user location and residency, filters data to determine user accessibility to a game of chance, listings, and advertising. The methods and apparatus of this system have applications on the Internet for raffles as well as other conventional games of chance.
US08382587B2	Gaming machine which runs common game at plurality of gaming terminals and a playing method thereof A gaming machine allows a common game to be run at a plurality of gaming terminals with a common game bet amount, when it is determined that a common game start condition is met, based on a cumulative amount of pieces of bet amount information each transmitted from a gaming terminal for each unit game.
US08382581B2	Online gaming and rewards system A system and method for rewarding and providing real world rewards for online game participation is provided. The system allows a user to access an online website having a plurality of different games to play or other activities to participate in, whereby the online website is able to track and monitor online participation and award points that may be redeemed for physical prizes that may be sent to the individual participating in the online activity. Additionally, the system allows the user to accumulate a sufficient amount of points which may be redeemed for better prizes after prolonged play and utilization of the online activity. Moreover, the system may reward the individual for specific contributions or reward for superior activity or play within the participation activity.
US08382578B2	Gaming device and method having purchasable randomly selected paytables An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.
US08382576B2	Gaming machine and control method thereof To provide a gaming machine and a control method therefor, having a new entertainment characteristics, a slot machine 10 of the present invention, when a “BONUS” symbol 250 associated with a pick-up bonus game is selected, receives selection of any one of twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed. Then, a benefit associated with the selected little pig's nose 210 is awarded. When the benefit to be awarded is a “stick house” 218 which means “step-up”, a step-up occurs to the stick house stage and the expectation value for a payout is raised. Thus, when one little pig's nose 210 is selected out of the twenty little pig's noses 210 displayed in the stick house stage, the payout amount of the benefit associated with the little pig's nose 210 is increased.
US08382575B2	System and method for identifying errors in slot machine and video lottery terminal games The present invention provides a testing system, apparatus and program for efficiently testing VLT games and other games before they are installed. The present invention uses input elements, pay lines and pay table information to generate test cases for each permutation of element combinations. Once the test cases are generated, pay line wins and credit amounts for each test case can be determined. Each of the generated test cases can include a key that can be used with the actual game code to determine if the results generated by the key in the actual game match the results that were determined during testing.
US08382574B2	Gaming device including player selectable wild symbols A gaming system including at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with at least one input device and at least one display device, for a play of a game, to display a plurality of reels, each reel associated with a plurality of symbol display areas. For each reel, the gaming system randomly generates and causes the reel to display one of a plurality of different symbols on the reel at each of the plurality of symbol display areas associated with the reel. If a triggering event occurs, for one of the symbol display areas, the gaming system displays at the symbol display area two of the same symbol which is displayed at said symbol display area, evaluates the symbols displayed at each of the symbol display areas, including the symbol display area at which two of the same symbol are displayed, to determine if any winning symbol combinations are displayed and provide the player any awards associated with any displayed winning symbol combinations.
US08382571B2	Gaming system with common display and control method of gaming system A gaming system of the present invention includes: a plurality of gaming machines; and a common display device connected to the gaming machines; wherein each of the gaming machines has: a display device, which displays a plurality of symbols; a controller, which executes a process of rearranging symbols arranged on the display device, after a gaming medium is betted, and executing a first game of making a payment according to the rearranged symbols and a process of transferring to a second game which is different from the first game while it is triggered that a predetermined condition is met; a communication interface, which notifies an execution state of the second game to the common display device, and the common display device has: a communication interface, which receives notification from each of the gaming machine; a memory, which stores an effect image relating to the second game and an explanatory image explaining contents of the second game; and a control, which executes a process of judging whether or not the second game is started at each of the gaming machines, based upon the notification from each of the gaming machines, a process of displaying the explanatory image stored in the memory while the second game is started at each of the gaming machines, and process of displaying an effect image stored in the memory in place of the explanatory image.
US08382569B1	Poker game having sequential hands with increasing numbers of cards A poker-type card game offers a player the opportunity to play successive poker hands having increasing numbers of cards. In a method of the game, a player plays a 3 card draw poker stage of the game. If the outcome of that game is winning, the player uses that hand and an additional two cards in the play of a 5 card draw poker game. If the outcome of that game is winning the player uses that hand an additional two cards in the play of a 7 card draw poker hand. Winnings may be paid for winning outcomes at each stage of the game.
US08382566B2	Network game anti-cheating device, method and system An embodiment of this invention discloses a network game anti-cheating device, method and system. The device includes: an information processing unit, adapted to modify actual game state information to dummy game state information, and send the dummy game state information to a terminal of a player; and a seat assignation unit, adapted to assign a player into an unoccupied seat of an idle table according to actual table information in a game room. The information processing unit comprises: a table information processing unit, adapted to send dummy table information in the game room to the terminal of the player; a watching information processing unit, adapted to send dummy game information of players who are playing the game on the table; and a partner-player information processing unit, adapted to send dummy information of the partner-players on the table.
US08382562B1	Deboning knife A knife for deboning rib meat from ribs includes a plurality of spaced apart blades arranged in side by side relation, each blade having forward end, a rearward end and a sharp bottom edge, a deboning head transversely interconnecting the blades and which includes a sharp bottom edge, wherein a sharp grooved surface interconnects a forward end of both blades and the deboning head and a handle connected to the rearward end of the blades. The sharp grooved surface is contoured to a rib of predetermined animal.
US08382559B2	Negative pressure dust collection structure for power tools A negative pressure dust collection structure aims to be used on a power tool which is coupled with an application tool operable in a working space surrounded by a dust collection hood. The dust collection hood includes at least one flow conduction vent communicating with an airflow duct through a negative pressure enhancing duct. The negative pressure enhancing duct has a negative pressure enhancing chamber communicating with the flow conduction vent. The negative pressure enhancing chamber is formed at a cross section shrunk gradually from the flow conduction vent towards the airflow duct to increase suction of the negative pressure enhancing duct to collect dust in the dust collection hood. Moreover, the negative pressure enhancing chamber has an opening edge mating the shape of the inner side of the wall of the dust collection hood to increase covering range of the airflow.
US08382556B2	Portable belt grinder The portable belt grinder 201 comprises; a main body 202 with an electric motor 203 built therein; a drive pulley disposed in the lower portion of the main body 202 and rotationally drivable by the electric motor 203; an idle pulley disposed as the companion to the drive pulley; and, an endless abrasive belt 215 wound between the two pulleys. In the portable belt grinder 201, in the portion of the main body 202 that exists in the vicinity of the abrasive belt 215, there is formed a hole portion 202f which is used to visually confirm the side end edge of the abrasive belt 215 from above. Also, on the upper surface of the main body 202, there is mounted a transparent cover 222 which is used to cover the hole portion 202f.
US08382555B2	Substrate supporting unit, and apparatus and method for polishing substrate using the same Provided are a substrate supporting unit and an apparatus and method for polishing a substrate using the same. The substrate supporting unit vacuum-absorbs a bottom surface of the substrate during a polishing process, and supports the substrate in a state where the substrate is upwardly spaced from the substrate supporting unit to clean the substrate during a post-cleaning process. Therefore, in the substrate supporting unit and the apparatus and method for polishing the substrate using the same, a polishing process on a top surface of the substrate and a post-cleaning process on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate may be sequentially performed in a state where the substrate is supported by a single wafer type substrate supporting unit.
US08382554B2	Substrate polishing apparatus and method of polishing substrate using the same Provided are a substrate polishing apparatus and a method of polishing a substrate using the same. The substrate polishing apparatus includes a substrate supporting member, a polishing unit, and a control unit. The substrate is seated on the rotatable substrate supporting member. The polishing unit includes a rotatable and swingable polishing pad to polish a top surface of the substrate. The control unit controls the substrate supporting member and the polishing unit during a polishing process to adjust a value of a polishing variable adjusting a polishing amount of the substrate according to a horizontal position of the polishing pad with respect to the substrate. Therefore, the substrate polishing apparatus may locally adjust the polishing amount of the substrate to improve polishing uniformity and product yield.
US08382553B2	Toy track set and relay segments A relay for a toy is disclosed herein, the relay having: a first actuator configured to launch a first object into air; a second actuator; a release mechanism moveably secured to the second actuator for movement between a first position and a second position wherein movement of the release mechanism from either the first position towards the second position or the second position towards the first position by the first object causes the second actuator to propel a second object away from the second actuator.
US08382548B2	Toy building blocks A toy building block set includes multiple polyhedron blocks of different lengths removably attachable together. Each block includes at least a top and four side walls. At least one connector extends from the top and includes opposing interior and exterior surfaces. A recessed area is provided at the bottom of each block. Engagement projections or depressions are provided on the connector and the remaining engagement structure are provided in the recessed area of each block where they might fully or partially engage or not engage with structures on the connector. The mechanical interference engagements and resulting engagement forces provided between any two of the blocks are less than three and even less than two times the number of engagements and resulting engagement forces provided by a mated pair of the smallest polyhedron blocks of the set.
US08382539B2	Amphibious vehicle for bridging a water-filled opening An amphibious vehicle includes caissons, floats, and ramps stored on top of one another on a self-propelled rolling base, when the vehicle is in a folded configuration for driving over firm ground. The elements can be deployed transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rolling base when the vehicle, alone or with another vehicle of the same design, forms a pontoon or a ferry to breach a water-filled opening. The vehicle includes a deployment device to deploy the elements on one side before beginning to deploy the elements on the other side of the rolling base. The elements are deployed in at least three different configurations. The elements on each side, include respectively, from the inside outwards, in the deployed configuration, a caisson, a float, and a ramp which are hinged together in a Z-configuration.
US08382535B2	Modifiable electrical connector lug An electrical connector including a first connection section adapted to connect the electrical connector to a first conductor; and a second connection section connected to the first connection section. The second connection section includes a lug with a plurality of lug portions with at least one weakened section between the lug portions. Each lug portion has a hole adapted to be located onto a respective mounting post. A first one of the lug portions can be removed from a second one of the lug portions at the weakened section to reconfigure the second connection section to have one less lug portion.
US08382533B2	Electrically conducting terminal An electrical terminal having at least one open end that is configured to receive a connector in an electrically conducting manner. The open end portion of the connector may be configured with differently sized and/or shaped portions to facilitate receipt of connector, such as to receive the connector in a manner that limits misalignment and/or receipt of bent or crooked connectors.
US08382532B2	Insert element engaging a canted coil spring disposed in a groove in a bore formed by two housing parts A connector includes a canted coil spring, a multi-piece housing, and an insert element. The multi-piece housing includes a first housing part defining a bore of the housing, and a second housing part connected to the first housing part and comprising a tapered wall defined by a first section of the second housing part with a first inner diameter and a second section of the second housing part with a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter. A groove is formed in the bore by the connection of the first housing part with the second housing part, the groove having at least a portion of the canted coil spring disposed therein and having a tapered side wall formed at least partly by the tapered wall of the second housing part. The insert element is insertable into the bore to engage the canted coil spring for connection with the housing.
US08382531B2	Electrical connector assembly Electrical connector assembly comprising a cover part and a contact assembly for providing a mechanical and electrical contact to an electrode, and connecting arrangements for connecting lead wire to the contact component. The contact component is made of an elongated flat-formed strip forming at least two contact points for the electrode and between the contact points forming a recess having walls enlarging when drawing away from the contact points. The contact points are arranged to press against the electrode for detachable fastening.
US08382530B2	Case-integrated connector A case-integrated connector (10) is such that a connector (11) is integrally assembled into a resin-made case body (12) by insert molding using the connector (11) as an insert. The connector (11) is provided with a first housing (20) including a receptacle (22) at one end and a second housing (30) including a connecting portion (33) to be fit into the receptacle (22). The case body (12) covers the outer peripheral surface of a fitting portion (11A) in which the receptacle (22) of the first housing (20) and the connecting portion (33) of the second housing (30) face each other. One of facing surfaces of the receptacle (22) and the connecting portion (33) is formed with annular projections (40) that project outward over the entire periphery to be held in contact with the other facing surface.
US08382529B2	Terminal connector assembly for a medical electrical lead An IS-4 terminal connector assembly includes three terminal electrodes positioned over an inner tubular member such that they are radially offset from one another. Each of the terminal ring electrodes are configured such that they can withstand both tensile and cyclical bending loads with minimal compromise in their outer geometry. Additionally, each of the terminal electrodes is configured such that they have both an inner and outer geometry that facilitates adequate insulation between a select terminal electrode and an adjacent conductor. Additionally, each of the terminal ring electrodes is configured such that they facilitate an external approach to staking a cable conductor.
US08382528B2	Jack assembly with vertically staggered jack bores The present disclosure relates to a jack assembly including a jack mount having a front side and a rear side. A jack of the assembly is adapted to be slidably mounted in a jack receiving region of the jack mount. The jack assembly also includes a plurality of cross-connect contacts, and a rear interface assembly. The rear interface assembly includes a dielectric cover piece and a plurality of rear connectors that project outward from the dielectric cover piece.
US08382527B2	Connector enabling increased density of contacts A plurality of contacts are arranged in a first direction along a side wall of a housing. The housing has a plurality of ribs projecting in a second direction from the side wall and interposed between the contacts, respectively. Each rib has a tapered portion adjacent to the side wall.
US08382512B2	Flat cable connector, harness, and method for manufacturing harness A body housing supports a plurality of terminals, and an end of a flat cable that includes a conductor-exposed portion is disposed in the body housing. The cover housing is attached to the body housing, and holds the plurality of terminals and a plurality of conductors so as to be sandwiched between the body housing and the cover housing. The terminals are provided with a raised portion that is formed such that a portion of the terminals protrudes, and the plurality of terminals and the plurality of conductors in the conductor-exposed portion are respectively welded together by performing resistance welding with the terminals and the conductors abutting against each other via the raised portion. This enables welding to be performed with a small current with regard to resistance welding of the plurality of terminals of the flat cable connector and the plurality of conductors of the flat cable, thus reducing power consumption during welding, and can also achieve stable welding quality.
US08382511B2	Cross connect patch guidance system An intelligent network patch field management system and specialized cross-connect cable are provided to help guide, monitor, and report on the process of connecting and disconnecting patch cords plugs in a cross-connect patching environment. The system is also capable of monitoring patch cord connections to detect insertions or removals of patch cords or plugs. The cross-connect cable is provided with LED's in both of the cable plugs. When only one plug of the cross-connect cable is plugged into a port, the LED associated with that plug is switched out of the circuit, while the LED in the unplugged plug remains in the circuit and can still be illuminated by the system.
US08382509B2	Electrical connector assembly including compliant heat sink An electrical connector system includes a first electrical connector having a mounting interface and a mating interface, wherein the mounting interface is configured to electrically connect to an electrical component, and the mating interface is configured to electrically connect to a complementary electrical connector along a forward insertion direction. The electrical connector system further includes a heat sink disposed forward of the first electrical connector, the heat sink defining an engagement surface configured to contact the complementary electrical connector when the first electrical connector is mated with the complementary electrical connector. The heat sink is movably supported in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the insertion direction so as to maintain the engagement surface in thermal contact with the complementary electrical connector.
US08382507B2	Connectors for electric cords An electrical connection device includes a first connector and a second connector capable of being mechanically and electrically connected to the first connector. A lock mechanism can lock the connection between the first and second connectors. The first connector has a cover capable of covering a connecting region between the first and second connectors. The second connector has an unlock device operable to unlock the lock mechanism. The unlock device is positioned not to interact with the cover when the first and second connectors are connected to each other.
US08382506B2	Low profile latching connector A small, low-profile plug connector for use with electronic devices provides a latching member with a pair of hooks that engage mating holes in a guide frame, and which can be easily delatched from the guide frame or opposing connector or housing. The hooks lock the plug connector into engagement with the frame or housing, but are readily released by way of a simple ramp and lobe mechanism in the plug connector. The ramp and lobe mechanism converts horizontal movement of a pull tab-like actuator into vertical movement of a latching member such that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the guide frame or housing.
US08382502B2	Illumination device with a connector having a retainer with a rotary member and a starter and a swich and elastic pieces An illumination device includes a light tube holder including two connectors for receiving either a light-emitting diode (LED) tube or a fluorescent tube. The connector includes three conductive elastic pieces therein. One elastic piece is electrically connected to an LED tube drive circuit board and a fluorescent tube, and the other two elastic pieces are respectively electrically connected to the LED and fluorescent tube drive circuit boards. A normally closed switch is located in the one of the connectors. The switch has a first end connected between a power supply and a first end of a ballast, and a second end connected to a second end of the ballast. When the LED tube is mounted to the holder, the switch is closed, and when the fluorescent tube is mounted to the holder the switch is open.
US08382498B2	Card connector with ejector A card connector includes an insulative housing defining a card receiving space, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing, an ejector received in the insulative housing and a metal shell covering the insulative housing. The ejector includes a movable slider, a spring, and a pin member, the slider defines a heart-shaped slot, and the pin member has a positioning end being rotatablely retained to the insulative housing and a free end being slidable along the heart-shaped slot to lock the slider. A latching piece is retained to the insulative housing and has a catching portion catching the pin member and an elastic portion connecting with the catching portion. When the pin member slides, the catching portion will bring the elastic portion to deflect and provide an outward or inward force to the pin member so as to control a movement trace of the pin member.
US08382484B2	Apparatus, system, and method for modulating consolidation of memory during sleep Devices, systems and methods to modify memory and/or cognitive function by delivering a sensory stimulus paired with learned material at opportune physiological periods during sleep. For example, described herein are systems, methods and devices to enhance a user's cognitive function in such areas as memorization and learning. A machine (e.g., a system or device) may be used to identify opportune periods of the sleep cycle and to deliver a stimulus during specific phases of the sleep cycle to facilitate or interrupt memory consolidation. In some variations the machine records ambient sensory inputs during awake acquisition or reinforcement/relearning and replays all or an extracted form of the ambient sensory stimuli a specified portion of the user's sleep.
US08382477B2	Healing abutment system for bone contouring The present invention uses an anatomically shaped bone graft contouring abutment in place of a conventional healing abutment to control the bone graft for optimal height. The extraction site aesthetics, in the form of enhanced gingival growth, are facilitated by the optimal bone graft placement.
US08382473B2	Apparatus and method relating to teeth whitening A teeth whitening apparatus and a method of teeth whitening is provided. The apparatus includes one or more thermoelectric device(s) which may be in the form of peltier devices adapted to be placed in the mouth. The or each thermoelectric device has one side that heats up and another side that is cooled when an electrical current is passed through the or each device. The or each thermoelectric device is preferably molded into a mouth guard into which a teeth whitening composition is placed such that the heat generated by the or each thermoelectric device activates the teeth whitening composition. The one or more thermoelectric device(s) are preferably powered by one or more batteries. Preferably, the one or more thermoelectric device(s) are coupled to one or more heat sinks such that the heat produced by the one or more thermoelectric device(s) is spread out over the teeth to be whitened.
US08382470B2	Fluidized bed boiler plant and method of combusting sulfurous fuel in a fluidized bed boiler plant A fluidized bed boiler plant and a method of combusting sulfurous fuel in the fluidized bed boiler plant, a furnace of which plant is provided with a fluidized bed of particles. Sulfurous fuel, CaCO3-containing sulphur-binding agent and combusting air are introduced to the bed of particles, whereby fuel burns and generates flue gases and the sulphur-binding agent calcinates to CaO and binds SO2 generated in the combustion. Energy is recovered to a heat exchange medium circulating in heat exchange tubes of a condensing heat exchanger arranged in a flue gas channel, and a water solution of acid condensing on outer surfaces is neutralized by mixing it in a mixing vessel to a CaO-containing ash from a plant, preferably, fly ash collected by a dust separator.
US08382469B2	Method and apparatus for utilising fugitive gases as a supplementary fuel source Apparatus and method for collecting fugitive combustible gases and adding the gases as a supplementary fuel source to an engine. The fugitive combustible gases are added to the air inletted to the air supply and a control is provided to allow adjustment of the normal fuel supplied to the engine following the addition of the fugitive combustible gases. The fugitive combustible gases provide an energy source for the engine and the combustion of the gases reduces the greenhouse effect if the gases contain methane.
US08382466B2	Large area dissolvable template lithography A method and apparatus for patterning a substrate are provided. A template is formed by applying a precursor material to a patterned master substrate and curing or solidifying the precursor material. The template is detached from the master substrate using a carrier having a curved surface. The template is coated with a patterning material, and is then detached from the carrier and applied to the substrate to be patterned. The template is then dissolved without affecting the patterning material, and the patterning material may thereafter be finished to develop the pattern. In an alternate embodiment, the patterning material may be applied to the substrate and then imprinted using the template.
US08382465B2	Method and apparatus for test pressing multi-layer tablets or coated tablets The invention relates to an apparatus for test pressing tablets with at least two layers.
US08382458B2	High-pressure fuel pump A high-pressure fuel pump is comprises of: a plunger which slidably fits to a cylinder and reciprocates for pressurizing and discharging a fuel taken in a pressurizing chamber; an inlet valve device for taking in a fuel into the pressurizing chamber; an outlet valve device for discharging the pressurized fuel from the pressurizing chamber; and a communicating pass which comprises a hole or a groove formed in the cylinder, and communicates between a pressurized fuel area and a gap between the cylinder and the plunger.
US08382457B2	Subsea pumping system A technique is provided for pumping fluid in subsea applications. A self-contained pumping module is created by mounting a pumping unit on a skid that can be lowered to a sea floor. The skid comprises a support structure designed to hold the pumping unit in a desired orientation, such as an inclined orientation with respect to a base of the skid. The self-contained nature of the pumping module facilitates deployment to a sea floor/retrieval from the sea floor to enable use of the pumping module in a variety of subsea applications with reduced complexity and cost.
US08382452B2	Pump arrangement comprising a safety valve A pump arrangement includes a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, and a safety valve arranged between the pump outlet and an outlet of the pump arrangement and having a valve seat and a valve lid. The valve seat, the pump outlet and the pump inlet are patterned in a first surface of a first integrated part of the pump arrangement, whereas the valve lid is formed in a second integrated part of the pump arrangement. An inlet of the pump arrangement and a fluid region fluidically connected thereto are formed in a third part of the pump arrangement. The second integrated part is arranged between the first integrated part and the third part of the pump arrangement such that a pressure in the fluid region has a closing effect on the safety valve, the pump inlet and the inlet of the pump arrangement being connected fluidically.
US08382443B2	Control device for electric compressor and start control method of electric compressor Control device for an electric compressor and a start control method of an electric compressor that can smoothly and reliably start the electric compressor even at high temperature. Even in a high temperature state of a power transistor, a rotational speed or an acceleration rate of a motor according to the temperature is set to gradually start the electric compressor. After the commencement of the start, the temperature of the power transistor is repeatedly checked for every predetermined time to update the rotational speed or the acceleration rate of the motor, and the rotational speed or the acceleration rate of the motor is increased according to the temperature of the power transistor, thereby allowing quick start.
US08382442B2	Controllable pitch blade non-ducted propeller for jet engine Controllable pitch blade non-ducted propeller for a jet engine, comprising a rotor member comprising radial housing for mounting blade support plates, each plate being attached in a ring centered and guided in rotation in a housing of the rotor member and comprising external toothing engaged and locked in internal toothing of the ring, to withstand the centrifugal forces to which the propeller blades are subjected in operation.
US08382427B2	Blower fan A blower fan includes a housing having a compartment. A stator and an impeller are mounted in the compartment. The housing further includes an air inlet and an air outlet both communicated with the compartment. The impeller has a hub and a plurality of vanes coupled to the hub. Each vane includes an upper edge whose end is an air input portion adjacent to the air inlet of the housing, and an air gap is formed between the upper edge of each vane and a top of the housing, with various widths of the air gap ranging from 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm, while a shortest width of the air gap is formed between the air input portion of the upper edge and the top of the housing for providing reduced turbulence and noises.
US08382424B1	Turbine vane mate face seal pin with impingement cooling A stator vane with an endwall having a mate face with a seal slot, where the seal slot includes a row of feed slots on an outer side and two rows of impingement slots on an inner side and along the sides of the seal pin. Each impingement slot is connected by an impingement hole to one of the feed slots. With the seal pin secured within mate face seal slots of adjacent endwalls, cooling air flows through the feed holes and through the impingement holes to provide convection and impingement cooling for the mate faces. The spent impingement cooling air then flows out the diffusion slots and into the gap to purge hot gas flow away from the gap.
US08382420B2	Cart stop A cart stop suitable for use with a lift platform is described. The cart stop has a closed position which allows a cart or other wheeled device to move over it. The cart stop also has an open position which prevents the cart or other wheeled device from rolling off of the lift platform.
US08382418B2	Apparatus for accessing and storing objects The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring an object from a lower accessible position to a higher storage position, which is particularly useful on vehicles. The present invention also relates to a method of transferring an object from a lower accessible position to a higher storage position.

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