最新美国发明专利第2013-06-04期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08455786B2	Electrode head of the plasma cutting machine An electrode head of the plasma cutting machine is provided. The electrode head comprises a sheath, a bearing means, an electrode core, a first brazing means and a second brazing means. The sheath has a first end and a second end. A first flange extends radially inward from the first end. The bearing means has a third end and a fourth end. A second flange extending from the third end is fixed to the first flange of the sheath via the first brazing means. A protrusion portion is provided axially from the interior of the fourth end. A recess portion is extending from the third end into the interior of the protrusion portion. The electrode core is fixed in the recess portion via the second brazing means.
US08455785B2	Water-vapor plasma torch, and wear-detection and process-control method to be used with such a water-vapor plasma torch The invention relates to a water-vapor plasma torch (7) for cutting a workpiece (21), comprising a feed line (8) for a liquid (9), a heating device (22), and an evaporator (23) for forming a gas (20) from the liquid (9), a cathode (24) detachably connected to a movably mounted piston rod (25), and a nozzle (26) with an outlet opening (27) for the gas (20), as well as to a wear-detection and process-control method to be used with such a water-vapor plasma torch (7). To create such a water-vapor plasma torch (7) including wearing-part detection, at least one temperature sensor (28) is arranged within the piston rod (25), said temperature sensor being connected to a control unit (4), so that a wear of the cathode (24) and the nozzle (26) can be concluded from the temperature values detected, and that the control of the water-vapor plasma cutting process is influenceable.
US08455783B2	Electro-erosion edge honing of cutting tools A process for preparing the cutting edge of a cutting tool having a rake face and a clearance face. The process comprises the elimination of material from the cutting edge by providing a series of rapidly recurring electrical spark discharges in a gap located between the tool edge and a counterface. The spark discharges vaporize and melt the tool edge to form a desired radius.
US08455782B2	Portable EDM system for making calibration standards A portable EDM device and system thereof for producing calibration reflectors on a pipe includes a base mountable on the pipe, a motor mounted on the base, a cutting tool operably connected to the motor, an electrode operably connected to the cutting tool, a power source mounted on the base and operably connected to the electrode and operably connectable to the pipe, and a source of dielectric fluid mounted on the base. The power source is configured to electrically discharge a voltage from the electrode to the pipe to remove material from the pipe. The source of dielectric fluid is in fluid communication with the pipe to remove the material removed from the pipe.
US08455780B2	Low-voltage, medium-voltage or high-voltage assembly The disclosure relates to a voltage assembly having at least one short circuiting device in which a moving contact piece can be closed onto a fixed contact piece. In order to prevent breakdown at least two separated vacuum zones are arranged along a moving path of the fixed contact piece.
US08455779B2	Chip card device A chip card device includes: a first insulative substrate; a chip unit disposed on an inner side of the first insulative substrate; a first conductive wiring disposed on the inner side of the first insulative substrate, and including a first chip-connecting end that is electrically connected to the chip unit, and a first open circuit terminal opposite to the first chip-connecting end; and a second conductive wiring disposed on the inner side of the first insulative substrate and including a second chip-connecting end that is electrically connected to the chip unit, and a second open circuit terminal that is opposite to the second chip-connecting end, and that can be electrically connected to the first open circuit terminal through an external touching member.
US08455777B2	Electrical switch An electrical switch adapted to be engaged by a first and/or a second activation button by means of which a user may operate the electrical switch. The electrical switch comprises an activation element which defines first and second retaining surfaces for engagement with the first and the second activation button, respectively.
US08455776B2	Push switch A push switch includes a switch section for carrying out electric connection by pushing, a switch case having a groove portion on a side surface thereof and accommodating the switch section, and a terminal produced integrally with the switch case and led out from a side surface of the switch case. The groove portion extends from a vicinity of the terminal.
US08455775B2	Power transmission apparatus for high voltage load breaker switch A power transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can improve the reliability of an opening operation of the high voltage LBS by using both a main circuit opening driving force of an opening spring and an opening driving force from an actuator mechanism. The power transmission apparatus comprises a main circuit opening power transmission mechanism for transmitting an opening position rotating power of a power transmission shaft to the main circuit switch in order to move the main circuit switch to an opening position.
US08455773B2	Apparatus and method for weighing containers An apparatus for weighing containers moved by a transporting arrangement along a path in a weighing station includes a transferring arrangement for transferring containers from the transporting arrangement to the weighing station and vice versa. The transferring arrangement is driven so as to move at least a container to be weighed away from an upstream row of containers for taking at least a container to be weighed to the weighing station, maintaining the container to be weighed in the weighing station for a time necessary for detecting the weight of the container to be weighed, and moving the weighed container towards a downstream row of containers.
US08455771B2	Electromagnetic shielding device A shielding device includes a frame, a shielding enclosure and a shaft. The frame includes sidewalls and at least one hinged portion. The shielding enclosure includes a cover and flanges extending therefrom for engagement with the sidewalls of the frame. A barrel portion is formed on the shielding enclosure and is aligned with the hinged portion. The shaft extends through the hinged portion and the barrel portion for rotatably connecting the shielding enclosure to the frame.
US08455769B2	Electronic component and method of mounting the same An electronic component achieves significantly improved adhesion strength between an external electrode and a substrate body and includes an insulative substrate body, at least one groove disposed in at least one main surface of the substrate body, at least one external electrode disposed on the at least one main surface of the substrate body, wherein a portion of the at least one external electrode is disposed in at least a portion of the groove.
US08455768B2	Back-end-of-line planar resistor A stack of an interconnect-level dielectric material layer and a disposable dielectric material layer is patterned so that at least one recessed region is formed through the disposable dielectric material layer and in an upper portion of the interconnect-level dielectric material layer. A dielectric liner layer and a metallic liner layer is formed in the at least one recessed region. At least one photoresist is applied to fill the at least one recessed region and lithographically patterned to form via cavities and/or line cavities in the interconnect-level dielectric material layer. After removing the at least one photoresist, the at least one recessed region, the via cavities, and/or the line cavities are filled with at least one metallic material, which is subsequently planarized to form at least one planar resistor having a top surface that is coplanar with top surfaces of metal lines or metal vias.
US08455759B2	Inlet cover and adapter assembly for electrical components An electrical assembly includes a cover assembly, an electrical component such as a circuit breaker and an adapter for mounting the electrical component to the cover assembly. The cover assembly is adapted for mounting directly to a support surface such as a marine hull where the support surface has an opening to receive the electrical component. The electrical component and adapter are received in an opening in the support surface by the cover assembly. The adapter is constructed for coupling to an electrical component and one or more different cover assemblies having different screw hole patterns where the electrical component cannot be coupled directly to the cover assembly.
US08455758B2	Cable organization assemblies Preferred assemblies are directed to a cable assembly that includes a first electrical wire and a second electrical wire; with a thermo-resistant material that is molded around the wires. Zipper teeth are molded to the thermo-resistant material of both of the wires. The zipper teeth on the first wire are releasably attached to the zipper teeth on the second wire, and at least one reinforcing fiber is encapsulated with one of the wires.
US08455755B2	Concentrated photovoltaic and thermal solar energy collector This invention relates to a solar energy collector that converts solar radiation into both electrical and thermal energy. More specifically this invention relates to a concentrating solar energy collector with an integrated construction that minimizes cost, bulk, and weight, and maximizes overall efficiency. Typical non-concentrating solar collectors use photovoltaic cells over the entirety of their surface. These solar cells are the most expensive part of the collector. This invention discloses using a reflector to concentrate the incident radiation on photovoltaic cells with one-twentieth the area of the reflector, and transferring the co-generated thermal energy into a working fluid pumped through the cell support structure.
US08455754B2	Solar cell element manufacturing method and solar cell element A solar cell element and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. A reverse-conductive-type layer is formed on at least one part of a first surface side of a one-conductive-type semiconductor substrate. A conductive layer is formed on the reverse-conductive-type layer. A contact region for electrically connecting the conductive layer and the one-conductive-type semiconductor substrate is formed by heating and melting at least one part of the conductive layer. The solar cell element can be manufactured without conducting complicated treatments, such as removal by etching and re-growing of a silicon thin layer.
US08455749B1	Detachable electric pickup for musical instrument A detachable (portable) electrical pickup for musical instruments, such as basses, that includes a clamp to secure the pickup to the bridge of an instrument, a piezo crystal sensor, an integral audio jack, and a volume control. Also included are musician removable and interchangeable weights that are used to alter the response characteristics and to control any deleterious feedback.
US08455748B2	Tuner device A pitch detection device in which a frequency can be lowered after having maintained both a pitch error accuracy and a response time at practical values to reduce current consumption. Because a number of times of cumulative addition is changed in response to a pitch of a measured signal, a cumulative addition time sum equals or exceeds a constant T_SUM_MIN. Accordingly, a pitch error accuracy of the measured signal achieves a required error accuracy. Furthermore, a frequency of the clock signal is decided using a numerical formula (6) and a numerical formula (7) so that the constant T_SUM_MIN does not exceed a required response time. Accordingly, a response time is within the required response time regardless of whether the frequency of the measured signal is lowered.
US08455746B2	Beater bracket and variable drive lever system with variable pivot point spring rotor for bass drum foot pedals Described is a bass drum foot pedal having a variable drive lever linkage with variable arc ratios connecting the foot pedal to a beater bracket. The beater bracket is formed with a mounting surface that tips a beater shaft forward to create a forward beater angle that maximizes the beater impact against a bass drum.
US08455743B2	Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH690072 According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH690072. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH690072, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH690072 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH690072.
US08455741B1	Inbred maize variety PH18KC A novel maize variety designated PH18KC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH18KC with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH18KC 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 PH18KC or a locus conversion of PH18KC with another maize variety.
US08455732B1	Soybean cultivar 14070051 A soybean cultivar designated 14070051 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 14070051, to the plants of soybean cultivar 14070051, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 14070051, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 14070051. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 14070051. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 14070051, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 14070051 with another soybean cultivar.
US08455727B2	Soybean variety A1024755 The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1024755. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1024755. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1024755 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1024755 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08455721B2	Soybean cultivar 99401805 A soybean cultivar designated 99401805 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 99401805, to the plants of soybean 99401805, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 99401805, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 99401805 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars, or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean variety 99401805, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 99401805, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 99401805 with another soybean cultivar.
US08455720B2	Corn event MIR162 A novel transgenic corn event designated MIR162 is disclosed. The invention relates to nucleic acids that are unique to event MIR162 and to methods for detecting the presence of the MIR162 event based on DNA sequences of the recombinant constructs inserted into the corn genome that resulted in the MIR162 event and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site. The invention further relates to corn plants comprising the transgenic genotype of MIR162 and to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a corn plant comprising the MIR162 genotype with itself or another corn variety. Seeds of corn plants comprising the MIR162 genotype are also objects of the present invention. The invention also relates to methods of controlling insects using MIR162 corn plants.
US08455719B2	Method for increasing seed yield or biomass by expressing RNA binding proteins in transgenic plants The invention concerns a method for improving growth characteristics of plants by increasing activity in a plant of an RNA-binding protein, which is: (i) a polypeptide having RNA-binding activity and comprising 2 or 3 RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and a motif having at least 75% identity to motif I: PYEAAVVALPVVVKERLVRILRLGIATRYD (SEQ ID NO: 12) and/or a motif having at least 50% identity to motif II: RFDPFTGEPYKFDP (SEQ ID NO: 13); or (ii) an RBP1 polypeptide having (a) RNA-binding activity; (b) two RRM domains, (c) the following two motifs: (i) KIFVGGL (SEQ ID NO: 41); and (ii) RPRGFGF (SEQ ID NO: 42), allowing for up to three amino acid substitutions and any conservative change in the motifs; and (d) having at least 20% identity to SEQ ID NO: 15. Also provided is transgenic plants introduced with an RNA-binding protein-encoding nucleic acid having improved growth characteristics and constructs useful in the methods.
US08455718B2	Chimeric regulatory elements for gene expression in leaf mesophyll and bundle sheath cells The present invention provides chimeric regulatory elements constructed from gene regulatory element polynucleotide molecules isolated from the Zea mays genes fructose 1-6 bisphosphate aldolase (FDA), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK), or ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activase (RUA), useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The invention further discloses compositions, polynucleotide constructs, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and seeds comprising the chimeric gene regulatory molecules, and methods for preparing and using the same.
US08455716B2	Multiple virus resistance in plants The present invention provides gene targets, constructs and methods for the genetic control of plant disease caused by multiple plant viruses. The present invention relates to achieving a plant protective effect through the identification of target coding sequences and the use of recombinant DNA technologies for post-transcriptionally repressing or inhibiting expression of the target coding sequences of plant-parasitic viruses. Protein-expression based approaches may also be utilized to augment phenotype resistance. Thus, transcription of a single transgenic event comprising one or more plant expression cassettes can allow for broad spectrum resistance of a plant to multiple plant viral strains and species among the geminiviruses, tospoviruses, and potexviruses.
US08455715B2	Method for performing homologous recombination in plants The invention relates to modified restriction enzymes capable of being used for promoting homologous recombination in organisms, in particular plants, making it possible to either target gene integration or excise unwanted DNA sequences in the genome of said organisms.
US08455714B2	DGAT genes for increased seed storage lipid production and altered fatty acid profiles in oilseed plants Transgenic oilseeds having increased total fatty acid content of at least 10% and altered fatty acid profiles when compared to the total fatty acid content of null segregant oilseeds are described. Novel DGAT genes are used to achieve the increase in seed storage lipids.
US08455713B2	Plants with improved morphogenesis and method of constructing the same The invention relates to plants and their progeny with improved morphogenesis in a variety of organs; to a method for producing the plants; and to a method for producing calli.
US08455709B2	Heavy hydrocarbon removal systems and methods Apparatuses and systems for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed herein. The apparatuses extract heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons and provide a solvent stream having the heavy hydrocarbons removed. Two water washing steps are used to remove residual solvent from the heavy hydrocarbon solution in light hydrocarbons. In some embodiments, the second water wash is used for processing subsequent batches of the solvent stream. The heavy hydrocarbons and solvent can be recovered and processed further. Methods for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are also disclosed herein.
US08455707B2	Methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of acetylene and other higher hydrocarbons from methane feed using a reverse-flow reactor system, wherein the reactor system includes (i) a first reactor and (ii) a second reactor, the first and second reactors oriented in a series relationship with respect to each other, the process comprising supplying each of first and second reactant through separate channels in the first reactor bed of a reverse-flow reactor such that both of the first and second reactants serve to quench the first reactor bed, without the first and second reactants substantially reacting with each other until reaching the core of the reactor system.
US08455705B2	Synthesis of liquid fuels and chemicals from oxygenated hydrocarbons Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons to aromatics and gasonline range hydrocarbons where the oxygenated hydrocarbons are derived from biomass.
US08455704B2	Method for producing fluorinated organic compounds Disclosed are processes for the production of fluorinated olefins, preferably adapted to commercialization of CF3CF═CH2 (1234yf). In certain preferred embodiments the processes comprise first exposing a compound of Formula (IA) C(X)2═CClC(X)3 (IA) where each X is independently F, Cl or H, preferably CCl2═CClCH2Cl, to one or more sets of reaction conditions, but preferably a substantially single set of reaction conditions, effective to produce at least one chlorofluoropropane, preferably in accordance with Formula (IB): CF3CClX′C(X′)3 Formula (IB) where each X′ is independently F, Cl or H, and then exposing the compound of Formula (IB) to one or more sets of reaction conditions, but preferably a substantially single set of reaction conditions, effective to produce a compound of Formula (II) CF3CF═CHZ (II) where Z is H, F, Cl, I or Br.
US08455701B2	Method for producing decanols by means of hydrogenating decenals The present invention relates to a method for producing at least one decanol by means of hydrogenating at least one decenal, wherein a first hydrogenation is carried out in the liquid phase on a solid first catalyst, wherein the first catalyst contains copper and nickel. The aim of the invention is to provide a method of the type mentioned above, according to which decenals can be hydrogenated into decanols in high yields even after long operating periods. The content of non-reacted decenals in the hydrogenation discharge in particular should be less than 1500 ppm. Said aim is achieved by carrying out the hydrogenation in two steps, which is to say in a first step in a known manner using a catalyst comprising copper, nickel and optionally chromium and/or barium oxide, and subsequently in a second step using a different catalyst that must be free of copper, chromium and nickel.
US08455698B2	Hydroxy- and aldehyde functional compounds The invention relates to a method for producing a mixture containing hydroxy- and aldehyde functional compounds by a cross-metathesis reaction of at least one at least monounsaturated fatty acid or at least one at least monounsaturated fatty acid derivative with an olefinic compound having at least one hydroxy group and at least one C—C double bond, in the presence of a metathesis catalyst at a maximum temperature of 180° C.
US08455692B2	Process for resolution of 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylamino ethanol Resolution of the title compound to its active isomer (R)-1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylamino ethanol with (R)-naproxen as a resolving agent.
US08455689B2	Process for preparing substituted biphenylanilides The present invention relates to a process for preparing substituted biphenylanilides of the formula I wherein R1 is a protected amino group which comprises reacting a compound of formula II in the presence of a base and of a palladium catalyst in a solvent, with an organoboron compound of formula (III)
US08455688B2	HDAC inhibitors This invention provides the compound having the structure wherein n is 1-10; X is C—R11 or N, wherein R11 is H, OH, SH, F, Cl, SO2R7, NO2, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, or CO—R7, wherein R7 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, or aryl; Z is R2 is H or NR3R4, wherein R3 and R4 are each independently H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl; R5 is OH or SH; and R6, R12, R13, and R14 are each independently H, OH, SH, F, Cl, SO2R15, NO2, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, or CO—R15, wherein R15 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, or aryl, or a salt of the compound, which is useful in the treatment of tumors.
US08455681B2	Mannich condensation products useful as sequestering agents The present invention is directed to Mannich condensation product sequestering agents or mixtures of Mannich condensation product sequestering agents for use in fuels and lubricating oils. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing the Mannich condensation product sequestering agents. The present invention is also directed to a product formed by combining, under reaction conditions, a polyisobutyl-substituted hydroxyaromatic compound, an aldehyde, an amino acid or ester thereof, and an alkali metal base to form the Mannich condensation product sequestering agent. The present invention is also directed to a lubricating oil composition, a lubricating oil concentrate, a fuel composition, and a fuel concentrate having the Mannich condensation product sequestering agents of the present invention.
US08455677B2	Methanol dehydrogenation catalyst for producing of methyl formate and method for producing methyl formate A methanol dehydrogenating catalyst used for production of methyl formate, which contains a copper-zinc-aluminum oxide, a phosphoric acid compound, and an alkali metal bromide, wherein the catalyst has high methyl formate selectivity and excellent durability and heat resistance; and a method of producing methyl formate by using the catalyst.
US08455676B2	Process for preparing carboxylic esters by reactive distillation In a process for preparing carboxylic esters by transesterification, a first feed stream comprising a first carboxylic ester, e.g. methyl formate, is introduced laterally into a reaction column at least one first feed point located between top and bottom of the reaction column and a second feed stream comprising a first alcohol, e.g. ethanol, is introduced laterally into the reaction column at a second feed point located above the first feed point and are reacted in a reaction zone of the reaction column to form a second carboxylic ester and a second alcohol. The first alcohol has a higher molecular weight than the second alcohol. A product fraction comprising the second carboxylic ester and unreacted first carboxylic ester is taken off at an offtake point located above the second feed point. At the bottom of the reaction column, a bottom fraction comprising the second alcohol and unreacted first alcohol is taken off. The product fraction is separated by distillation at a pressure which is different from the pressure in the reaction column into second carboxylic ester and a fraction comprising unreacted first carboxylic ester and the fraction comprising unreacted first carboxylic ester is at least partly recirculated to the reaction zone.
US08455674B2	Chlorothioformate manufacturing method The present invention relates to a process for producing chlorothioformate comprising reacting an alkenyl mercaptan with phosgene in a reactor in the presence of a carboxylic acid amide in an organic solvent, characterized in that the carboxylic acid amide is preliminary charged to the reactor in an amount of 10 to 50% by weight based on the whole amount of the carboxylic acid amide, and subsequently, the compound of the formula (I), phosgene and the remaining carboxylic acid amide are charged to the reactor.
US08455673B2	Water dispersible silanes Disclosed and claimed is a composition that comprises a dispersion in a solvent of a compound comprising the reaction product of (1) a polyamine in which a plurality of amine groups are bonded to at least one radical comprising alkylene or arylene groups that separate the polyamine nitrogen atoms by at least four intermediate atoms in a chain, and (2) a silane which carries a plurality of silicon-bonded hydrolysable groups, and a silicon-bonded organic group that is covalently reactive with and which bonds with an amine group, to provide a reaction product molecule which comprises an average of at least about 2.5 of said silane groups per molecule. Some of these materials show superior advantage as a paint primer and some provide excellent corrosion resistance.
US08455671B2	Ruthenium complexes with (P—P)-coordinated ferrocenyldiphosphine ligands, process for preparing them and their use in homogeneous catalysis The invention relates to ruthenium complexes with a chiral ferrocenyldiphosphine ligand, wherein the ruthenium has the oxidation state (+II) and the chiral ferrocenyldiphosphine ligand has bidentate P—P coordination to the ruthenium. The ruthenium complexes are cyclic and with the ferrocenyldiphosphine ligand have an at least eight-membered ring. The ferrocenyldiphosphine ligands are selected from the group consisting of Taniaphos, Taniaphos-OH and Walphos ligands. A process for preparing the Ru complexes is described. The Rn complexes are used as catalysts for homogeneous asymmetric catalysis for preparing organic compounds.
US08455670B1	Mixed complex esters The present invention relates to a series of mixed esters of complex esters having two distinct alkyl groups present thereon. One is a low melting product, having a melting point of below 70° C. and the other having a melting point of above. 90° C. The presence of the two different melting point groups on the polyol results in a modification of the hardness, spreadability and aesthetics of the resulting mixed ester. This ability to alter hardness and skin aesthetics makes the products of the present invention useful in personal care products ranging as additives to pigmented products to minimize syneresis, to stick products alter the hardness, shrinkability and aesthetics of the stick, to pressed powders where they act to modify the compressibility of the powders to which they are added as well as the feel achieved when they are applied to the skin.
US08455668B2	Method for preparing hydroxymethylfurfural A method for preparing hydroxymethylfurfural, which includes: a) mixing and dissolving triose or its derivatives and solvent 1 to obtain the first reaction mixture; b) reacting the obtained first reaction mixture with Alkaline Catalyst 1 to condense into hexose; c) mixing and dissolving the resulting hexose and solvent 2 to obtain the second reaction mixture; d) adding acid catalyst 2 to the second reaction mixture, then heating the second reaction mixture at 80˜280° C. to form the third reaction mixture including hydroxymethylfurfural; e) obtaining the hydroxymethylfurfural separating by separating from the third mixture. The method is a new synthetic way for preparing 4-hydroxymethylfurfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.
US08455666B1	Vegetable oil esterified lipoic acid Esters of lipoic acid with a glyceride are produced in high yield by lipase catalyzed transesterification. The esters are generally characterized by Formula 1: wherein at least one but no more than two of R1, R2, and R3 are a lipoic acid derivative selected from a lipoate moiety of the formula: or a dihydrolipoate moiety of the formula and the other of the R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from C4 to C24 fatty acid moieties or OH, with the proviso that at least one of the R1, R2, and R3 is a fatty acid moiety.
US08455665B2	3-phenoxymethylpyrrolidine compounds In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I: where R1-6 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of formula I are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08455663B2	Halosubstituted aryloxyalkylimidazolines for use as pesticides The present invention relates to novel imidazoline derivatives and their use as insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematocidal agents. The invention also extends to insecticidal, acaricidal, molluscicidal and nematicidal compositions comprising such imidazoline derivatives, and to methods of using such derivatives and/or compositions to combat and control insect, acarine, mollusc and nematode pests. A compound of formula (I) and salts and N-oxides thereof, wherein: R1 is C1-10 alkyl; R2 is chloro, bromo or iodo; R3 is C2-5 alkyl, C1-5 haloalkyl, C1-6 hydroxyalkyl, C1-5alkoxy-(C1-3)-alkyl, di-(C1-5 alkoxy)-(C1-3)-alkyl, C1-5alkylthio-(C1-3)-alkyl; C1-5 alkylsulfinyl-(C1-3)alkyl; C2-5 alkenyl, C1-5 haloalkenyl, C2-5 alkinyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, C3-6 cycloalkenyl, hydroxy, C1-5 alkoxy, C1-5haloalkoxy, C1-5alkylthio, C1-5 haloalkylthio, formyl, cyano, bromo, or iodo; Z is hydrogen, hydroxy, nitro cyano, rhodano, formyl, G-, G-S—, G-S—S—, G-A-, R7R8N—, R7R8N—S—, R7R8N-A-, G-O-A-, G-S-A-, (R10O)(R11O)P(X)—, (R10O)(R11S)P(X)—, (R10O)(R11)P(X)—, (R10S)(R11S)P(X)—, (R10O)(R14R15N)P(X)—, (R11)(R14R15N)P(X)—, (R14R15N)(R16R17N)P(X)—, G-N═CH—, G-O—N═CH—, N≡C—N═CH—, or Z is a group of formula (II), wherein B is S—, S—S—, S(O)—, C(O)—, or (CH2)n—; n is an integer from 1 to 6; and R1, R2, and R3 are as defined above; and G is optionally substituted C1-10alkyl, optionally substituted C2-10 alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-10 alkynyl, optionally substituted C3-7 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C3-7 cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl or optionally substituted heterocyclyl; A is S(O), SO2, C(O) or C(S).
US08455660B2	1-(sulfonyl)-N-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamides for the identification of biological and pharmacological activity Novel compounds are continually sought after to treat and prevent diseases and disorders. The invention relates to 1-(sulfonyl)-N-phenylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamides which are useful for being biologically and pharmacologically screened, and to contribute to the exploration and identification of new lead molecules that are capable of modulating the functional activity of a biological target.
US08455656B2	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.
US08455654B2	Nanosized particles of benzimidazolone pigments A nanoscale pigment particle composition includes an organic benzimidazolone pigment, and a sterically bulky stabilizer compound, wherein the benzimidazolone pigment associates non-covalently with the sterically bulky stabilizer compound that is a substituted pyridine derivative; and the presence of the associated stabilizer limits the extent of particle growth and aggregation, to afford nanoscale pigment particles.
US08455647B2	6-aminoisoquinoline compounds 6-Amino isoquinoline compounds are provided that influence, inhibit or reduce the action of a kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions including therapeutically effective amounts of the 6-aminoisoquinoline compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided. Various methods using the compounds and/or compositions to affect disease states or conditions such as cancer, obesity and glaucoma are also provided.
US08455646B2	Alkaloid aminoester derivatives and medicinal composition thereof Alkaloid aminoester compounds which act as muscarinic receptor antagonists are useful for the prevention and/or treatment of a broncho-obstructive or inflammatory diseases.
US08455644B2	Peripheral opioid receptor antagonists and uses thereof The present invention provides a compound of formula I: wherein X−, R1, and R2 are as defined herein, and compositions thereof.
US08455637B2	Process for adjusting degree of acetyl substitution of cellulose acetate A process for adjusting an intermolecular or intramolecular degree of acetyl substitution of cellulose acetate is disclosed. The process comprises ripening cellulose acetate in the presence of a catalyst, an acetyl donor, and water or an alcohol. The amount of water and the alcohol is in the range of 0.1 to 10 mol % based on the amount of the acetyl donor.
US08455636B2	Antisense oligonucleotides for inducing exon skipping and methods of use thereof An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 202.
US08455634B2	Antisense oligonucleotides for inducing exon skipping and methods of use thereof An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 202.
US08455632B2	Primer set and probe for detection of human papillomavirus The invention is directed to the detection of multiple types of HPV with high specificity and high sensitivity. The invention provides primer sets, probes, and a kit containing the primer set and the probe, for type-specific HPV detection.
US08455631B2	Trichoderma promoter A promoter for use in producing proteins in filamentous fungal host cells is provided. In one embodiment, the promoter comprises SEQ ID NO:1, or a variant or a truncated form thereof that has promoter activity in a host cell. Also provided are recombinant nucleic acids, vectors containing the promoter and host cells containing a recombinant nucleic acid or vector. Methods of producing a protein using the host cells are also provided.
US08455630B2	Wood and cell wall gene microarray The invention provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences isolated from P. radiata and E. grandis that are involved in wood and cell wall biosynthesis. Methods for using the sequences, along with constructs and transgenic plants, are provided also.
US08455627B2	Human antibody specific for activated state of platelet integrin receptor GPIIb/IIIa The present invention is directed to an antibody or derivative thereof of human origin for inhibiting platelet aggregation, characterized in that it is effective by substantially exclusive binding to the activated state of platelet integrin receptor GPIIb/IIIa.
US08455626B2	Aβ conformer selective anti-aβ globulomer monoclonal antibodies The subject invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that may be used in the treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. In particular, the present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies referred to as 10F4 and 3C5 and to other monoclonal antibodies (e.g., murine, human or humanized) having similar properties thereto.
US08455612B2	Polymers bearing pendant pentafluorophenyl ester groups, and methods of synthesis and functionalization thereof A one pot method of preparing cyclic carbonyl compounds comprising an active pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group is disclosed. The cyclic carbonyl compounds can be polymerized by ring opening methods to form ROP polymers comprising repeat units comprising a side chain pentafluorophenyl ester group. Using a suitable nucleophile, the pendant pentafluorophenyl ester group can be selectively transformed into a variety of other functional groups before or after the ring opening polymerization.
US08455611B2	Optical film An optical film comprising a copolycarbonate composed of 25 to 90 mol % of unit (A) of the following formula, and 10 to 75 mol % of unit (B) of the following formula, wherein the substituents are defined herein, and the optical film satisfies the following expression (1), R(450)
US08455610B2	Polythiourethane polymerizable composition and method for producing optical resin by using same A resin composition excellent in tintability and resin strength, a resin obtained by curing such a resin composition, and an optical component is provided. A polymerizable composition containing an isocyanate compound suitably used for transparent resin materials, at least one polythiol compound which may have one or more (poly) sulfide bonds in a molecule, and at least one polyhydroxy compound having two or more hydroxy groups in a molecule and/or at least one (poly)hydroxy(poly)mercapto compound having one or more hydroxy groups and one or more thiol groups is used.
US08455608B2	Catalyzed pellet heat treatment for thermoplastic polyurethanes The invention relates to a process for preparing a thermoplastic polyisocyanate polyaddition product based on polyisocyanate (i) and compounds which are reactive toward polyisocyanate, with or without the use of chain extenders, a first catalyst (iv) and/or auxiliaries and/or additives (v), wherein a second catalyst is initially vaporized and then applied to the polyisocyanate polyaddition product by condensation, and to the products prepared therefrom.
US08455606B2	Photoactive polymers Novel photoactive polymers, as well as related components, articles, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08455602B2	Supramolecular functional materials The field of this invention relates to supramolecular functional materials, particularly to coordination networks, more particularly to coordination polymers, more particularly to metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers. The metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers comprises a repeat unit [L1-M-L2]n where L1 and L2 are one of a plurality of carboxylate ligands and L1 can be the same as L2, M is a metal, particularly a transition metal, and n is an integer from 1 to infinity. The metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers display one or more physico-chemical properties giving at least one functionality to the supramolecular material. Furthermore, a method of forming the metal based one-dimensional coordination polymers is provided by a chemical reaction between said organic ligand and said metal where said method comprises at least one selectable chemical reaction condition from the group comprising: volume of reaction vessel, material composition of reaction vessel, temperature, pressure, humidity and gas defining an atmosphere inside reaction vessel.
US08455599B2	Asymmetric low molecular weight siloxanes with one functional group Low molecular weight siloxane materials having one functional group are provided which have reduced tendency to form phase separated domains after polymerization. Two classes of siloxane materials are included: (1) symmetric siloxane macromonomers containing at least two monomer termini and one polymerizable functional group which is equidistant from the termini, and (2) assymetric siloxane macromonomers having at least one polymerizable functional group terminus and at least one oxygen-containing polar hydrophilic terminus selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, ether, and polyether. Symmetric siloxane macromonomers having hydroxyl termini are useful for forming biocompatible materials, such as for contact lenses, tissue regeneration scaffold polymers, and coatings to reduce non-specific binding of proteins.
US08455598B2	Production of elastomeric functionalized olefin polymers In a process for producing a functionalized polyalkenamer, at least one monomer comprising a monocyclic olefin having at least one pendant alkyl group bonded thereto, wherein the pendant alkyl group has at least two carbon atoms and is substituted with a polar moiety spaced by at least one carbon atom from the monocyclic olefin, is contacted with a polymerization catalyst under conditions effective to effect ring opening polymerization of the monocyclic olefin and produce the functionalized polyalkenamer.
US08455597B2	Catalysts and methods of use thereof to produce vinyl terminated polymers This invention relates to a homogenous process for making a vinyl terminated propylene polymer, wherein the process comprises: contacting, propylene, under polymerization conditions, with a catalyst system comprising an activator and at least one metallocene compound, where the metallocene compound is represented by the formula: where: M is hafnium or zirconium; each X is, independently, selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, hydrides, amides, alkoxides, sulfides, phosphides, halides, dienes, amines, phosphines, ethers, and a combination thereof, (two X's may form a part of a fused ring or a ring system); each R1 is, independently, a C1 to C10 alkyl group; each R2 is, independently, a C1 to C10 alkyl group; each R3 is, independently, hydrogen; each R4, R5, and R6, is, independently, hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, a heteroatom or heteroatom containing group; T is a bridging group; each R7 is, independently, hydrogen, halogen, or a C1 to C20 hydrocarbyl, and two R7 can form a cyclic structure including aromatic, partially saturated, or saturated cyclic or fused ring system; and further provided that any of adjacent R4, R5, and R6 groups may form a fused ring or multicenter fused ring system where the rings may be aromatic, partially saturated or saturated.
US08455591B2	Fine particle-dispersed polyol composition, method for producing polymer polyol, and method for producing polyurethane resin A polyol composition comprising a polyol (a) and resin fine particles (b) dispersed in the polyol (a), and a method for producing the polyol composition are provided, wherein the resin fine particles (b) are particles such that an arithmetic standard deviation by volume of a particle size distribution of the particles, derived from respective values in 85 divisions of a range of 0.020 to 2000 μm determined by a laser diffraction/scattering particle size distribution analyzer, is not more than 0.6. A resin fine particle-dispersed polyol composition that, even if the resin particles dispersed in the polyol have a small particle diameter, allows the production of a polyurethane resin having an excellent mechanical strength such as elongation at break, and a method for producing the same, are provided.
US08455588B2	Use of recycled plastics for structural building forms Modular plastic structural composites formed from a mixture of (A) high density polyolefin and one or both of: (B) a thermoplastic-coated fiber material, or (C) polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), or a combination thereof. Composites molded in the form of I-Beams and bridges constructed therefrom are also disclosed.
US08455586B2	Gelator for producing a gel electrolyte A copolymeric gelator includes a minor monomeric unit; and a major acrylonitrile (AN) monomeric unit copolymerized with the minor monomeric unit to provide a copolymer that is soluble in a solvent comprised of 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide and 3-methoxypropionitrile. The major acrylonitrile (AN) monomeric units have good ionic conductivity and coordinating sites for lithium ions to be dissolved with a liquid-electrolytic solvent. The minor monomeric units may be selected among vinyl acetate, allyl acetate, styrene, acrylamide and a combination thereof. The gelator and a liquid-electrolytic solvent may be used to produce a gel electrolyte.
US08455585B2	Water repellant compositions and coatings In at least one embodiment the present invention relates to a water repellant coating composition comprising an organic polymer, polysiloxane, an emulsifier, and water. In at least one embodiment, the organic polymer comprises polybutene, an alkyd polymer, an acrylic polymer, or a mixture thereof.
US08455583B2	Carbon nanotube reinforced polymer nanocomposites The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites, i.e., nanocomposites, wherein the CNTs in such nanocomposites are highly dispersed in a polymer matrix, and wherein the nanocomposites comprise a compatibilizing surfactant that interacts with both the CNTs and the polymer matrix. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these nanocomposites. In some such methods, the compatibilizing surfactant provides initial CNT dispersion and subsequent mixing with a polymer. The present invention is also directed to methods of using these nanocomposites in a variety of applications.
US08455581B2	Antistatic polycarbonate moulding compositions Polymer compositions containing A) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, polyester and polyester carbonate, B) optionally one or more optionally rubber-modified vinyl (co)polymers, C) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyether amides, polyester amides and polyether ester amides, D) at least one Brönstedt-acidic compound selected from the group consisting of organic fruit acids, inorganic acidic phosphorus compounds and compounds of formula IV wherein R9 and R10 independently of one another denote C1- to C9-alkyl, optionally substituted C5- to C6-cycloalkyl, C6- to C10-aryl or C7- to C12-aralkyl, and Y denotes S or CZ1Z2, wherein Z1 and Z2 independently of one another represent H, C1- to C6-alkyl, cyclohexenyl or cyclohexyl, and E) optionally further additives have permanent antistatic behavior and have improved heat distortion resistance, low-temperature strength, processing stability, stress cracking resistance and, in particular, hydrolytic stability.
US08455579B2	Method for promoting crystallization of biodegradable resin composition A method for promoting crystallization of a biodegradable resin composition, including the step of melt-kneading a raw material containing ethylenebis 12-hydroxystearic amide having an amine value of 1.0 mg KOH/g or less and a biodegradable resin. Since the biodegradable resin composition obtainable by the method for promoting crystallization of the present invention has favorable crystallization velocity, a time period required upon molding the composition is shortened, whereby a molded article can be produced productively. The biodegradable resin composition can be suitably used in, for example, in various industrial applications, such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts.
US08455578B2	Ink-receptive coating composition An ink-receptive coating composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition includes (a) a polyamide, the polyamide comprising an aliphatic polyamide in particulate form, the aliphatic polyamide having a softening point in the temperature range of about 50-250° C. and an average particle size of about 1 to 80 microns; (b) a plasticizer, the plasticizer being a solid plasticizer selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfonamides and aromatic sulfonamides, the solid plasticizer having a melting point in the range of about 50-200° C.; (c) a binder, the binder being a thermoplastic polymer delivered as a water-based emulsion or solution, the binder having a Tg in the range of about −20-120° C.; (d) a dye-retention agent, the dye-retention agent comprising at least one cationic polymer; (e) an ink viscosity-modifying agent; and (f) a dispersant, the dispersant being selected from the group of cationic and non-ionic dispersants. The composition may be used to form, for example, an ink-receptive coating as part of an ink-jet recording sheet or a heat-transfer sheet.
US08455576B2	Halogen free, flame retardant compositions for wire and cable applications A halogen-free, flame retardant composition comprises thermoplastic polyurethane, olefin block copolymer, carbonyl-containing olefin polymer compatibilizer, and flame retardant package comprising bisphenol-A bis(diphenyl phosphate) and/or resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate), a nitrogen/phosphorus based, halogen-free flame retardant, and epoxidized novolac. The composition that will not only be processed easily to make a wire or cable sheath but also pass both the VW-1 flame retardancy test and the UL1581 heat deformation test at 150° C. exhibits good tensile and flexibility properties.
US08455569B2	Two-part lightweight and low heavy metal content epoxy non-skid coating for a deck or floor An non-skid coating comprising a two-part epoxy and a filler comprising particles of a thermoset resin provides a durable, low-weight, low-abrasive coating for decks and floors, especially for aircraft carrier flight decks. The coating has the further advantage of having lower heavy metal content than current aluminum-based, non-skid coatings.
US08455557B2	Membranes, coatings and films and methods for their preparation There are provided herein selective membranes, such as composite membranes, and/or films and processes for their preparation. The membranes and/or films have a given morphology which may be stabilized, for example against swelling and chemical degradation, by covalent crosslinking and optionally, in addition, by hydrophobization. There is provided a membrane and/or film and a process for the preparation thereof, the membrane and/or film include an ionomer and/or polyelectrolyte crosslinked through aryl-aryl (—Ar—Ar—), aryl-ether-aryl (—Ar—O—Ar—) and/or aryl-sulfide-aryl (—Ar—S—Ar—) bonds.
US08455555B2	Process and apparatus for the production of hydrocarbon compounds from methane Higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates are produced from a gas comprising methane in a process comprising the steps of generating synthesis gas (“syngas”) comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reaction of a gas comprising methane with steam and/or an oxidant gas comprising oxygen, producing higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates in a syngas conversion process, removing offgas comprising unreacted hydrogen and unreacted carbon monoxide from said syngas conversion process and separating cryogenically unreacted hydrogen from said offgas or from a gas derived therefrom to produce separated hydrogen product that is substantially free of unreacted carbon monoxide and a first cryogenic liquid comprising unreacted carbon monoxide. The unreacted hydrogen is preferably separated from the offgas in a liquid methane wash column.
US08455554B2	Metal oxide hydrogels and hydrosols, their preparation and use A process for preparing a hydrosol of one or more metal oxides, e.g. titanium dioxide, comprising preparing a metal alkoxide solution in a water-miscible organic solvent, e.g. an alcohol; providing an aqueous solvent; mixing the metal alkoxide solution with the aqueous solvent in a volume or weight proportion to form a single-phase aqueous sol colloid (hydrosol) of hydrated metal oxide in absence of a non-ionic block polymer surfactant. Also disclosed is a corresponding hydrogel; water-insoluble particles encapsulated in hydrated metal oxide and a process for their encapsulation; uses of the encapsulation products.
US08455552B2	Composition comprising S-allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine (ASSNAC) for up-regulation of cellular glutathione level The present invention relates to S-allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine (ASSNAC) and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates, which are useful for up-regulation of cellular glutathione levels and expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes. The invention further provides methods of use thereof in the prevention, alleviation or treatment of oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS).
US08455543B2	Platinum complexes and methods for inhibiting tumor cell proliferation The subject invention concerns platinum complexes that exhibit antitumor cell and/or antiparasitic activity. The subject invention also concerns the use of platinum complexes of the invention to treat oncological and inflammatory disorders. The platinum complexes of the invention can also be used to treat or prevent infection by a virus or a bacterial or parasitic organism in vivo or in vitro.
US08455541B2	Pharmaceutical composition comprising an extract of pseudolysimachion longifolium and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom having antiinflammatory, antiallergic and antiasthmatic activity The present invention relates to a composition comprising an extract of Pseudolysimachion genus plant, and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom having anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activity. The extract of Pseudolysimachion genus plant and the catalpol derivatives isolated therefrom shows potent suppressing effect on elevated IgE, IL-4 and IL-13 levels and eosinophilia in the plasma and BALF, and mucus overproduction in the lung tissues in an OVA-induced asthmatic mouse model. Therefore, it can be used as the therapeutics or functional health food for treating and preventing inflammatory, allergic and asthmatic disease.
US08455540B2	Gossypol and apogossypol derivatives, preparation thereof and uses thereof Gossypol and apogossypol derivatives of general formula (1), preparation thereof and use thereof.
US08455539B2	CCI-779 concentrate formulations This invention provides CCI-779 cosolvent concentrates which are useful in preparing a parenteral formulation of rapamycin 42-ester with 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropionic acid (CCI-779) following admixture with a diluent.
US08455538B2	Augmented cognitive training The present invention provides methods of therapy of cognitive deficits associated with a central nervous system disorder or condition, methods of enhancing cognitive performance and methods for repeated stimulation of neuronal activity or a pattern of neuronal activity, such as that underlying a specific neuronal circuit(s). The methods comprise combining cognitive training protocols and a general administration of CREB pathway-enhancing agents.
US08455537B2	Estrogen receptor modulators and uses thereof A method for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a condition mediated by an estrogen receptor by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula I, II, or a combination thereof: wherein R1, R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from H, OH, and ORa; R2 is selected from H, OH, and (C═O) (C1-7)alkyl; Ra is (C1-7)alkyl or (C═O)(C1-7)alkyl; or a derivative of the compound selected from N-oxide derivatives, prodrug derivatives, protected derivatives, isomers, and mixtures of isomers of the compound; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate of the compound or the derivative. Compounds of formula I and II and pharmaceuticals compositions thereof are also presented.
US08455530B2	Crystalline form of an alkoxyimidazol-1-ylmethyl biphenyl carboxylic acid The invention provides a crystalline freebase form of 4′-{2-ethoxy-4-ethyl-5-[((S)-2-mercapto-4-methylpentanoylamino)methyl]imidazol-1-ylmethyl}-3′-fluorobiphenyl-2-carboxylic acid. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the crystalline compound, processes and intermediates for preparing the crystalline compound, and methods of using the crystalline compound to treat diseases such as hypertension.
US08455527B1	Methods of treatment using a dexmedetomidine premix formulation The presently disclosed subject matter relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising dexmedetomidine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein the composition is formulated as a liquid for parenteral administration to a subject, and wherein the composition is disposed within a sealed container as a premixture. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used, for example, in perioperative care of a patient or for sedation.
US08455526B2	Therapeutic use of imidazole-5-carboxylic acid derivatives The invention discloses the use of 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)1,1′-biphenyl-methyl]-imidazole-5-carboxylic acid, 1-[(isopropoxycarbonyl)oxy] methyl ester and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of the damage of a target organ caused by hypertension. It particularly discloses the use of this compound in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy, renal dysfunction, aorta thickening caused by hypertension, which provides an effective drug and method for the treatment of the damage of target organs for hypertension patients.
US08455525B2	Selective androgen receptor modulators This invention provides compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, and or salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formulas I, Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, methods of modulating the androgen receptor, methods of treating diseases beneficially treated by an androgen receptor modulator (e.g., sarcopenia, prostate cancer, contraception, type 2 diabetes related disorders or diseases, anemia, depression, and renal disease) and processes for making compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, and intermediates useful in the preparation of same.
US08455524B2	Methods of treatment with pre-mixed, ready-to-use pharmaceutical compositions Provided herein are ready-to-use premixed pharmaceutical compositions of nicardipine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and methods for use in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions.
US08455523B2	Compositions and methods for treating hyperlipidemias The present invention is directed to a composition and method for the treatment of hyperlipidemias by targeting Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP). In particular, the present invention is directed to a combination of at least one MTP inhibitor and at least one lipid-lowering agent, both in an amount effective to treat hyperlipidemias.
US08455522B2	Benzoxazolone derivatives as aldosterone synthase inhibitors The present invention provides a compound of formula I; a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US08455513B2	6-aminoisoquinoline compounds 6-Amino isoquinoline compounds are provided that influence, inhibit or reduce the action of a kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions including therapeutically effective amounts of the 6-aminoisoquinoline compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided. Various methods using the compounds and/or compositions to affect disease states or conditions such as cancer, obesity and glaucoma are also provided.
US08455512B2	Therapeutic pyrazolyl thienopyridines The present invention provides for compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 have any of the values defined therefore in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment of TGFβ-mediated conditions, including cancer and fibrotic disorders. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of Formula I.
US08455511B2	Pyrrolopyridine derivatives substituted with cyclic amino group An object of the present invention is to provide an antagonist against CRF receptors which is effective as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for diseases in which CRF is considered to be involved, such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, eating disorder, hypertension, gastric diseases, drug dependence, epilepsy, cerebral infarction, cerebral ischemia, cerebral edema, cephalic external wound, inflammation, immunity-related diseases, alopecia, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, epilepsy, dermatitides, schizophrenia, etc. This problem can be solved with a pyrrolopyrimidine or pyrrolopyridine derivative substituted with a cyclic amino group represented by formula [I] below which has a high affinity for CRF receptors and is effective against diseases in which CRF is considered to be involved.
US08455508B2	Sustained release parenteral formulations of buprenorphine An oil-in-water buprenorphine formulation including buprenorphine and a surfactant that emulsifies the buprenorphine in oil, wherein the drug release is controlled by varying the oil concentration and/or pH. A buprenorphine aqueous suspension formulation including a free base buprenorphine and a suspension stabilizer. A buprenorphine oil formulation including a buprenorphine salt suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable oil. Methods of providing sustained release of buprenorphine over a period of time.
US08455505B2	Pyrrolopyrimidinedione and its therapeutic use The compound of formula (I) is an inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase, useful for inhalation treatment of pulmonary inflammation.
US08455504B2	Inhibition of the activity of the capsaicin receptor in the treatment of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance or insulin resistance The present invention provides a method of treating diseases or disorders benefiting from inactivating or down-regulating the activity of the capsaicin receptor in a mammal by inhibiting the activity of the capsaicin receptor. The present invention also provides a method of treating obesity and obesity-related diseases and disorders in a mammal by inhibiting the activity of the capsaicin receptor.
US08455501B2	N-(5-cycloalkyl)-pyridin-3-yl carboxamides The present invention relates to compounds of the formula wherein R1 to R3 are defined in the description, and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which can be treated with HDL-cholesterol raising agents, such as particularly dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
US08455495B2	Pyridazino-pyridinone compounds and methods of use The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of protein kinase mediated diseases, including inflammation and related conditions. The compounds have a general Formula I wherein A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X and n are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of Formula I, uses of such compounds and compositions for treatment of p38 map kinase mediated diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pain and other inflammatory disorders, as well as intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of Formula I.
US08455491B2	6-cycloamino-3-(pyridazin-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine and derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same The invention relates to the 6-cycloamino-3-(pyridazin-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine derivatives corresponding to general formula (I): Wherein R2, R7, R8, A, L and B are as defined herein. Also disclosed are the preparative methods and therapeutic use thereof.
US08455490B2	Facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers and uses thereof The present invention discloses methods of use of facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers, including pharmaceutical uses of the polymers and oligomers as antimicrobial agents and antidotes for hemorrhagic complications associated with heparin therapy. The present invention also discloses novel facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers and their compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention further discloses the design and synthesis of facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers.
US08455488B2	Alpha helix mimetics and methods relating thereto Alpha-helix mimetic structures and compounds represented by the formula (I) wherein the general formula and the definition of each symbol are as defined in the specification, a compound relating thereto, and methods relating thereto, are disclosed. Applications of these compounds in the treatment of medical conditions, e.g., cancer diseases, fibrotic diseases, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the mimetics are further disclosed.
US08455487B2	Methods of controlling insects The invention relates to a method of controlling insects in the family Nitidulidae using the compound 4,5-di -hydro-6-methyl-4-(3-pyridylmethyleneamino)-1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-one and also encompasses the use of compositions comprising 4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-(3-pyridylmethyleneamino)-1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-one for controlling Nitidulidae, in particular pollen beetles as well as the preparation of said compound and/or compositions for use in controlling Nitidulidae. In particular, the invention relates to the use of 4,5-dihydro-6-methyl-4-(3-pyridylmethyleneamino)-1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-one and/or compositions comprising this compound in controlling such insects in crops of useful plants, in particular flowering crops and/or flowering ornamental plants.
US08455485B2	Pyrazolo pyridine derivatives as NADPH oxidase inhibitors The present invention is related to pyrazolo pyridine derivatives of Formula (I), pharmaceutical composition thereof and to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disorders or conditions related to Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH Oxidase).
US08455483B2	Compounds—801 Spirocyclic amide derivatives of formula I wherein ArCH2CH2NH— represents a β-adrenoceptor binding group, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a process for preparing such pharmaceutical compositions, their use in therapy, and intermediates for use in their preparation.
US08455482B2	Substituted pyrrolidine derivative A quinolone antibacterial compound, or a salt or hydrate of the compound, for the treatment of infectious diseases, which exhibit potent antibacterial activity and higher selective toxicity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which do not cause side effects (e.g., convulsion), which exhibit higher safety, and which has a structure of formula (I):
US08455480B2	Active agent combinations having insecticidal and acaricidal properties The present invention relates to novel active substance combinations which contain firstly at least one known compound of the formula (I) in which R1 and A have the meanings given in the description, and secondly at least one further known active substance from the class of the neonicotinoids, and which are highly suitable for controlling animal pests such as insects and undesired acarids.
US08455477B2	Therapeutic compounds The present invention relates to pyrazolopyridines and imidazopyridines which are inhibitors of the kinase PDK1 and are thus useful for the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders or cancer. The compounds are also useful as inhibitors of other kinases such as FGFR3, NTRK3, RP-S6K and WEE1. Furthermore, the present compounds also selectively inhibit microtubule affinity regulating kinase (MARK) and are therefore useful for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
US08455475B2	Substituted spiro-amide compounds Substituted spiro-amide compounds corresponding to formula I in which R5 through R8, D, X, Y and Z have defined meanings, processes for preparing such spiro-amide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and methods of using such spiro-amide compounds for treating and/or inhibiting disorders or disease states mediated at least in part by the bradykinin 1 receptor.
US08455474B2	Method for treating tuberculosis Disclosed is a method for treating a symptom of M. tuberculosis infection in a subject, comprising administering the patient with an effective amount of (3R,4S)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[(3S)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl]-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)zetidin-2-one (EZETIMIBE). In the preferred embodiments, EZETIMIBE is capable of significantly inhibiting the survival and proliferation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the monocytes. The anti-tuberculous effect of EZETIMIBE is partly through stimulating CD13 leading to monocytes activation and thus bacterial killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and partly through depleting the intracellular nutrition necessary for the survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is also proved that EZETIMIBE is capable of directly killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis outside cells.
US08455472B2	Compositions and methods for lowering triglycerides without raising LDL-C levels in a subject on concomitant statin therapy In various embodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing cardiovascular-related diseases in subject in need thereof.
US08455470B2	Pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing degenerative and inflammatory diseases The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating or preventing inflammatory disease and cell damage, and a method for treating or preventing inflammatory disease and cell damage. The present invention uses the 2-hydroxybenzoic acid derivative represented by the specific chemical formula or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The compound of the present invention is useful for treating or preventing cell damage and inflammatory disease including gastritis, gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, colitis, arthritis, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, nephritis, hepatitis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease.
US08455462B2	Ophthalmic compositions based on tamarind seed polysaccharide and hyaluronic acid The invention concerns ophthalmic solutions indicated for use as tear substitutes, containing a combination of hyaluronic acid and a polysaccharide known as TSP (Tamarindus indica Seed Polisaccharide) which are able, when administered together in a combination, to act synergistically in stimulating the return to normality of the conjunctival mucosa affected by dry eye syndrome, thus inducing a remarkable improvement in the number and morphology of the conjunctival microvilli.The ophthalmic preparations, proposed for use in the treatment of dry eye syndrome contain, in combination, from 0.05 to 2% by weight of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) and from 0.05 to 1% by weight of hyaluronic acid in aqueous solution.
US08455455B1	Compositions and methods for silencing genes involved in hemorrhagic fever The present invention provides compositions comprising therapeutic nucleic acids such as interfering RNA (e.g., dsRNA such as siRNA) that target Lassa virus (LASV) or tissue factor (TF) gene expression, lipid particles comprising one or more (e.g., a cocktail) of the therapeutic nucleic acids, methods of making the lipid particles, and methods of delivering and/or administering the lipid particles (e.g., for treating hemorraghic fever).
US08455453B2	Use of VEGF-D gene to prevent restenosis The present invention provides materials and methods for preventing stenosis or restenosis of a blood vessel using Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGF-C) and/or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D (VEGF-D) genes or proteins.
US08455452B2	Composition and use of a long-acting oral bioadhesive endoparasiticide gel based on doramectin The present invention relates to a bioadhesive endoparasiticidal gel composition comprising doramectin, having a high degree of adhesion to equine oral mucosa and having a sweet flavor greatly facilitating the dosing thereof, methods for the preparation thereof and methods for treating a condition comprising administering said composition.
US08455447B2	Modified therapeutic agents The invention provides a modified therapeutic agent, said modified agent comprising three or more membrane binding elements with low membrane affinity covalently associated with the agent which elements are capable of interacting independently and with thermodynamic additivity, with components of cellular or artificial membranes exposed to extracellular fluids wherein at least two membrane binding elements are lipophilic elements, which may be aliphatic acyl groups, which may be selected from the list consisting of Myristoyl, Decanoyl or Hexanoyl.
US08455443B2	Methods of use of skin wound healing compositions A wound healing composition comprising a class of polypeptide compounds having a polypeptide chain with 5 to 120 amino acid units per chain. The composition includes a pharmaceutical medium to carry the polypeptide compound, such as an aqueous solution, suspension, dispersion, salve, ointment, gel, cream, lotion, spray or paste. Additionally, a method of applying a wound healing composition comprising a class of polypeptide compounds having a polypeptide chain with 5 to 120 amino acid units per chain in a concentration of from about 1 μg/ml to about 100 μg/ml for a time sufficient to heal the wound is disclosed.
US08455439B2	Antidotes for factor Xa inhibitors and methods of using the same in combination with blood coagulating agents The present invention relates to antidotes of anticoagulants targeting factor Xa which antidotes are used in combination with blood coagulating agents or other heparin antidotes to prevent or reduce bleeding in a subject. The antidotes described herein have reduced or no intrinsic coagulant activity. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is or will be undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.
US08455437B2	Method to predict and prevent oxygen-induced inflammatory tissue injury Methods for modulating responsiveness to increased oxygen levels in an at-risk subject identifying an at-risk subject; and before exposing the identified at-risk subject to an increased amount of oxygen, administering to the at-risk subject an anti-inflammatory agent wherein the responsiveness of the at-risk subject to said increased amount of oxygen is modulated as compared to the responsiveness of the at-risk subject to said increased amount of oxygen in the absence of said anti-inflammatory.
US08455435B2	Remedies for ischemia The present invention relates to uses and methods of parathyroid hormone (PTH), preferably PTH (1-34), and/or parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), preferably PTHrP (1-34), for recruiting stem cells into tissue suffering from ischemia, wherein said stem cells are preferably capable of repairing and/or regenerating said tissue suffering from ischemia. Also provided is the use of a combination of G-CSF or a G-CSF fragment and a DPP IV inhibitor/antagonist in the medical intervention of an ischemic disorder. Accordingly, the uses and methods of the present invention are preferably suitable for the prevention and/or treatment of ischemia. Moreover, the present invention relates to a composition comprising parathyroid hormone (PTH), preferably PTH (1-34), and/or parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), preferably PTHrP (1-34), and/or G-CSF or a G-CSF fragment for use as a pharmaceutical composition. In a particular aspect of the invention, a DPP IV antagonist is applied in the uses, methods and/or compositions of the present invention. The DPP IV antagonist/inhibitor is preferably used in combination with G-CSF or a G-CSF fragment. Also the use of PTH alone or PTHrP alone or in combination with a DPP IV antagonist as well as the one of a combination of G-CSF or a G-CSF fragment and a DPP IV inhibitor/antagonist in the herein disclosed medical and pharmaceutical uses and methods is part of this invention.
US08455432B2	Insulin sensitisers and methods of treatment The present invention relates generally to the field of therapy. The invention particularly relates to insulin sensitizers and methods of regulating glucose homeostasis and to the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of diseases and associated conditions, in which impaired glucose uptake due to insulin resistance is involved or implicated, such as diabetes, syndrome X, hyperglycaemia, vascular disease and kidney disease. The present invention further relates to compounds and agents and compositions thereof for use in the treatment methods.
US08455431B2	Inhibitors of the trypsin-like site of the proteasome and methods of use thereof The present invention is an inhibitor of the trypsin-like β2/β2i sites of the proteasome. The inhibitor is characterized as being a peptide-based epoxyketone or vinyl sulfone that contains an arginine or 4-aminomethylene-L-phenylalanine at the C-terminus (i.e., at the P1 position). Methods for using the inhibitor to inhibit the activity of the β2/β2i site of a proteasome and treat a proteasome-mediated disease or condition are also described.
US08455428B2	ALK1 receptor and ligand antagonist and uses thereof In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to the insight that a polypeptide comprising a ligand-binding portion of the extracellular domain of activin-like kinase I (ALK1) polypeptide may be used to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, particularly in mammals suffering angiogenesis-related disorders. The disclosure also identifies ligands for ALK1 and demonstrates that such ligands have pro-angiogenic activity, and antibodies that inhibit receptor-ligand interaction.
US08455419B2	Photoresist stripping agent composition Disclosed is a stripping agent that can easily strip a photoresist residue and the like at a low temperature in a short time and, at the same time, does not corrode a wiring material at all and has no need to use an organic solvent such as alcohol as a rinsing liquid. The stripping agent disclosed herein comprises 5 to 50% by mass of a specific amine, 30 to 65% by mass of a specific acid amide, 0.1 to 15% by mass of a saccharide or a sugar alcohol, and 1 to 64.5% by mass of water.
US08455417B2	Personal care compositions with improved hyposensitivity The present invention provides personal care compositions comprising a carrier and a mixture of essential oil components having specific levels of eucalyptol, terpene materials and auxiliary fragrance materials. The compositions herein gentle to skin and have a fragrance and activity similar if the composition were made using the pure extracted essential oil.
US08455416B2	Low viscosity oligomer oil product, process and composition The present invention relates to a low viscosity lubricant process, product, and composition characterized by low Noack volatility, low pour point, useful low temperature viscometrics, and high viscosity index and more particularly concerns a PAO composition having a kinetic viscosity at 100° C. in the range of about 4 cSt.
US08455415B2	Poly(alpha-olefin/alkylene glycol) copolymer, process for making, and a lubricant formulation therefor A poly(alpha-olefin/alkylene glycol) copolymer of the following formula: wherein R3, R4, Ra, and Rb are, independently, any of H, a C1 to C18 normal or branched alkyl radical, or a C1 to C18 aromatic radical or aromatic-containing alkyl radicals; wherein n and m, are, independently, integers from 1 to 1000; and wherein x is an integer from 0 to 10. There is also a process for making the copolymer. There is also a lubricant formulation having the copolymer.
US08455409B2	Dry lubricant for conveying containers The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to the container or conveyor a mixture of a water-miscible silicone material and a water-miscible lubricant. The mixture can be applied in relatively low amounts, to provide thin, substantially non-dripping lubricating films. In contrast to dilute aqueous lubricants, the lubricants of the invention provide drier lubrication of the conveyors and containers, a cleaner conveyor line and reduced lubricant usage, thereby reducing waste, cleanup and disposal problems.
US08455407B2	Lubricating grease composition based on ionic liquids The invention relates to the use of ionic liquids for production of water-resistant lubricating grease compositions, which are used in a temperature range from at least 30° C. to at least 180° C. and have good anticorrosion properties.
US08455404B2	Treatment fluids with improved shale inhibition and methods of use in subterranean operations Additives and treatment fluids with improved shale inhibition, and associated methods of use in subterranean operations, are provided. The additives and treatment fluids used generally comprise a shale-inhibiting component and one or more silicates.
US08455403B2	Thermoset nanocomposite particles, processing for their production, and their use in oil and natural gas drilling applications Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of such particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles. Optional further improvement of the heat resistance and environmental resistance of said particles via post-polymerization heat treatment; processes for the manufacture of said particles; and use of said particles in the construction, drilling, completion and/or fracture stimulation of oil and natural gas wells are described.
US08455402B2	Wellbore operations using controlled variable density fluid Fluid systems may contain elements to provide changes in bulk fluid density in response to various environmental conditions. One environmental driver to the variable density is pressure; other environmental drivers include, but are not limited to, temperature or changes in chemistry. The variable density of the fluid is beneficial for controlling sub-surface pressures within desirable pore pressure and fracture gradient envelopes. The variability of fluid density permits construction and operation of a wellbore with much longer hole sections than when using conventional single gradient fluids.
US08455400B2	Substrate for biochip and biochip A substrate for biochips with which immobilization is easy, which does not exhibit self-fluorescence, which is easy to manufacture, and which is excellent in flatness and surface precision, is disclosed. A substrate having a substrate body of the biochip, which is made of a metal, and a carbon layer having functional groups formed on the metal substrate body is used as a substrate for biochips. Since the substrate body of the substrate for biochips is made of a metal, the substrate is not only easy to manufacture, but also free from cracking and chipping, so that it allows easy handling, and high flatness and surface precision can be attained. Therefore, the problem that the optical system is hard to focus when detecting fluorescence does not occur. Moreover, since the substrate body is made of a metal, it does not emit fluorescence by itself. In addition, since the carbon layer has functional groups such as amino groups, biologically relevant substances can be easily immobilized.
US08455399B2	N-(4-perfluoroalkyl-phenyl)-4-triazolyl-benzamides as insecticides The present invention relates to novel triazole-substituted benzamide derivatives, to processes and intermediates for preparing them, to methods of using them to control insect, acarine, nematode and mollusc pests, and to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal and molluscicidal compositions comprising them. Formula (I).
US08455397B2	Penoxsulam as a turfgrass, vineyard and orchard floor herbicide Penoxsulam, 2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-N-(5,8-dimethoxy[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulofonamide, is useful in controlling broadleaf weeds in vines.
US08455396B2	Alkali metal glyphosate compositions Aqueous alkali metal glyphosate compositions are disclosed. The compositions comprise an aqueous concentrate of an alkali metal glyphosate, a surfactant blend comprising an etheramine component, and an optional water-miscible solvent. A mixture of the surfactant blend and solvent is gel-free and monophasic. Adjusting the pH of the aqueous concentrate to be within the range of 4.0 to 4.5 surprisingly enables preparation of a highly concentrated aqueous alkali metal glyphosate composition having good elevated temperature stability and a high cloud point. For instance, a 540 g.a.e./L formulation comprising the composition exhibits good stability at 54° C. Gel-free, monophasic surfactant blends useful in the glyphosate compositions are also disclosed.
US08455395B2	Endophyte enhanced seedlings with increased pest tolerance The invention provides methods for preparing a conifer seedling with increased tolerance to a pest. A conifer seedling is inoculated with an isolated endophyte when the conifer seedling is susceptible to colonization by the endophyte.
US08455393B2	Preparation method for granular carbon mesoporous structure Disclosed is a preparation method for a granular carbon mesoporous structure. The preparation method includes the steps of preparing a powdered composite of silica-carbon precursor-pore forming agent by using a mixture including a silica precursor, a carbon precursor and a pore forming agent, preparing a molded precursor by mixing the composite with an organic additive, preparing a granular molded article by extruding or injection-molding the molded precursor, calcinating the molded article, and etching silica included in the calcinated molded article.
US08455392B2	Tungstated zirconia nanocatalysts A new type of solid acid catalyst, which promises better catalytic performance than conventionally prepared supported metal oxides due to its precisely synthesized nanostructure has been described. The catalyst is nanoparticulate in form and is comprised of monolayers of tungstated zirconia of the formula, WOxZryO4-2y made by impregnating a support with zirconium and tungsten. The support catalyst is further characterized in having a tugsten monolayer between greater than 0001 W/nm2 to about 30 W/nm2.
US08455390B2	Exhaust gas purifying catalyst An exhaust gas purifying catalyst includes a monolithic substrate (2), and a transition metal oxide layer (3) formed in the monolithic substrate (2). The transition metal oxide layer (3) contains transition metal oxide powder including: transition metal oxide particles (10); a first compound (20) on which the transition metal oxide particles (10) are supported; and a second compound (30) that surrounds a single body or an aggregate of the transition metal oxide particles (10) and the first compound (20).
US08455389B2	Hydrocracking catalyst and a diesel production process The invention provides an amorphous hydrocracking catalyst for conversion of a hydrocarbon feed having a fraction above the diesel boiling range to diesel and a process using said catalyst. The catalyst includes Al203—SiO2 support, a noble catalytically active metal which is active for hydrocracking of a hydrocarbon above the diesel boiling range and a transition metal oxide selected from group V, VI and VII.
US08455387B2	Catalyst and process A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of a metal M, selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminum, or a lanthanide, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base, wherein the molar ratio of base to 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid is in the range 0.01-0.79:1. The composition is useful as a catalyst for esterification reactions, especially for the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.
US08455385B2	Method of manufacturing lithium-ion secondary battery positive electrode, method of manufacturing lithium-ion secondary battery, lithium-ion secondary battery positive electrode, and lithium-ion secondary battery A method of manufacturing a lithium-ion secondary battery positive electrode comprises a coating material preparing step of preparing a positive electrode active material layer forming coating material by mixing a positive electrode active material, a binder, a conductive auxiliary, an organic solvent, and water; and an active material layer forming step of forming a positive electrode active material layer on a current collector by using the positive electrode active material layer forming coating material. The binder is polyvinylidene fluoride produced by emulsion polymerization. The positive electrode active material layer forming coating material is prepared in the coating material preparing step such that the amount of water added (% by mass) based on the total amount of the organic solvent and water and the pH of the positive electrode active material satisfy the following expression (1): 48≦[the amount of water added+(4.25×the pH of the positive electrode active material)]≦52 (1).
US08455382B2	Fabrication of catalyzed ion transport membrane systems Process for fabricating a catalyzed ion transport membrane (ITM). In one embodiment, an uncatalyzed ITM is (a) contacted with a non-reducing gaseous stream while heating to a temperature and for a time period sufficient to provide an ITM possessing anion mobility; (b) contacted with a reducing gaseous stream for a time period sufficient to provide an ITM having anion mobility and essentially constant oxygen stoichiometry; (c) cooled while contacting the ITM with the reducing gaseous stream to provide an ITM having essentially constant oxygen stoichiometry and no anion mobility; and (d) treated by applying catalyst to at least one of (1) a porous mixed conducting multicomponent metallic oxide (MCMO) layer contiguous with a first side of a dense layer of MCMO and (2) a second side of the dense MCMO layer. In another embodiment, these steps are carried out in the alternative order of (a), (d), (b), and (c).
US08455377B2	Methods of making ceramic and metal compositions A novel metal/ceramic hybrid material in which the void space of the ceramic is filled with metal. The metal may be bonded to the ceramic, for example by formation of a metal oxide. The metal may be introduced into the ceramic as small particles in a suspension then heated to melt the metal, allowing bonding to the ceramic or better filling of the void space. The hybrid material may be used in a variety of applications.
US08455376B2	Adhesive preparation An adhesive preparation comprising a stretchable support and an adhesive layer laminated on at least one side of the support, wherein the stretchable support comprises a interlock woven fabric subjected to crimping processing, the adhesive layer contains 10% by mass or more of methyl salicylate with respect to the total mass of the layer, the whole adhesive preparation has moisture permeability of 1 to 350 g/m2·24 hr measured at a temperature of 40° C. and a relative humidity of 90%, and the methyl salicylate has a plasma AUC0-24 ranging from 3.0 to 60.0 ng·hr/mL in terms of a mean±standard deviation, and salicylic acid as a metabolite of the methyl salicylate has a plasma AUC0-24 ranging from 5000 to 13000 ng·hr/mL in terms of a mean±standard deviation, when the adhesive preparation is applied to a human skin for 8 hours such that an application amount of the adhesive layer applied is 50 to 300 g/m2 and a contact area is 280 cm2.
US08455373B2	Ink-jet print ink and organic thin film transistor using thereof The present invention provides ink-jet printing ink for organic semiconductors, and, more particularly, provides ink-jet printing ink for organic semiconductors, which can be used to form a uniform crystalline thin film. The ink-jet printing ink of the present invention includes a mixed solvent composed of a first solvent and a second solvent having a higher boiling point and lower surface tension than the first solvent, thus forming a uniform crystalline thin film in a volatilization process. Further, the present invention provides a circular organic thin film transistor having a high field-effect mobility of about 0.12 cm2V1S−1.
US08455370B2	Transfer of high temperature wafers This invention provides methods that permit wafers to be loaded and unloaded in a gas-phase epitaxial growth chamber at high temperatures. Specifically, this invention provides a method for moving wafers or substrates that can bathe a substrate being moved in active gases that are optionally temperature controlled. The active gases can act to limit or prevent sublimation or decomposition of the wafer surface, and can be temperature controlled to limit or prevent thermal damage. Thereby, previously-necessary temperature ramping of growth chambers can be reduced or eliminated leading to improvement in wafer throughput and system efficiency.
US08455369B2	Trench embedding method A trench embedding method includes forming an oxidization barrier film on a trench; forming an expandable film on the oxidization barrier film; embedding an embedding material that contracts by being fired on the trench; and firing the embedding material, wherein the forming of the oxidization barrier film includes: forming a first seed layer on the trench by supplying an aminosilane-based gas; and forming a silicon nitride film on the first seed layer, wherein the forming of the expandable film includes: forming a second seed layer on the silicon nitride film by supplying an aminosilane-based gas; and forming a silicon film on the second seed layer.
US08455365B2	Self-aligned carbon electronics with embedded gate electrode A device and method for device fabrication includes forming a buried gate electrode in a dielectric substrate and patterning a stack that includes a high dielectric constant layer, a carbon-based semi-conductive layer and a protection layer over the buried gate electrode. An isolation dielectric layer formed over the stack is opened to define recesses in regions adjacent to the stack. The recesses are etched to form cavities and remove a portion of the high dielectric constant layer to expose the carbon-based semi-conductive layer on opposite sides of the buried gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited in the cavities to form self-aligned source and drain regions.
US08455362B2	Chemical mechanical polishing method A chemical mechanical polishing method includes providing a device layer having a surface to be polished, polishing the surface using an alkaline grinding slurry, removing a residual layer that is been formed on the polished surface using an acid buffer, forming a passivation layer covering the polished surface of the device layer after the residual layer has been removed, and cleaning the passivation layer using deionized water. A semiconductor device thus fabricated has surfaces with excellent flatness, good manufacturing yield and long-term reliability.
US08455360B2	Method for fabricating storage node of semiconductor device A method for fabricating a storage node of a semiconductor device includes forming a sacrificial dielectric pattern with a storage node hole on a substrate, forming a support layer on the sacrificial dielectric pattern, forming a storage node, supported by the support layer, in the storage node hole, performing a full dip-out process to expose the outer wall of the storage node, and performing a cleaning process for removing or reducing a bridge-causing material formed on the surface of the support layer.
US08455359B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same In a method of forming a conductive pattern structure of a semiconductor device, a first insulating interlayer is formed on a substrate. A first wiring is formed to pass through the first insulating interlayer. An etch stop layer and a second insulating interlayer are sequentially formed on the first insulating interlayer. A second wiring is formed to pass through the second insulating interlayer and the etch stop layer. A dummy pattern is formed to pass through the second insulating layer and the etch stop layer at the same time as forming the second wiring. The second wiring is electrically connected to the first wiring. The dummy pattern is electrically isolated from the second wiring.
US08455358B2	Method of manufacturing via hole in a semiconductor device A first metal mask has a portion exposed at an opening of a second metal mask. The second metal mask is formed to be thicker than the first metal mask. The thickness of the first and second metal masks is such that the etching at an opening of the first mask reaches a source electrode when the etching at the opening of the second mask substantially reaches a semiconductor device forming layer.
US08455357B2	Method of plating through wafer vias in a wafer for 3D packaging A method of plating via hole in a substrate includes providing a substrate having a first side and a second side and a plurality of through substrate via holes; depositing a first seed layer on the first side of the substrate; applying a foil on the first seed layer of the substrate closing the first ends of the plurality of via holes; electro-chemical plating of the second side of the substrate; and removing the foil.
US08455356B2	Integrated void fill for through silicon via A microelectronic assembly and related method of forming a through hole extending through a first wafer and a second wafer are provided. The first and second wafer have confronting faces and metallic features at the faces which are joined together to assemble the first and second wafers. A hole can be etched downwardly through the first wafer until a gap is partially exposed between the confronting faces of the first and second wafers. The hole can have a first wall extending in a vertical direction, and a second wall sloping inwardly from the first wall to an inner opening through which the interfacial gap is exposed. Material of the first or second wafers exposed within the hole can then be sputtered such that at least some of the sputtered material deposits onto at least one of the exposed confronting faces of the first and second wafers and provides a wall between the confronting faces. The method can include resuming etching the hole so as to extend the first wall fully through the first wafer, the wall between the wafers and into the second wafer, such that the wall of the hole extends continuously from the first wafer into the second wafer. An electrically conductive through silicon via can then be formed extending through the first wafer, the wall between the wafers and into the second wafer.
US08455355B2	Method for producing through-contacts in semi-conductor wafers via production of through-plated holes The invention relates to a method for producing vertical through-contacts (micro-vias) in semi-conductor wafers in order to produce semi-conductor components, i.e. contacts on the front side of the wafer through the semi-conductor wafer to the rear side of the wafer. The invention also relates to a method which comprises the following steps: blind holes on the contact connection points are laser drilled from the rear side of the wafer into the semi-conductor substrate, the wafer is cleaned, the semi-conductor substrate is plasma etched in a material selected manner until the active layer stack of the wafer is reached, the active layer stack of the wafer is plasma etched in a material selective manner until the contacts, which are to be connected to the rear side of the wafer, are reached, a plating base is applied to the rear side of the wafer and into the blind holes and gold is applied by electrodeposition onto the metallizied rear side of the wafer and the blind holes.
US08455351B2	Method of forming an integrated circuit interconnect structure An integrated circuit (IC) interconnect structure that includes a first via positioned in a dielectric and coupled to a high current device at one end, and a buffer metal segment positioned in a dielectric and coupled to the first via at an opposite end thereof. The buffer metal segment includes a plurality of electrically insulating inter-dielectric (ILD) pads forming an ILD cheesing pattern thereon, to direct current. The IC interconnect structure further includes a second via positioned in a dielectric formed over the buffer metal segment and coupled to the buffer metal segment at one end and a metal power line formed in a dielectric and coupled to the second via at an opposite end thereof. The use of the ILD pads on the buffer metal segment enables a more even distribution of current along the metal power line.
US08455349B2	Layered chip package and method of manufacturing same A layered chip package includes a main body and a plurality of through electrodes. The main body includes a plurality of layer portions stacked and a plurality of through holes that penetrate all the plurality of layer portions. The plurality of through electrodes are provided in the plurality of through holes of the main body and penetrate all the plurality of layer portions. Each of the plurality of layer portions includes a semiconductor chip. At least one of the plurality of layer portions includes wiring that electrically connects the semiconductor chip to the plurality of through electrodes. The wiring includes a plurality of conductors that make contact with a through electrode that is exposed in the wall faces of any one of the plurality of through holes and passes through the through hole.
US08455347B1	Structures, architectures, systems, methods, algorithms and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types Structures, architectures, systems, an integrated circuit, methods and software for configuring an integrated circuit for multiple packaging types and/or selecting one of a plurality of packaging types for an integrated circuit. The structure generally comprises a bump pad, a plurality of bond pads configured for independent electrical connection to the bump pad, and a plurality of conductive traces, each adapted to electrically connect one of the bond pads to the bump pad. The software is generally configured to place and route components of such a structure. The method of configuring generally includes the steps of forming the bump pad, the bond pads, and the conductive traces from an uppermost metal layer, and forming an insulation layer thereover. The method of selecting generally comprises the uppermost metal layer-forming step, and forming either (i) a wire bond to at least one of the bond pads, or (ii) a bumping metal configured to electrically connect at least one of the bond pads to the bump pad. The present invention advantageously provides reduced manufacturing costs and reduced inventory management issues by enabling one device to be manufactured at a wafer level for a plurality of different packaging options, thereby enabling packaging decisions to be made at a later time in the manufacturing process.
US08455343B2	Semiconductor device with buried gate and method for fabricating the same A semiconductor device includes a first region and a second region, a buried gate arranged in the first region, and an oxidation prevention barrier surrounding the first region.
US08455342B2	Mask ROM fabrication method A mask ROM fabrication method which comprises steps: sequentially forming a gate dielectric layer and a first photoresist layer on a substrate; letting a light having a wavelength of 365 nm pass through a first phase shift mask to photolithographically form on the first photoresist layer a plurality of first trenches having a width of 243-365 nm; doping the substrate to form a plurality of embedded bit lines having a width of 243-365 nm; removing the first photoresist layer; sequentially forming a polysilicon layer and a second photoresist layer on the gate dielectric layer; and letting the light pass through a second phase shift mask to photolithographically form a plurality of polysilicon word lines on the polysilicon layer. Thereby is reduced the line width of mask ROM to 243-365 nm and decreased the area of mask ROM.
US08455340B2	Method of fabricating heavily doped region in double-diffused source MOSFET (LDMOS) transistor A transistor includes a source, a drain and a gate. The source includes a p-doped p-body, a p+ region overlapping the p-body, an n+ region overlapping the p-body in proximity to the p+ region, and an n-doped source, heavily double-diffused (SHDD) region, only into the source region of the transistor, the SHDD region having a depth about equal to that of the first n+ region and overlapping the first n+ region. The drain includes a second n+ region and an n-doped shallow drain overlapping the second n+ region. The gate includes a gate oxide and a conductive material over the gate oxide. The SHDD region extends further laterally than the first n+ region beneath the gate oxide. The SHDD region is implanted using a dopant concentration greater than that of the n-doped shallow drain but less than that of the first n+ region.
US08455338B2	Method of forming a semiconductor device introducing plural impurities to form plural wells A method for forming a semiconductor device includes the following processes. A first well including a memory cell region of a semiconductor substrate is formed. A second well including a first peripheral circuit region of the semiconductor substrate is formed after forming the first well.
US08455329B2	Phase change memory device capable of increasing sensing margin and method for manufacturing the same A phase change memory device capable of increasing a sensing margin and a method for manufacturing the same. The phase change memory device includes a semiconductor substrate formed with a device isolation structure which defines active regions; first conductivity type impurity regions formed in surfaces of the active regions and having the shape of a line; a second conductivity type well formed in the semiconductor substrate at a position lower than the device isolation structure; a second conductivity type ion-implantation layer formed in the semiconductor substrate at a boundary between a lower end of the device isolation structure and the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of vertical PN diodes formed on the first conductivity type impurity regions; and phase change memory cells formed on the vertical PN diodes.
US08455328B2	Optically controlled silicon carbide and related wide-bandgap transistors and thyristors An optically active material is used to create power devices and circuits having significant performance advantages over conventional methods for affecting optical control of power electronics devices and circuits. A silicon-carbide optically active material is formed by compensating shallow donors with the boron related D-center. The resulting material can be n-type or p-type but it is distinguished from other materials by the ability to induce persistent photoconductivity in it when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation with a photon energy in excess of the threshold energy required to photoexcite electrons from the D-center to allowed states close to the conduction band edge, which varies from polytype to polytype.
US08455318B2	Process for manufacturing a power semiconductor device having charge-balance columnar structures on a non-planar surface, and corresponding power semiconductor device An embodiment of a process for manufacturing a power semiconductor device envisages the steps of: providing a body of semiconductor material having a top surface and having a first conductivity; forming columnar regions having a second type of conductivity within the body of semiconductor material, and surface extensions of the columnar regions above the top surface; and forming doped regions having the second type of conductivity, in the proximity of the top surface and in contact with the columnar regions. The doped regions are formed at least partially within the surface extensions of the columnar regions; the surface extensions and the doped regions have a non-planar surface pattern, in particular with a substantially V-shaped groove.
US08455317B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor device having field effect transistor A semiconductor device includes an epitaxial pattern that fills a depression region formed at a semiconductor substrate of one side of a gate pattern. The gate pattern is disposed on a body located at one side of the depression region. The sidewall of the depression region adjacent to the body includes inner surfaces of tapered recesses that taper toward the body, or has an inner surface of a taper recess and a vertical lower sidewall.
US08455315B2	Symmetric blocking transient voltage suppressor (TVS) using bipolar transistor base snatch A symmetrical blocking transient voltage suppressing (TVS) circuit for suppressing a transient voltage includes an NPN transistor having a base electrically connected to a common source of two transistors whereby the base is tied to a terminal of a low potential in either a positive or a negative voltage transient. The two transistors are two substantially identical transistors for carrying out a substantially symmetrical bi-directional clamping a transient voltage. These two transistors further include a first and second MOSFET transistors having an electrically interconnected source. The first MOSFET transistor further includes a drain connected to a high potential terminal and a gate connected to the terminal of a low potential and the second MOSFET transistor further includes a drain connected to the terminal of a low potential terminal and a gate connected to the high potential terminal.
US08455314B2	Transistors comprising high-K metal gate electrode structures and embedded strain-inducing semiconductor alloys formed in a late stage In sophisticated semiconductor devices, replacement gate approaches may be applied in combination with a process strategy for implementing a strain-inducing semiconductor material, wherein superior proximity of the strain-inducing semiconductor material and/or superior robustness of the replacement gate approach may be achieved by forming the initial gate electrode structures with superior uniformity and providing at least one cavity for implementing the strained channel regions in a very advanced manufacturing stage, i.e., after completing the basic transistor configuration.
US08455310B2	Methods of manufacturing thin film transistor devices Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods of fabricating a thin film transistor device with good profile control of peripheral sidewall of an active layer formed in the thin film transistor devices. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor device includes providing a substrate having a source-drain metal electrode layer disposed on an active layer formed thereon, wherein the active layer is a metal oxide layer, performing a back-channel-etching process to form a channel in the source-drain metal electrode layer, and performing an active layer patterning process after the back-channel-etching process.
US08455305B2	Programmable circuit with carbon nanotube A semiconductor device has a programming circuit that includes an active device and a programmable electronic component. The programmable electronic component includes a carbon nanotube having a segment with an adjusted diameter. The programmable electronic component has a value that depends upon the adjusted diameter. The programming circuit also includes interconnects that couple the active device to the programmable electronic component. The active device is configured to control a current transmitted to the programmable electronic component.
US08455304B2	Routable array metal integrated circuit package fabricated using partial etching process An integrated circuit assembly is fabricated on a metal substrate strip in an array format that has raised circuitry pattern formed by photolithographic and metal etching processes. The circuitry pattern is formed on one side of the metal substrate only. The raised circuitry's etch depth extends partially through the metal substrate. Die attachment can be performed using a non-conductive material applied directly onto and around the raised circuitry features directly under the die. After wirebond and molding processes, the molded metal substrate strip assembly is processed through a metal etching process to remove the metal substrate portion that is exposed beyond the mold cap. A solder mask coating can be applied to protect the metal circuitry and to define the package pad opening to form Land-Grid-Array (LGA) packages. Solder balls can also be attached to form Ball-Grid-Array (BGA) packages.
US08455302B2	Dicing tape-integrated film for semiconductor back surface, and process for producing semiconductor device The present invention relates to a dicing tape-integrated film for semiconductor back surface including: a dicing tape including a base material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated in this order, and a film for semiconductor back surface provided on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of the dicing tape, where the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a thickness of from 20 μm to 40 μm.
US08455299B2	Methods utilizing microwave radiation during formation of semiconductor constructions Some embodiments include methods in which microwave radiation is used to activate dopant and/or increase crystallinity of semiconductor material during formation of a semiconductor construction. In some embodiments, the microwave radiation has a frequency of about 5.8 gigahertz, and a temperature of the semiconductor construction does not exceed about 500° C. during the exposure to the microwave radiation.
US08455297B1	Method to fabricate high performance carbon nanotube transistor integrated circuits by three-dimensional integration technology Techniques for fabricating carbon nanotube-based devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for fabricating a carbon nanotube-based integrated circuit is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A first wafer comprising carbon nanotubes is provided. A second wafer comprising one or more device elements is provided. One or more of the carbon nanotubes are connected with one or more of the device elements by bonding the first wafer and the second wafer together. A carbon nanotube-based integrated circuit is also provided.
US08455296B2	Semiconductor processing Devices, methods, and systems for semiconductor processing are described herein. A number of method embodiments of semiconductor processing can include forming a silicon layer on a structure, forming an opening through the silicon layer and into the structure, and selectively forming a resistance variable material in the opening such that the resistance variable material does not form on the silicon layer.
US08455295B2	Low temperature sintering of dye-sensitised solar cells The invention relates to the field of dye-sensitized solar cells and discloses a method for reducing the temperature necessary for sintering the metal oxide paste coating the electrode. The method comprises applying a colloid comprising a metal oxide, a solvent and a binder to an electrode and heating the coated electrode to a temperature of at most 300° C. for sintering the metal oxide following by cooling the electrode coated with sintered metal oxide. A process for preparing dye sensitized solar cells is also disclosed.
US08455294B2	Method of fabricating an image sensor structure A method for making the image sensor structure, for avoiding or mitigating lens shading effect. The image sensor structure includes a substrate, a sensor array disposed at the surface of the substrate, a dielectric layer covering the sensor array, wherein the dielectric layer includes a top surface having a dishing structure, an under layer filled into the dishing structure and having a refraction index greater than that of the dielectric layer, a filter array disposed on the under layer corresponding to the sensor array, and a microlens array disposed above the filter array. A top layer may be additionally disposed to cover the filter array and the microlens array is disposed on the top layer.
US08455292B2	Deposition of germanium film A method for forming a photodetector device includes forming waveguide feature on a substrate, and forming a photodetector feature including a germanium (Ge) film, the Ge film deposited on the waveguide feature using a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process, the PECVD process having a deposition temperature from about 500° C. to about 550° C., and a deposition pressure from about 666.612 Pa to about 1066.579 Pa.
US08455290B2	Method of fabricating epitaxial structures A method of fabricating epitaxial structures including applying an etch stop to one side of a substrate and then growing at least one epitaxial layer on a first side of said substrate, flipping the substrate, growing a second etch stop and at least one epitaxial layer on a second side of the substrate, applying a carrier medium to the ultimate epitaxial layer on each side, dividing the substrate into two parts generally along an epitaxial plane to create separate epitaxial structures, removing any residual substrate and removing the etch stop.
US08455289B1	Low frequency CMUT with thick oxide A capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT), which has a conductive structure that can vibrate over a cavity, utilizes a thick oxide layer to substantially increase the volume of the cavity which, in turn, allows the CMUT to receive and transmit low frequency ultrasonic waves. In addition, the CMUT can include a back side bond pad structure that eliminates the need for and cost of one patterned photoresist layer.
US08455288B2	Method for etching material longitudinally spaced from etch mask A micromachining process forms a plurality of layers on a wafer. This plurality of layers includes both a support layer and a given layer. The process also forms a mask, with a mask hole, at least in part on the support layer. In this configuration, the support layer is positioned between the mask hole and the given layer, and longitudinally spaces the mask hole from the given layer. The process also etches a feature into the given layer through the mask hole.
US08455287B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device including microstructure A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided, which includes the step of forming a microstructure comprising a layer containing silicon over a first substrate, the step of forming an interlayer insulating layer over the microstructure, the step of forming a connection conductive layer over the interlayer insulating layer, and the step of separating the microstructure from the first substrate.
US08455286B2	Method of making a micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) device A method of forming a MEMS device includes forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate. The method further includes forming a metal layer over the sacrificial layer and forming a protection layer overlying the metal layer. The method further includes etching the protection layer and the metal layer to form a structure having a remaining portion of the protection layer formed over a remaining portion of the metal layer. The method further includes etching the sacrificial layer to form a movable portion of the MEMS device, wherein the remaining portion of the protection layer protects the remaining portion of the metal layer during the etching of the sacrificial layer to form the movable portion of the MEMS device.
US08455284B2	Group III nitride nanorod light emitting device and method of manufacturing thereof A group III nitride nanorod light emitting device and a method of manufacturing thereof. The method includes preparing a substrate, forming an insulating film including one or more openings exposing parts of the substrate on the substrate, growing first conductive group III nitride nanorod seed layers on the substrate exposed through the openings by supplying a group III source gas and a nitrogen (N) source gas thereto, growing first conductive group III nitride nanorods on the first conductive group III nitride nanorod seed layers by supplying the group III source gas and an impurity source gas in a pulse mode and continuously supplying the N source gas, forming an active layer on a surface of each of the first conductive group III nitride nanorods, and forming a second conductive nitride semiconductor layer on the active layer.
US08455279B2	Surface gratings on VCSELS for polarization pinning Methods for manufacturing a polarization pinned vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). Steps include growing a lower mirror on a substrate; growing an active region on the lower mirror; growing an upper mirror on the active region; depositing a grating layer on the upper mirror; and etching a grating into the grating layer.
US08455275B2	Method for making light emitting diode package A light emitting diode package includes a substrate with a first metal layer, a second metal layer and an insulating layer between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. A cavity is defined in the insulating layer and the second metal layer. The second metal layer surrounding the cavity is divided into a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. An LED chip is positioned inside the cavity and on an upper surface of the first metal layer. The LED chip has two electrodes electrically connected to the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion respectively. The cavity is filled with an encapsulation to cover the LED chip. A method for manufacturing the LED package is also disclosed.
US08455274B2	Method for manufacturing light emitting diode A method for manufacturing light emitting diodes includes steps: providing a substrate having an upper conductive layer and a lower conductive layer formed on a top face and bottom face thereof; dividing each of the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer into first areas and second areas; defining cavities in the substrate through the first areas of the upper conductive layer to expose the lower conductive layer; forming conductive posts within the substrate; forming an overlaying layer to connect the first areas of the upper and lower conductive layers; mounting chips on the overlaying layer within the cavities and electrically connecting each chip with an adjacent first area and post; forming an encapsulant on the substrate to cover the chips; and cutting the substrate into individual packages.
US08455266B2	Multi-stack ferroelectric polymer memory A memory device and method for manufacturing the memory device are provided. The memory device including a first electrode, a first ferroelectric polymer layer over the first electrode, a second electrode over the first ferroelectric polymer layer, a second ferroelectric polymer layer over the second electrode, a third electrode over the second ferroelectric polymer layer, and a protective layer between the first and second ferroelectric polymer layers. The first, second and third electrodes and the first and second ferroelectric polymer layers define first and second ferroelectric capacitor structures, the second electrode being common to the first and second ferroelectric capacitor structures.
US08455264B2	Fluorescence based detection of substances A method for the fluorescent detection of a substance, the method comprising providing particles comprising a metal or a metal oxide core, wherein one or more optionally fluorescently tagged antibodies or human specific peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomers for binding to a substance is/are bound, directly or indirectly, to the surface of the metal or metal oxide; contacting a substrate, which may or may not have the substance on its surface, with the particles for a time sufficient to allow the antibody/PNA oligomer to bind with the substance; removing those particles which have not bound to the substrate; if the antibodies or PNA oligomers are not fluorescently tagged, contacting the substrate with one or more fluorophores that selectively bind with the antibody and/or substance, then optionally washing the substrate to remove unbound fluorophores; and illuminating the substrate with appropriate radiation to show the fluorophores on the substrate.
US08455261B2	Detection of halogens A method of measuring the concentration of a halogen in a gas stream using measurement means unsuitable for the direct measurement of halogens in a gas stream includes the step of passing a gaseous conversion compound to the halogen containing gas stream to convert the halogen to a detectable gaseous compound.
US08455260B2	Tagged-fragment map assembly A method for determining a sequence of a biomolecule, the method including binding a plurality of uniform probes to a biomolecule fragment, creating a collection of binding signatures for the fragment with each binding signature representing a series of distances between binding sites within the fragment, and grouping the binding signatures into a plurality of signature clusters based at least in part on distances between the binding sites in each binding signature. For each binding signature in a first cluster, a potential successor binding signature is selected from signature clusters other than the first signature cluster, and one of the potential successor binding signatures is identified as a successor binding signature. The last two steps are repeated until the successor signature represents a terminal signature, resulting in a sequence of signatures representing at least a portion of the biomolecule.
US08455256B2	Sample processing apparatus and sample rack transporting method A sample processing apparatus, including: a sample processing unit for obtaining a sample from a sample container positioned at a sample obtaining position and performing a predetermined process of the sample; a transport unit for transporting a sample rack holding the sample container via the sample obtaining position; and a transport controller for performing a stop process to stop the transport operation of the sample rack by the transport unit when a transport suspension event has occurred during the transport operation of the sample rack, and for controlling the transport unit to restart the transport operation of the sample rack from a stop position at which the sample rack has been stopped by the stop process.
US08455255B2	Method for production of novel nano silica particle and use of the nano silica particle The present invention presents a silica particle containing at least one silica compound selected from a group consisting of mercapto-propyl-trimethoxysilane (MPS), mercapto-propyl-triethoxysilane (MPES), mercapto-propyl-methyldimethoxysilane (MPDMS), trimethoxy[2-(7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]-hepto-3-yl)ethyl]silane (EpoPS), thiocyanatopropyltriethoxysilane (TCPS), and acryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (AcPS), which can be provided and utilized as a label, a marker, or the like for qualitative test and quantitative test for such as prophylactic agent, therapeutic agent, diagnostic agent, diagnostic and therapeutic agent or the like in dental, medical and veterinary fields regardless of fields.
US08455254B2	Method of accelerating osteogenic differentiation and composition thereof The invention discloses a method of accelerating osteogenic differentiation and a composition thereof. The method comprises a step of adding type II collagen into stem/progenitor cells or osteoblasts to accelerate the osteogenic differentiation of the added cells, and the composition comprises type II collagen, and stem/progenitor cells or osteoblasts. Type II collagen can accelerate osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) much faster than does type I collagen. The said composition is effective to facilitate bone repair upon introduction of the composition into various osseous defects.
US08455250B2	Co-culture of placental stem cells and stem cells from a second source The present invention relates to a combination of placental stem cells and stem or progenitor cells derived from a second source, wherein the combination shows improved engraftment as compared to placental stem cells or stem cells from a second source, alone. The combination is referred to as a combined stem cell population. The invention also provides in vitro and in vivo methods for identifying and producing combined stem cell populations, and models of engraftment. In accordance with the present invention, the placental stem cells may be combined with, e.g., umbilical cord blood-derived stem or progenitor cells, fetal or neonatal stem cells or progenitor cells, adult stem cells or progenitor cells, hematopoietic stem cells or progenitor cells, stem or progenitor cells derived from bone marrow, etc.
US08455245B2	ABCB5 positive mesenchymal stem cells as immunomodulators The present invention is directed to purified preparations of dermal mesenchymal stem cells that are characterized by the cell surface expression of the ABCB5 P-glycoprotein. The cells may be used for any purpose that mesenchymal stem cells from other course are used. For instance they may be administered to treat an organ transplant recipient to improve allograft survival or as a treatment to patients with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
US08455244B2	Co-crystallization of ERR-α with a ligand that forms a reversible covalent bond The crystal structure of the ligand binding domain of ERR-α in complex with a ligand that forms a reversible thioether bond to Cys325 of ERR-α, methods to measure dissociation rates for ligands that form reversible covalent bonds, and methods to design ligands that form reversible covalent bonds for use as modulators of ERR-α activity are disclosed. The crystal structure and methods provide a novel molecular mechanism for modulation of the activity of ERR-α and provide the basis for rational drug design to obtain potent specific ligands for use as modulators of the activity of this new drug target.
US08455243B2	LRRK2 polynucleotides A polynucleotide consisting of the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or a complementary strand thereto, wherein the X is one of the group being defined by the bases A, C or T. A primer and a probe specific for that polynucleotide, wherein the primer and/or probe contains at least 10 consecutive nucleotides, and finally use of the probe for proving parkinsonism inheritance.
US08455242B2	Mixing system with condenser A system for mixing a liquid solution or suspension includes a support housing bounding a compartment and a collapsible bag disposed within the compartment. A mixer is disposed within the collapsible bag while a sparger delivers a gas to the lower end of the collapsible bag. A gas outlet line extends from an upper end of the collapsible bag to a condenser assembly. A gas exhaust line and a fluid collection line both extend from the condenser assembly.
US08455239B2	Yeast organism producing isobutanol at a high yield The present invention provides recombinant mircoorganisms comprising an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and methods of using said recombinant microorganisms to produce isobutanol. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise a modification resulting in the reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase and/or glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. In various embodiments described herein, the recombinant microorganisms may be microorganisms of the Saccharomyces clade, Crabtree-negative yeast microorganisms, Crabtree-positive yeast microorganisms, post-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, pre-WGD (whole genome duplication) yeast microorganisms, and non-fermenting yeast microorganisms.
US08455233B2	Polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and polynucleotides encoding same The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08455229B2	RNA polymerase derived from influenza virus The present invention aims to express influenza virus RNA polymerase on a large scale, to crystallize the influenza virus RNA polymerase, and to provide a method for screening a substance capable of serving as an active ingredient in anti-influenza drugs which target a protein highly conserved among influenza virus species.The present invention provides a complex comprising a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 239-716 of the RNA polymerase PA subunit in influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1 and a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence at positions 1-81 of the RNA polymerase PB1 subunit in influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1, as well as a method for screening a substance capable of serving as an active ingredient in anti-influenza drugs, which comprises the step of selecting a substance which inhibits the interaction between α-subunit and β-subunit 1, each constituting influenza virus RNA polymerase, in the presence of a candidate substance.
US08455226B2	Method for producing metal nanoparticles This invention provides a method for producing a composition comprising colloidal nanoparticles of metals including silver, gold, zinc, mercury, copper, palladium, platinum, or bismuth, by contacting a metal or metal compound with bacteria. An embodiment of the method comprises a step of incubating probiotic bacteria with an aqueous solution comprising at least 4 mM of a silver or gold salt. A resulting nanosilver-containing composition is useful as a highly efficient antimicrobial agent, for instance when impregnated onto a carrier, or an algicide agent or a herbicide agent.
US08455225B2	Yeast with increased butanol tolerance involving high osmolarity/glycerol response pathway Increasing tolerance to butanol in yeast has been accomplished by increasing activity of the high osmolarity/glycerol response pathway. Yeast with increased expression of PBS2p, a mitogen activated protein kinase kinase of the MAPK module of the high osmolarity/glycerol response pathway may be used for improved butanol production.
US08455220B2	Biomarkers for assessing liver function A method for assessing liver function in an individual, which method comprises determining the level of methylarginine(s) (such as ADMA and/or SDMA) and the ratio of ischemia modified albumin (IMA): albumin ratio (IMAR) in the individual, thereby to assess liver function in the individual.
US08455207B2	Electrophoretic interactive spectral methods and devices for the detection and/or characterization of biological particles Methods for identifying a biological particle in a sample medium include generating an Electrophoretic Quasi-elastic Light Scattering (EQELS) spectrum for the biological particle in the sample medium. The EQELS spectrum is compared to a reference database comprising a plurality of spectra, and each of the plurality of spectra correspond to an EQELS spectrum for one of a plurality of known biological particles. The biological particle in the sample medium is identified from the comparison.
US08455206B2	Human lysosomal protein and methods of its use The gene associated and causative of classical late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL), CLN2, has been identified and characterized. The translation product of this gene is a novel protease and a deficiency in this activity results in LINCL. Identification of CLN2 will not only aid in the prevention of LINCL through genetic counseling but provides strategies and test systems for therapeutic intervention. In addition, further characterization of this previously unknown lysosomal enzyme may provide useful insights into other more common human neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, the utility of a general approach for determining the molecular bases for lysosomal disorders of unknown etiology has been demonstrated.
US08455205B2	Metalloproteinase 9 binding proteins Proteins that bind to matrix metalloproteinase 9 and methods of using such proteins are described.
US08455194B2	Diagnostic methods This invention relates to a method of determining the susceptibility of an individual to statin-induced myopathy, comprising detecting the presence or absence of one or more polymorphisms in the SLCO1B1 gene in a biological sample from an individual, whereby the presence of one or more polymorphisms indicates that the individual has altered susceptibility to statin-induced myopathy.
US08455189B2	Use of HE4 for assessment of breast cancers The disclosure relates to use of the HE4 marker to assess breast cancer in a patient. The disclosure also relates to using HE4 and other tumors markers for diagnosis, grading and staging of breast cancers. The disclosure also relates to determining prognosis and treatment effectiveness of a patient who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
US08455188B2	Modification of exosomal components for use as a vaccine The presently disclosed subject matter provides modified cell-derived exosomes substantially lacking one or more immunosuppressive polypeptides. The presently-disclosed subject matter further provides methods of producing the modified exosomes and methods of using the modified exosomes for treating cancers.
US08455186B2	Method of detection of microorganisms with enhanced bacteriophage amplification A method of determining the presence or absence of a target microorganism in a sample to be tested, the method comprising: combining with the sample an amount of bacteriophage capable of attaching to the target microorganism to create a bacteriophage exposed sample, and a substance which enhances bacteriophage amplification or sensitivity; providing conditions to the bacteriophage-exposed sample sufficient to allow the bacteriophage to infect the microorganism; and assaying the bacteriophage-exposed sample to detect the presence or absence of a bacteriophage marker to determine the presence or absence of the target microorganism.
US08455185B2	Enzymatic detection techniques A diagnostic test kit for detecting the presence or quantity of an enzyme or enzyme inhibitor is provided. The diagnostic kit utilizes reactive complexes to facilitate the detection of the enzyme or enzyme inhibitor. The reactive complexes include a substrate joined (e.g., covalently bonded, physically adsorbed, etc.) to a reporter and specific binding member. In one embodiment, for example, a peptide, protein, or glycoprotein substrate is joined to a reporter (e.g., dyed latex particle) and specific binding member (e.g., biotinylated compound). In this embodiment, the substrate provides a cleavage target for a proteolytic enzyme. Specifically, upon contacting the reactive complexes, the proteolytic enzyme cleaves the substrate and releases the reporter and/or specific binding member. The signal exhibited by the released reporters may then be used to indicate the presence or quantity of an enzyme or enzyme inhibitor within the test sample.
US08455183B2	Resist pattern slimming treatment method A resist pattern slimming treatment method includes: a slimming treatment step of performing a slimming treatment on a resist pattern by applying a solution containing an acid onto a substrate having the resist pattern formed thereon, then performing a heat treatment, and then performing a developing treatment. A database storing kinds of resist material for the resist pattern, concentrations of acid contained in a solution to be applied onto the substrate having the resist pattern formed thereon, and line widths of the resist pattern corresponding to the kinds of resist material and the concentrations of acid is prepared in advance. The concentration of the acid contained in the solution used in the slimming treatment step is based on a concentration of the acid obtained from the database, using, as search keys, the kind of resist material and a target value of the line width of the resist pattern.
US08455182B2	Composition for antireflection film formation and method for resist pattern formation using the composition A composition for forming an anti-reflection film for use in forming an anti-reflection film on a resist film is provided, the composition for forming an anti-reflection film being easily handled, and capable of forming an anti-reflection film having superior optical characteristics similarly to anti-reflection films formed using PFOS. A composition for forming an anti-reflection film to be provided on a resist film which includes a certain fluorine compound. This composition for forming an anti-reflection film can form an anti-reflection film having superior optical characteristics since the certain fluorine compound contributes to improvement of the optical characteristics of the anti-reflection film.
US08455181B2	Method for manufacturing a patterned retarder The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing the patterned retarder used in the three-dimensional display device. The present disclosure suggests a method for manufacturing a patterned retarder comprising: defining a first retarder region and a second retarder region in the patterned retarder; forming a first polarization pattern at the first retarder region by a partial exposure process having a first exposure energy; and forming a second polarization pattern at the second retarder region by whole exposure process having a second exposure energy. By manufacturing the patterned retarder with lower exposure energy, it is possible to reduce the whole manufacturing takt time, so that the production yield can be enhanced and the production cost can be reduced.
US08455179B2	Method of forming semiconductor device by using reduction projection aligner A method of forming a semiconductor device, including exposing a first shot to light on a semiconductor wafer, the first shot including a plurality of elongated chip patterns, the plurality of elongated chip patterns being arranged in parallel to each other and exposing a second shot to light on the semiconductor wafer, the second shot including a plurality of elongated chip patterns, so that the plurality of elongated chip patterns of the second shot and the plurality of elongated chip patterns of the first shot are arranged perpendicular to each other. The plurality of elongated chip patterns of the second shot are generated by rotating the plurality of elongated chip patterns of the first shot by 90 degrees.
US08455178B2	Coating compositions for photolithography Underlying coating compositions are provided that comprise one or more resins comprising one or more modified imide groups. These coating compositions are particularly useful as antireflective layers for an overcoated photoresist layer. Preferred systems can be thermally treated to increase hydrophilicity of the composition coating layer to inhibit undesired intermixing with an overcoated organic composition layer, while rendering the composition coating layer removable with aqueous alkaline photoresist developer.
US08455177B2	Method for making a lithographic printing plate A method for making a positive-working lithographic printing plate includes the steps of: (1) providing a heat-sensitive printing plate precursor including on a support, having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating; (2) image-wise exposing the precursor with heat and/or light; and (3) developing the exposed precursor with an aqueous alkaline developing solution including lithium ions at a concentration of at least 0.05% wt and a salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid; wherein the molar ratio of the aliphatic carboxylic acid to the lithium ions is ≧1.
US08455168B2	Electrophotographic developer, developer cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus An electrophotographic developer is provided which includes: a toner that includes toner base particles and an external additive attached to a surface of the toner base particles and has an amount of Al on the surface of the toner base particles of from about 0.002 to about 0.02 atm %; and a carrier that includes magnetic particles and a coating resin layer that coats the magnetic particles, the coating resin layer including particles with a volume-average particle diameter of from about 80 to about 800 nm, such as organic particles or inorganic particles having an organic layer on a surface of the inorganic particles, the carrier satisfying any one of the following formulas, where SP1, SP2 and SP3 represent a solubility parameter of resin of the coating resin layer, the organic particles, and the organic layer respectively: about 10>\|SP1−SP2\|>about 4 (1); and about 10>\|SP1−SP3\|>about 4 (2).
US08455164B2	Developer for electrophotography The present invention provides a developer for electrophotography which is superior in property of build up of electrification and in charge stability even in environments of high temperature and high humidity or in an environment of low temperature and low humidity where it is difficult for a developer to retain its electrostatic charge performance, and which can provide an image free from fogging and decrease in density for a long term, that is, a developer for electrophotography containing composite oxide particles which include metal titanate particles containing titanium as a first metal atom and a second metal atom and containing therein 0.009 to 0.350% by weight of a third metal atom selected from the group consisting of the metal atoms belonging to Group 5A of the long form of the periodic table of elements.
US08455163B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member and electrophotographic apparatus The present invention provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a conductive substrate, a photoconductive layer on the conductive substrate, and a surface layer made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide on the photoconductive layer. A ratio (C/(Si+C)) in the surface layer is 0.61 to 0.75, both inclusive, an Si+C atom density in the surface layer is 6.60×1022 atoms/cm3 or more, and an arithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface layer is 0.029 μm to 0.500 μm, both inclusive.
US08455161B2	Method for erasing image on thermoreversible recording medium A method for erasing an image including irradiating an image formed on a thermoreversible recording medium with a laser light having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1,500 nm so as to erase the image, wherein an energy density of the laser light is in a range of the energy density which can erase the image and a center value or less of the range, wherein the thermoreversible recording medium includes a support, and a thermoreversible recording layer on the support, and wherein the thermoreversible recording layer contains a leuco dye serving as an electron-donating color-forming compound and a reversible developer serving as an electron-accepting compound, in which color tone reversibly changes by heat, and at least one of the thermoreversible recording layer and a layer adjacent to the thermoreversible recording layer contains a photothermal conversion material, which absorbs the light and converts the light into heat.
US08455158B2	Method of manufacturing a substrate for a mask blank, method of manufacturing a mask blank, method of manufacturing a transfer mask, and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device In a simulation step, based on information of a main surface shape of a transparent substrate and shape information of a mask stage of an exposure apparatus and using a deflection differential equation taking into account a twist deformation, height information at a plurality of measurement points is obtained by simulating a state where the transparent substrate is set in the exposure apparatus. Based on the height information obtained through the simulation, a flatness of the transparent substrate when it is set in the exposure apparatus is calculated in a flatness calculation step. Then, by judging in a selection step whether or not the calculated flatness satisfies a specification, the transparent substrate whose flatness satisfies the specification is used as a substrate for a mask blank.
US08455156B2	Separator for fuel cell and fuel cell A separator has a concavo-convex structure formed in mutually reversed shapes on two opposite sides thereof to define flow paths of different fluids on the respective two sides. The concavo-convex structure includes multiple first projections formed and protruded on one side of the two opposite sides and arranged at intervals having a preset regularity. The concavo-convex structure also includes multiple second projections formed and protruded on the other side of the two opposite sides in a specific area corresponding to an area for formation of the multiple first projections on the one side and arranged at intervals having a preset regularity. The concavo-convex structure further includes reinforcing elements protruded on the one side. Each of the reinforcing elements is formed as a convex in a specific shape of connecting multiple positions where the first projections are expected to be formed according to the preset regularity, while avoiding positions corresponding to the second projections formed on the other side. This arrangement effectively prevents a potential trouble caused by deformation of the separator due to a pressure difference between the flow pressures of the respective fluids flowing on the respective sides of the separator.
US08455155B2	Inexpensive approach for coating bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells A metallic bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell includes a metallic bipolar plate having one or more channels and a contact surface. The contact surface has a surface roughness defined by a plurality of peaks and valleys wherein at least a portion of the valleys are filled with an electrically conductive material. The contact surface is adapted to contact the anode diffusion layer or the cathode diffusion layer such that the contact resistance occurring at this surface is lower than when the electrically conductive material is not present. A fuel cell incorporating the metallic bipolar plate is also provided.
US08455148B2	Fuel cell The present invention provides a fuel cell which is capable to improve heat exchange efficiency with a plurality of tubular cells. The fuel cell of the present invention comprises: a plurality of tubular cells; heat exchangers arranged at the outside of the tubular cells, wherein at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of said tubular cells and the peripheral surface of said heat exchangers have face contact with each other.
US08455146B2	Rapid start-up and operating system for a fuel cell power plant utilizing a reformate A fuel cell power plant (10) includes a power supply (58) that directs a direct current to catalysts (24), (26) of a fuel cell (22) after terminating flow of electricity to a primary load (52), and after flow of an oxidant adjacent the cathode catalyst (26) is terminated, and while a reformate fuel is directed adjacent the anode catalyst (24). Pure hydrogen fuel generated thereby at the cathode catalyst (26) is directed into a hydrogen storage tank (62). Upon start-up of the power plant (10), the stored hydrogen gas is directed from the tank (62) to flow adjacent the anode catalyst (24) while a reformer (12) is being warmed up for operation, to provide virtually instantaneous start-up of the plant (10). Optionally, the stored hydrogen may be used occasionally during operation with the reformate fuel to meet an increased demand for electricity.
US08455144B2	Bio-fuel cell system The present invention discloses a new type of bio-fuel cell, based on the microbial regeneration of the oxidant, ferric ions. The bio-fuel cell is based on the cathodic reduction of ferric to ferrous ions, coupled with the microbial regeneration of ferric ions by the oxidation of ferrous ions, at a pH less than about 1.0, with fuel (such as hydrogen) oxidation on the anode electrode. The microbial regeneration of ferric ions is achieved by microorganisms such as Leptospirillum ferriphilum. Electrical generation is coupled with the consumption of carbon dioxide from atmosphere and its transformation into microbial cells, which can be used as a single-cell protein.
US08455140B1	Porous polymer separator layer having a non-uniform cross sectional thickness for use in a secondary liquid electrolyte battery A porous polymer separator layer that exhibits a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness and a method of making the same are disclosed. The porous polymer separator layer may be made by a phase-separation process. This process involves precipitating the porous polymer separator layer from a film having a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness similar to that sought to be imparted to the resultant separator layer. An electrochemical battery cell for a secondary liquid-electrolyte battery may incorporate the disclosed porous polymer separator layer between a negative electrode and a positive electrode in a way that that helps maintain a more evenly distributed current density within the cell.
US08455138B2	Anode and lithium battery including the anode An anode including: an anode active material; a first binder coating layer formed on the anode active material; a second binder coating layer formed on the first binder coating layer; and a collector, wherein the first binder coating layer has an elasticity higher than the second binder layer and the second binder coating layer is adapted to combine the anode active material with the collector. In the anode, the first binder coating layer that has the relatively high elasticity on the anode active material can tolerate a change in volume of the anode active material. Therefore, a lithium battery that uses the anode has improved cyclic properties and a relatively long lifespan.
US08455137B2	Apparatus and method for fracture absorption layer An apparatus for use as a fracture absorption layer, and an apparatus for use as an electrochemical device are taught. The apparatuses of the present invention may be of particular use in the manufacture of thin-film, lightweight, flexible or conformable, electrochemical devices such as batteries, and arrays of such devices. The present invention may provide many advantages including stunting fractures in a first electrochemical layer from propagating in a second electrochemical layer.
US08455135B2	Battery case forming sheet and battery packet A battery packet (50) comprises a battery case (51) formed by processing a battery case forming laminated sheet (10), a battery 50a contained in the battery case (51), and tabs (59, 60) extending outside from the battery case (51). The battery case forming laminated sheet (10) is formed by laminating a first base film layer (1a), i.e., an outermost layer, a metal foil layer (2), and a heat-adhesive resin layer (3) in that order. The first base film layer (1a) is a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate resin film or a biaxially oriented nylon resin film. The metal foil layer (2) is an aluminum or copper foil. The heat-adhesive resin layer (3) is formed of a polyolefin resin, more preferably, of an acid-denatured polyolefin resin.
US08455129B2	Fixing apparatus for fixing battery A fixing apparatus for fixing a battery in an electronic device is provided. The fixing apparatus includes a circuit board, a support frame, and a cover. The circuit board defines an opening therein. The support frame is received in the opening and is configured for receiving the battery. The cover defines at least one pair of latching members therein. Wherein the at least one pair of latching member latches onto the circuit board to fix the battery between the support frame and the cover.
US08455124B2	Secondary battery and method of fabricating the same A secondary battery and a method of fabricating the same. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed therebetween, a sealing tape surrounding a circumferential surface of the electrode assembly, a can housing the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly sealing the can. The sealing tape is formed of a heat-shrinkable material. The can is heated at a predetermined after the electrode assembly and the sealing tape are sealed in the can, to shrink the sealing tape.
US08455123B2	Safety switch using heat shrinkage tube and secondary battery including the same Disclosed herein is a safety switch including a tube that is capable of shrinking when exposed to temperatures in excess of a predetermined temperature level (“heat shrinkage tube”), wherein the length of the heat shrinkage tube is changeable to control current conduction, one end of the heat shrinkage tube is fixed, and the other end of the heat shrinkage tube is connected to an electric wire connection part, such that current conduction or current interruption is accomplished by the change in length of the heat shrinkage tube when the heat shrinkage tube is varied due to heat. When a battery or a battery pack is exposed to an abnormal environment, with the result that the temperature of the battery or the battery pack exceeds a predetermined temperature level, the heat shrinkage tube of the safety switch shrinks to directly interrupt external charge current, thereby preventing the further charge of the battery or the battery pack. Furthermore, internal energy accumulated in the battery cell is forcibly consumed, thereby fundamentally preventing the progress of the abnormal operation of the battery or the battery pack. Consequently, the safety of the battery is secured.
US08455121B2	System and method for activating fuel cell A system for activating a fuel cell includes a flow meter for measuring the amount of water discharged from an outlet of the air electrode and an outlet of the fuel electrode; a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure at the respective outlets; and a back pressure regulator receiving flow values measured by the flow meters and pressure values measured by the pressure sensors, which are fed back from a controller, and regulating a pressure difference (ΔP=PCathode−PAnode) to be a value greater than 0. With the system, the activation time of a fuel cell and the amount of hydrogen used for the activation can be reduced, thus improving the productivity and manufacturing cost.
US08455116B2	Coated cemented carbide cutting tool insert The present invention relates to PVD coated cemented carbide cutting tool inserts semifinishing and finishing metal cutting operations. The cemented carbide cutting tool insert comprises a substrate and a wear resistant coating. The substrate comprises in addition to WC, from about 5.5 to about 8.5 wt-% Co and Cr such that the Cr/Co weight ratio is from about 0.08 to about 0.12 and also small amounts of Ti and Ta. The wear resistant coating is a homogeneous AlxTi1−xN-layer with x equals from about 0.6 to about 0.67. The thickness of this layer is from about 1 to about 3.8 μm.
US08455115B2	Organic electroluminescent device An organic electroluminescent device includes: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic compound layer therebetween, the at least one organic compound layer comprises at least a light-emitting layer, wherein at least one of the at least one organic compound layer comprises at least one compound represented by a particular formula.
US08455113B2	Organic light-emitting device A light-emitting layer emits light having an emission spectrum having a primary peak in the range of wavelengths of 430 to 480 nm. The light-emitting layer contains a host compound and a dopant compound. The dopant compound has an electron affinity of 2.93 eV or more higher that is than the host compound. The dopant compound in the lowest excited triplet state has an energy of 1.95 eV or less that is lower than the host compound in the lowest excited triplet state. The dopant compound has a smaller band gap than the host compound. The dopant compound is a hydrocarbon compound.
US08455109B2	Microwave cooking tray with pop-up legs A microwave cooking tray includes pop-up legs. The microwave cooking tray is formed from a blank including a main panel, at least two leg portions, each leg portion having a first panel connected to the main panel by a first fold line, a second panel connected to the first panel by a second fold line, and a third panel connected to the second panel by a third fold line, and an aperture located on each of the first fold line between the main panel and each of the first panels. When assembled each of the third panels lies flat against an underside of the main panel, such that each of the third panels reinforces the main panel, and the first panel and second panel extend downward from the underside of the main panel to form triangular legs resting on an edge.
US08455103B2	Composite material component with silicon-containing ceramic matrix, protected against corrosion An environmental barrier is formed on a substrate (10) of ceramic matrix composite material and comprises an outer anticorrosion protection layer (12) containing a compound of the type comprising an aluminosilicate of an alkali, or an alkaline-earth, or a rare-earth element. A bond sub-layer (14) is formed between the substrate (10) and the protection layer (12), the composition of the bond sub-layer varying from substantially pure silicon to substantially pure mullite between an inner face beside the substrate and an outer face, with the silicon content decreasing and the mullite content increasing.
US08455102B2	Method for gluing film-like substrates A method for adhesively bonding film-like substrates, in which a two-component polyurethane adhesive is applied to a film and then a second film is applied, a two-component polyurethane adhesive being used that consists of—a component A containing at least one prepolymer having at least two NCO groups,—a component B containing at least one polymeric or oligomeric crosslinker having at least two groups that react with NCO groups, wherein component B contains 0.05 to 5 wt. % of a low-molecular-weight compound C, which—should have a nucleophilic group that reacts with NCO groups and—contains a hydrogen-bridging group, selected from O═C—O− or O═C—C—O− or O═C—C═C—O− or protonated forms.
US08455101B2	Polyurethane lamination resin, laminate containing the polyurethane lamination resin, and skis or snowboards containing the laminate The present invention relates to a process for producing a polyurethane lamination resin, by mixing a) an isocyanate prepolymer based on diphenylmethane diisocyanate having a difunctionally started polyether, b) polyphenylene polymethylene polyisocyanate, c) trifunctionally started polyetherpolyol with an average molar mass of from 350 to 600 g/mol, d) a thermoactivatable capped catalyst, e) if appropriate, chain extender and/or crosslinking agent, f) if appropriate, water-absorbent substances, and g) if appropriate, other additives to give the polyurethane lamination resin. The present invention further relates to a polyurethane lamination resin, obtainable via a process of this type, and to the use of this type of polyurethane lamination resin for producing laminates, and also to skis or snowboards, comprising this type of laminate.
US08455100B2	Aldimines comprising hydroxyl groups, and compositions containing aldimine The present invention relates to aldimines of the formula (I) which have at least one hydroxyl group, and to curable compositions comprising these aldimines. The aldimines can be prepared in a simple manner and are widely usable. The aldehydes formed in the hydrolysis can be incorporated into a polymer via the hydroxyl groups and have tertiary amino groups which can act catalytically.
US08455096B2	Reinforced polymeric materials, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same Disclosed herein is a polymeric composite comprising a first organic polymer that forms a first organic polymer phase; and a low molecular weight compound that exists in the form of a second crystalline phase; wherein the second crystalline phase is dispersed within the first organic polymer phase. Disclosed herein too is a polymeric composite comprising a first organic polymer that forms a first organic polymer phase; and a second phase that comprises a crystalline organic polymer, wherein the crystalline organic polymer has a different molecular structure from the first organic polymer; wherein the second phase is not covalently bonded to the first organic polymer phase and wherein the second phase has an average particle size of about 1 to about 20 micrometers.
US08455092B2	Fluorescent fine particle films A fluorescent fine particle film that retains the intrinsic functions of fluorescent fine particles and that can be formed on any substrate at a desired thickness, a method for manufacturing the fluorescent fine particle film, and a display apparatus, a photoconductor, and a sensor each including the fluorescent fine particle film are provided.
US08455091B2	Method for introduction of filling materials in liquid form into porous bodies A product made by the method comprising forming a porous body of a first material, forming a plurality of recesses in a surface of such body, inserting wicks into such recesses and infusing a molten second material into the interior of the first material by injecting the second material into and through such wicks.
US08455087B2	Infrared encoding of security elements using standard xerographic materials with distraction patterns The teachings as provided herein relate to a watermark embedded in an image that has the property of being relatively indecipherable under normal light, and yet decipherable under infrared illumination when viewed by a suitable infrared sensitive device. This infrared mark entails in combination with at least one distraction pattern, a substrate reflective to infrared radiation, and a first colorant mixture and second colorant mixture printed as an image upon the substrate. The first colorant mixture layer in connection with the substrate has a property of strongly reflecting infrared illumination, as well as a property of low contrast under normal illumination against a second colorant mixture as printed in close spatial proximity to the first colorant mixture pattern, such that the resultant image rendered substrate suitably exposed to an infrared illumination, will yield a discernable image evident as a infrared mark to a suitable infrared sensitive device.
US08455084B2	Superhydrophobic polymer fabrication A superhydrophobic polymer fabrication is provided. According to one method for preparing a superhydrophobic polymer fabrication, the superhydrophobic polymer fabrication can be fabricated quickly and easily, and the superhydrophobic surface can be repeatedly imprinted using a template, so that mass production of the superhydrophobic polymer fabrication over a large area can be economically implemented.
US08455074B2	Forms containing a removable hang tag Forms containing a removable hang tag are disclosed. An example form includes a substrate including a first line of weakness defining a central area and a perimeter area. The form includes a second line of weakness in the central area to divide the central area into a first side and a second side. The form includes a third line of weakness formed in the perimeter area to define a sleeve area. The form includes a fourth line of weakness formed in the sleeve area to divide the sleeve area into a first sleeve layer and a second sleeve layer.
US08455070B2	Hinged carriage case for electronical parts having antistatic properties A carriage case, in which electronical parts are received for transportation, is provided as being capable of securely holding such parts therein and preventing them from being damaged and hampering dust from attaching on them with the removal of electrostatic charge and reducing gas detrimental to such parts to the minimum. The carriage case comprises: a case body having a base member and a cover member; and a sheet member that is made from an adhesive material of curable composition essentially consisting of component (A): a polyoxyalkylene based polymer having more than one alkenyl groups in one molecule, component (B): a compound having at least two hydrosilyl groups in one molecule and component (C): a hydrosilylation catalyst. The sheet member is applied on an inner bottom side surface of the base member and on the sheet member. The parts are attached so as to be securely positioned in the case.
US08455069B2	Surface for a food preparation device A novel dense PTFE article in the form of a surface for a food preparation device is described in one embodiment, the surface being fabricated from a sheet of PTFE with a thermal resistance of 1.3° C. in2/W or less and having desirable tensile strength.
US08455063B2	Artificial turf infill and artificial turf including the same An artificial turf is provided. The artificial turf includes a pile fabric having a backing, pile elements extending upwardly from the backing, and an infill layer filled on the backing such that the pile elements are at least partially embedded in the infill layer. The infill layer includes an elastic infill and a high-hardness resin infill.
US08455062B2	Liquid crystal display panel and process for production thereof To provide a liquid crystal display panel that has high contrast and reduced display deficiency, a liquid crystal display panel of the present invention includes: a pair of substrates (1) and (2) facing each other; and a liquid crystal layer (3) sandwiched between the pair of substrates (1) and (2), the pair of substrates (1) and (2) being provided with a pair of respective alignment films (4) and (5) formed thereon and facing each other, the pair of alignment films (4) and (5) being provided with respective polymer films (6) and (7) formed thereon and each made of a monomer in the liquid crystal layer (3), the pair of alignment films (4) and (5) containing a macromolecular compound having a side chain containing a fluorine atom, the liquid crystal layer (3) containing a polymerizable monomer represented by at least one of General Formulae (1) through (3), the polymer films (6) and (7) each being made of the polymerizable monomer represented by at least one of General Formulae (1) through (3), the polymer films (6) and (7) and the side chain containing the fluorine atom attracting each other through interaction.
US08455061B2	Optically active compound having polymerizable group and its polymer An optically active compound having a polymerizable group which is represented by formula (1) or (2). P1-Q1-(A1-Z1)m—X1—(Z1-A1)m-Q1-P2 (1) P1-Q1-(A1-Z1)m—X2 (2) For example, A1 is independently divalent group having ring; Z1 is independently bonding group; m is independently an integer from 1 to 5; Q1 is independently alkylene having 1 to 20 carbons; X1 is a divalent group having chirality; X2 is a monovalent group having chirality, and P1 and P2 are polymerizable groups; and concerns a polymerizable liquid crystal composition, a polymer, an optical device and an article.
US08455060B2	Method for depositing hydrogenated diamond-like carbon films using a gas cluster ion beam A method for depositing a hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (H-DLC) film on a surface of a substrate. The method includes maintaining a reduced-pressure environment around a substrate holder for holding a substrate, holding the substrate securely within the reduced-pressure environment, and forming a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) from a pressurized gas containing hydrocarbon gas and a carrier gas. The method further includes accelerating the GCIB to the reduced-pressure environment, irradiating the accelerated GCIB onto at least a portion of the surface of the substrate, and forming an H-DLC film on the surface.
US08455059B2	Method of producing gas barrier layer, gas barrier film for solar batteries and gas barrier film for displays A method according to the invention comprises: starting plasma discharge for forming the gas barrier layer in a film deposition chamber; and producing the gas barrier layer by using a plasma after a first predetermined period of time has elapsed from a start of the plasma discharge.
US08455050B2	Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method for alined carbon nanotubes An apparatus (CVD apparatus (1)) having a reaction chamber (3) for accommodating a substrate (2) formed with a metal catalyst film and means (gas supply pipes (5, 6)) for supplying a feedstock gas (9) and a catalyst activating material (10) into the reaction chamber (3) for manufacturing CNTs aligned in a direction perpendicular to the catalyst film surface (2a) of the substrate (2), wherein the means for supplying the feedstock gas (9) and the catalyst activating material (10) have a plurality of ejection holes placed at positions facing the catalyst film surface (2a) of the substrate (2), and the ejecting direction of the ejection holes is adjusted to the direction of alignment of CNTs grown from the metal catalyst film. This can provide a manufacturing technology for CNTs capable of mass-producing aligned CNTs at lower cost.
US08455046B2	Thin film patterning apparatus and method of fabricating color filter array substrate using the same A fabricating method of a color filter array substrate includes the steps of forming a black matrix on a substrate, forming red, green, blue color filters on the substrate on which the black matrix is formed, forming an overcoat layer including a white color filter on the substrate on which the red, green, and blue color filters are formed, aligning a flat panel soft mold to the overcoat layer; and smoothing the overcoat layer using the flat panel soft mold.
US08455045B2	High sensitive gas sensor using carbon materials containing ionic metal catalyst and manufacturing method thereof Disclosed is a high sensitive gas sensor using a carbon material containing an ionized metal catalyst and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes the steps of: (1) preparing a hydroxide solution by dissolving a hydroxide in a distilled water; (2) dissolving a metal catalyst in the hydroxide solution; (3) immersing the carbon material in a solution obtained through step (2) and stirring the carbon material; (4) heat-treating a mixture obtained through step (3); (5) cleaning the heat-treated carbon material obtained through step (4); (6) drying the carbon material cleaned through step (5); and (7) manufacturing the gas sensor by loading the carbon material obtained through step (6) on a substrate. The gas sensor having high sensitivity and responsiveness with respect to a target gas even in a normal temperature is obtained.
US08455044B2	Semiconductor film, method for manufacturing the same, and power storage device Provided are a semiconductor film including silicon microstructures formed at high density, and a manufacturing method thereof. Further, provided are a semiconductor film including silicon microstructures whose density is controlled, and a manufacturing method thereof. Furthermore, a power storage device with improved charge-discharge capacity is provided. A manufacturing method in which a semiconductor film with a silicon layer including silicon structures is formed over a substrate with a metal surface is used. The thickness of a silicide layer formed by reaction between the metal and the silicon is controlled, so that the grain sizes of silicide grains formed at an interface between the silicide layer and the silicon layer are controlled and the shapes of the silicon structures are controlled. Such a semiconductor film can be applied to an electrode of a power storage device.
US08455042B2	Method for making material useful in optoelectronic device, the material and the optoelectronic device A method for making a material useful in an optoelectronic device comprises: providing a mixture of a polytriarylamine and a compound; forming a film of the mixture; and treating the film; wherein the compound comprises at least one functional group selected from arylamine and arylphosphine and at least two functional groups selected from vinyl, allyl, vinyl ether, epoxy, and acrylate. The materials made and the optoelectronic device are also provided.
US08455040B2	Slit coater having apparatus for supplying a coater solution A slit coater including an apparatus for supplying coating solution by a coating method using a slit nozzle, which is configured to minimize contamination of coating solution, utilizing a filtering function, and supplying a controlled amount of photosensitive solution to a slit nozzle. The slit coater further includes a table on which an object to be processed is mounted, a slit nozzle unit that applies coating solution onto a surface of the object to be processed, and a coating solution supply apparatus including a storage tank that stores the coating solution, a pump that supplies the coating solution stored in the storage tank to the slit nozzle unit, and a buffer tank that is in fluid communication with the pump and the storage tank.
US08455037B2	Production of stabilized whole grain flour and products thereof A stabilized bran component and a stabilized whole grain flour containing the component are produced by subjecting a bran-enriched coarse fraction which contains bran, germ and starch to grinding or milling to reduce grittiness of the coarse fraction without substantially damaging the starch due to abrasion. The coarse fraction may be stabilized by heating to substantially reduce the lipase and lipoxygenase activity of the coarse fraction without substantial gelatinization of the starch. High levels of natural antioxidants and vitamins are retained while avoiding substantial acrylamide formation during the stabilization. The stabilized coarse fraction or stabilized bran component may be combined with a fine fraction which contains predominantly endosperm to obtain a stabilized whole grain flour. The stabilized whole grain flours and the stabilized bran component exhibit extended shelf life and may be used for making baked goods, such as cookies, with desirable oven spread, and a non-gritty mouthfeel.
US08455034B2	Green tea drink packed in container A packaged green tea beverage, wherein (A) the packaged green tea beverage contains from 0.08 to 0.5 wt % of non-polymer catechins, (B) a percentage of non-epicatechin body in the non-polymer catechins is from 5 to 25 wt %, (C) a percentage of gallate body in the non-polymer catechins is from 5 to 95 wt %, (D) pH is from 2.5 to 5.1, and (F) the packaged green tea beverage contains from 0.0001 to 20 wt % of at least one sweetener selected from fructose, glucose, sucrose, fructoglucose syrup and glucofructose syrup. A packaged green tea beverage containing non-polymer catechins in high concentration can be provided, which can not only reduce astringency but also provides for adequate sweetness and sourness without impairment of the taste and is suited for long-term storage while containing a sweetener.
US08455032B2	Carbonating device, method of use, and related discharge and cap assemblies A carbonating device for carbonating an opened vessel including an inlet valve for receiving pressurized gas, an exit valve for expelling gas into a vessel to be carbonated, a trigger for opening the inlet valve, a trigger pressure regulator arranged to close the inlet valve, a discharge assembly, and a cap assembly, the discharge assembly coupled to and de-coupled from the cap and including a port for discharging gas to the cap, the discharge port being opened and closed by a valve and a pressure regulator arranged to automatically close the discharge valve in response to a pressure level.
US08455030B2	Systems and methods for processing eggs A method for processing a package of eggs is disclosed which comprises adjusting a position of one or more of the eggs, after the eggs have been placed in the package, so that each of the eggs assumes a particular orientation within the package. In some embodiments, the method may also comprise marking information on a surface of one or more of the eggs after the position of the one or more of the eggs has been adjusted. Additionally, in some embodiments, the position of the one or more eggs may be adjusted using an egg orienter positioned above a conveyor of an egg packing station.
US08455028B2	Method for conducting at least one cooking process A method for operating at least one cooking process in a cooking chamber of a cooking appliance is based on a multiple number of parameters that can be entered through an input device of the cooking appliance. Based on the parameters, at least one cooking product and/or cooking program, at least one starting and/or ending time of the cooking of at least one cooking product and/or for at least one cooking program, and at least one cooking parameter can be selected. An output device indicates when each cooking product is to be loaded into and removed from the cooking chamber in dependence of the starting time and/or ending time, and the selection of a multiple number of cooking products. Additionally, the sequence of cooking of the cooking products can be optimized based on at least one parameter that determines at least one cooking parameter.
US08455027B2	Method and system for determining level of doneness in a cooking process A method and apparatus for determining when meat is cooked to a desired degree of doneness, the method continuously calculating the arithmetic integral of the meat's temperature (T) minus some threshold temperature (Tt) to determine an Energy Impulse (EI) value. Each level of doneness for a particular type of meat is represented by a range of EI values resulting from the integration of a time-based function of the meat's temperature. When the desired EI value is reached, the meat has been cooked to the desired doneness level, a signal is generated that indicates the meat is cooked to the desired doneness level and the cooking process is terminated.
US08455018B2	Vision-protecting composition with prophylactic and therapeutic activity against diabetes or diabetic complications A vision-protecting composition with prophylactic and therapeutic activity of diabetes or diabetic complications, comprising calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and vitamin D as functional ingredients, in combination with at least one herb extract selected from the group consisting of a wolfberry extract, an Astragalus membranaceus extract, a Senna obtusifolia extract, a Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum extract and a Rubus coreanus extract. Found to be significantly suppressive and regulatory of the expression of inflammatory factors, the cytokine expression of Th1/Th2 cells via the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and the expression of STAT3 in diabetic retinopathy, the composition can be used to protect vision as well as for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes and diabetic complications.
US08455012B2	Topical skin care formulations comprising botanical extracts Disclosed is a topical skin composition comprising an aqueous extract from a part of Nymphaea gigantea, wherein said part consists of the flower of Nymphaea gigantea, an aqueous extract from a part of Plumeria alba, wherein said part consists of the flower of Plumeria alba, and a dermatologically acceptable vehicle.
US08455010B1	Product and method for producing an immune system supplement and performance enhancer A balanced redox-signaling compound with reactive molecules that mimic those naturally occurring inside cells that have been precisely stabilized and formulated as a supplement for oral consumption acting to enhance proper immune system function, enhance the efficiency and production of the body's native antioxidants as well as enhance the performance of intercellular communications involved in healthy tissue maintenance and athletic performance.
US08455003B2	Chemoembolisation A composition for chemoembolotherapy of solid tumors comprises particles of a water-insoluble water-swellable synthetic anionic polymer and, absorbed therein an anthracycline. Suitably the polymer is a poly(vinyl alcohol) based polymer and the drug is doxorubicin.
US08455000B2	Resorbable polymer compositions for use in medicine, dentistry, and surgery We describe the medical, dental, and surgical uses of modified poly(alkylene) materials which are fully resorbable after implantation into the body, and compositions formulated with such modified poly(alkylene) materials.
US08454999B2	Sustained release compositions of alfuzosin The invention relates to sustained release compositions of alfuzosin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that include one or more functional layers. The functional layer includes alfuzosin or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic rate-controlling polymers.
US08454997B2	Solid dose micro implant A solid pharmaceutical composition for parenteral administration having an inner matrix containing at least one therapeutic agent, and a biodegradable, and water-impermeable coating covering part of the surface of said composition. The inner matrix disintegrates upon contact with animal tissue or tissue fluids. By providing a disintegratable and/or soluble inner matrix comprising the drug with a water-impermeable coating covering part of the surface of said composition, the rate of release of the drug can be controlled. The specific rate of release can be controlled by carefully designing the part of the surface which is not covered.
US08454994B2	Stable pharmaceutical composition and methods of using same The present invention relates to, inter alia, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid and to methods of using the same to treat or prevent cardiovascular-related diseases.
US08454992B2	Paneled capsule shells for release of pharmaceutical compositions Capsule shells for use in multi-part dosage forms have generally cylindrical shell members with a snap fit component on an interior surface adjacent an open end, for connection to a linker part of the dosage form. The shell member also has a plurality of spaced apart integrally formed thin (relative to circumferentially adjacent shell member portions) panels located adjacent a closed shell member end, for preferential dissolution and release of pharmaceutical compositions from the shell member interior. The ratio of the thickness of the panels to the thickness of the shell member ranges from about 0.2 to about 0.6. The panels can be integrally formed together with the shell member as reliefs or depressions on the inner surface of the shell member by injection molding, and panel thicknesses as thin as about 0.1 mm can be achieved.
US08454990B2	Composite article suitable for use as a wound dressing A composite article comprises a fluid transport layer, a fluid retentive layer, and, optionally, a moisture vapor permeable film. The first surface of the fluid transport layer provides a fluid contacting surface. The fluid retentive layer is positioned so that the first surface layer of the fluid retentive layer is adjacent to the second surface of the fluid transport layer. The moisture vapor permeable film is positioned so that it is adjacent to the second surface of the fluid retentive layer. The composite article is suitable for use as a wound dressing.
US08454989B2	Laminated ingestible dosage form for dispensing multiple bioactive substances A method of manufacturing a bioactive fluid dose on an ingestible sheet, comprising the steps of advancing the ingestible sheet to a dispense position, and activating a fluid ejector to dispense essentially a drop of a bioactive fluid onto the ingestible sheet.
US08454985B2	Bait materials, pest monitoring devices and other pest control devices that include polyurethane foam A termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces palatable to termites embedded within a water resistant polyurethane foam matrix. Another termite bait includes a plurality of cellulosic food material pieces embedded within a water-absorbent polyurethane foam matrix. Yet another termite bait includes at least one cellulosic food material piece encapsulated within a water resistant polyurethane foam coating. Such termite baits can be used alone or in a monitoring device or other termite control device. Another termite control device includes a container, a cellulosic food material within the container and a water resistant polyurethane foam positioned to separate the food material from its environment. The container can contain a termite bait as described above or can include a chamber containing a cellulosic food material and at least one pocket containing a polyurethane foam barrier to reduce intrusion of water through the pocket to the food material.
US08454984B2	Antimicrobial resin compositions Methods for making antimicrobial resins and for forming coatings comprising antimicrobial resins on substrate surfaces are disclosed. The methods involve providing a mixture comprising about 15 weight % to about 80 weight % of a hydrophilic acrylic oligomer, about 10 weight % to about 80 weight % of a multifunctional acrylic monomer, about 5 weight % to about 40 weight % of an adhesion-promoting acrylic or vinyl monomer, and about 0.1 weight % to about 15 weight % of a metal salt; and exposing the mixture to a radiation source to cure at least a portion of the mixture, thereby forming an antimicrobial resin.
US08454969B2	Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor mutant A soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFRII) mutant has an amino acid substitution at position 92Glu compared with the wild TNFRII. The mutant improves the cytotoxicity capacity of neutralizing TNFalpha and lymphotoxin. The mutant and fusion protein comprising it are useful for the treatment of TNFalpha and lymphotoxin related diseases.
US08454967B2	Compositions and methods for modulating the immune system A novel class of embryo derived peptides are described (Preimplantation factor) that were generated synthetically and were tested on peripheral blood immune cells and shown to block activated but not basal immunity, inhibiting cell proliferation and creating a TH2 type cytokine bias, in addition PIF enhance endometrial receptivity by increasing adhesion molecules expression. PIF biological activity appears to be exerted by specific binding to inducible receptors present on the several white cell lineages. PIF peptides, which are immune modulators therefore may have diagnostic and non toxic therapeutic applications in improving fertility, reducing pregnancy loss as well may be useful when administered for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and for prevention xenotransplants rejection.
US08454963B2	Tissue targeted complement modulators Systemic suppression of the complement system has been shown to be effective to treat inflammatory disease, yet at the potential cost of compromising host defense and immune homeostasis. Herein disclosed are methods for antigen-specific targeting of complement inhibitors that show that complement inhibitors targeted to the proximal tubular epithelium protect against tubulointerstitial injury and renal dysfunction in a rat model of nephrosis. It is shown that appropriate targeting of a systemically administered complement inhibitor to a site of disease markedy enhances efficacy and obviates the need to systemically inhibit complement. Additionally, it is shown by specifically inhibiting the terminal pathway of complement, that the membrane attack complex (MAC) plays a key role in proteinuria-induced tubulointerstitial injury, thus establishing the MAC as a valid target for pharmacological intervention in proteinuric disorders. The disclosed are compositions can be used in methods of treating pathogenic diseases and inflammatory conditions by modulating the complement system.
US08454961B2	Alpha-4-beta-7 heterodimer specific antagonist antibody There are disclosed alpha4beta7 heterodimer-specific antigen binding proteins, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods of making and using them.
US08454958B2	Methods for detecting and inhibiting angiogenesis The present invention provides methods for reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue, by contacting α5β1 integrin in the tissue with an agent that interferes with specific binding of the α5β1 integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue. The invention further provides methods of reducing or inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue in an individual, by administering to the individual an agent that interferes with the specific binding of α5β1 integrin to a ligand expressed in the tissue; and methods of reducing the severity of a pathological condition associated with angiogenesis in an individual, by administering to the individual an agent that interferes with specific binding of α5β1 integrin to a ligand in a tissue associated with the pathological condition.
US08454954B2	Treatment of synucleinopathies This invention relates generally to treating synucleinopathies in subjects that are not clinically diagnosed with a lysosomal storage disease, as well as associated methods of making medicaments and screening methods.
US08454953B2	Methods for reducing allergies caused by environmental allergens Compositions suitable for reducing symptoms of an allergic response to environmental allergens comprising molecules that specifically inhibit the ability of the allergen to bind to mast cells in an animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen and methods for reducing such symptoms comprising contacting a source of the environmental allergen with such compositions. Kits, packages, medicaments, and means of communicating about the compositions and methods are also provided.
US08454951B2	Nutritional supplements for women desiring to become pregnant, and pregnant and nursing women The present invention relates to nutritional supplements to be administered to, or to be taken by, women desiring to become pregnant, and pregnant and nursing women. The nutritional supplements of this invention have a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, lycopene, co-enzyme Q10, DHA, docusate (such as docusate sodium), folic acid, and a nutritionally acceptable carrier therefor. The invention includes specific nutritional supplements for the uses set forth above.
US08454950B2	Maternal supplement The use of docosahexaenoic acid in the manufacture of a composition for administration to a pregnant woman for reducing the risk of development of overweight or obesity of the baby in infancy and/or early childhood.
US08454945B2	Topical formulations having enhanced bioavailability The present disclosure provides compositions suitable for delivering lipophilic bioactive agents. The compositions may be utilized to treat numerous diseases and conditions that would benefit from the application of a lipophilic bioactive agent.
US08454944B2	Re-applicable mascara composition The present invention relates to a re-applicable mascara composition containing a unique combination of a chemically modified wax and a polymeric film former including a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and aminoacrylates. The mascara composition of the present invention can be readily re-applied to eyelashes hours after the initial application to increase the lash volume, without the discomfort and clumping commonly caused by attempts to re-apply mascara to already-coated eyelashes.
US08454939B2	Low dose pharmaceutical powders for inhalation The invention relates to a method of delivering an agent to the pulmonary system of a compromised patient, in a single breath-activated step, comprising administering a particle mass comprising an agent from an inhaler containing less than 5 milligrams of the mass, wherein at least about 50% of the mass in the receptacle is delivered to the pulmonary system of a patient. The invention also relates to receptacles containing the particle mass and the inhaler for use therein.
US08454932B2	Titanium dioxide nanoparticles TiO2 nanoparticles and methods of producing the same are provided. The nanoparticles can be processed by neutralization, calcination, and/or micronization. The TiO2 nanoparticle size is controlled by controlling synthetic and process conditions. TiO2 nanoparticles produced are of the anatase polymorph, of the rutile polymorph, or a mixture thereof, and have particle sizes in the range of from 10 nm to 100 nm.
US08454927B2	Alloyed semiconductor nanocrystals The invention relates to methods for preparing 3-element semiconductor nanocrystals of the formula WYxZ(1-x), wherein W is a Group II element, Y and Z are different Group VI elements, and 0
US08454925B2	Cathode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and manufacturing method of the same In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, in order to adjust a cathode active material in which guest cation such as Na and Li is included, alkaline metal fluoride which is expressed by a general formula AF and transition metal fluoride which is expressed by a formula M′ F2 are subjected to a mechanical milling process to produce metal fluoride compound AM′ F3. The mechanical milling process desirably uses a planetary ball mill.
US08454920B2	Silicon purification method A silicon purification method includes: loading a base material that is a starting material made of metallic silicon into a graphite crucible, heating and melting all of the base material which is disposed in an acidic inert gas atmosphere, maintaining the molten base material in the graphite crucible, and thereby oxidatively purifying the base material; loading the oxidatively-purified base material into a water-cooled crucible, gradually solidifying the base material after the base material disposed in a high vacuum atmosphere is fully molten, and thereby removing an unsolidified portion; and fully melting the base material which is disposed in a high vacuum atmosphere and in which the unsolidified portion is removed, and maintaining the base material in the water-cooled crucible.
US08454915B2	Selective leach recovery of minerals from composite ores Calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg) carbonate plus lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) sulphide minerals in a permeable host, crushed ore, concentrates or as mine discharge tailing are selectively solution mined (in-situ or ex-situ) with a selected acid e.g. acetic acid to extract Ca, Mn, and Mg followed by multivalent oxidizing salts e.g. ferric salts to extract Pb and Zn sequentially. For in-situ leaching, an inter relationship has been identified between pressure, temperature, target depth and leachate concentration such that carbonate leaching is performed in a manner to prevent carbon dioxide gas (CO2) discharge thereby plugging host rock permeability avenues to preclude further leaching. This requires controlling the rate of acetic acid leaching to be in step with availability of solution to dissolve the resulting discharged CO2. Sulphide leaching is subsequently conducted on the carbonate-depleted host. The two resulting leachates are chemically treated to selectively recover extracted minerals as value added industrially ready products. The in situ method is particularly advantageous in preparing the high purity manganese products necessary for lithium ion batteries because it prevents occurrence of very fine metallic particles in the products that may happen during conventional mining. Alternatively, the in situ carbonate recovery steps can be independently employed; all in an environmentally friendly manner.
US08454912B2	Adsorbent, preparation method thereof and Sr-90/Y-90 generator using the same Disclosed herein is an radioisotope adsorbent including a bifunctional organosilane compound, including an organosiloxane functional group and a phosphate group, bonded on the surface of silica which is a bone structure of the adsorbent, and a method of preparing the radioisotope adsorbent, and a strontium/yttrium generator using the radioisotope adsorbent. Since the radioisotope adsorbent has a high adsorption capacity for 90Y such as 95% extraction efficiency or more from ICi 90Sr/90Y by using a column packed with 0.4 g of the adsorbent with a high-purity of 90Y, it can be usefully to be employed in the fields requiring 90Y.
US08454911B2	Methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of acetylene and other higher hydrocarbons from methane feed using a reverse-flow reactor system, wherein the reactor system includes (i) a first reactor and (ii) a second reactor, the first and second reactors oriented in a series relationship with respect to each other, the process comprising supplying each of first and second reactant through separate channels in the first reactor bed of a reverse-flow reactor such that both of the first and second reactants serve to quench the first reactor bed, without the first and second reactants substantially reacting with each other until reaching the core of the reactor system.
US08454910B2	Multi-sample holder for decomposition or extraction There is described a sample holder for decomposition or extraction of a sample material, the sample holder comprising: a frame adapted to receive at least two open-ended sample recipients having sealing caps thereon for holding the sample material; and a rack cover releasably securable to the frame and comprising at least two compression caps to be positioned on the sealing caps in order to exert a pressure thereon, thereby forming a pressure-relief valve for each one of the at least two open-ended sample recipients.
US08454907B2	Growth factor extractor A reservoir is supported by a base in a vertical position. A reciprocating member is positioned in the reservoir forming an internal chamber. The chamber receives growth factor starting material through an inlet in the reciprocating member. After the inlet is sealed, the reciprocating member increases the volume of the chamber to apply negative pressure to the growth factor starting material within to produce activated growth factors. The activated growth factors are extracted from the chamber through an outlet in the reciprocating member. Optionally, the growth factor starting material is held in the chamber to separate into fractions.
US08454906B2	Microfabricated droplet generator for single molecule/cell genetic analysis in engineered monodispersed emulsions Provided are microfluidic designs and methods for rapid generation of monodisperse nanoliter volume droplets of reagent/target (e.g., molecule or cell) mix in emulsion oil. The designs and methods enable high-throughput encapsulation of a single target (e.g., DNA/RNA molecules or cells) in controlled size droplets of reagent mix. According to various embodiments, a microfabricated, 3-valve pump is used to precisely meter the volume of reagent/target mix in each droplet and also to effectively route microparticles such as beads and cells into the device, which are encapsulated within droplets at the intersection of the reagent channel and an oil channel. The pulsatile flow profile of the microfabricated pumps provides active control over droplet generation, thereby enabling droplet formation with oils that are compatible with biological reactions but are otherwise difficult to form emulsions with.
US08454905B2	Droplet actuator structures A droplet actuator comprising a substrate comprising an electrode coupled to a voltage source, wherein the droplet actuator is configured such that when voltage is applied to the electrode, an electrostatic energy gradient is established at a surface of the substrate which causes a droplet to be transported in a direction established by the energy gradient. Related methods and other embodiments are also provided.
US08454904B2	Biosensor container A biosensor container comprising a housing defining an internal glucose test strip compartment. The housing has an engagement portion for retaining a detachable means for storing data, and the means for storing data has data stored thereon specific to a batch of glucose test strips. At least one of the housing and the means for storing data includes at least one data reading element that is externally accessible when the means for storing data is retained by the engagement portion of the housing. The container includes various fail safe features to prevent mishandling and insure the user obtains the correct results. The housing includes means for connecting to the bG meter only when the means for storing data is retained by the housing. The housing further includes means for dispensing glucose test strips only when the housing is in either of an attached-to meter mode or a stand-alone mode. In the attached-to-meter mode the means for storing data is retained by the housing and the housing is connected to a bG meter. In the stand-alone mode the means for storing data is detached from the housing and the housing is not connected to the bG meter.
US08454899B2	Gas reforming device A gas reforming device including: a flow passage forming body flow passage through which process gas flows; a cathode provided on a cross section of the flow passage; an anode provided apart from the cathode, and including a bar-like portion; and a pulse power supply that applies a pulse voltage between the cathode and the anode. The cathode includes: an opening array body that has at least a surface thereof made of an insulator, and has a planar structure in which openings through which the process gas passes are arrayed; and a grounding electrode provided on a peripheral portion of the flow passage. A tip end of the bar-like portion of the anode is located in an inside of the flow passage of the process gas, and is spaced apart from the opening array body in a direction parallel to a direction where the process gas flows.
US08454898B2	Exhaust gas treatment device The invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment device for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, having at least one exhaust gas treatment element, which is supported radially on a housing by a bearing material and is supported axially on the housing by a supporting device, such that the supporting device has a carrier which is connected to the housing by at least one connection site and has at least one receptacle for holding a supporting material which is in contact with the exhaust gas treatment element axially such that the carrier has a cross-sectional contour that widens from the respective receptacle to the respective connection site in the axial direction.
US08454897B2	Exhaust gas-treating device An exhaust gas-treating device (1) for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle, which is provided with an insert (3), which has a plurality of ducts (5, 5′), through which parallel flow is possible. The insert has, in an inflow-side, first section (6), an oxidation catalyst coating, which forms an oxidation catalytic converter (K1). The insert comprises on an outflow-side a second section (7) with a particle filter (K3) with inlet ducts (12) closed on the outflow side and with outflow ducts (13) closed on the inflow side after the first section (6). Greater integration of a plurality of catalyst components of the exhaust gas-treating device (1) is possible.
US08454895B2	Online contaminant detection and removal system This invention refers to continuous flow devices for detecting and/or removal of contaminants from a liquid stream. The device comprises a cartridge with an inlet and outlet for the liquid stream, a radiation incident and emerging wall portion and optically transparent support material packed in the cartridge such that a liquid stream can pass between voids or spaces formed within the optically transparent material, as well as a radiation source and detector. The support material comprises molecules for capturing at least one contaminant on the surface of the support material and each of the capture molecules comprises at least one reporter group which emits a signal upon binding of the contaminant. Another form of the invention refers to a rotatable support within the liquid stream.
US08454893B2	Fluid sampling system with an in-line probe A fluid sampling system for sampling the contents of a container of fluid includes an elongate hollow sampling conduit extending between a first end for withdrawing the fluid from the container and a second end for returning the fluid to the container, pump means for circulating the fluid between the container and the sampling conduit, a sample probe having a tip extending into the sampling conduit so as to contact the fluid within the sampling conduit, and a controller unit for controlling flow of the fluid within the sampling conduit and monitoring the properties of interest of the fluid within the sampling conduit via signals received from the sample probe. The present invention also provides an in-line pH probe.
US08454891B2	Disposable laboratory implement A method of processing a liquid sample containing an initial quantity of nucleic acids that involves providing a plastic, disposable laboratory implement having at least one transparent wall segment made of a polypropylene mixed with an amount of a clarifier additive that is at least twice as high as is necessary to obtain transparency in the polypropylene, wherein the transparent wall segment exhibits a surface gloss greater than 160 as measured per DIN 67530 at an angle of 60°, bringing the liquid sample into contact with the at least one transparent wall segment and removing the liquid sample from the at least transparent wall segment, wherein the nucleic acid adsorption ratio for the transparent wall segment is less than 3 (wt/wt) relative to relative to the initial quantity of nucleic acids in the liquid sample.
US08454890B2	Peracetic acid vapor sterilization of food and beverage containers The present invention is directed to a method of sterilizing a surface comprising treating such surface with a vapor comprising peracetic acid at a concentration of at least about 3500 ppm at between about 57° and about 75° C. Such method is preferably conducted in the absence of a hydrogen peroxide initiator, and is particularly suitable for the sterilization of polyethylene terephthalate bottles.
US08454889B2	Gas treatment system A gas treatment system has a housing defining an interior space adapted for holding liquid therein. The housing has an inlet port and an outlet port spaced from the inlet port so that gas passing through the interior space flows through the liquid therein. A gas delivery system directs gas to be treated into the interior space of the housing at the inlet port. An ultrasonic waveguide assembly is disposed within the interior space of the housing and includes an ultrasonic horn disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port of the housing. The ultrasonic horn is operable at an ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize liquid within the housing. An ultraviolet light source is for emitting ultraviolet light into the interior space of the housing to treat liquid flowing from the inlet port to the outlet port.
US08454883B2	Nanocomposite material apparatus, nanocomposite material and method for fabricating thereof, nano material apparatus and nano material A nanocomposite material apparatus suitable for fabricating a nanocomposite material from different materials is provided. The nanocomposite material apparatus includes an acceleration inner tube and a collection outer tube. The acceleration inner tube disposed along a rotation axis has a top surface, a bottom surface and an outer peripheral surface. Pipes for accelerating different materials is distributed within the acceleration inner tube. Each pipe includes an inlet, an outlet opening at the outer peripheral surface and a spiral trench connecting the inlet and the outlet. Nano materials having electricity are emitted from the corresponding outlets by accelerating different materials within the corresponding pipes. The collection outer tube disposed surroundingly on the acceleration inner tube is suitable for moving oppositely thereto, so that the nano-materials emitted from the outer peripheral surface are combined with one another and form a nanocomposite material on the inner wall of the collection outer tube.
US08454881B2	Method of forming an eraser To provide an eraser molding toy with which it is possible to mold an eraser having a colored pattern or design, a plurality of thermofusible eraser members 1 of differing colors are placed in succession inside a molding container 2 so as to form a required pattern or design etc., and the molding container 2 is heated in order to fuse the surfaces of the eraser members 1 together to mold an eraser P having a colored pattern or design in the mold shape of the container.
US08454878B2	Device for producing a component and method and component The invention relates to a device for the production of an angle for connecting a fuselage cell skin to an annular former and/or a stringer inside a fuselage cell structure of an aircraft, the angle taking place by the one-step deformation of an initially planar blank along at least three fold lines in a uniaxial compression molding device. A mounting frame with hinges is arranged in the compression molding device, the blank to be deformed being accommodated along the edges preferably by means of a plurality of peripherally arranged springs. A deformation of the blank into an auto-stabilized angle is possible in one step while simultaneously ensuring interlaminar slide. Due to the constructively conditioned auto-stabilization of the angle, additional components which increase the weight and the assembly effort (so-called “stabilos”) in the connection region between fuselage cell skin, stringers and annular formers inside a fuselage structure of an aircraft are unnecessary.
US08454877B2	Method and apparatus for molding an article An apparatus for molding an article. The apparatus includes a mold and a mold plate slidable between a first position and a second position within the mold. In the first position the mold plate creates an undercut feature in a molded article in the second position the molded article with the undercut feature may be easily removed from the mold without damaging the mold or the article.
US08454876B2	Method for manufacturing an FC parison out of a laminate with at least two prepreg layers as well as a manufacturing device for such a method Methods and apparatus for manufacturing an FC parison out of a laminate with at least two prepreg layers provide for: mounting at least a first edge section of the laminate in a first clamping device that can be moved relative to a fitting by means of a mechanical gearing, and a second edge section of the laminate lying opposite the first edge section in another clamping device, exerting a tensile stress via the first clamping device relative to the second clamping device over the area of the laminate lying between the clamping devices, while simultaneously moving the first clamping device in a direction directed away from the second clamping device up to a location where a rounded surface area of a fitting imparts to the laminate a curvature between the first clamping device and second clamping device as viewed in its longitudinal direction.
US08454874B2	Method for insert molding bendable position-retaining tubing A hollow conduit and process for manufacturing therefore which includes steps of extruding a first polymer conduit; cutting said conduit to a pre-determined length; inserting said length into a split mold having a cavity defined therein; inserting at least one flexible position retaining means into said mold; injection molding at least one overmolded polymer onto said plastic conduit and at least partially onto said position retaining means to form a position retaining tube, wherein a portion of the length of said position retaining means is completely embedded within said overmolded polymer and a portion of the length is not embedded within said overmolded polymer; and opening said mold and removing said position retaining tube.
US08454867B2	CVI followed by coal tar pitch densification by VPI A method for the manufacture of carbon-carbon composite brake discs comprises (a) heat treating a carbon-carbon composite preform in the shape of a brake disc at 1600-2540° C., (b) directly following heat treating, subjecting the heat-treated preform to Chemical Vapor Deposition/Chemical Vapor Infiltration processing, (c) infiltrating the preform with an isotropic low to medium char-yield pitch derived from coal tar, employing Vacuum Pitch Infiltration processing or Resin Transfer Molding Processing, (d) stabilizing and carbonizing the pitch-infiltrated preform (e) machining the surfaces of the resulting carbonized preform, and (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) at least two additional times to raise the density of the carbon-carbon composite preform to at least approximately 1.75 g/cc.
US08454865B2	Radial mixing devices for rotating inclined reactors Disclosed in this specification is the design for an internal mixing device which increases the plug flow like behavior of the rotating inclined reactor.
US08454861B2	Optically variable pigments of high electrical conductivity The present invention relates to optically variable pigments of high electrical conductivity which comprise a flake-form substrate, which essentially consists of silicon dioxide and/or silicon oxide hydrate, and an electrically conductive layer surrounding the substrate, to a process for the preparation thereof, and to the use of pigments of this type.
US08454860B2	Aluminum-containing zinc oxide-based n-type thermoelectric conversion material ZnAlO series thermoelectric conversion materials have large thermal conductivity κ about 40 W/mK at room temperature, thus the dimensionless figure of merit ZT remains around 0.3 at 1000 deg C, which is a third of the value required in practical application. An n-type thermoelectric conversion material, comprising aluminum including zinc oxide, which is represented by a general formula: Zn1-x-yAlxGayO (wherein 0.01≦x≦0.04, 0.01≦y≦0.03, 0.9≦x/y≦2.0). ZT value not less than 0.6 can be realized at 1000 deg C. By co-doping Al and Ga into ZnO, the thermal conductivity κ can be significantly reduced maintaining a large electric conductivity σ, resulting in a significant improvement of the thermoelectric performance.
US08454859B2	Metallic nanofiber ink, substantially transparent conductor, and fabrication method An exemplary printable composition comprises a liquid or gel suspension of a plurality of metallic nanofibers or nanowires; a first solvent; and a viscosity modifier, resin, or binder. In various embodiments, the metallic nanofibers are between about 10 microns to about 100 microns in length, are between about 10 nm to about 120 nm in diameter, and are typically functionalized with a coating or partial coating of polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a similar compound. An exemplary metallic nanofiber ink which can be printed to produce a substantially transparent conductor comprises a plurality of metallic nanofibers; one or more solvents such as 1-butanol, ethanol, 1-pentanol, n-methylpyrrolidone, cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, 1-hexanol, acetic acid, cyclohexanol, or mixtures thereof; and a viscosity modifier, resin, or binder such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a polyimide, for example.
US08454857B2	Polymerizable liquid crystal compounds, polymerizable liquid crystal compositions, liquid crystalline polymers and optically anisotropic materials A polymerizable liquid crystal compound shown by the following formula, a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that includes the polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a chiral compound polymerizable with the polymerizable liquid crystal compound, a liquid crystalline polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable liquid crystal compound or the polymerizable liquid crystal composition, and an optically anisotropic article that includes the liquid crystalline polymer, are disclosed. wherein Y1 to Y6 represent —O—C(═O)— or the like, G1 and G2 represent a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or the like, Z1 and Z2 represent an alkenyl group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or the like, A1 and A2 represent a divalent organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, M1 and M2 represent a substituted or unsubstituted 2,6-naphthylene group or a substituted or unsubstituted 1,4-phenylene group, provided that at least one of M1 and M2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted 2,6-naphthylene group, L1 and L2 represent a hydrogen atom or the like, and a and b are 0 or 1. A polymerizable liquid crystal compound that shows a liquid crystal phase over a wide temperature range, is chemically stable, can be produced inexpensively, and has a wide selective reflection wavelength band Δλ (i.e., a large value Δn); a polymerizable liquid crystal composition that includes the compound; a liquid crystalline polymer; and a optically anisotropic article that includes the liquid crystalline polymer as a constituting material; can be provided.
US08454855B1	Hydrogen storage materials and related methods and systems Described herein are hydrogen storage materials having desirable characteristics for a variety of applications, such as automobile applications. In one embodiment, a hydrogen storage material includes: (1) a mixed imide having a formula LiiMgjNkHl; and (2) a set of additives; wherein each of i, k, and l is in the range of 1.7 to 2.3, and j is in the range of 0.7 to 1.3; and wherein the hydrogen storage material is configured to absorb at least 3.1 wt. % of H2 within 30 minutes of exposure to H2 gas at a temperature in the range of 100° C. to 140° C. and a pressure in the range of 45 bar to 50 bar.
US08454854B2	Glycerin-containing antifreezing agent concentrates with corrosion protection The present invention relates to antifreeze/anticorrosion concentrates comprising from 10 to 50% by weight, based on the total amount of the concentrate, of glycerol, to processes for preparing such concentrates from superconcentrates, to aqueous coolant compositions from these concentrates, and to their use, for example in internal combustion engines.
US08454852B2	Chamfering apparatus for silicon wafer, method for producing silicon wafer, and etched silicon wafer The invention is directed to a chamfering apparatus for a silicon wafer to chamfer outer edge of a silicon wafer by using a chamfering grindstone, the chamfering apparatus including at least: a holder holding and rotating a silicon wafer; a chamfering grindstone chamfering the outer edge of the silicon wafer held by the holder; and a control apparatus for controlling a chamfered shape by controlling a relative position of the outer edge of the silicon wafer and the chamfering grindstone by numerical control, wherein the control apparatus controls and changes the relative position of the outer edge of the silicon wafer and the chamfering grindstone at the time of chamfering depending on the circumferential position of the silicon wafer held by the holder, a production method, and an etched silicon wafer. This provides a silicon wafer chamfering apparatus, production method and an etched silicon wafer that can suppress variations in the cross-sectional shape dimensions of a chamfered portion after an etching process.
US08454845B2	High speed interconnect and method of manufacture Fundamental interconnect systems for connecting high-speed electronics elements are provided. The interconnect systems consists of signal line, dielectric system with open trench or slot filled up with air or lower dielectric loss material, and the ground plane. The signal line could be for example, microstripline, strip line, coplanar line, single line or differential pairs. The interconnect system can be used for on-chip interconnects or can also be used for off-chip interconnects. The fundamental techniques provided in this invention can also be used for high-speed connectors and high-speed cables.
US08454843B2	Production fluid solid trap A convenient, cost effective and efficient solid separation apparatus and method of removing solid material from production fluid is disclosed. The solids separation apparatus includes a fluid inlet pipe; a fluid outlet pipe; a vessel that is a fluid velocity driven solid settlement inducement structure and/or a fluid vector driven solid settlement inducement structure; at least one solid discharge opening within the vessel longitudinally spaced between the fluid inlet pipe and the fluid outlet pipe; and, a tank disposed below the vessel with at least one solid entry opening communicated with the at least one solid discharge opening.
US08454840B1	Selective removal of sulfide from aqueous alkali solutions A method for removing sulfide from an aqueous alkali solution in which hydrogen peroxide is introduced into a sulfide-containing aqueous alkali solution associated with an alkali mineral recovery operation. The method is particularly useful for the processing of sulfide-containing aqueous alkali solutions containing NaHCO3 and Na2CO3, where bicarbonate in the sulfide-depleted alkali solution is decomposed to form Na2CO3, with concurrent evolution of gaseous carbon dioxide byproduct but without formation of gaseous H2S as a pollutant, and where Na2CO3 values are subsequently recovered from the sulfide-depleted carbonate-rich alkali solution via a crystallization operation.
US08454839B2	Method for modifying the properties of a fluid by irradiation, and system for implementing same Methods for modifying the physical, chemical and/or biological properties of a fluid by irradiation are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprising supplying a flow of a fluid to an irradiation chamber; focusing the flow of the fluid so as to create at least one fluid layer; and applying radiation to the fluid layer in a defined portion of the irradiation chamber thereby modifying at least one physical, chemical or biological property of the fluid layer is provided. Systems for the implementation of such methods are also provided.
US08454838B2	Method and system for the sustainable cooling of industrial processes A method and system for treating water, and using the treated water for the cooling of industrial processes is disclosed. The water is treated and stored in a large container or artificial lagoon, has high clarity and high microbiological quality. A system of the invention generally includes a containing means, such as a large container or artificial lagoon, a coordination means, a chemical application means, a mobile suction means, and a filtration means. The coordination means monitors and controls the processes in order to adjust water quality parameters within specified limits. The large container or artificial lagoon can act as a heat sink, absorbing waste heat from the industrial cooling process, thus creating thermal energy reservoirs in a sustainable manner, which can be later used for other purposes. The method and system can be used in any industrial cooling system with any type of water available, including fresh water, brackish water, and seawater.
US08454837B2	Systems and methods for generation of low zeta potential mineral crystals to enhance quality of liquid solutions Methods and systems for enhancing of quality of liquid by treating a source liquid to enhance the concentration of low zeta potential crystals and produce a treated liquid having a higher concentration of low zeta potential crystals than that of the source liquid. The inventive system comprises an aqueous liquid source having a threshold concentration of selected minerals and a low zeta potential crystal generator for treating the aqueous source liquid to produce treated liquid having an enhanced concentration of low zeta potential crystals.
US08454834B2	Column packing method A method for packing a media bed in a column (3). According to the invention the method comprises the steps of: providing data to a control unit (15) connected to the column (3), said data comprising at least a measured slurry concentration, a target bed height, a target packing factor or compression factor and minimum and maximum acceptable values for at least one of target bed height and target packing or compression factor; forcing a movable adapter (9) along a longitudinal axis of the column (3) in order to pack the media; detecting when the media bed is consolidated; the control unit (15) processing the provided data and the information about the consolidated bed height in order to present to the user acceptable bed heights, if there are any, giving acceptable packing or compression factors.
US08454831B2	Biological and ballasetd flocculation treatment of wastewater A method for treating wastewater comprises biologically treating the wastewater in a fixed-biomass biological reactor and then treating the wastewater in a ballasted flocculation system. The ballasted flocculation system produces a clarified effluent and sludge containing inert granular material having biomass accumulated thereon and suspended solids. The inert granular material having biomass accumulated thereon is separated from the suspended solids and then cleaned with a cleaning solution. After separating the biomass from the cleaned inert granular material, the cleaned inert granular material is recycled for use in the ballasted flocculation system.
US08454826B2	Water treatment apparatus A water treatment cartridge has a major and a minor axis in a horizontal cross-section and mounting lugs provided at the upper end of the cartridge, generally aligned with the major axis of the cartridge.
US08454825B2	Rod assembly and a method for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions A rod assembly for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions is described. The rod assembly includes at least one guide element. A rod element is insertable into the at least one guide element and moveable in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one guide element. A magnet element is moveable to a distal magnet element position; wherein the distal magnet element position is located on a distal end section of the at least one guide element; wherein the at least one guide element includes an opening at a distal end. A method for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions is also described, as well as a magnet element for the extraction of magnetizable particles from solutions.
US08454823B2	Sample stirring device, liquid chromatography device using same, and sample container stand A sample stirring device of the present invention includes a driving roller and two follower rollers for coming into contact with a sample container including a cylindrical portion for containing a sample to be stirred. The driving roller is driven for rotation to stir the sample contained in the sample container. The two follower rollers have rotation axes inclined with respect to an axial direction of the cylindrical portion. This arrangement allows the sample container such as a blood collection tube to be rotated stably.
US08454821B2	Method and system for reclaiming waste hydrocarbon from tailings using solvent sequencing A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon products from waste tailings of a froth flotation unit and a paraffinic froth treatment process are provided. Bitumen and asphaltenes from the waste tailings are extracted using a serial addition of an aromatic solvent, followed by a polar-non-polar solvent. The method and system divert valuable hydrocarbons from tailings ponds. The hydrocarbon product can be used as a coating material or an emulsion fuel, for example.
US08454813B2	Microscale sorting cytometer The present invention provides a device and methods of use thereof in microscale cell sorting. This invention provides sorting cytometers, which trap individual cells within vessels following exposure to dielectrophoresis, allow for the assaying of trapped cells, such that a population is identified whose isolation is desired, and their isolation.
US08454811B2	Microfluidic system A method for forming a microfluidic channel with improved flow characteristics for one or more analytes is disclosed. A microfluidic channel having modified surfaces is formed in fused silica. The fused silica surfaces are modified by the addition of a layer of borophosphosilicate glass. The addition of the borophosphosilicate glass results in an improved flow velocity profile of the analyte. As a result, control over the position and movement of analytes within the solution is improved.
US08454810B2	Dual hexagonal shaped plasma source A plasma source includes a hexagonal hollow cathode, the cathode including six targets and six magnets to generate and maintain a high density plasma; and an anode located beneath the cathode. A second hexagonal hollow cathode can be positioned concentric to the hexagonal hollow cathode.
US08454807B2	Photoelectrochemical cell A photoelectrochemical cell (1) is a photoelectrochemical cell for decomposing water by irradiation with light so as to produce hydrogen. This photoelectrochemical cell (1) includes: a conductive substrate; a first electrode (optical semiconductor electrode (3)) including an optical semiconductor and disposed on a first main surface of the conductive substrate; a second electrode (counter electrode (4)) disposed in a region on the first main surface of the conductive substrate where the first electrode is not disposed; an electrolyte containing water and disposed in contact with a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode; a rib (5) formed to separate a space above the surface of the second electrode from a space above the surface of the first electrode and to extend along a flow direction of a gas produced on the surface of the second electrode, the rib being formed of a material that allows ions to pass therethrough and prevents a gas from passing therethrough; and a container (2) containing the conductive substrate, the first electrode, the second electrode, the electrolyte, and the rib.
US08454805B2	Method of depositing amorphus aluminium oxynitride layer by reactive sputtering of an aluminium target in a nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere A method of depositing an amorphous layer of AlON includes providing an aluminum sputter target in a chamber, exposing the target and chamber to O2 to saturate the exposed surfaces with oxygen, introducing a substrate into the chamber in an atmosphere containing at least nitrogen and oxygen, and sputtering the target in the nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere to deposit an amorphous AlON film.
US08454802B2	System for production of ethanol and co-products with solvent washing of fermentation product A system for the production of ethanol and co-products is provided. The system facilitates an overall reduction in the use of energy, for example, by reducing the mass of wet solids supplied to a distillation system. The system also reduces the amount of energy used to dry the wet solids component of a fermentation product, for example, by increasing the ethanol concentration of the wet solids. The system also facilitates the recovery of co-products including bioproducts and other biochemicals extracted from components of the fermentation product. The solids component of the fermentation product may be dried and constituted into a meal that may be used for animal feed, among other uses.
US08454800B2	Industrial fabric for producing tissue and towel products, and method of making thereof A nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of through voids, where each of the voids has a first opening associated with a top surface of the fabric and a first raised edge circumferentially adjacent to the first opening. The voids may each further include a second opening associated with a bottom surface of the fabric and a second raised edge circumferentially adjacent to the second opening, such that the first opening may have a surface area that is larger than or the same as the second opening.
US08454799B2	Pulp composition for paper and solid board production The present invention relates to a novel pulp composition for paper or solid board production comprising an oxidized recovered paper pulp and/or an oxidized mechanical pulp into which from 1 to 500 mmol of carboxyl groups per kg and from 1 to 200 mmol of aldehyde groups per kg have been introduced by oxidation. The invention also relates to paper and solid board based on such a pulp composition and also to a process for producing such paper or solid board. The invention also relates to the use of oxidized recovered paper pulp and/or oxidized mechanical pulp for improving the retention and drainage properties of a pulp suitable for producing paper or solid board. The invention further relates to the use of oxidized recovered paper pulp and/or oxidized mechanical pulp for improving, i.e., increasing, the dry strength of paper and solid board.
US08454794B2	Antenna for plasma processor and apparatus An antenna includes excitation terminals responsive to an RF source to supply an RF electromagnetic field to a plasma that processes a workpiece in a vacuum chamber. The coil includes a transformer having a primary winding coupled to the excitation terminals and a multi-turn plasma excitation secondary winding connected in series with a capacitor.
US08454786B2	Method for producing drip irrigation pipes In a method for producing drip irrigation pipes, a tube body is extruded from a thermoplastic synthetic material and provided with a wall. The tube body is led directly and in non-contact fashion to a pre-cooling chamber in which the tube body is pre-cooled and in which metering elements are pressed on to the wall and connected to the wall. The tube body is sized to a final diameter and further cooled in a cooling chamber.
US08454783B2	Method of assembling two webs of tissue paper with or without marking of said webs The disclosure relates an apparatus and method for assembling at least two webs of tissue paper with or without marking of the webs. The apparatus and method utilize a multi-marrying roller configuration, which allows for assembling of the at least two webs of tissue paper by passing between the marrying roller and the second marrying roller. The apparatus and method make it possible to produce a conventional embossed product, or a smooth product without marking, having combined plies. In addition, the apparatus and method make it possible to easily move from one production mode to the other.
US08454782B2	Method of forming an absorbing disposable incontinence diaper The present invention relates to a process for producing a disposable diaper by supplying a continuous web of flat material in a longitudinal direction for the forming of the side portions, forming first material clearances along a first cutting line at a side edge) of the web of flat material to produce contoured cutouts in the web of flat material, an imaginary parallel line PL, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction and placed at the point P of maximum extent of the cutout transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction, defining an outer sub-region and an inner sub-region of the web of flat material, folding the web of flat material about at least one first folding line running in the longitudinal direction, the folding line running within the outer sub-region, severing longitudinal portions of the folded web of flat material, undetachably fixing the portions of material to a respective longitudinal edge of a web for the main part of the diaper for the forming of side portions, forming second material clearances along a second cutting line, the second cutting line taking in the side portions and a respective longitudinal edge of the web for the main part of the diaper, and the second cutting line crossing the first cutting line in such a way that the second cutting line does not extend through the first folding line of the front and rear side portions.
US08454781B2	Method of making multilayer product having honeycomb core of improved strength A process of making a multilayered product having an interior honeycomb layer or core. The interior layer is formed by extruding a generally corrugated web of material. The corrugated web is cut and folded to create the honeycomb core. Outer protective skins are applied to exterior surfaces of the interior layer to create a multilayered material which is then cut to size.
US08454779B2	Inflation and sealing device for inflatable air cushions The invention is directed to a device for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure, such as inflatable cushions. The device includes an assembly configured for inflating a cushion cavity disposed between first and second layers of a film, and a sealing mechanism that preferably includes a rotary sealing drum, which can include a heat source.
US08454777B2	Method and apparatus of adhering and building belt member The present invention can transfer a belt member on a supply conveyor onto a building drum from an inclined distal end portion while holding on both side edge portions in the width direction thereof and can efficiently adhere the belt member according to the rotation of the building drum. As a means for such building, using a supply conveyor (5) which places the belt member (B1) thereon and a hand device (10) which includes holding members (17a), (17b) having press plates (16a), (16b) extending in the feeding direction of the supply conveyor. In a state that a distal end portion of the belt member (B1) on the supply conveyor is held on a lower surface of the press plates (16a), (16b) of the hand device (10), the belt member (B1) is transferred to the building drum (D) along with a feeding operation of the supply conveyor (5) and, at the same time, the belt member (B1) is adhered by pressing to a peripheral surface of the building drum (D) from a distal end portion thereof while rotating the building drum along with the transfer of the belt member.
US08454773B2	Induction welded waterproofing In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, A water-proofing laminate includes a drainboard having a first surface positioned against a hydraulic source and a second surface opposed to the first surface, a fastener plate positioned against the second surface of the drainboard securing the drainboard to the hydraulic surface, the fastener plate comprising a conductive element and a thermoplastic resin, and a self-healing hydraulic barrier comprising a thermoplastic surface adjoined to a geotextile and carrying a water-absorbent material, the thermoplastic surface inductively welded to the fastener plate.
US08454771B2	Substrate bonding apparatus and substrate bonding method A substrate bonding apparatus is equipped with a first table that holds one wafer of two wafers, a stage device that holds the other wafer in an orientation capable of opposing to the one wafer and that is movable at least within an XY plane, an interferometer system that measures positional information of the stage device within the XY plane, a first mark detection system that can detect subject marks including alignment marks on the other wafer held by the stage device, and a second mark detection system fixed to a part (the second table) of the stage device that can detect subject marks including alignment marks on the one wafer held by the first table.
US08454766B2	Extruded material of a free-cutting aluminum alloy excellent in embrittlement resistance at a high temperature An extruded material of a free-cutting aluminum alloy excellent in embrittlement resistance at a high temperature, containing from 3 to 6% by mass of Cu and from 0.9 to 3% by mass of Bi with the balance being Aluminum and inevitable impurities, wherein a temperature for reducing the Charpy impact test value to half of the value at room temperature is 180° C. or more.
US08454764B2	Ni-25 heat-resistant nodular graphite cast iron for use in exhaust systems A nodular graphite, heat-resistant cast iron composition for use in engine systems. The composition contains carbon 1.5-2.4 weight %, silicon 5.4-7.0 weight %, manganese 0.5-1.5 weight %, nickel 22.0-28.0 weight %, chromium 1.5-3.0 weight %, molybdenum 0.1-1.0 weight %, magnesium 0.03-0.1 weight %, and a balance weight % being substantially iron. The composition has an austenitic matrix. Additionally, the composition exhibits excellent oxidation resistance at high temperature and excellent mechanical properties at both room and high temperatures. Thus, the composition can be a lower cost substitute material for Ni-Resist D5S under thermocycling conditions experienced by exhaust gas accessories and housings such as engine exhaust manifolds, turbocharger housings, and catalytic converter housings.
US08454763B2	Dishwasher A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm assembly located in the wash chamber, and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber beneath the dish rack. A diverter valve controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to the at least one nozzle.
US08454753B2	Cleaning bullet and method of operating the same A cleaning bullet for use in a track can include a compressible body to clean the track, and a motorized device to propel the body through the track. In some embodiments, the motorized device includes wheels rotatably coupled to the device, a motor to drive the wheels, and a power source to supply power to the motor. Also, in some embodiments, one or more wheels engage an inner or outer surface of the track to move the motorized device along the track.
US08454752B2	Foreign substance removing apparatus, foreign substance removing method, and storage medium A foreign substance removing apparatus includes a mounting table for mounting and rotating a substrate; and a laser beam irradiation unit for removing foreign substances attached to a surface of the substrate by irradiating foreign substance cleaning laser beam onto the substrate mounted and rotated on the mounting table. In the foreign substance removing apparatus, the laser beam irradiation unit irradiates laser beam having an elongate shaped irradiation cross section onto the surface of the substrate.
US08454751B2	Apparatus, systems and methods for removing debris from a surface Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.
US08454750B1	Multi-station sequential curing of dielectric films The present invention addresses provides improved methods of preparing a low-k dielectric material on a substrate. The methods involve multiple operation ultraviolet curing processes in which UV intensity, wafer substrate temperature and other conditions may be independently modulated in each operation. In certain embodiments, a film containing a structure former and a porogen is exposed to UV radiation in a first operation to facilitate removal of the porogen and create a porous dielectric film. In a second operation, the film is exposed to UV radiation to increase cross-linking within the porous film. In certain embodiments, the curing takes place in a multi-station UV chamber wherein UV intensity and substrate temperature may be independently controlled at each station.
US08454749B2	Method and system for sealing a first assembly to a second assembly of a processing system A method, computer readable medium, and system for vapor deposition on a substrate that maintain a first assembly of the vapor deposition system at a first temperature, maintain a second assembly of the vapor deposition system at a reduced temperature lower than the first temperature, dispose the substrate in a process space of the first assembly that is vacuum isolated from a transfer space in the second assembly, and deposit a material on the substrate. As such, the system includes a first assembly having a process space configured to facilitate material deposition, a second assembly coupled to the first assembly and having a transfer space to facilitate transfer of the substrate into and out of the deposition system, a substrate stage connected to the second assembly and configured to support the substrate, and a sealing assembly configured to separate the process space from the transfer space. The first assembly is configured to be maintained at a first temperature and the second assembly is configured to be maintained at a reduced temperature lower than the first temperature.
US08454748B2	Method of calculating carrier mobility A calculation method for finding the hole mobility or the electron mobility of an organic film. The method includes the steps of: calculating the electron density of a film using semi-empirical quantum molecular dynamics calculations; using the fact that holes and electrons move easily through regions of high electron density to calculate the probability that a hole or an electron will move in an excited state in which an electron is excited from the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) to the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) using a Monte Carlo method; and, using the probability as a performance index, calculating the hole mobility from the number of carriers which exist in the HOMO and the orbitals below the HOMO, or calculating the electron mobility from the number of carriers which exist in the LUMO and the orbitals above the LUMO.
US08454745B2	Method of controlling chemical in wet decarburinozation of fly ash To reduce cost of chemical by reducing quantity of foaming agent used when removing unburned carbon in fly ash with wet floatation and to prevent decrease in activity index of the fly ash. In wet decarburization of fly ash, the solution comprising the steps of: adding water to fly ash to generate slurry; adding hydrophobizing agent and foaming agent to the slurry and agitating them to generate bubbles; and adhering unburned carbon in the fly ash to the bubbles to float them to remove the unburned carbon in the fly ash, when sedimentation component at wet floatation separation is solid-liquid separated and liquid phase obtained by solid-liquid separation is reused for another floatation separation for new fly ash, the quantity of foaming agent added to the slurry is adjusted such that concentration of the foaming agent in liquid phase is in a predetermined range. When adjusting the concentration of the foaming agent in the liquid phase, it is possible to measure COD concentration in the liquid phase and adjust the quantity of the foaming agent added to the slurry in such a manner that the COD concentration is in a predetermined range.
US08454744B2	Use of polyols and cyclohexane polycarboxylic acid derivatives for the removal of dust from chemical construction products The use of a mixture of at least one polyol and at least one cyclohexanepolycarboxylic acid derivative for reducing or minimizing the dust emission when handling pulverulent construction chemistry products, processes for the preparation of the pulverulent construction chemistry products and hydraulically setting materials containing the mixture according to the invention are proposed.
US08454743B2	Preparing and dispersing surface-modified colour pigments A method of preparing a pigment includes, in order, the steps of: a) providing a pigment containing a nucleophile group under basic conditions; b) reacting the pigment with a compound according to Formula (I): wherein, X is a halogen atom or a tosylate group, and R1 and R2 independently represent an alkyl group; and c) hydrolyzing the R1-O bond and/or the R2-O bond. The obtained pigments can be used in non-aqueous pigment dispersions.
US08454742B2	Artificial stone and method of making same A lightweight artificial stone system comprises a plurality of artificial stones, each of the artificial stones formed of at least some portion of cement, expanded glass, and styrene, the lightweight artificial stones having a density in the range of between about 30 and 70 pounds per cubic foot, each of the stones having six sides and including a first height dimension and a second width dimension, each of the height and width dimensions having a length unit being substantially a multiple of two, each of the stones having four ninety degrees corners and four of the six sides having a smooth surface to provide tight, cement-free seams between adjacent stones, the tight, cement-free seams inhibiting viewing of structure behind said plurality of artificial stones, each of the stones being of such a light weight so as to be held in position in the system by a lath-less and cement-free adhesive.
US08454738B2	Mold-releasing agent Disclosed is a mold-releasing agent comprising, as active ingredients, a graft copolymer (A) in which a polyalkylene glycol or an alkyl ether thereof is graft-copolymerized with a polyfluoro-1-alkene represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)bCH═CH2 (wherein n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4, and b is an integer of 1 to 3), and a polyfluoroalkylphosphonic acid represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CH2CF2)a(CF2CF2)b(CH2CH2)cP(O)(OH)2 (wherein n is an integer of 1 to 6, a is an integer of 1 to 4, and b is an integer of 1 to 3, and c is an integer of 1 to 3) or a salt thereof (B). The mold-releasing agent comprises, as an active ingredient, a compound having a perfluoroalkyl group containing 6 or less carbon atoms, which is said to have low bioaccumulation potential, and having mold release performance equivalent to or more than that of a mold-releasing agent comprising a compound having a perfluoroalkyl group containing 8 or more carbon atoms as an active ingredient.
US08454737B2	Ink composition Ink composition that includes from about 0.1 to about 10 wt % of metal oxide pigment particles, having an average particle size in the range of about 3 to about 300 nm, that are dispersed with polyether alkoxysilane dispersants; and from about 0.01 to about 3 wt % of water-soluble amphiphilic polymers or of water-dispersible polymer waxes, based on the total weight of the ink composition. Said ink composition forms, onto printable media, a printed feature that exhibits a metallic appearance. Also described herein are the resulting printed article and the method to produce it.
US08454736B2	Triple-flow vortex tube Devices for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapors by centrifugal force are disclosed. The vortex tube comprises a body, an inlet duct, outlet ducts for the cold and hot gases, a liquid discharge duct, and a power separator. The inlet duct has a device for the introduction of methanol. The body comprises a vortex generator at the inlet duct. The body comprises a separator and a diaphragm with an inner conical surface, both defining an annular channel. The surface of the streamlined end of the separator comprises flutes. The separator is mounted to be capable of moving along the axis of the body and is pressed against the diaphragm by a spring. The inner portion of the body and the outer portion of the separator define a liquid chamber. A vortex reducer having a cross shape is mounted on the end of the power separator opposite the body.
US08454735B2	Allergen inhibitor, allergen-inhibiting product, allergen inhibition method, and use as allergen inhibitor The present invention provides an allergen inhibitor which effectively prevents allergens from reacting with specific antibodies, mitigates the allergic symptoms or prevents appearance thereof, and is less likely to cause unpredictable discoloration and discoloration under usual conditions. The allergen inhibitor of the present invention comprises an allergen-inhibiting compound including a linear polymer having at least one of substituents represented by the formulas (1) to (3) at a side chain. Thus, the allergen inhibitor of the present invention shows excellent allergen-inhibiting effects.
US08454732B2	Composition and process for manufacture of a high temperature carbon-dioxide separation membrane A membrane composition and process for its formation are disclosed from the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from mixed gases, such as flue gases of energy production facilities. The membrane includes a substrate layer comprising inorganic oxides, a barrier layer of in-situ formed Li2ZrO3, a Li2ZrO3 sorbent layer and an inorganic oxide cap layer. The membrane has a feed side for introduction of mixed gases containing nitrogen (N2) and a sweep side for recovery of CO2 wherein the membrane has a relatively high selectivity for CO2 transport at temperatures in the range of 400° to 700° C.
US08454731B2	Configuration of contacting zones in vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising a primary contacting zone and a secondary contacting zone are disclosed. A representative secondary contacting zone is a secondary absorption zone, such as a finishing zone for subsequent contacting of the vapor effluent from the primary contacting zone to further remove impurities and achieve a desired purity of purified gas exiting the secondary absorption zone. The secondary contacting zone is disposed below the primary contacting zone, such that the secondary contacting zone, which must operate efficiently in removing generally trace amounts of remaining impurities, is more protected from movement than the more elevated, primary or initial contacting stages for bulk impurity removal. The apparatuses are therefore especially beneficial in offshore applications where they are subjected to rocking.
US08454730B2	Method of operating gas storage and supply system Various embodiments of a gas storage and supply system and its operation processes having pre-selected temperature and pressure limits are disclosed. Various temperature and pressure profiles may be used to supply stored gas to a gas consuming device.
US08454727B2	Treatment of natural gas feeds The present invention provides a process for treating a natural gas stream comprising sending a natural gas stream to at least one membrane unit to produce a permeate stream containing a higher concentration of carbon dioxide and a retentate stream containing a lower concentration of carbon dioxide. Then the retentate stream is sent to an adsorbent bed to remove carbon dioxide and other impurities to produce a natural gas product stream. The regeneration gas stream is sent through the molecular sieve adsorbent bed to desorb the carbon dioxide. In one process flow scheme, the regeneration stream is combined with the permeate stream from the membrane unit. Then the combined stream is sent to an absorbent column to remove carbon dioxide from the permeate stream to produce a second natural gas product stream. In the alternative flow scheme, a second membrane unit is used to improve efficiency.
US08454721B2	Methods of controlling nanostructure formations and shapes A method of forming monodispersed metal nanowires comprising: forming a reaction mixture including a metal salt, a capping agent and a quaternary ammonium chloride in a reducing solvent at a first temperature; and forming metal nanowires by reducing the metal salt in the reaction mixture.
US08454719B2	Transmission breather assembly A transmission breather assembly includes a vertically disposed stanchion or stem having a castellated end and an annular shoulder axially spaced therefrom. The stanchion defines an internal passageway which communicates with the interior of the transmission either directly or through a flexible tube. The stanchion may be secured to a surface such as the vehicle firewall or may be mounted directly to the transmission housing if space and packaging requirements permit. Disposed on and over the castellated, open end of the stanchion is a cap or cover. The cap or cover includes an internal cylindrical wall that cooperates with the castellated end of the stanchion to retain it thereon and creates an annular space adjacent the stanchion which functions as an air passageway. The lower open end of the cap or cover is generally radially aligned with the annular shoulder on the stanchion. The cap or cover is fabricated of a hydrophobic material.
US08454712B2	Production of renewable bio-distillate A process and system for separating a light fraction, a bio-distillate fraction, and a heavy fraction from a bio-oil, and for producing a renewable distillate including at least in part the bio-distillate fraction and a stabilizing additive, is provided. The process comprises separating bio-oil into light, bio-distillate, and heavy fractions based on their boiling points. At least a portion of the bio-distillate fraction and a stabilizing additive are blended with a petroleum-derived-diesel-range stream, without any prior hydrotreatment, to thereby provide a renewable distillate composition.
US08454707B2	Biomedical implantable material and methods of producing the same The present invention relates to improved biomedical implantable material comprising a plurality of pores, of which one or more of the pores are interconnected below the surface of the material. The improved biomedical implantable material may be used in biomedical implant devices such as orthopedic implants, spinal implants, neurocranial implants, maxillofacial implants, and joint replacement implants. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing an improved biomedical implantable material, comprising subjecting an implantable material to a pore-forming treatment and optionally further subjecting the material to a surface-modifying treatment. The biomedical implantable material may be used in other applications, which as applications where two surfaces are contacted and bonding between the surfaces is required.
US08454700B2	Interbody vertebral spacer An interbody vertebral implant for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The implant includes a first end plate, a second end plate, and an intermediate member disposed therebetween. The end plates are configured to allow bone in-growth. The intermediate member may include features to engage the end plates and to prevent over insertion of the intermediate member within the end plates. The implant may include a cavity extending through the composite implant configured to receive bone growth material to facilitate fusion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra.
US08454699B2	Systems and methods for vertebral disc replacement The present invention provides artificial disc prostheses, methods and instrumentation for implantation and revision thereof. Each prosthesis may comprise superior and inferior end plates and a nucleus positioned between articular surfaces of the end plates. The end plates may have planar bone engagement surfaces with a plurality of self-cutting teeth. The articular surfaces of the end plates may be planar or include a flattened portion. The nucleus includes superior and inferior articular surfaces which may comprise flattened portions such that when the articular surfaces of the nucleus and the end plates are placed in cooperation in a preferred orientation, the flattened and/or planar portions are aligned. Each prosthesis may provide flexion/extension, anterior/posterior translation, lateral bending, and/or axial rotation degrees of freedom. One embodiment comprises a prosthesis with a first joint providing flexion/extension and anterior/posterior translation, and a second joint providing lateral bending and axial rotation.
US08454698B2	Prosthetic disc for intervertebral insertion A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces, upper and lower plates, and peripheral restraining structure on at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate and the core. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and an inner curved surface which slides over the curved surface of the core. The peripheral restraining structure serves to hold the core against a curved surface of at least one of the plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.
US08454696B2	Porous and nonporous materials for tissue grafting and repair Implants having improved mechanical properties and/or degradation profiles, kits including such implants, and methods of producing and using the same.
US08454690B2	Systems and methods for tissue expansion with fluid delivery and drainage system The invention provides systems and methods for tissue expansion. A tissue expander may have an implant portion which may be used to expand the tissue. A delivery/drainage system may be also be provided, which may be in fluid communication with a pocket surrounding the tissue expander. Various port configurations may be provided that may provide access to the implant portion and/or the delivery/drainage system. The tissue expander may advantageously help prevent or treat infection, or check the state of the pocket surrounding the tissue expander.
US08454688B2	Accommodating intraocular lens having peripherally actuated deflectable surface and method An accommodating intraocular lens is provided in which a deflectable lens element is anchored to a substrate along its optical axis to define a fluid filled space. Fluid-filled haptics disposed in fluid communication with the space vary the fluid volume in the space responsive to forces applied by the ciliary muscles, thereby causing the periphery of the lens element to deflect relative to the substrate and changing the optical power of the intraocular lens.
US08454686B2	Two-stage collapsible/expandable prosthetic heart valves and anchoring systems Prosthetic heart valve apparatus is adapted for delivery into a patient in a circumferentially collapsed condition, followed by circumferential re-expansion at the implant site in the patient. The apparatus includes an annular anchoring structure that can be implanted in the patient first. The apparatus further includes an annular valve support structure, which supports a flexible leaflet structure of the valve. The support and leaflet structures are initially separate from the anchoring structure, but they can be implanted in the patient by interengagement of the support structure with the already-implanted anchoring structure.
US08454680B2	Endovascular conduit device with low profile occlusion members An endovascular conduit device and method for use during cardiac lead extraction and other vascular procedures is presented. The endovascular conduit device includes an outer-sheath, a conduit member, a lumen member, and an inflation member to control the flow of fluid within the conduit member. The endovascular conduit device may be positioned intravascularly as cardiac lead extraction or other procedures are performed. If necessary, as in the case of a vascular tear, the endovascular conduit device further includes expandable members that are activated to allow blood to be forced into the channel of the conduit member. Blood may then be contained and directed safely to bypass the area of vessel injury. In doing so, a catastrophic circulatory collapse or shock is prevented.
US08454676B1	Transition matching stent The bending flexibility profile of a stent closely matches the flexibilities of the stent delivery system on either side of the stent. In one embodiment, a stent has a longitudinal axis and at least one link attaching each ring to an adjacent ring. The links closest to the stent end rings have the greatest bending flexibility and the links closest to the center of the stent have the least bending flexibility.
US08454675B2	Internal formation for a conduit An internal formation for a conduit. The formation has a longitudinally extending member adapted to extend along an inside surface of at least a portion of the length of the conduit. The longitudinally extending member has an asymmetric profile in a direction transverse of the longitudinal axis of the member.
US08454674B2	Bifurcation catheter assembly and methods A catheter assembly includes a main catheter branch and a side catheter branch. The main catheter branch includes a main balloon, a side balloon and a side inflation member. The side inflation member intersects the side balloon at a location on the side balloon that is offset laterally from a central line passing from a distal most point on the side balloon to a proximal most point on the side balloon. The side balloon is configured to extend radially outward relative to the main balloon when the side balloon is inflated. The side catheter branch can be centrally aligned with the side balloon central line and be positioned laterally adjacent to the side inflation lumen.
US08454673B2	Rapid-exchange balloon catheter shaft and method A balloon catheter or stent delivery system for medical treatment of a patient has a proximal hub, a balloon, and an improved shaft design. The catheter shaft has a rapid-exchange configuration, and a tubular outer body that includes a hypotube extending from the catheter proximal end to a position at or near a proximal leg of the balloon. An inner tubular body defines a guidewire lumen extending from a distal guidewire port at the catheter distal end to a proximal port located at a position between the balloon and the hub. A distal leg of the balloon is directly or indirectly affixed to the inner body, and a proximal leg of the balloon is affixed to the distal end of the outer body. The hypotube has an aperture for accepting the inner body proximal end, and a circumferential cut pattern. The cut pattern adds flexibility, and may extend from the hypotube distal end to a position proximal of the proximal guidewire port. The cut pattern may have any desired shape, including a spiral, a helical undulating path, or an overlapping serpentine path with inflection points, for example. The hypotube has a fluid-tight covering such as a heat-shrink polymer, so the outer body supports pressure of an inflation medium. The proximal guidewire port may be positioned on or between the individual portions of the cut pattern, or at a position beyond the cut pattern.
US08454671B2	Method and apparatus for reducing body temperature of a subject A cooling system includes a console and a tissue cooling device such as a head-cooling device. An operator applies the head-cooling device to the head of a patient at risk for ischemic injury. The console provides a cooling fluid to a fluid circulation space located between the cooling device and the patient's head under a positive gage pressure. Direct contact between the cooling fluid and the patient's head provides a relatively rapid induction of systemic hypothermia in the patient, thereby minimizing or preventing ischemic injury in the patient. The console also removes air from a channel disposed about an inner rim of the cooling device, using a negative gage pressure. Such removal of the air from the channel seals the rim of the cooling device to the head of the patient, including portions of the channel in contact with hair of the patient's head, and minimizes leaking of the cooling fluid beyond the rim of the cooling device.
US08454670B2	Light therapy device A light therapy device includes a number of light emitting elements, a detection module, a determination module, and a control module. The detection module is configured to detect a body parameter of a human body. The determination module is in communication with the detection module and configured to receive the body parameter and output a fatigue level corresponding to the body parameter. The control module is in communication with the determination module and the light emitting elements. The control module is configured to receive the fatigue level and control the light emitting elements to emit lights with an irradiation intensity for a preset period of time in response to receiving the fatigue level. The irradiation intensity and the preset period of time have a predetermined relationship with the fatigue level.
US08454667B2	Retaining mechanism A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The retaining mechanism comprises a stratum, a retaining element and a spring element. The stratum comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a hole extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the second surface is configured to engage at least a portion of the bone. The retaining element comprises a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole, and a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole. The spring element is configured to engage the stratum and configured to engage the retaining element such that the spring element helps maintain the retaining element in its second position so as to help prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after the fastener has been fully inserted into the hole.
US08454663B2	Systems and methods for treating vertebral bodies Systems and methods treat at least two vertebral bodies in a spinal column. The systems and methods make use of first and second tool assemblies operable to treat an interior region of, respectively, a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body in the spinal column. The systems and methods provide directions for operating the first and second tool assemblies to treat the first and second vertebral bodies, at least for a portion of time, concurrently.
US08454662B2	Tethers with strength limits for treating vertebral members The present application is directed to tethers and methods of use for reducing and/or eliminating spinal deformities. Tethers may be attached with anchors to extend between two or more vertebral members. The tethers may apply a force to the vertebral members to treat the spinal deformity. The tethers may include a strength limit to prevent an excessive amount of force from being applied that could damage the vertebral members. In one embodiment, the tether may release such as by breaking, expanding, or separating from the anchors if the force exceeds a strength limit.
US08454661B2	Transconnector A transconnector for use in interconnecting a pair of longitudinal spinal rods in a spinal fixation procedure. The transconnector includes a bridge member and first and second spinal rod engaging members. The bridge member may include first and second members, wherein the first and second members are moveably associated with one another so that the distance between the first and second spinal rod engaging members can be adjusted. The first and second spinal rod engaging members include a rod receiving channel for receiving one of the spinal rods therein. The spinal rod engaging members may be articulating in, for example, the yaw and roll positions or non-articulating with respect to the bridge members. The spinal rod engaging members preferably include a spring, for example, a spring washer, to provide an opposing force so that the spinal rod engaging members can provisionally snap onto the spinal rods.
US08454660B2	Methods and systems for laterally stabilized constraint of spinous processes A spinal implant for limiting flexion of the spine includes a tether structure for encircling adjacent spinal processes. Usually, a pair of compliance members will be provided as part of the tether structure for elastically limiting flexion while permitting an extension. A cross-member is provided between the compliance member or other portions of the tether structure to stabilize the tether structure and prevent misalignment after implantation.
US08454655B2	Method for anchoring suture and approximating tissue An elastically curved suture anchor is resiliently straightened and delivered into tissue by a needle. When the needle is withdrawn, resumption of the curvature provides leverage for anchor rotation as the attached suture is pulled to fasten the anchor within the tissue. A fin at the proximal end of the anchor further increases the rotational leverage and expedites anchor fastening. When two or more anchors with connecting suture are delivered in series on a needle, the tension of the suture helps to draw the anchors together and approximates the pierced tissue.
US08454652B1	Releasable tissue anchoring device, methods for using, and methods for making Embodiments of invention are directed to tissue approximation instruments that may be delivered to the body of a patient during minimally invasive or other surgical procedures. In one group of embodiments, the instruments have an elongated configuration with two sets of expandable wings that each have spreadable wings that can be made to expand when located on opposite sides of a distal tissue region and a proximal tissue region and can then be made to move toward one another to bring the two tissue regions into a more proximate position. The instrument is delivered through a needle or catheter and is controlled by relative movement of a push tube and control wire wherein the control wire can be released from the instrument via rotation in a first direction and can cause release of the approximation device from tissue that it is holding by rotation in the opposite direction.
US08454647B2	Apparatus and methods for bone, tissue and duct dilatation Apparatus and methods are disclosed for medical treatment comprising bone, tissue or duct dilatation using inflatable dilatation elements together with apparatus and techniques for tensioning, stretching, folding, and/or wrapping the dilatation elements externally as well as in situ to facilitate insertion, positioning and withdrawal procedures.
US08454646B2	Apparatus and methods for bone, tissue and duct dilatation Apparatus and methods are disclosed for medical treatment comprising bone, tissue or duct dilatation using inflatable dilatation elements together with apparatus and techniques for tensioning, stretching, folding, and/or wrapping the dilatation elements externally as well as in situ to facilitate insertion, positioning and withdrawal procedures.
US08454645B2	Balloon dissector with cannula There are disclosed various embodiments of a balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly which are provided to facilitate forming an anatomical space within the body, such as, for example, an anatomical space in the abdominal cavity or extraperitoneal space for facilitating hernia repair surgeries. The balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly generally includes a balloon tip cannula assembly for anchoring the device to the abdominal wall and a balloon dissector assembly having a dissection balloon at a distal end for separating apart tissue layers and forming an anatomical space. Various structures are provided to connect the balloon dissector assembly to the balloon tip cannula assembly. Obturators associated with the balloon dissector assembly and the balloon tip cannula assembly may also be provided. The balloon dissector and balloon tip cannula assembly may also include a scope support for insertion through the balloon dissector assembly and dissection balloon and for receipt of an endoscope to view the procedure from within the balloon. Various combinations of valve ports and sub-assemblies are disclosed for providing inflation fluid to the balloon tip cannula assembly, insufflation fluid for the abdominal cavity and inflation fluid for the dissection balloon.
US08454640B2	Powered surgical apparatus, method of manufacturing powered surgical apparatus, and method of using powered surgical apparatus A powered surgical apparatus can be used with a source of irrigation fluid and a source of suction. The powered surgical apparatus can include a cutting blade assembly and a handle. The handle can include an upper portion defining a distal section connectable to the cutting blade assembly and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion. The handle can be connectable to the source of irrigation fluid and the source of suction. The system can also include a manually actuable input device that provides at least one signal relevant to at least one operation of the system, and a controller that receives the at least one input signal and provides an output signal to perform the at least one operation of the system.
US08454639B2	Dual probe with floating inner probe A percutaneous surgical instrument for de-bulking calculi or drilling bone includes an actuator for generating vibrations at ultrasonic frequencies and a horn coupled to said actuator for amplifying the actuator vibration. A fixed probe is attached to said horn for engaging the calculi and introducing the ultrasonic frequencies thereto. A floating probe is disposed concentric to and under said fixed probe and slidable thereover. A free mass is disposed between the horn and the floating probe for oscillating therebetween, in response to actuator vibration, for causing low frequency impact with the calculi.
US08454638B2	Atherectomy device supported by fluid bearings A rotational atherectomy device for removing a stenotic tissue (330, 360) from a vessel (300) of a patient comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft (2) and an abrasive element (101, 102) mounted to the drive shaft proximal to and spaced from a solid support element (10, 10s) mounted at the distal end (6) of the drive shaft, the solid support element having a rounded outer surface and an outflow channel (20, 20s) with an outflow opening in said rounded outer surface. The drive shaft comprises a torque transmitting coil (4) and at least one fluid impermeable membrane (3) forming a fluid impermeable lumen for the antegrade flow (FF) of fluid into the outflow channel such that, during rotation of the drive shaft, a flow of fluid out of said outflow opening forms a fluid bearing between the rotating solid support element and the wall of the treated vessel.
US08454636B2	Apparatus and methods for treating hardened vascular lesions An angioplasty catheter includes a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. A non-axial external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon.
US08454635B2	Surgical suturing clamp A surgical loop for constricting or ligating, partially or fully, an anatomic conduit during a surgical intervention. The surgical loop includes an elastomeric tubular body, a curved needle that is attached to one free end of the tubular body to facilitate its insertion through a body tissue containing an anatomic conduit, and a pledget which is frictionally engaged and positionable along the length of the tubular body. The pledget is frictionally engaged with a first portion of the tubular body through a closed-perimeter opening. A second portion of the tubular body is subsequently frictionally engaged or restrained with the pledget through a slot. The pledget is configured with a bias structure which maintains the slot in a biased-closed configuration to engage and restrain the second portion of tubular body.
US08454631B2	Axial stitching devices An endoscopic stitching device is provided including an end effector configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of functions; and a single actuation cable operatively connected to the end effector, wherein the actuation cable is capable of effecting operation of at least the pair of functions. The actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of functions upon an axial translation thereof, and a second operation of the pair of functions upon a rotation thereof.
US08454626B2	Hysterectomy ring A device including a ring for placing at an interface between a vagina and a uterus, the ring including an annular tube with a hollow annular track with an aperture formed in the ring that communicates with the annular track, and fixation elements for maintaining the ring in place in the vagina.
US08454625B2	Insertion device for intraocular lens and intraocular lens preloaded insertion device The insertion device (2) for inserting an intraocular lens (1) into an eye includes a main body (12) including a lens housing portion (12b) in which the lens is housed and a nozzle portion (12c) for ejecting the lens into the eye, a pushing shaft (16) moving the lens from the lens housing portion and pushes out the lens into the eye through a front end opening (12j) of the nozzle portion, a first flow path configured to cause liquid to flow between the front end opening of the nozzle portion and an opening other than the front end opening, and a second flow path configured to cause liquid to flow between a portion (30a) protruding from the front end opening of the nozzle portion and an outside of the insertion device.
US08454624B2	Device for removing a lodged mass A device for removing a mass lodged in a choking victim's throat comprises a manifold, piston, spool, and latch. The manifold has first, second, and third conduits in selective fluid communication with each other, with the second conduit terminating in an orifice in a mouthpiece. The spool, having a transverse orifice, may be disposed in the third conduit, slidable between a first position where the orifice permits fluid communication between the first and second conduits, and a second position where the spool blocks fluid communication. The piston is slidably disposed within the first conduit, and with the spool is in the second position, the latch is usable to secure the piston relative to the manifold at one or more discrete positions to create a measured amount of vacuum pressure in the first conduit. The vacuum pressure is transmitted to the mouthpiece by movement of the spool to said first position.
US08454622B2	Spinal implant distractor/inserter A method for distracting a pair of adjacent vertebrae and inserting an implant within the intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae using a posterior angle is described. The method employs a vertebral distractor-inserter comprising a housing, a pair of opposing arms in mechanical communication with the housing, a driving rod extending through at least a portion of the housing and between the arms, wherein the driving rod comprises an axis and a surface with a plurality of angled ratchet teeth on at least a portion of the surface, and a ratchet drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the driving rod.
US08454617B2	Devices for treating the spine Method and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue and particularly spinal tissue. The device and method may include insertion of at least one elongated member and an augmenting member to form a structure between the tissues to be distraction, such that a dimensional aspect of the structure is augmented upon movement of the augmenting structure.
US08454616B2	Method and apparatus for achieving correct limb alignment in unicondylar knee arthroplasty A method and apparatus for correcting limb alignment in a unicondylar knee arthroplasty and linking the distal femoral cut and the proximal tibial cut. Alignment rods are connected to a spacing apparatus to facilitate correction of limb alignment. The alignment rods are positioned along the mechanical axis of the femur and the tibia and the knee joint is positioned to correct alignment. A spacing apparatus is positioned in the relevant knee compartment and utilized to hold the knee in position to correct limb alignment. The spacing apparatus includes a femoral cut slot through which the distal femoral cut is made and further includes tibial affixment apertures through which a headless securing device can be positioned to secure the spacing apparatus to the tibia. After the distal femoral resection is complete, the spacing apparatus is removed, with the headless securing devices remaining positioned in the tibia. The headless securing devices are used as a reference for securing a tibial cut block to the tibia for making the proximal tibial resection. With the mechanism of the present invention, the knee can be placed in flexion when making the proximal tibial cut and the distal femoral cut is linked to the proximal tibial cut.
US08454615B2	Combination directional and non-directional bone tamp A minimally invasive surgical system can include a cannula having a side port and an open distal end, and an expandable bone tamp. The bone tamp includes an elongate shaft coupled to an expandable element. The elongate shaft has a length adapted to align the expandable element with the side port or extend the expandable element completely beyond the distal opening of the cannula. In this manner, the cannula and bone tamp enable either directional (i.e., through the side port) or non-directional (i.e., completely outside the cannula) bone tamping.
US08454613B2	Method and apparatus for surgical instrument identification Systems and methods for identifying surgical instruments by use of radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) are disclosed. In the systems and methods, each of a plurality of surgical instruments is provided with at least one RFID transponder tag storing identification information associated with the corresponding instrument. The tag may be adhered to, embedded, or potted within a portion of the instrument. Using an RFID reading device, a user may interrogate the tag, thereby identifying the particular instrument. This identification information may be used to index a database and retrieve a data record unique to that instrument. The systems and methods allow a user to track, inspect, and verify inbound and outbound surgical instruments, to assess, for example, the surgical instruments' duty life cycle usage.
US08454611B2	Modular prosthesis rasp A modular prosthesis rasp is provided, having a rasp body with a rasp main body and at least one modular rasp body part connectable to the main body. The rasp main body has a receptacle for receiving the at least one rasp body part. An outer contour is defined by the rasp main body and the at least one rasp body part. The rasp body part receptacle extends from an indentation, defining a distal end of the receptacle, on a lateral side of the rasp main body to a proximal end thereof. A first tangential plane of the lateral side of the outer contour in the region of the indentation and a second tangential plane at a rasp body part contact surface, in the region of the distal end of the receptacle include an indentation angle of less than 85°.
US08454608B2	Disposable flex reamer A single use intramedullary reamer comprised of a reamer head assembly and a reamer shaft. The reamer head assembly further comprising a series of reamer blades that reside in a series of surface slots that are helically oriented around the cylindrical body. The series of reamer blades are bonded with the cylindrical body through induction bonding.
US08454607B2	Surgical instrument The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handling part and a tool part that encompasses at least one movably mounted tool which is actuated via a force-transmitting and/or actuating mechanism. Said force-transmitting and/or actuating mechanism is operated from the handling part and is provided with a fluid-operated drive unit. In order to improve said surgical instrument such that the same can be operated with as much sensitivity as possible, the movably mounted tool can be impinged upon a first actuation force in a first driven position while being impinged upon by at least one second actuation force in a least one second driven position with the aid of the drive unit.
US08454601B2	Bipolar coagulation electrodes A bipolar coagulation forceps (1) with a fixed forceps leg (2), a pivot support (3), and a pivoting forceps leg (4), which can pivot relative to the fixed forceps leg via a pivot element (6, 11, 12) and which is electrically insulated from the fixed forceps leg is provided, with the forceps legs (2, 4) essentially being made from biocompatible metal. The pivot element (6, 11, 12) is likewise essentially made from biocompatible metal and attaches directly to the moving forceps leg (4). An insulating body (5a, 5b) electrically insulating the pivot element (6, 11, 12) and the moving forceps leg (4) from the fixed forceps leg (2) is arranged on or fixed to the fixed forceps leg (2) as a pivot support (3), on which the moving forceps leg (4) is supported by the pivot element (6, 11, 12).
US08454600B2	Two piece tube for suction coagulator An electrosurgical suction coagulator includes a housing having proximal and distal ends and a malleable elongated tube-like shaft extending longitudinally from the distal end of the housing. The tube-like shaft includes a tube-like dielectric sheath and a tube-like electrode having a first thermal conductivity K1 disposed coaxially through the tube-like dielectric sheath. The tube-like electrode operably couples to a source of electrosurgical energy. A distal end of the tube-like electrode protrudes from a distal end of the tube-like shaft. One or more aspiration ports are defined in a distal end of the tube-like electrode. A proximal end of the tube-like electrode operably couples to a source of suction. A thermally conductive member having a second thermal conductivity K2 that is less than K1 is disposed concentrically about the tube-like shaft. The thermally conductive member is configured to impede the propagation of thermal energy in a proximal direction.
US08454599B2	Treatment apparatus and electro-surgical device A treatment apparatus to treat living tissues by applying energy to the living tissues, includes an energy source which supplies energy, a pair of holding faces to hold the living tissues, a joining treatment portion arranged in at least one of the holding faces to join the living tissues held between the holding faces, a detection portion which detects, through the joining treatment portion, living information of the living tissues by supplying energy to the living tissues through the joining treatment portion, a fluid feed portion disposed on at least one of the holding faces to feed fluid to the living tissues, and the fluid fed from the fluid feed portion guides energy to the living tissues, and a control portion to control a feed rate of the fluid fed from the fluid feed portion based on the living information of the living tissues detected by the detection portion.
US08454598B2	Vacuum coagulation probes Methods for using a surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source and a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.
US08454593B2	Method for ablating heart tissue to treat a cardiac arrhythmia Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and methods are often be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation procedure. Many of the devices may be introduced into a patient via minimally invasive introducer devices and the like. Although devices and methods of the invention may be used to ablate epicardial tissue to treat atrial fibrillation, they may also be used in veterinary or research contexts, to treat various heart conditions other than atrial fibrillation and/or to ablate cardiac tissue other than the epicardium.
US08454589B2	System and method for assessing effective delivery of ablation therapy A system and method for assessing effective delivery of ablation therapy to a tissue in a body is provided. A three-dimensional anatomical map of the tissue is generated and displayed with the map defining a corresponding volume. An index is generated corresponding to a location within the volume with the index indicative of a state of ablation therapy at the location. The index may be derived from one or more factors such as the duration an ablation electrode is present at the location, the amount of energy provided, the degree of electrical coupling between an ablation electrode and the tissue at the location and temperature. A visual characteristic (e.g., color intensity) of a portion of the anatomical map corresponding to the location is then altered responsive to the index.
US08454588B2	Method and apparatus to prevent esophageal damage An apparatus for moving the esophagus includes an elongate body having a distal tip, a controlled curvature section, and a flexible section. A handle is coupled to the flexible section to adjust the curvature of the controlled curvature section. The length of the controlled curvature section is less than the length of the thoracic portion of the esophagus. Further, a method of adjusting the curvature of the esophagus during a therapeutic procedure in a treatment area outside of the esophagus includes positioning within the esophagus an elongate body having a distal tip, a controlled curvature section, and a flexible section and adjusting the curvature of the controlled curvature section to increase the distance between the esophagus and a treatment area outside of the esophagus.
US08454586B2	Laser instrument for vascular occlusion, in particular for intravenous treatment, and for perforation or detersion of tissue An instrument comprises a light guide and a substantially rigid support for the light guide. In a version adapted for the treatment of varicose veins, the support is a needle serving as a sheath to a fibre optic.
US08454583B2	Robotic surgical device implant system A robotic surgical device positioning system that allows a surgeon to accurately and remotely position a surgical instrument relative to a patient and to provide fluoroscopic images of the instrument without exposing the surgeon to radiation. The system includes a vertical post that is slidebly coupled to an operating table, a clamp mounted to the vertical post and spaced from the table, and a translational arm mounted to the clamp. The system further includes an instrument positioning assembly mounted to the translational arm opposite to the clamp that includes a plurality of sliding elements that are slidebly mounted to the assembly to provide rotational, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral positioning of the surgical instrument. A control unit is mechanically coupled to the instrument positioning assembly at a remote location by flexible cables for controlling the position of the sliding elements.
US08454582B2	Methods and devices for the treatment of ocular conditions Featured is a method for instilling one or more bioactive agents into ocular tissue within an eye of a patient for the treatment of an ocular condition, the method comprising concurrently using at least two of the following bioactive agent delivery methods (A)-(C): (A) implanting a sustained release delivery device comprising one or more bioactive agents in a posterior region of the eye so that it delivers the one or more bioactive agents into the vitreous humor of the eye; (B) instilling (e.g., injecting or implanting) one or more bioactive agents subretinally; and (C) instilling (e.g., injecting or delivering by ocular iontophoresis) one or more bioactive agents into the vitreous humor of the eye.
US08454580B2	Adjustable reduced-pressure wound coverings Adjustable covers, systems, and methods are presented that include an adjustable cover that may be adjusted to an appropriate size by hand without requiring cutting tools and without substantial leaks. In one instance, the adjustable covering includes a drape member with a plurality of non-leaking tear paths. Each non-leaking tear path includes a weakened path of the drape member that may be torn. The adjustable covering may further include a first plurality of tear starters formed on a first initiation edge of the drape member. Each tear starter of the first plurality of tear starters is aligned with one of the plurality of tear paths. Each of the first plurality of tear starters is adapted to facilitate the initiation of a tear along a tear path. The grains of the drape member, a backing layer, and support layer may also be in the same direction. Other adjustable covers, systems, and methods are presented.
US08454574B2	Pressure activated safety valve with grooved membrane A pressure activated valve comprises a valve housing defining a lumen for receiving bodily fluids therein and a flexible membrane disposed in the valve housing. The flexible membrane includes a slit extending therethrough so that the flexible membrane may be moved between an open and a closed configuration based on fluid pressure within the lumen. A nonthrombogenic coating may be formed on fluid contacting surfaces of the flexible membrane.
US08454569B2	Catheter assembly with a folded urine collection bag There is disclosed a catheter assembly comprising a catheter and a receptacle. The receptacle has an elongate pocket, for accommodating at least an insertable end of said catheter, a urine collection bag, having a width extension wider than a greatest width of said elongate pocket, and at least two tab areas on at least one tab are arranged at the periphery of the urine collection bag on opposite sides of said bag. Further, in a storage state, said elongate pocket is folded over said urine collection bag, and lateral parts of said urine collection bag extending outside said elongate pocket are folded towards each other over said elongate pocket, said lateral parts being dimensioned to overlap each other in the folded disposition, and wherein said tab areas are arranged on said lateral parts and are attached to each other, in at least one point of attachment, to releasably maintain said catheter assembly in a folded disposition during storage.
US08454568B2	Apparatus and method for the removal and containment of human waste excretion The present invention relates to an apparatus for the removal and containment of human waste products from the effected area of incontinent patients. The apparatus and process encapsulates the areas of the body where urine and fecal matter are excreted. In particular, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for the containment and removal of human waste products, comprising: a receptacle; a vacuum connection to apply force for attaching the receptacle to the patient; and a vacuum dispersion membrane to provide mechanical support to the skin so as to minimize tensile force applied to the skin.
US08454566B2	Methods and compositions for the inhibition of biofilms on medical devices Embodiments of the invention provide compositions which are effective to inhibit the development of biofilms on a surface of a medical device having the composition applied thereto, to medical devices having the composition applied to a surface thereof and to methods for using the compositions to coat medical devices.
US08454565B2	Low profile catheter assembly A medical catheter assembly includes a catheter hub, an elongate catheter member extending from the catheter hub and having at least one longitudinal lumen for passage of fluids, an extension tube extending from the catheter hub and defining an internal lumen in fluid communication with the at least one longitudinal lumen of the catheter member and a clamp positionable about the extension tube. The catheter hub defines a reduced profile to facilitate passage of the catheter hub through a surgical tunnel. The clamp includes first and second clamp sections and defines a longitudinal clamp axis. The clamp has a longitudinal opening for passage of the extension tube and a movable member adapted to move from a first position to a second position to substantially close the internal lumen. The first and second clamp sections are separable to facilitate transverse positioning of the clamp sections about the extension tube.
US08454562B1	Infusion pump system and method Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may be configured to provide air pressure equilibrium between the ambient air pressure external to the infusion pump system and the internal air pressure inside the infusion pump system. In particular embodiments, the infusion pump system can be equipped with an air-transmissible, liquid-tight seal along an interface between a pump body and a cap device configured to attach to the pump body.
US08454558B2	Syringe-in-syringe hollow inner barrel/plunger with integral seal and rupturable membrane and related kits, systems and methods A hollow inner plunger for use within a syringe-in-syringe mixing system for mixing a two-part dental composition. The hollow inner plunger includes a body having a continuous cylindrical wall defining an internal chamber for containing a first component. The body includes a proximal end and a distal end. A sealing plug and rupturable membrane are disposed at the distal end of the body, and the sealing plug and rupturable membrane are integrally formed together as a single piece (e.g., formed of a single piece of elastomeric material). An associated syringe-in-syringe mixing system includes a first plunger, the hollow inner plunger, and a syringe barrel configured to contain a second component. When assembled, the first plunger is slidably disposed within the hollow inner plunger, and the hollow inner plunger is slidably disposed within the syringe barrel. The two components are initially separated by the rupturable membrane.
US08454554B2	Use of a handheld medical device as a communications mediator between a personal computer-based configurator and another networked medical device A handheld diabetes managing device that provides a secure and efficient communication link between an insulin pump and an external computing device. The handheld diabetes managing device can include a blood glucose meter, a processor and first and second communication modules. The handheld diabetes managing device can be configured to deliver data between an insulin pump and an external computing device over a secure communication path without a direct communication link between the insulin pump and the external computing device. The secure communication path can include a first secure bidirectional communication link between the handheld diabetes managing device and the insulin pump and a second secure bidirectional communication link between the handheld diabetes managing device and the external computing device.
US08454549B2	Method and system for closed chest blood flow support A pumping system for assisting a patient's heart includes a blood pump disposed outside the patient's body and having an inlet and an outlet. An inlet cannula is configured for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and in fluid communication with the blood pump inlet to provide blood to the blood pump. An outlet perfusion cannula is configured for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient, and in fluid communication with the blood pump outlet to provide blood to the patient's vascular system. A control system is provided to control the blood pump and includes at least two control units for redundant control of the blood pump. Each control unit includes a watchdog for monitoring the control unit. A variation of the pumping system includes a bidirectional cannula for insertion percutaneously into the vascular system of the patient and to extend into the patient's heart.
US08454546B2	Orthopedic device having a patient compliance system An orthopedic device includes a strut assembly having a resilient shell defining opposed first and second sides, and a patient compliance system. The patient compliance includes a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the shell. The tightening strap has first and second end portions arranged for incremental uni-directional adjustment relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly. The tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another.
US08454544B2	Method and apparatus for therapeutically supporting the arm of a patient Apparatus for providing physical therapy to a patient, the apparatus comprising a therapeutic support comprising a waist belt and a limb support, wherein the limb support is adjustably securable to the waist belt.
US08454543B2	Electrodes for orthotic device According to various embodiments of the invention, an electrode for an orthotic device, comprises a backing layer having an outer surface allowing the electrode to be attached to an orthotic device; conductive layer configured to receive and distribute an electrical current according to an electrophysical modality; an interface layer configured to conform to a wearer's anatomy and to conduct the electrical current from the conductive layer to the wearer's anatomy; and a connection member attached to the conductive layer and configured to electrically couple with an electrical contact disposed on the orthotic device.
US08454542B2	Positive pressure chamber for extremities The present invention provides a positive pressure chamber for treating extremities, which is used for treating extremity swelling or edema, rehabilitation, prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis, relieving extremity pain, improvement of extremity skin, and the like.
US08454540B2	Non-invasive ultrasonic body contouring An apparatus for lysing adipose tissue, the apparatus comprising a power source and a modulator assembly configured to supply modulated electrical power; an ultrasonic therapeutic transducer connected to the power source and modulator assembly and configured to convert the modulated electrical power to ultrasonic energy directed at a target volume in a region of a body containing adipose and non-adipose tissue, so as to selective generally lyse the adipose tissue and generally not lyse the non-adipose tissues; an ultrasonic imaging sub-system configured to identify changes in the target volume resulting from the ultrasonic energy; and a lipolysis control computer configured to control the power source and modulator assembly based on the changes identified by the ultrasonic imaging sub-system.
US08454538B2	Filtering method for surface modeling A system for mapping a tissue surface includes a probe for mapping a tissue surface, a localization system to measure a location data point indicative of the probe's location, a memory in which to store the location data point, a servo mechanism to move the probe along at least a portion of the tissue surface, a controller to move the probe to a plurality of locations and to record in the memory a plurality of location data points, and a contact-sensing processor to analyze the plurality of location data points and to identify a subset thereof on the tissue surface. A modeling processor generates a model of the tissue surface using the subset of location data points. The contact-sensing processor utilizes probe velocity, or a rate of change in the distance moved by the probe, to determine contact between the probe and the tissue surface.
US08454535B2	Highly flexible tubular device for medical use The invention relates to an elongated torque tube for use in medical applications. The torque tube comprises an elongated tubular structure having a cylindrical cross section and defining a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis, the elongated tubular structure including a helical cut having a finite thickness and extending along the length of the elongated tubular structure, the helical cut being oriented along the circumferential axis and including a plurality of flexural units defined by discontinuous cuts aligned with the circumferential axis.
US08454533B2	Lancing devices and methods Described and illustrated herein is an exemplary lancing device. The exemplary lancing device comprises: a first housing having spaced apart proximal and distal ends disposed along a longitudinal axis; a chassis disposed in the first housing in a fixed relationship with the first housing; a movable member disposed in the chassis and configured for movement along the longitudinal axis and in the first housing; a lancet coupled to the movable member; and a lancet depth adjustment member retained by both the first and chassis so that the lancet depth adjustment member is rotatable relative to both housings to provide for a plurality of stop surfaces to the movable member. Other embodiments and methods are also described.
US08454531B2	Icon-based user interface on biopsy system control module A vacuum control module for use in a biopsy system includes a user interface that presents buttons and icons to control operation of a biopsy device. The icons may indicate, e.g., the position of a cutter relative to a transverse opening, whether the system is in a view sample mode, that an adjacent button is operable to reset the position of a rotatable tissue sample holder, whether the system is in a maintenance vacuum pulse mode, the level of vacuum provided by a vacuum source, the volume level of a speaker, that an adjacent button is operable to place the system in a standby mode, and that an adjacent button is operable to shut down the system. The icons may each have an associated button. The icons may be allocated among separate pages (e.g., a probe page and a system page). Another button may be used to switch between pages.
US08454529B2	Minimization of electrical stimulus artifact during measurement of evoked neural response The invention provides a method of electrical artefact compensation in measurement of a neural response. The neural response is evoked by a first stimulus, after which a compensatory stimulus is applied in order to counteract a stimulus artefact caused by the first stimulus. The invention also provides for short circuiting the stimulating electrode subsequent to the first stimulus. A system for implementing such steps is also provided. The invention may be of application in measurement of physiological responses, including neural responses and in particular a neural response of the auditory nerve.
US08454528B2	Non-contact physiologic motion sensors and methods for use A radar-based physiological motion sensor is disclosed. Doppler-shifted signals can be extracted from the signals received by the sensor. The Doppler-shifted signals can be digitized and processed subsequently to extract information related to the cardiopulmonary motion in one or more subjects. The information can include respiratory rates, heart rates, waveforms due to respiratory and cardiac activity, direction of arrival, abnormal or paradoxical breathing, etc. In various embodiments, the extracted information can be displayed on a display.
US08454525B2	System for quantifying blood flow in tissue and updating tissue baseline conditions Methods and apparatus for determining blood flow in tissue are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are used to establish a baseline for both thermal properties of the tissue and non-physiologic conditions. Periodic changes in either or both constituents of the baseline are determined and, when the changes correspond to a need for a new baseline, a new baseline is established.
US08454522B2	Method and apparatus for estimating blood pressure A method for estimating blood pressure includes sensing a sphygmus wave at a body part of a user to which vibration is applied to generate a sensed sphygmus wave, filtering the sensed sphygmus wave to generated a filtered sphygmus wave, and estimating blood pressure of the user based on time differences between peaks of the sensed sphygmus wave and peaks of the filtered sphygmus wave.
US08454520B2	Intravascular ultrasound techniques Intravascular ultrasound techniques provide for intravascular imaging using contrast agents and nonlinear techniques. An ultrasound imaging device for detecting internal properties of a target body comprises an ultrasound transducer positioned at a distal end portion of a catheter, for transmitting excitation pulses and for receiving echo signals. A signal processor analyses echo signals at harmonics and/or subharmonics of the transmit frequency. The catheter may include a contrast agent delivery conduit extending along the catheter, the delivery conduit having an exit orifice proximal to the ultrasound transducer. The device may discriminate between echo signals respectively arising from interaction with tissue and from the interaction with contrast agent. The device may generate an image of the site of interest using non-linear components of the received ultrasound echo signals.
US08454515B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic method An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has a probe, an ultrasonic wave control unit, a volume data generation unit, and a three-dimensional display processing unit. The ultrasonic wave control unit controls the probe to transmit low-sound-pressure pulses to a scan region at a first pulse repetition period as well as controls the probe to receive an echo corresponding to the low-sound-pressure pulses. Further, the ultrasonic wave control unit controls the probe to transmit high-sound-pressure pulses to the scan region at a second pulse repetition period smaller than the first pulse repetition period. The volume data generation unit generates volume data based on the echo received by the probe under the control of the ultrasonic wave control unit. The three-dimensional display processing unit generates three-dimensional image data by performing a rendering process based on the volume data, and controls display of the three-dimensional image data on a monitor.
US08454511B2	Magneto-motive ultrasound detection of magnetic nanoparticles Provided herein are systems, methods and compositions for the use of ultrasound for detection of cells and nanoparticles.
US08454510B2	Method and device for assessing carbohydrate-to-insulin ratio A system and a method for determining an assessed carbohydrate to insulin ratio of a patient is described. The system and the method can comprise a memory component adapted for storing an initial set of values comprising at least one of a blood glucose level, a target blood glucose level, an insulin sensitivity, and, an estimated carbohydrate to insulin ratio. The system and the method can also comprise a bolus selection component adapted for selecting a test bolus corresponding to the determined initial set of values and a planned meal. In one implementation, the bolus selection component can receive bolus dose input from a user. In another implementation, the bolus selection component can estimate the bolus dose using a set of available inputs (e.g. the amount of carbohydrates in the planned meal). The system and the method can further comprise a user interface component adapted for receiving a confirmation that the test bolus has been administered to the patient. In some implementations, the user interface component can be adapted for selecting a meal of a known content.
US08454507B2	Real-time visual alert display An alert system for patient treatment that incorporates patient data to display information in readily identifiable icons for vital organs, and in a useable, real-time, updated fashion that extracts data from the medical history, the current medical management, and the current physiologic monitors to produce warnings and alerts to enable practitioners to be made aware of physiologic systems at risk, (physiologic systems in normal range, borderline normal range, and abnormal range of function). These data are not only presented, but also use real-time queries and calculations to enable practitioners to have the types of data that would traditionally assist them in patient care but only be available by reviewing the medical literature and/or doing retrospective individual calculations while providing patient care.
US08454506B2	Systems and methods for providing a continual measurement of health A system for improving hospital patient care by generating a Health Score. The system includes an interface module for receiving incoming medical data from a patient, a transformation module for transforming each of the medical datum into a transformed Health Score value, and a combination module for combining the transformed Health Score values corresponding to each of the medical datum into a single Health Score. A presentation and comparison module displays the Health Score as a Health Score plot over a predetermined time frame, such that a user may identify health trends in a patient by evaluating said Health Score plot.
US08454505B2	Method and electronic medical device for simultaneously measuring an impedance and a biopotential signal A method and device is disclosed for continuously and simultaneously measuring an impedance signal and a biopotential signal on a biological subject's skin. In one aspect, the method includes attaching input and output electrodes to the biological subject's skin and applying a predetermined alternating current having a first frequency to the output electrodes for creating an alternating voltage signal over the input electrodes. The first frequency is above a predetermined minimum frequency. The method also includes measuring an input signal from the input electrodes which includes a biopotential signal and the alternating voltage signal. The method also includes extracting from the input signal the biopotential signal and the alternating voltage signal, and determining the impedance signal from the alternating voltage signal. The alternating voltage signal is extracted by amplifying and demodulating the input signal using a control signal having a frequency equal to the first frequency.
US08454504B2	Surgical retractor A surgical retractor and a method of minimally invasive surgery, wherein the surgical retractor includes ribs and a mechanism for transferring of linear and rotational movements of the ribs and wherein each rib can be easily replaced without use of any additional tools. According to embodiments of the present invention, specific parts composing the surgical retractor are made of materials transparent to Röntgen rays (x-rays).
US08454502B2	Surgical device having a port with an undercut A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity. The apparatus may include a seal anchor member comprising a compressible material. The seal anchor member may be adapted to transition between a first condition for insertion of at least a portion of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and a second condition to facilitate a securing of the seal anchor member within a tissue tract and in substantial sealed relation with tissue surfaces defining a tissue tract. The seal anchor member may have proximal and distal ends and may define at least one port extending between the proximal and distal ends, the at least one port being adapted for the reception of an object whereby compressible material defining the at least one port is adapted to deform to establish a substantial sealed relation with the object. The at least one port may include an undercut to reduce the likelihood of leaks therethrough.
US08454499B2	In-line gas adaptor for endoscopic apparatus The present invention provides an adaptor that is suitable for attachment to an endoscopic device for delivery of a secondary gas. The adaptor can comprise a substantially cylindrical body with a two, opposing closed ends, two fluid transport channels extending through the cylindrical body and opening at the closed ends, and an inlet port extending outward from the cylindrical body and being in fluid connection with one of the fluid transport channels. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source in an endoscopy procedure.
US08454498B2	In-line gas adaptor for endoscopic apparatus The present invention provides an adaptor that is suitable for attachment to an endoscopic device for delivery of a secondary gas. The adaptor generally comprises an adaptor body with first and second fluid transport components and can include a gas inlet on one of the fluid transport components suitable for attachment to a secondary gas source. A sealing member can be included to prevent leakage of any fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) that is transported through channels extending through the fluid transport components. The adaptor may be used in endoscopy methods and is particularly useful for adding a secondary gas source in an endoscopy procedure.
US08454495B2	Capsule medical apparatus A capsule medical apparatus includes a capsule exterior member and a sensor that can detect the change of an atmospheric physical quantity caused outside the exterior member in the non-contact state, and performs, based on the temporary change in atmospheric physical quantity detected by the sensor, at least one of first control for switching operation from the ON-state of energy supply to the electric circuit from the battery to the OFF-state of the energy supply and of second control for switching operation from the OFF-state of the power supply to the ON-state of the power supply, and holds the state of energy supply switched by the control until another change of atmospheric physical quantity is detected.
US08454492B2	Absorbable anchor and method for mounting mesh to tissue A method for attaching flexible material to soft tissue in a patient's body includes providing a soft tissue anchor formed from absorbable material. The anchor includes a central portion having proximal and distal ends, one or more tissue engaging members extending from the central portion, and a bore extending through the central portion between the proximal and distal ends. An introducer tool is provided and engaged with the soft tissue anchor, including inserting an elongated body of the introducer tool into the bore of the tissue anchor and positioning the tool with respect to the anchor with the point of the tool body extending beyond the distal end of the anchor central portion. After insertion, the soft tissue anchor is released from the introducer tool and the introducer tool is removed from the patient, including retracting the point of the tool body through the central portion of the anchor.
US08454491B2	System for inducing a subject to fall asleep A system (100) for inducing a subject (110) to fall asleep comprises a monitor (120) for monitoring heart rate and breathing rate of the subject (110), a coherence assessing device (130) coupled to the monitor (120) for assessing a degree of coherence between the heart rate and the breathing rate, and an output device (140, 150) coupled to the coherence assessing device (130). The output device (140, 150) may comprise a light pattern generator (140) for generating a light pattern (145) in view of the subject (110) based on the degree of coherence. The output device (140, 150) may alternatively or additionally comprise an instructing system (150) for instructing the subject on a breathing pattern, and wherein the instructions are given based on the degree of coherence.
US08454487B2	Separation disc and separator The invention relates to a separation disc and a milk separator comprising a rotor, which separation disc together with other separation discs forms a stack of separation discs rotatable together with the rotor. The separation disc comprises a truncated substantially conical portion and an annular flange element connected to the conical portion at the smallest radius and extends therefrom radially inwards substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The flange element has a radial extent corresponding to at least 10% of the radial extent of the conical portion. The inner radial edge of the flange element includes recesses distributed along the edge and adapted to protrusions on a column connected to the rotor, extending coaxially through the separation discs. The recesses are substantially filled by the protrusions. The radial extent of the recesses corresponds to at least 20% of the radial extent of the flange element.
US08454484B2	Closed loop device incorporating one or more indecomposable knots and methods of using A flexible, closed loop device that includes at least one indecomposable knot formed that helps define a plurality of adjustable loops. The knot can be easily loosened so that the loop sizes can be adjusted. The knot is easily tightened and locked. In some embodiments, the device includes at least two indecomposable knots. The device is useful in the practice of yoga, Pilates, and other personal training exercises. The device is flexible and easily adjustable, allowing the user to more effectively target specific muscle groups. The device may additionally or alternately be used as a securing and carrying strap for items. Still further, the device may be used as a connecting device to link items together for towing, hoisting, etc.
US08454483B1	Configurable exercise system A configurable exercise system which may be transformed into multiple pieces of exercise equipment is disclosed. More specifically, embodiments provide an adjustable-weight medicine ball with two halves that may be separated and used to implement dumbbells, kettlebells, push-up bars, or other pieces of exercise equipment. Each half of the medicine ball may have a handle and/or features for accepting one or more weighted objects for varying the weight of each half. Additional components may be joined to one or both halves of the medicine ball to implement other pieces of exercise equipment. Additionally, components may be inserted between the halves of the medicine ball to implement other pieces of exercise equipment. Further, in one embodiment, the exercise system may be easily and quickly transformed, compact in size, and relatively low-cost.
US08454476B2	Method for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one embodiment, the method adjusts a transmission tie-up force in response to engine starting. The method may improve vehicle launch for stop/start vehicles.
US08454475B2	Multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof A multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system and a method of changing gear ratios thereof are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the multi-ratio rotorcraft drive system comprises a rotor system comprising one or more rotors and one or more engines. Each engine of the one or more engines is coupled to the rotor system through a multi-ratio transmission. The multi-ratio transmission comprises an output shaft coupled to the rotor system, an input shaft coupled to a respective engine of the one or more engines, a high speed clutch integrated into a high speed gear train, and a low speed clutch integrated into a low speed gear train. The high speed clutch and the low speed clutch are freewheeling clutches without a friction plate and are capable of disconnecting the output shaft and the input shaft in an overrunning condition when the output shaft spins faster than the input shaft.
US08454473B2	Two-speed transmission and method for controlling a two-speed transmission A two-speed transmission for transmitting a drive torque of a vehicle, having an input shaft drivable by a drive unit, a planetary gear system with sun gear, planet gears, planet carriers and ring gear and an output shaft, the sun gear having a rotationally fixed connection to the input shaft and the planet carrier having a rotationally fixed connection to the output shaft, and having a regulatable clutch system whereby the planet carrier can be fixed either relative to the input shaft or relative to the ring gear, and having an exclusively engageable and disengageable clutch system whereby the ring gear can be fixed relative to a housing that supports the planetary gear system.
US08454468B2	Clutch piston support An assembly includes a clutch support formed with multiple cylinders, each cylinder connectable to a source of hydraulic pressure that actuates a clutch, and a planetary gearset including a ring gear driveably connected to the clutch support.
US08454465B2	Toothed chain with optimized chain joint and enlarged external flank angle The invention is related to a toothed chain with alternating inner and outer chain links each joined by means of a chain joint, wherein the inner chain links comprise at least one inner plate and at least two joint bushes running perpendicularly through the same, the outer chain links comprise at least two outer plates and at least two joint pins running perpendicularly through the same, and to form a chain joint, one joint pin of the outer chain link each extends through a joint bush of the inner chain link, and at least one inner plate of the inner chain link and/or at least one outer plate of the outer chain link is embodied as a toothed plate with each two teeth defined by an outer flank and an inner flank each. To provide a toothed chain having an improved service life and which can lead to a more advantageous embodiment of the complete chain drive, it is provided that an external flank angle given for the two external flanks of a toothed plate, is α≧65° and ≦75°, and a ratio VBa between a pitch p of the toothed chain and the outer diameter dBa of the joint pins is ≦2.65.
US08454457B1	Golf tool system A golf tool system generally comprising a divot tool, a brush and a ball marker, the divot tool having a pair of spaced tines, a pocket formed in the body for holding the brush, a ball marker recess and a magnet cavity in the recess for holding and securing a magnet to releasably support a ball marker, the brush having a brush body with at least one thumb indent for enhancing the gripping of the brush body and bristles projecting from the lower end of the brush. Alternatively, the golf tool system comprises a divot tool and brush designed to hold the ball marker and mount to the bill of a baseball cap.
US08454455B2	Multilayer golf ball containing at least three core layers, at least one intermediate barrier layer, and at least one cover layer The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls having at least three core layers, at least one cover layer, and at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover layer that acts as a vapor barrier. Advantageously, the at least three core layers have a hardness gradient that increases toward the at least one intermediate vapor barrier layer.
US08454451B2	Variable length golf club shaft A variable length shaft assembly comprising at least one upper shaft portion, a lower shaft portion and a threaded fastener, wherein the threaded fastener removably connects the upper shaft portion to the lower shaft portion, is disclosed herein. The variable length shaft assembly may further comprise at least two upper shaft portions having different lengths so a golfer can adjust the total length of the shaft by removing one upper shaft portion and replacing it with another upper shaft portion having a different length. Methods of adjusting the length of a golf club shaft without damaging any portion of the shaft and variable length shaft kits are also disclosed herein.
US08454450B1	Swing A swing includes a body including a concave central portion defining a recessed seat and a peripheral edge surrounding the concave central portion. The peripheral edge includes a plurality of tether openings, and each of the tether openings is adapted to receive a tether. The peripheral edge of the body is circular such that the body defines a circular disk. The seat includes a drain opening defined therein. The body can be defined as a one-piece molded polymeric construction or from multiple body sections. In another embodiment, the concave central portion defining the recessed seat comprises a flexible material connected to the peripheral edge.
US08454448B2	Sliding type tripod constant velocity joint A sliding type tripod constant velocity joint includes an outer ring of a tubular form having three raceway grooves which are formed on an inner peripheral surface and which extend in a direction of a rotation axis of the outer ring, a tripod including a boss part connected to a shaft and three tripod shaft parts which are provided upright so as to extend outward in a radial direction of the boss part from an outer peripheral surface of the boss part and which are inserted into the raceway grooves, respectively, and a pair of intermediate members which are arranged so as to sandwich a corresponding one of the tripod shaft parts from both sides of side surfaces of the raceway grooves and which are provided so as to be oscillated relative to the corresponding one of the tripod shaft parts.
US08454445B2	Power transmission A power transmission in which a driven body and a drive body for driving the driven body are rotated in the same direction and are coupled through a coupling portion, transmission of torque from the drive body is interrupted when the driving load of the driven body exceeds a predetermined level, and the coupling portion is constituted by combining members different from each other of a positive torque transmission member for transmitting torque in the direction of forward rotation and interrupting transmission of torque from the drive body by its own fracture when the driving load of the driven body exceeds the predetermined level and a negative torque transmission member capable of transmitting torque in the direction of reverse rotation. At a contact portion between the positive torque transmission member and the negative torque transmission member, interposed is a surface layer composed of a different kind of material from a material composing the positive and negative torque transmission members. Reliability and durability of the power transmission can be improved by preventing occurrence of melt-adhesion, abrasion or rust at the contact portion between the members constituting the coupling portion.

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