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

Document	Document Title
US08455489B2	Substituted pyrimidine compositions and methods of use Novel compositions and methods of using substituted pyrimidines which have the general formula: (I).
US08455484B2	Selected inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinase activity The invention provides new compounds and compositions thereof. The invention also provides methods for treating ophthalmic diseases, disorders and conditions.
US08455476B2	Azetidinyl diamides as monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein Y, Z, R1, and s are defined herein.
US08455473B2	Composition and method for irrigation of a prepared dental root canal Composition and method for irrigating a prepared dental root canal. The composition is an aqueous composition of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, chlorhexidine or orally acceptable addition salt, and N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide, and is effective for simultaneous smear layer removal and disinfection.
US08455469B2	Use of norgestimate as a selective inhibitor of TRPC3, TRPC6 and TRPC7 ion channels TRPC ion channels are non-selective channels widely expressed in human tissues. These channels are involved in numerous physiological functions and are putative targets for the development of novel medicines. There is a need to gain a better understanding of TRPC ion channels in cells and beyond. The present invention provides a pharmacological tool compound that allows to study TRPC ion channels due to its discriminating inhibition of TRPC subfamilies. In the present invention, norgestimate is shown to selectively inhibit TRPC3, TRPC6 and TRPC7.
US08455467B2	2-methylene-vitamin D analogs and their uses This invention discloses 2-methylene-vitamin D analogs, and specifically (20S)-25-hydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 and (20R)-25-hydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3, as well as pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit relatively high binding activity and pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent especially for the treatment or prevention of osteosarcoma, leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or prostate cancer. These compounds also have relatively high calcemic activities evidencing use in the treatment of bone diseases.
US08455466B2	Vitamin d analogues, compositions comprising said analogues and their use Compounds according to formula I in which formula R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, represent halogen, (C1-C6)hydrocarbyl, optionally substituted with one or two hydroxyl group or one or more fluorine atoms, or, together with the carbon atom to which they are both attached, R1 and R2 form a (C3-C6)carbocyclic ring, or one of R1 and R2 taken together with R3 forms a direct bond, such that a triple bond is constituted, or R1 and R2 represent both hydrogen; R3 when not forming a direct bond with one of R1 and R2 represents hydrogen or (C1-C3)hydrocarbyl; X represents (E)-ethylene, (Z)-ethylene, ethynylene, or a bond; Y and Z independently represent hydrogen or methyl; and prodrugs and stereo isomeric forms thereof are provided together with their use in therapy, and their use in the manufacture of medicaments.
US08455464B2	Dextrin containing compositions for prevention of adhesions A composition for the treatment of adhesions that are formed as a result of an inflammatory response comprising an aqueous formulation containing the polysaccharide dextrin in an effective amount. The invention also discloses a method of treating adhesions that are formed as a result of an inflammatory response.
US08455461B2	Compositions containing a synergic mixture of polyols and xyloglucanes as phytosanitary and bio-fertilising products A eliciting composition including a synergistic mixture of at least one xyloglucan derivative and at least one polyol.
US08455460B2	Cosmetic composition containing one or more compounds of the β-(1,3)-glucuronan or β-(1,3)-glucoglucuronan type The invention relates to a cosmetic composition that contains one or more compounds of the β-(1,3)-glucuronane or β-(1,3)-glucoglucuronane type as well as the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and to the use of this composition and these compounds for various cosmetic applications.
US08455454B2	miR 204, miR 211, their anti-miRs, and therapeutic uses of same Embodiments of the invention provide methods of preventing or treating detrimental epithelial cell proliferation, loss of epithelial cell differentiation, age-related macular degeneration and/or proliferative vitreal retinopathy in an individual comprising administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of miR 204, an effective amount of miR 211, or an effective amount of a mixture of miR 204 and miR 211. A further embodiment of the invention provides a method of facilitating the transport of a substance across an epithelium in an individual comprising administrating to an individual an effective amount of anti-miR 204, an effective amount of anti-miR 211, or an effective amount of a mixture of anti-miR 204 and anti-miR 211. Additional embodiments of the invention include pharmaceutical compositions of miR 204 and/or miR 211 and pharmaceutical compositions of anti-miR 204 and/or anti-miR 211.
US08455450B2	Methods for obtaining a therapeutically effective amount of hematopoietic precursor cells and long term engraftment thereof The present invention is directed to novel therapeutic uses of T-140 analog peptides and compositions comprising same. Specifically, the invention provides compositions and methods useful for providing improved bone marrow transplantation and in the treatment of other conditions wherein bone marrow depletion or suppression is involved.
US08455448B2	Myostatin isoform The present invention provides splice variants of myostatin that promote muscle growth, and include polynucleotides and polypeptide sequences, constructs comprising the sequences and compositions for regulating muscle growth and treating diseases associated with muscle tissue. The splice variants include the consensus sequence X1 I F L E X2 X3 X4 Q X5 C S I L X6 X7 X8 X9 X10 wherein X1 is I or L, X2 is V or L, X3 is Y, C, G or S, X4 is I or F, X5 is F or L, X6 is G or E, X7 is E or V, X8 is A or T, X9 is A or V and X10 is absent, F or L. The present invention also provides for the use of the present sequences in identifying animals with altered muscle mass, and for use in selective breeding programs to produce animals with altered muscle mass.
US08455446B2	Single domain TDF-related compounds and analogs thereof for use in treating a tissue differentiation factor related disorder The present invention relates generally to tissue differentiation factor (TDF) analogs. More specifically, the invention relates to structure-based methods and compositions useful in designing, identifying, and producing molecules which act as functional modulators of TDF-like receptors. The invention further relates to methods of detecting, preventing, and treating TDF-associated disorders.
US08455444B2	CDH3 peptide and medicinal agent comprising the same The present invention provides a peptide of the following (A) or (B): (A) a peptide including an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2; (B) a peptide including an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 1 or 2, wherein one, two, or several amino acid(s) are substituted, deleted, inserted, and/or added, and wherein the peptide has an activity to induce killer T cells.
US08455442B2	Peptides having binding affinity to an antibody which recognizes an epitope on an α1 loop 2 or β2 loop 1 of an adrenoreceptor A peptide having an ED50 of less than 500 nm, in particular 10 nM to an antibody which recognizes an epitope on an extracellular α1 loop 2 or β2 loop 1 of a human adrenoceptor wherein the antibody's binding to the epitope results in an increase of γ-secretase activity, an increased release of β-amyolid molecules and/or cellular dysfunction of cerebral blood vessel cells, glia cells or neurons, wherein the ED50 value is measured by bioassay.
US08455441B2	Antidotes for factor Xa inhibitors and methods of using the same The present invention relates antidotes to anticoagulants targeting factor Xa. The antidotes are factor Xa protein derivatives that bind to the factor Xa inhibitors thereby substantially neutralizing them but do not assemble into the prothrombinase complex. The derivatives describe herein lack or have reduced intrinsic coagulant activity. Disclosed herein are methods of stopping or preventing bleeding in a patient that is currently undergoing anticoagulant therapy with a factor Xa inhibitor.
US08455440B2	Combination anticoagulant therapy with a compound that acts as a factor Xa inhibitor The present invention is directed to methods of using combination therapies containing [2-({4-[(dimethylamino)iminomethyl]phenyl}carbonylamino)-5-methoxyphenyl]-N-(5-chloro(2-pyridyl))carboxamide for the treatment of thrombotic disease(s) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US08455438B2	Natriuretic polypeptides for reducing or preventing restenosis Materials and methods related to using natriuretic polypeptides to reduce proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and to reduce or prevent restenosis.
US08455436B2	Compositions and methods for treating joints Methods and compositions are disclosed for an intra-articular injection for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The methods and compositions comprising combinations of hyaluronic acid and a bone morphogenetic protein, like rhGDF-5, can be useful for any synovial joint, including the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, hands, spinal facet, or temporomandibular joint, both for the relief of pain and for slowing disease progression.
US08455433B2	Process for solubilizing glucagon-like peptide 1 compounds Disclosed is a method of preparing a GLP-1 compound that is soluble in aqueous solution at pH 7.4 from a GLP-1 compound that is substantially insoluble in aqueous solution at pH 7.4. The insoluble GLP-1 compound is dissolved in aqueous base or in aqueous acid to form a GLP-1 solution. The GLP-1 solution is then neutralized to a pH at which substantially no amino acid racemization of the GLP-1 compounds occurs, after which the soluble GLP-1 compound is isolated from the neutralized solution.
US08455425B2	Particles containing alkali The present invention relates to [1] alkali agent-containing particles which are free from deterioration of dissolvability in water and excellent in anti-caking property and which include (a) particles containing an alkali agent and having an average particle size of from 150 to 1000 μm, and a layer of (b) clay mineral particles exhibiting a water impregnation capacity of 200% by mass or more and having an average particle size of from 1 to 200 μm, the layer being formed on a surface of the respective particles (a); and [2] a method for suppressing caking of the alkali agent-containing particles including the step of forming a layer of the clay mineral particles (b) on a surface of the respective particles (a).
US08455424B2	Detergents and cleaning agents containing proteases from Bacillus pumilus Detergents and cleaning agents containing a protease having an amino acid sequence being at least 97.5% identical to the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO. 3. The detergents and cleaning agents exhibit an excellent cleaning action on protease-sensitive soiling.
US08455423B2	Process of bleaching An aqueous solution of a water soluble salt of a preformed transition metal catalyst together with hydrogen peroxide is disclosed. The composition is useful in bleaching a variety of substrates.
US08455422B2	Process for making a methyl glycine diacetic acid particle A particle comprising an aminocarboxylic builder obtainable by a process comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution comprising the aminocarboxylic builder; b) optionally adding an acidifying agent; c) adding sulphate or citrate to the solution resulting from of step b) to form a mixture; and d) converting the mixture resulting from step c) into particles.
US08455420B2	Spin-on formulation and method for stripping an ion implanted photoresist A spin-on formulation that is useful in stripping an ion implanted photoresist is provided that includes an aqueous solution of a water soluble polymer containing at least one acidic functional group, and at least one lanthanide metal-containing oxidant. The spin-on formulation is applied to an ion implanted photoresist and baked to form a modified photoresist. The modified photoresist is soluble in aqueous, acid or organic solvents. As such one of the aforementioned solvents can be used to completely strip the ion implanted photoresist as well as any photoresist residue that may be present. A rinse step can follow the stripping of the modified photoresist.
US08455414B2	Macromolecular amine-phenolic antioxidant compositions, process technology thereof, and uses thereof This invention relates to novel macromolecular amine-phenolic compositions having oxidation inhibition characteristics that are exhibited when added to organic material normally susceptible to oxidative degradation in the presence of air or oxygen, such as petroleum products, synthetic polymers, and elastomeric substances.
US08455412B2	Acetic acid-capped estolide base oils and methods of making the same Provided herein are compounds, including those of the Formula II in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R2, is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3, and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are compositions containing such compounds and methods of making both compounds and compositions thereof.
US08455411B2	Lubricant composition based on natural and renewable raw materials The invention relates to a lubricant composition based on modified, natural and renewable raw materials, the viscosity of which can be adjusted according to the application. The invention relates more particularly to biodegradable lubricant compositions.
US08455410B2	Lubricating oil composition A crankcase lubricating oil composition for an internal combustion engine comprising (A) an oil of lubricating viscosity in a major amount; and, (B) as an additive component in a minor amount one or more, oil-soluble imides derived from a hydrogenated Diels-Alder adduct of a maleic anhydride and a furan, where the imide group has the formula >NR, where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
US08455401B2	Methods and devices for making arrays The present invention relates to methods and devices for amplifying nucleic acid, and, in particular, amplifying so as to generate products on a surface without the use of emulsions. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of groups of amplified product are generated on the surface, each group positioned in different (typically predetermined) locations on said surface so as to create an array.
US08455398B2	Amide compounds, preparation methods and uses thereof Amide compounds, preparation methods and uses thereof. The structure of the compounds is represented as the general formula (I), in which the definitions of substituents are illuminated as description. The present amide compounds have broad spectrum activity of killing pests and are effective on lepidopteran pests including ostrinia nubilalis, sugarcane borer, adoxophyes orana fischer von reslerstamm, apple fruit borer, grapholitha inopinata, lymantri dispar l., cnaphalocrocis medinalis, ostrinia furnacalis, helicoverpa assulta, grapholitha inopinata, plutella xylostella, spodoptera exigua, prodenia litura etc., especially for plutella xylostella, spodoptera exigua. The present amide compounds can obtain good effect at very low dosage. At the same time, some compounds have good fungicidal activity which can be used to prevent rice blast, phytophthora infestans, cucumber downy mildew or grey mold of vegetables.
US08455391B2	Exhaust gas purifying catalyst and manufacturing method of the same An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) includes: a three-dimensional structural substrate (10) having a plurality of cells (11) partitioned by cell walls (12) having pores (13); and catalyst layers (20) formed in the three-dimensional structural substrate (10). The catalyst layers (20) have pore-cover portions (22) formed on surfaces (13a) of the pores (13) of the cell walls (12). In addition, the catalyst layers (20) of the pore-cover portions (22) have activated pores (22a) with a pore diameter of 0.1 micrometers to 10 micrometers. In the exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1), the obstruction of the vent holes (pores (13)) in the catalyst layers (20) can be controlled, and the pressure loss can be reduced.
US08455388B2	Attrition resistant mixed metal oxide ammoxidation catalysts A catalytic composition useful for the conversion of an olefin selected from the group consisting of propylene, isobutylene or mixtures thereof, to acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof. The catalytic composition comprising a complex of metal oxides comprising bismuth, molybdenum, iron, cerium and other promoters, wherein the ratio of cerium to iron in the composition is greater than or equal to 0.8 and less than or equal to 5.
US08455384B2	Method for preparing fuel cell electrode catalyst and solid polymer fuel cell According to the present invention, the catalyst performance of a chelate catalyst comprising a complex of a macrocyclic compound such as a porphyrin derivative is improved. Also, the following method is provided: a method for preparing a fuel cell electrode catalyst comprising a nitrogen-containing metal complex in which a metallic element is coordinated with a macrocyclic organic compound, such method comprising the steps of: adding tin oxalate to the nitrogen-containing metal complex; and baking a mixture of the nitrogen-containing metal complex and tin oxalate in an inert gas atmosphere, wherein elution of metal tin is carried out via acid treatment.
US08455383B2	Process for catalyst regeneration and extended use A method of producing an alkylaromatic by the alkylation of an aromatic with an alkylating agent, such as producing ethylbenzene by an alkylation reaction of benzene, is disclosed. The method includes using an H-beta catalyst to minimize process upsets due to alkylation catalyst deactivation and the resulting catalyst regeneration or replacement. The H-beta catalyst can be used in a preliminary alkylation reactor that is located upstream of the primary alkylation reactor. The H-beta catalyst used in a preliminary alkylation reactor can lead to the reactivation of the catalyst in the primary alkylation reactor.
US08455381B2	Ceramic material composition, ceramic substrate, and nonreciprocal circuit device A ceramic material composition advantageously used as a material for a ceramic substrate containing for example a resistor such as an isolator disposed therein.includes about 10 to 45 percent by weight of a BaO—TiO2—ReO3/2 ceramic composition, the ceramic composition being represented by xBaO-yTiO2-zReO3/2 (wherein x, y, and z each represent mole percent, 8≦x≦18, 52.5≦y≦65, and 20≦z≦40, and x+y+z=100; and Re represents a rare-earth element); about 5 to 40 percent by weight of alumina; and about 40 to 65 percent by weight of a borosilicate glass composition containing about 4 to 17.5 percent by weight of B2O3, about 28 to 50 percent by weight of SiO2, 0 to about 20 percent by weight of Al2O3, and about 36 to 50 percent by weight of MO (wherein MO represents at least one compound selected from CaO, MgO, SrO and BaO), wherein the total content of the BaO—TiO2—ReO3/2 ceramic composition and alumina is about 35 percent by weight or more.
US08455380B2	Self-levelling concrete A powder including, in percentages by weight: (a) 94% to 99% of particles of at least one refractory material, the main constituent(s) of which are alumina and/or zirconia and/or silica; (b) 1% to 6% of a hydraulic cement; (c) 0 to 0.03% of organic fibers; (d) optionally, 0.075% to 1% of a surfactant; and (e) optionally, a setting accelerator, where the fraction of particles having a size below 40 μm being distributed, in percentages by weight relative to the weight of the powder, in the following manner: (1) fraction<0.5 μm: ≧4%, (2) fraction<2 μm: ≧5%, fraction<10 μm: ≧16%, and fraction<40 μm: 29-45%, where the proportion of zirconia in the fraction of particles having a size smaller than 10 μm, called “fines”, is between 35% and 75% by weight relative to the total weight of said fraction.
US08455375B2	Glass plate for display panels, process for producing it, and process for producing TFT panel To provide a glass plate for display panels which has a low 82O3 content and a low compaction and which can be used as a glass substrate for large TFT panels.A glass plate for display panels, which comprises, as a glass matrix composition as represented by mass % based on oxide: SiO2 50.0 to 73.0, Al2O3 6.0 to 20.0, B2O3 0 to 2.0, MgO 4.2 to 9.0, CaO 0 to 6.0, SrO 0 to 2.0, BaO 0 to 2.0, MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO 6.5 to 11.3, Li2O 0 to 2.0, Na2O 2.0 to 18.0, K2O 0 to 13.0, and Li2O+Na2O+K2O 8.0 to 18.0, and has a heat shrinkage (C) of at most 20 ppm.
US08455372B2	Method for cleaning and passivating gallium arsenide surface autologous oxide and depositing AL203 dielectric The present invention belongs to the technical field of semiconductor materials and specifically relates to a method for cleaning and passivizing gallium arsenide (GaAs) surface autologous oxide and depositing an Al2O3 dielectric. This method includes: use a new-type of sulfur passivant to react with the autologous oxide on the GaAs surface to clean it and generate a passive sulfide film to separate the GaAs from the outside environment, thus preventing the GaAs from oxidizing again; further cleaning the residuals such as autologous oxides and sulfides on the GaAs surface through the pretreatment reaction of the reaction source trimethyl aluminum (TMA) of the Al2O3 ALD with the GaAs surface, and then deposit high-quality Al2O3 dielectric through ALD as the gate dielectric which fully separates the GaAs from the outside environment. The present invention features a simple process and good effects, and can provide preconditions for manufacturing the GaAs devices.
US08455368B2	Methods and apparatus for assembling and operating electronic device manufacturing systems A method for operating one or more electronic device manufacturing systems is provided, including the steps 1) performing a series of electronic device manufacturing process steps with a process tool, wherein the process tool produces effluent as a byproduct of performing the series of process steps; 2) abating the effluent with an abatement tool; 3) supplying an abatement resource to the abatement tool from a first abatement resource supply; 4) changing an abatement resource supply from the first abatement resource supply to a second abatement resource supply, wherein changing the abatement resource supply comprises: i) interrupting a flow of the abatement resource from the first abatement resource supply; and ii) beginning a flow of the abatement resource from the second abatement resource supply; and 5) continuing to perform the series of process steps with the process tool, while changing, and after changing, the abatement resource supply.
US08455366B1	Use of an organic planarizing mask for cutting a plurality of gate lines An organic planarizing layer (OPL) is formed atop a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of gate lines thereon. Each gate line includes at least a high k gate dielectric and a metal gate. A patterned photoresist having at least one pattern formed therein is then positioned atop the OPL. The at least one pattern in the photoresist is perpendicular to each of the gate lines. The pattern is then transferred by etching into the OPL and portions of each of the underlying gate lines to provide a plurality of gate stacks each including at least a high k gate dielectric portion and a metal gate portion. The patterned photoresist and the remaining OPL layer are then removed utilizing a sequence of steps including first contacting with a first acid, second contacting with an aqueous cerium-containing solution, and third contacting with a second acid.
US08455345B2	Methods of forming gate structure and methods of manufacturing semiconductor device including the same A method of forming agate structure having an improved electric characteristic is disclosed. A gate insulating layer is formed on a substrate and a metal layer is formed on the gate insulating layer. Then, an amorphous silicon layer is formed on the metal layer by a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. An impurity doped polysilicon layer is formed on the amorphous silicon layer. Formation of an oxide layer at an interface between the amorphous silicon layer and the metal layer may be prevented.
US08455344B2	Method of manufacturing non-volatile memory device A non-volatile memory device includes field insulating layer patterns on a substrate to define an active region of the substrate, upper portions of the field insulating layer patterns protruding above an upper surface of the substrate, a tunnel insulating layer on the active region, a charge trapping layer on the tunnel insulating layer, a blocking layer on the charge trapping layer, first insulating layers on upper surfaces of the field insulating layer patterns, and a word line structure on the blocking layer and first insulating layers.
US08455337B2	Crystallization apparatus, crystallization method, method of manufacturing thin film transistor and method of manufacturing organic light emitting display apparatus Provided are a crystallization apparatus and method, which prevent cracks from being generated, a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor (TFT), and a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting display apparatus. The crystallization apparatus includes a chamber for receiving a substrate, a first flash lamp and a second flash lamp, which are disposed facing each other within the chamber, wherein amorphous silicon layers are disposed on a first surface of the substrate facing the first flash lamp and a second surface of the substrate facing the second flash lamp, respectively.
US08455336B2	Method for making epitaxial structure A method for making an epitaxial structure is provided. The method includes the following steps. A substrate is provided. The substrate has an epitaxial growth surface for growing epitaxial layer. A carbon nanotube layer is placed on the epitaxial growth surface. A plurality of epitaxial crystal grains spaced from each other is epitaxially grown on the epitaxial growth surface. Also, the carbon nanotube layer can be further removed.
US08455333B2	Method for reuse of wafers for growth of vertically-aligned wire arrays Reusing a Si wafer for the formation of wire arrays by transferring the wire arrays to a polymer matrix, reusing a patterned oxide for several array growths, and finally polishing and reoxidizing the wafer surface and reapplying the patterned oxide.
US08455327B2	Trench capacitor with spacer-less fabrication process A trench capacitor and method of fabrication are disclosed. The SOI region is doped such that a selective isotropic etch used for trench widening does not cause appreciable pullback of the SOI region, and no spacers are needed in the upper portion of the trench.
US08455326B2	Method for fabricating a connection region in a semiconductor device Disclosed herein is a fabrication method of a semiconductor device to order to increase an operation liability of the semiconductor device. A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming a buried-type wordline in an active region defined on a SOI substrate, forming a silicon connection region for connecting an upper silicon layer to a lower silicon layer between neighboring buried type wordlines, and recovering the upper silicon layer on the silicon connection region.
US08455324B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device which includes forming a gate insulating film and a gate electrode over a semiconductor substrate, forming a first recess in the first semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate electrode by dry etching, forming a second recess by removing a bottom and sidewalls of the first recess by wet etching, and forming a semiconductor layer in the second recess.
US08455322B2	Silicon germanium heterojunction bipolar transistor structure and method Disclosed is an improved semiconductor structure (e.g., a silicon germanium (SiGe) hetero-junction bipolar transistor) having a narrow essentially interstitial-free SIC pedestal with minimal overlap of the extrinsic base. Also, disclosed is a method of forming the transistor which uses laser annealing, as opposed to rapid thermal annealing, of the SIC pedestal to produce both a narrow SIC pedestal and an essentially interstitial-free collector. Thus, the resulting SiGe HBT transistor can be produced with narrower base and collector space-charge regions than can be achieved with conventional technology.
US08455320B2	Inverted-trench grounded-source FET structure using conductive substrates, with highly doped substrates This invention discloses an inverted field-effect-transistor (iT-FET) semiconductor device that includes a source disposed on a bottom and a drain disposed on a top of a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor power device further comprises a trench-sidewall gate placed on sidewalls at a lower portion of a vertical trench surrounded by a body region encompassing a source region with a low resistivity body-source structure connected to a bottom source electrode and a drain link region disposed on top of said body regions thus constituting a drift region. The drift region is operated with a floating potential said iT-FET device achieving a self-termination.
US08455319B2	Vertical transistor for random-access memory and manufacturing method thereof A manufacturing method for a vertical transistor of random-access memory, having the steps of: defining an active region on a semiconductor substrate; forming a shallow trench isolation structure outside of the active region; etching the active region and forming a gate dielectric layer and a positioning gate thereon, forming a word line perpendicular to the positioning gate; forming spacing layers on the outer surfaces of the word line; implanting ions to the formed structure in forming an n-type and a p-type region on opposite sides of the word line with the active region; forming an n-type and a p-type floating body respectively on the n-type and p-type region; forming a source line perpendicular to the word line and connecting to the n-type floating body; forming a bit line perpendicular to the source line and connecting to the p-type floating body. Hence, a vertical transistor with steady threshold voltage is achieved.
US08455313B1	Method for fabricating finFET with merged fins and vertical silicide A method is provided for fabricating a finFET device. Fin structures are formed over a BOX layer. The fin structures include a semiconductor layer and extend in a first direction. A gate stack is formed on the BOX layer over the fin structures and extending in a second direction. The gate stack includes a high-K dielectric layer and a metal gate. Gate spacers are formed on sidewalls of the gate stack, and an epi layer is deposited to merge the fin structures. Ions are implanted to form source and drain regions, and dummy spacers are formed on sidewalls of the gate spacers. The dummy spacers are used as a mask to recess or completely remove an exposed portion of the epi layer. Silicidation forms silicide regions that abut the source and drain regions and each include a vertical portion located on the vertical sidewall of the source or drain region.
US08455311B2	Solid state klystron A solid state Klystron structure is fabricated by forming a source contact and a drain contact to both ends of a conducting wire and by forming a bias gate and a signal gate on the conducting wire. The conducting wire may be at least one carbon nanotube or at least one semiconductor wire with long ballistic mean free paths. By applying a signal at a frequency that corresponds to an integer multiple of the transit time of the ballistic carriers between adjacent fingers of the signal gate, the carriers are bunched within the conducting wire, thus amplifying the current through the solid state Klystron at a frequency of the signal to the signal gate, thus achieving a power gain.
US08455309B2	Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device A technology is capable of simplifying a process of manufacturing an asymmetric device in forming a Tunneling Field Effect Transistor (TFET) structure. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a conductive pattern over a semiconductor substrate, implanting impurity ions with the conductive pattern as a mask to form a first junction region in the semiconductor substrate, forming a first insulating film planarized with the conductive pattern over the first junction region, etching the top of the conductive pattern to expose a sidewall of the first insulating film, forming a spacer at the sidewall of the first insulating film disposed over the conductive pattern, etching the conductive pattern with the spacer as an etching mask to form a gate pattern, and forming a second junction region in the semiconductor substrate with the gate pattern as a mask.
US08455307B2	FINFET integrated circuits and methods for their fabrication FINFET ICs and methods for their fabrication are provided. In accordance with one embodiment a FINFET IC is fabricated by forming in a substrate a region doped with an impurity of a first doping type. The substrate region is etched to form a recess defining a fin having a height and sidewalls and the recess adjacent the fin is filled with an insulator having a thickness less than the height. Spacers are formed on the sidewalls and a portion of the insulator is etched to expose a portion of the sidewalls. The exposed portion of the sidewalls is doped with an impurity of the first doping type, the exposed sidewalls are oxidized, and the sidewall spacers are removed. A gate insulator and gate electrode are formed overlying the fin, and end portions of the fin are doped with an impurity of a second doping type to form source and drain regions.
US08455306B2	Methods of forming voltage limiting devices Embodiments include methods for forming an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection device coupled across input-output (I/O) and common terminals of a core circuit, where the ESD protection device includes first and second merged bipolar transistors. A base of the first transistor serves as collector of the second transistor and the base of the second transistor serves as collector of the first transistor, the bases having, respectively, first and second widths. A first resistance is coupled between an emitter and base of the first transistor and a second resistance is coupled between an emitter and base of the second transistor. ESD trigger voltage Vt1 and holding voltage Vh can be independently optimized by choosing appropriate base widths and resistances. By increasing Vh to approximately equal Vt1, the ESD protection is more robust, especially for applications with narrow design windows, for example, with operating voltage close to the degradation voltage.
US08455303B2	Semiconductor package with adhesive material pre-printed on the lead frame and chip, and its manufacturing method This invention discloses a semiconductor package with adhesive material pre-printed on the lead frame and chip, and the manufacturing method. The adhesive material is applied onto the chip carrier and the pin of the lead frame and also on the front electrode of the semiconductor chip via pre-printing. The back of the semiconductor chip is adhered on the chip carrier, and the front electrode of the semiconductor chip and the pin are connected respectively with a metal connector. The size, shape and thickness of the adhesive material are applied according to different application requirements according to size and shapes of the contact zone of the semiconductor chip and the metal connector. Particularly, the adhesive zones are formed by pre-printing the adhesive material thus significantly enhance the quality and performance of semiconductor products, and improves the productivity.
US08455301B2	Method of fabricating stacked chips in a semiconductor package A method of forming a semiconductor package includes attaching a semiconductor substrate on a support substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate includes a plurality of first semiconductor chips and a chip cutting region that separates respective ones of the semiconductor chips. A first cutting groove is formed that has a first kerf width between first and second ones of the plurality of first semiconductor chips. A plurality of second semiconductor chips is attached to the plurality of first semiconductor chips. A molding layer is formed so as to fill the first cutting groove and a second cutting groove having a second kerf width that is less than the first kerf width is formed in the molding layer so as to form individual molding layers covering one of the plurality of first semiconductor chips and one of the plurality of second semiconductor chips.
US08455298B2	Method for forming self-aligned phase-change semiconductor diode memory A method for fabricating a memory device includes depositing a phase-change and/or a resistive change material. The memory device is formed photolithographically using sixteen or fewer masks.
US08455293B2	Method for processing solar cell substrates A method for processing solar cells comprising: providing a vertical furnace to receive an array of mutually spaced circular semiconductor wafers for integrated circuit processing; composing a process chamber loading configuration for solar cell substrates, wherein a size of the solar cell substrates that extends along a first surface to be processed is smaller than a corresponding size of the circular semiconductor wafers, such that multiple arrays of mutually spaced solar cell substrates can be accommodated in the process chamber, loading the solar cell substrates into the process chamber; subjecting the solar cell substrates to a process in the process chamber.
US08455291B2	Method of manufacturing solid state imaging device, solid state imaging device, and camera using solid state imaging device A method of manufacturing a solid state imaging device having a photo-electric conversion portion array and a transfer electrode array, these arrays being provided in parallel to each other, upper surfaces and side wall surfaces of the transfer electrode array being covered with a light-shielding layer, and a transparent layer showing an oxidizing property at the time of film formation, the transparent layer being formed on the photo-electric conversion parts and the light-shielding layer.
US08455280B1	Method for manufacturing light emitting diodes An exemplary method for manufacturing LEDs includes steps: providing a substrate and an epitaxial layer formed on the substrate; etching the epitaxial layer along a transverse direction thereof to divide the epitaxial layer into separated LED chips, and a groove defined between each two adjacent LED chips; providing insulating poles and inserting the insulating poles in the grooves; printing a solder paste layer on a top surface of each LED chip away from the substrate; reflow soldering the LED chips to make the solder paste layers mounted on the LED chips become solder balls; releasing the substrate from the LED chips; etching the insulating poles until the insulating poles are totally removed and the LED chips are separated from each other; and providing metallic plates and respectively soldering the metallic plates on the solder balls of the LED chips.
US08455277B2	Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of common electrodes, a gate insulating layer covering the gate lines and the common electrodes, a plurality of semiconductor layers formed on the gate insulating layer, a plurality of data lines including a plurality of source electrodes and formed on the semiconductor layer, a plurality of drain electrodes formed on the semiconductor layer, and a plurality of pixel electrodes overlapping the common electrodes and connected to the drain electrodes. Because the common electrodes are made of ITON, IZON, or a-ITON, or a double layer of ITO/ITON, IZO/IZON, or a-a-ITO/a-ITON, when H2 or SiH4 are injected to form a silicon nitride (SiNX) layer on the common electrodes, the opaque metal Sn or Zn is not produced on the surfaces of the common electrode.
US08455273B2	Method for producing crystalline nitride phosphors This invention relates to a new method for the production of nitride-based phosphors, in particular, of phosphors containing rare earth elements. The phosphors can be used, for example, in light sources, especially in Light Emitting Devices (LEDs).
US08455272B2	Method for producing organic electroluminescence element and organic electroluminescence element A method for producing an organic electroluminescence element, the method including subjecting an anode to a surface treatment using at least one non-oxidizing gas, and forming a p-doped hole-injection layer on a surface of the anode subjected to the surface treatment.
US08455271B2	Highly integrated wafer bonded MEMS devices with release-free membrane manufacture for high density print heads A method of fabricating a MEMS inkjet type print head and the resulting device is disclosed. The method includes providing a driver component and separately providing an actuatable membrane component, the actuatable membrane component being formed in the absence of an acid etch removing a sacrificial layer. The separately provided actuatable membrane component is bonded to the driver component and a nozzle plate is attached to the actuatable membrane component subsequent to the bonding. Separately fabricating the components removes the need for hydrofluoric acid etch removal of a sacrificial layer previously required for forming the actuatable membrane with respect to the driver component.
US08455270B2	3D multiple die stacking A process of forming three-dimensional (3D) die. A plurality of wafers are tested for die that pass (good die) or fail (bad die) predetermined test criteria. Two tested wafers are placed in proximity to each other. The wafers are aligned in such a manner so as to maximize the number of good die aligned between the two wafers. The two wafers are then bonded together and diced into individual stacks of bonded good die.
US08455269B2	Method for recovering an on-state forward voltage and, shrinking stacking faults in bipolar semiconductor devices, and the bipolar semiconductor devices In a bipolar semiconductor device such that electrons and holes are recombined in a silicon carbide epitaxial film grown from the surface of a silicon carbide single crystal substrate at the time of on-state forward bias operation; an on-state forward voltage increased in a silicon carbide bipolar semiconductor device is recovered by shrinking the stacking fault area enlarged by on-state forward bias operation. In a method of this invention, the bipolar semiconductor device in which the stacking fault area enlarged and the on-state forward voltage has been increased by on-state forward bias operation, is heated at a temperature of higher than 350° C.
US08455268B2	Gate replacement with top oxide regrowth for the top oxide improvement Methods of replacing/reforming a top oxide around a charge storage element of a memory cell and methods of improving quality of a top oxide around a charge storage element of a memory cell are provided. The method can involve removing a first poly over a first top oxide from the memory cell; removing the first top oxide from the memory cell; and forming a second top oxide around the charge storage element. The second top oxide can be formed by oxidizing a portion of the charge storage element or by forming a sacrificial layer over the charge storage element and oxidizing the sacrificial layer to a second top oxide.
US08455267B2	Magnetic tunnel junction device and fabrication A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and fabrication method is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device on a structure that includes a bottom cap layer and a bottom metal-filled trench having a normal axis, the magnetic tunnel junction device including a bottom electrode, magnetic tunnel junction layers, a magnetic tunnel junction seal layer, a top electrode, and a logic cap layer, the magnetic tunnel junction device having an MTJ axis that is offset from the normal axis.
US08455265B2	Surface grafted conjugated polymers A surface grafted conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) is formed by coupling a CPE by a coupling moiety to the surface of a substrate. The substrate can be of any shape and size, and for many uses of the surface grafted CPE, it is advantageous that the substrate is a nanoparticle or microparticle. Surface grafted CPEs are presented that use silica particles as the substrate, where a modified silane coupling agent connects the surface to the CPE by a series of covalent bonds. Two methods of preparing the surface grafted CPEs are presented. One method involves the inclusion of the surface being modified by the coupling agent and condensed with monomers that form the CPE in a grafted state to the substrate. A second method involves the formation of a CPE with terminal groups that are complimentary to functionality that has been placed on the surface of the substrate by reaction with a coupling agent. The surface grafted CPEs are also described for use as biosensors and biocides.
US08455263B2	Quantitative analyte assay device and method The present invention relates to an assay device and a method for using such for the quantitative determination of an analyte, based on a test strip, which contains a porous test membrane allowing for capillary flow of the analyte and complexes of the analyte, a porous upstream membrane in fluid connection with the test membrane and a porous downstream membrane in fluid connection with the test membrane, wherein the test membrane contains a test site having immobilized thereon a ligand capable of reacting with the analyte and binding such to the test site, and two standard band sites having immobilized thereon known high and low concentrations of a calibrator agent capable of reacting with a label conjugate and binding such to the standard sites, wherein the upstream membrane has a site for the application of a sample to be analyzed, and has a site downstream from the sample application site for depositing label conjugates capable of reacting with the analyte and label conjugates capable of reacting with the immobilized calibrator agents in the standard bands to provide a known label response in the standards bands, and the downstream membrane is capable of absorbing said sample and providing the capillary flow for the sample through the upstream and test membrane.
US08455262B2	Method to avert an unlawfully intoxicated driver from operating a vehicle by passive measurement of an ethanol vapor concentration in air A method to avert an unlawfully intoxicated driver from operating a vehicle is provided. The method utilizes a passive ethanol vapor sensor to measure ethanol vapor concentration in air from a vehicle cabin and imposes a safety response when the passive ethanol vapor sensor detects that a sample of vehicle cabin air indicates that a vehicle occupant exceeds the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a motor vehicle driver. The ethanol vapor sensor may have a passive measurement mode and an active breathalyzer mode. Ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin may be passively measured and if a predetermined ethanol level is measured, a countermeasure is invoked to improve safety. An active breathalyzer may be used as a countermeasure. The active breathalyzer can be imposed for a number of vehicle trips or for a predetermined time period.
US08455259B2	Thyroglobulin quantitation by mass spectrometry Provided are methods for determining the amount of thyroglobulin in a sample using various purification steps followed by mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve purifying thyroglobulin in a test sample, digesting thyroglobulin to form peptide T129, purifying peptide T129, ionizing peptide T129, detecting the amount of peptide T129 ion generated, and relating the amount of peptide T129 ion to the amount of thyroglobulin originally present in the sample.
US08455258B2	Apparatus and methods for conducting assays and high throughput screening The present invention provides microfluidic devices and methods for using the same. In particular, microfluidic devices of the present invention are useful in conducting a variety of assays and high throughput screening. Microfluidic devices of the present invention include elastomeric components and comprise a main flow channel; a plurality of branch flow channels; a plurality of control channels; and a plurality of valves. Preferably, each of the valves comprises one of the control channels and an elastomeric segment that is deflectable into or retractable from the main or branch flow channel upon which the valve operates in response to an actuation force applied to the control channel.
US08455253B2	Differentiation of MUTZ-3 cells to produce effective dendritic cells Disclosed is a method for the production and use of CD124+ and CD116+ cell lines in the production of effective dendritic cells (DC) with the aid of stimulatory molecules.
US08455252B2	Materials and methods for sensitizing multidrug resistant cells Disclosed herein are materials and methods for sensitizing multidrug resistant cancer cells that express ABCG2 and related proteins members of a family of ATP-binding transporter superfamily that mediate drug efflux found in some types of multidrug resistant cancer cells. A series of compounds, including (N-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[(6-{[4,6-di(4-morpholinyl)-1,3,5-tri-azin-2-yl]amino}-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)sulfanyl]acetamide), specifically inhibits ABCG2 and can be used to boost the bio-avail-ability of one or more effective cancer killing drugs, making it possible to use certain widely used chemotherapeutic reagent to treat multidrug resistance cancers. Using these compounds in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs that are substrates for ABCG2 and related proteins may also find utility in treating cancer cells that are not currently identified as multi-drug resistant. Additionally, these compounds appear to accelerate the intercellular degradation of ABCG2 and related proteins. They are not toxic to animals at levels at which they effect the activity of ABCG2 expressed in multi-drug resistant cancer lines.
US08455251B2	Method for isolating and culturing adult stem cells derived from human amniotic epithelium The present invention relates to a method for isolating and culturing adult stem cells derived from human amniotic membrane in high yield, and more particularly to a method for obtaining a large amount of adult stem cells, the method comprising obtaining amniotic epithelial cells from human amniotic tissue in high yield by treatment with dithiothreitol (DTT) and a low concentration of trypsin and culturing the amniotic epithelial cells in a medium containing a Rho-associated kinase inhibitor. The human amniotic epithelial cell-derived stem cells are easily extracted compared to existing therapeutic stem cells such as umbilical cord blood stem cells and bone marrow stem cells, the yield and proliferation thereof are significantly increased by DTT treatment, the addition of the ROCK inhibitor or the replacement of medium. Thus, the method can be used to efficiently prepare adult stem cells.
US08455247B2	Cells useful for immuno-based botulinum toxin serotype A activity assays The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.
US08455246B2	Serum-free mammalian cell culture medium, and uses thereof The present invention provides a cell culture medium formulation that supports the in vitro cultivation, particularly in suspension, of mammalian cells, particularly epithelial cells and fibroblast cells, and methods for cultivating mammalian cells in suspension in vitro using these media. The media comprise a basal medium and a polyanionic or polyanionic compound, preferably a polysulfonated or polysulfated compound, and more preferably dextran sulfate. The present invention also provides chemically defined, protein-free eukaryotic cell culture media comprising an iron chelate and zinc, which is capable of supporting the growth (and particularly the high-density growth of mammalian cells) in suspension culture, increasing the level of expression of recombinant protein in cultured cells, and/or increasing virus production in cultured cells.
US08455240B2	Use of thermophilic sulphate-reducing archaea for the implementation of a process for the degradation of hydrocarbons The aim of the invention is to use sulphate-reducing thermophilic archaeobacteria for carrying out a method for degrading linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, when necessary sulphur, aromatic hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions.
US08455238B2	Microorganisms and methods for treating poultry An isolated Bacillus strain LSSAO1 is provided. When fed to a bird, this and other Bacillus strains described herein provide benefits to the birds. For example, administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can increase low G+C, gram positive bacteria in the gastrointestinal flora of the bird. These type of bacteria are increased by antibiotics and include beneficial Clostridium. Administration of the one or more Bacillus strain can also inhibit pathogen in the bird, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium. These benefits can enhance feed conversion in poultry. Useful combinations of Bacillus strains and methods of using one or more Bacillus strain are also provided.
US08455237B2	Escherichia coli strain with phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase promoter replaced with cysteine synthase promoter and method of enhanced production of L-threonine using the same An L-threonine-producing Escherichia coli in which a promoter of a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (ppc) gene on the chromosome is substituted with a promoter of a cysteine synthase (cysK) gene and a method of producing L-threonine by using the same are disclosed. The recombinant Escherichia coli may produce L-threonine in a high yield, and thus may be widely used in medical, pharmaceutical, and feed industries, particularly for an animal feed.
US08455234B2	Multiple mutation variants of serine protease The present invention provides novel Micrococcineae spp serine proteases having multiple substitutions. In particular, the present invention provides serine proteases having multiple substitutions, DNA encoding these proteases, vectors comprising the DNA encoding the proteases, host cells transformed with the vector DNA, and enzymes produced by the host cells. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions (e.g., detergent compositions), animal feed compositions, and textile and leather processing compositions comprising these serine protease variants. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides mutant (i.e., variant) proteases derived from the wild-type proteases described herein. These variant proteases also find use in numerous applications.
US08455232B2	Overexpression of phytase genes in yeast systems The present invention relates to a method of producing a heterologous protein or polypeptide having phytase activity in a yeast system. The invention also provides proteins having phytase activity which have increased thermostability. Yeast strains which produce a heterologous phytase and the vectors used to produce the phytase are also provided.
US08455227B2	Detection of HIV-1 infection This invention provides methods for to the use of the difference in phosphodiester (PDE)/phosphomonoester (PME) ratio in biological fluids, as an analytical criterion to image both the presence and degree of viral infection in-vivo.
US08455224B2	Enhanced pyruvate to 2,3-butanediol conversion in lactic acid bacteria A high flux of metabolites from pyruvate to 2,3-butanediol in Lactobacillus plantarum was achieved through genetic engineering. Substantial elimination of lactate dehydrogenase activity in the presence of heterologously expressed butanediol dehydrogenase activity led to 2,3 butanediol production that was at least 49% of the total of major pyruvate-derived products.
US08455223B2	Dehydrogenases, the derivatives thereof, and method for the production of optically active alkanols The present invention relates to proteins having an enzymatic activity of reducing substituted alkanones such as 3-methylamino-1-(2-thienyl)-propan-1-one. The invention furthermore relates to nucleic acids coding for said proteins, nucleic acid constructs, vectors, genetically modified microorganisms and to methods for preparing optically active substituted alkanols, such as, for example, (S)-3-methylamino-1-(2-thienyl)-(S)-propanol.
US08455219B2	Mammalian expression vectors and uses thereof The present invention features nucleic acids for recombinant protein expression in mammalian cell culture. The episomal vectors of the invention promote high protein production in mammalian cells expressing the SV40 T Ag or Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (e.g., COS7 or HEK293-6E cells). The methods and systems are useful, for example, in pharmaceutical drug development and cloning, especially for the production of antibodies.
US08455218B2	Methods for G-CSF production in a Pseudomonas host cell The present invention relates to the field of recombinant protein production in bacterial hosts. It further relates to expression of soluble, active recombinant protein by using secretion signals to direct the protein to the periplasmic space of a bacterial cell. In particular, the present invention relates to a production process for obtaining soluble hG-CSF protein from a bacterial host.
US08455217B2	Nucleic acids encoding IL-17 homologous receptor-like polypeptides and therapeutic uses thereof The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.
US08455214B2	Methods for determining chemotherapeutic agents targeting alpha-glucan pathways and uses thereof The present invention provides methods for determining a putative antibacterial, the methods comprising determining whether the putative antibacterial inhibits GlgE or Rv3032. The present invention also provides the antibacterial, the pharmaceutical composition and the method of making the antibacterial as well as a method of treating a subject infected with a bacterial comprising administration of the antibacterial.
US08455213B2	Cells useful for immuno-based botulinum toxin serotype A activity assays The present specification discloses clonal cell lines susceptible to BoNT/A intoxication, methods of producing such clonal cell lines, and methods of detecting Botulinum toxin serotype A activity using such clonal cell lines.
US08455212B2	Assays for human NT-pro B-type natriuretic peptide, human pro B-type natriuretic peptide and human B-type natriuretic peptide The present disclosure relates to assays for detecting and/or quantifying the amount of human NT-pro B-type natriuretic peptide, human pro B-type natriuretic peptide and human B-type natriuretic peptide in a test sample.
US08455208B2	Biomarkers for follicular thyroid carcinoma and methods of use The present invention provides protein biomarkers for determining whether a thyroid nodule is malignant or benign and methods for using the same.
US08455204B2	Brown adipocyte progenitors in human skeletal muscle and methods for identifying differentiation agents therefor Brown adipose tissue (“BAT”) progenitor cells and methods for identifying BAT progenitor cells in a population of cells are provided. Methods are also provided for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells into differentiated brown adipocytes, inducing expression or increased activity levels of BAT uncoupling protein-1 (“UCP1”), and for identifying agents capable of inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells into brown adipocytes and/or inducing expression or increased activity levels of UCP1. Differentiated brown adipocytes and agents and methods for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells can be used for treatment of, or the making of medicaments for the treatment of, metabolic diseases or conditions in a patient such as obesity, overweight, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin-resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and the like. Differentiated brown adipocytes and agents and methods for inducing differentiation of BAT progenitor cells can be used for prevention of hypothermia.
US08455203B2	Immuno-based retargeted endopeptidase activity assays The present specification discloses SNAP-25 immune response inducing compositions, methods of making α-SNAP-25 antibodies that selectively binds to an epitope comprising a SNAP-25 having a carboxyl-terminus at the P1 residue of the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond, α-SNAP-25 antibodies that selectively bind to an epitope comprising a SNAP-25 having a carboxyl-terminus at the P1 residue of the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond, methods of detecting retargeted endopeptidase activity, and methods of detecting neutralizing α-re-targeted endopeptidase antibodies.
US08455202B2	Affinity selector based recognition and quantification system and method for multiple analytes in a single analysis A multi-dimensional method for simultaneously analyzing multiple analytes within a sample solution, comprising adding affinity selectors to a sample solution containing analytes to be measured, the affinity selectors having an affinity for one or more of the analytes within the sample solution; allowing immune complexes to form between the affinity selectors and the analytes; partially or totally resolving the formed immune complexes from non-analyte substances within the sample solution; dissociating the resolved immune complexes; separating the analytes and the affinity selectors of the dissociated immune complexes from one another by capturing the analytes through a surface adsorption process; transferring the captured analytes to a detection means; and resolving the analytes with the detection means in accordance with their mass-to-charge ratios.
US08455200B2	Measurement of PKA for cancer detection The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of cancer by measuring the level of enzyme activity and autoantibodies in the blood of an individual. In particular the present invention relates to methods for measurement of activated cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activity and antibodies to PKA, a kit for activated PKA activity measurement, and the use of the measured levels of these analytes for determining the presence of cancer.
US08455199B2	MicroRNA expression in human peripheral blood microvesicles and uses thereof The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disorders by examining samples containing microvesicles and miRs therein.
US08455198B2	Soybean plant and seed corresponding to transgenic event MON87701 and methods for detection thereof The present invention provides a transgenic soybean event MON87701, and cells, seeds, and plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the soybean event. The invention also provides compositions comprising nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for said soybean event in a biological sample, probes and primers for use in detecting nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for the presence of said soybean event in a biological sample, and methods for detecting the presence of said soybean event nucleotide sequences in a biological sample. The invention further provides methods of growing the seeds of such soybean event into soybean plants, and methods of breeding to produce soybean plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the soybean event.
US08455193B2	Compositions and methods for nucleic acid sequencing Compositions and methods for nucleic acid sequencing include template constructs that comprise double stranded portions in a partially or completely contiguous constructs, to provide for redundant sequence determination through one or both of sequencing sense and antisense strands, and iteratively sequencing the entire construct multiple times. Additional sequence components are also optionally included within such template constructs. Methods are also provided for the use and preparation of these constructs as well as sequencing compositions for their application.
US08455184B2	Differential multiplexing with pattern recognition This novel form of multiplexing allows the user to probe for multiple targets and simultaneously identify a specific target. An example of solutions provided here comprises: providing one or more assay mixes for a number of targets (the number of assay mixes is less than the number of targets); providing a number of reference patterns (each of the reference patterns is associated with one of the targets); contacting each of a number of aliquots with one of the assay mixes; generating a result pattern, based on positive or negative results; and selecting the reference pattern most similar to the result pattern, to thereby detect the target. Differential multiplexing with pattern recognition may involve molecular or immunological techniques to identify one of many indicators of drug use, illness, disease, or medical condition.
US08455180B2	Gate CD control using local design on both sides of neighboring dummy gate level features A method of forming an IC including MOS transistors includes using a gate mask to form a first active gate feature having a line width W1 over an active area and a neighboring dummy feature having a line width 0.8W1 to 1.3W1. The neighboring dummy feature has a first side adjacent to the first active gate feature, and a nearest gate level feature on a second side opposite the first side. The neighboring dummy feature defines a gate pitch based on a distance to the first active gate feature or the neighboring dummy feature maintains a gate pitch in a gate array including the first active gate feature. The spacing between the neighboring dummy feature and the nearest gate level feature (i) maintains the gate pitch or (ii) provides a SRAF enabling distance that is ≧2 times the gate pitch and the gate mask includes a SRAF over the SRAF distance.
US08455175B2	Photosensitive composition Photoresist compositions and methods suitable for depositing a thick photoresist layer in a single coating application are provided. Such photoresist layers are particularly suitable for use in chip scale packaging, for example, in the formation of metal bumps.
US08455167B2	Toner, binary developer, and image forming method It is an object of the present invention to provide a toner having the transfer efficiency and the cleanability in combination, exhibiting excellent stress resistance, and ensuring the low-temperature fixing.A toner characterized in that the average circularity of the above-described toner is 0.960 or more, and 0.985 or less, where the average circularity is analyzed by dividing particles having a circle equivalent diameter of 1.98 μm or more, and 200.00 μm or less, the number A of toners having a circularity of 0.990 or more, and 1.000 or less is 25.0 percent by the number or less, and the percentage of the number of particles B having a circle equivalent diameter of 0.50 μm or more, and 1.98 μm or less relative to the total particles of 0.50 μm or more, and 200.00 μm or less is 10.0 percent by the number or less.
US08455166B2	UV curable toner with improved scratch resistance A radiation curable toner is described having at least a radiation curable binder (e.g. a UV curable polymer), a photoinitiator, and a wax; wherein the wax is present in a concentration ranging from 0.3 to 3% by weight. The ratio of scratch resistance before curing is preferably at least 2. The toner may be used in a developer, e.g. a two-component developer, for printing or copying.
US08455165B2	Cyclic-treated metal oxide This invention provides metal oxide particles surface-treated with a cyclic silazane and a hydrophobicity-imparting agent, methods of making such, and toner compositions comprising the same.
US08455162B2	Alignment marks for multi-exposure lithography A plurality of reticles for printing structures in the same lithography level includes an alignment structure pattern within a same relative location in each reticle. Each set of process segmentations in a grating has a reticle segmentation pitch, which is common across all gratings in the plurality of reticles. Within each pair of alignment structure patterns that occupy the same relative location in any two of the plurality of reticles, the process segmentations in one reticle are shifted relative to the process segmentations in the other reticle by a fraction of a reticle segmentation pitch. After printing all patterns in the plurality of reticles, a composite printed process segmentation structure on the substrate includes printed segmentation structures that are spaced by 1/n times the printed segmentation pitch. The pattern for the next level can be aligned to the composite printed process segmentation structure in a single alignment operation.
US08455160B2	Color filter of liquid crystal on silicon display device A color filter of a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display device is disclosed, including a substrate including a plurality of pixel regions wherein each pixel region includes a first color dot, a second color dot and a third color dot; and a first color resist, a second color resist and a third color resist disposed in the first color dot, the second color dot and the third color dot on the substrate, wherein each of the first color resist, the second color resist and the third color resist includes at least one opening.
US08455157B1	Methods for improving performance of holographic glasses The improvement of the performance of holographic glasses with recorded holograms as measured by a figure of merit of the holographic glasses is disclosed. The improvement in the figure of merit of the holographic glasses is obtained at least in part with the addition of arsenic in the formation of the holographic glasses. The presence of arsenic increases the figure of merit as measured at a wavelength of interest of a holographic glass with a recorded hologram as compared to a holographic glass with a recorded hologram that does not contain arsenic.
US08455154B2	Thermal shock-tolerant solid oxide fuel cell stack A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a plurality of subassemblies. Each subassembly includes at least one subcell of a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte between the first and second electrodes. A first bonding layer is at the second electrode and an interconnect layer is at the first bonding layer distal to the electrolyte. A second bonding layer that is compositionally distinct from the first bonding layer is at the interconnect layer, whereby the interconnect partitions the first and second bonding layers. A method of fabricating a fuel cell assembly includes co-firing at least two subassemblies using a third bonding layer that is microstructurally or compositionally distinct from the second bonding layer.
US08455153B2	Reduction-oxidation-tolerant electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells An anode component of a solid oxide fuel cell is formed by combining a relatively coarse yttria-stabilized-zirconium (YSZ) powder, that is substantially composed of elongated particles, with a relatively fine NiO/YSZ or NiO powder of reduced particle size, whereby, upon sintering the combined powders, the coarse YSZ powder forms a microstructural cage of open porosity wherein the fine powder is distributed through the open porosity of the cage. A method of forming a cathode component includes combining a coarse YSZ powder, that is substantially composed of elongated particles, with a fine lanthanum strontium manganite powder of reduced particle size, whereby, upon sintering the combined powders, the coarse YSZ powder forms a microstructural cage of open porosity, wherein the fine powder is distributed through the open porosity of the cage.
US08455152B2	Integrated PEM fuel cell An integrated PEM fuel cell includes bipolar plate assemblies that utilize fiber groups that extend from the surfaces of gas impermeable plates to terminate in uncoated tips facing adjacent tips to form anodes and cathodes of an MEA assembly. The catalyst support and catalyst can be applied to the tips as beads or thin layers and joined with a membrane. The assembly can use a unified seal and include collector plates at the ends of the stacks, using similar fiber construction.
US08455147B2	Hood interlock apparatus of industrial vehicle A limit switch for detecting opening/closing of a hood is connected to a controller. A power supply relay is also connected to the controller. A switching contact of the relay is located on power supply line for supplying power supply from a fuel cell. When the hood is closed, the limit switch is on and the controller maintains the switching contact in a closed state so that power supply from the fuel cell to various power-consuming components is allowed. On the other hand, when the hood is opened, the limit switch is turned off. In response to this, the controller opens the switching contact so that the power supply from the fuel cell to the various power-consuming components is shut off.
US08455145B2	Photoelectrochemical method of separating water into hydrogen and oxygen, using melanins or the analogues, precursors or derivatives thereof as the central electrolysing element The invention essentially consists in the use of melanins, melanin precursors or melanin derivatives, melanin variants, melanin analogues, natural or synthetic, pure or mixed with organic or inorganic compounds, metals, ions, drugs; as water electrolyzing material, using as sole or main source of energy, natural or synthetic light, coherent or not; in the systems of hydrogen production from water, known as photoelectrochemical systems. These systems integrate as semiconductor material and a water electrolyzer inside a monolithic design, to produce hydrogen directly from water, using light (between 200 to 900 nm) as the main or sole source of energy. At least to basic criteria had to be met: one was that the system or light absorbing compound should generate enough energy to start, lead and complete the photoelectrolysis reaction, being economical, stable and lasting in a water system, requirements met by melanins, representing thus an important and critical advance to solve the central problem of photoelectrochemical designs. The procedure can be applied to generate hydrogen, oxygen and high energy electrons, or the opposite sense, i.e., synthesizing water from the union of hydrogen and oxygen, generating electricity; it can be coupled to other processes, generating a multiplication effect; it can also be used for reduction of carbon dioxide, nitrates and sulphates or others.
US08455142B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same A non-aqueous electrolyte can suppress decomposition of a solvent, improve the cycle life of a secondary battery, suppress the rise of resistance of a secondary battery and improve the capacity maintenance ratio of a secondary battery. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery formed by using such a non-aqueous electrolyte includes a non-aqueous electrolyte containing an aprotic solvent and a disulfonic acid ester as expressed by chemical formula 1 shown below, a positive electrode and a negative electrode:
US08455139B2	Method for making lithium battery cathode composite material of lithium iron phosphate/lithium vanadium phosphate composite A method for making a lithium battery cathode composite is provided. First, a plurality of lithium vanadium phosphate particles is provided. A lithium iron phosphate layer is then formed on an outer surface of each of the lithium vanadium phosphate particle by coating a lithium iron phosphate precursor slurry, thereby forming the lithium battery cathode composite.
US08455134B2	Secondary battery with insulating film between current collectors and a case A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a separator between a positive electrode and a negative electrode; current collectors, the current collectors being electrically connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively; a case, the case accommodating the electrode assembly and the current collectors; a cap plate, the cap plate coupled to an opening in the case; and an insulating film between the current collectors and the case, the insulating film including a recess corresponding to a shape of at least one of the current collectors and the electrode assembly to offset a vibration of the current collectors with respect to the case.
US08455133B2	Battery pack Disclosed herein is a multi-cell battery pack having optimal temperature distribution throughout the battery pack and optimal air flow through the battery pack. Disclosed herein is a battery pack which provides optimal temperature distribution throughout the battery pack, wherein maximum cell temperature (Tmax) and temperature differential amongst all cells in the battery pack (ΔTcell) are optimized for efficient thermal management providing safety, improved performance and extended life of the battery pack and electrochemical cells. Also disclosed herein is a battery pack which provides optimal flow through the battery pack and minimal pressure drop (ΔP) throughout the battery pack.
US08455131B2	Cathodes and reservoirs for aqueous lithium/air battery cells Li/air battery cells are configurable to achieve very high energy density. The cells include a protected a lithium metal or alloy anode and an aqueous catholyte in a cathode compartment. In addition to the aqueous catholyte, components of the cathode compartment include an air cathode (e.g., oxygen electrode) and a variety of other possible elements.
US08455127B2	Battery cover latching assembly and portable electronic device utilizing same A portable electronic device includes a housing defining, an operating module, and a battery cover. The housing defines a receiving hole and a connector hole. The operating module includes an operating element, and an elastic element. An operating block projects from the operating element and is slidably received in the receiving hole. The elastic element is elastically positioned between the housing and the operating element. The battery cover can be pivotably attached to the housing and latches with the operating element.
US08455126B2	Battery positioning device A battery positioning device for fixing a battery includes a base defining a receiving groove to receive the battery, a first elastic member fixed in the receiving groove to resist a positive electrode of the battery. The first elastic member includes a main body, a fixing portion fixed to the base, and an operating portion. The main body includes a hook thereon. The hook includes a resisting portion to resist the positive electrode of the battery and a hooking portion hooking the positive electrode. The fixing portion and the operating portion extend from opposite ends of the main body, respectively. The operating portion is capable of moving away from the battery, thus deforming the first elastic member to elevate the battery by the hooking portion.
US08455125B2	Fixing mechanism A fixing mechanism includes a battery sleeve, a resilient member and a battery cover. The battery sleeve defines an open end to receive a battery. The battery sleeve includes a latching portion formed in an inner surface thereof adjacent to the open end. The resilient member is fixed to the inner side surface of battery sleeve. The battery cover includes a guide portion defined in an outer surface thereof, and a latching portion connecting with the guide portion. The battery cover is rotatably engaged with the battery sleeve via the open end. The latching protrusion slides along the guide portion until the latching protrusion is locked in the latching portion, and the resilient member presses the battery to resist the battery cover.
US08455120B2	Secondary battery The present invention relates to a secondary battery. The present invention is aimed to provide a secondary battery having a thin upper case formed of a metal. The secondary battery includes a bare cell; a protection circuit module having a circuit board; an upper case formed of a metal and having a cover plate for covering the circuit board of the protection circuit module; and a case-insulating layer formed on an external surface of the cover plate of the upper case.
US08455119B1	Disk having an underlayer that includes a plurality of nonmagnetic layers interleaved with magnetic layers A magnetic disk includes a substrate, a soft magnetic underlayer disposed over the substrate, and a media layer disposed over the underlayer. The underlayer includes a plurality of magnetic layers each containing FeCoN having an atomic concentration of iron that is greater than an atomic concentration of cobalt, and has an atomic concentration of nitrogen that is less than the atomic concentration of cobalt. The atomic concentration of nitrogen is less than eight percent. The underlayer includes a plurality of nonmagnetic layers that are interleaved with the magnetic layers. Each of the nonmagnetic layers has a thickness that is less than one-tenth that of an adjoining layer of the magnetic layers. The media layer contains a magnetically hard material having an easy axis of magnetization oriented substantially perpendicular to both the media layer and the underlayer.
US08455118B2	Composite soft underlayer including negative anisotropy material An apparatus may include a composite soft underlayer and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer overlying the composite soft underlayer. The composite soft underlayer may include a growth template layer, a negative magnetic anisotropy layer overlying the growth template layer, and a magnetically soft layer overlying the negative magnetic anisotropy layer. In some embodiments, the negative magnetic anisotropy layer includes a plurality of grains, and substantially all the grains have negative magnetic anisotropy along an axis substantially perpendicular to a major plane of the composite soft underlayer. In some embodiments, the negative magnetic anisotropy layer includes a thickness of less than or equal to about 3 nm.
US08455117B2	Bit-patterned stack with antiferromagnetic shell A method of producing bit-patterned media is provided whereby a shell structure is added on a bit-patterned media dot. The shell may be an antiferromagnetic material that will help stabilize the magnetization configuration at the remanent state due to exchange coupling between the dot and its shell. Therefore, this approach also improves the thermal stability of the media dot and helps each individual media dot maintain a single domain state.
US08455114B2	Light emitting element and light emitting device using the same An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting element having slight increase in driving voltage with accumulation of light emitting time. Another object of the invention is to provide a light emitting element having slight increase in resistance with increase in film thickness. In an aspect of the invention, a light emitting element includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer between mutually-facing first and second electrodes. The first layer is provided to be closer to the first electrode than the second layer. The third layer is provided to be closer to the second electrode than the second layer. The first layer contains a bipolar substance and a substance exhibiting an electron accepting ability with respect to the bipolar substance. The second layer contains a bipolar substance and a substance exhibiting an electron donating ability with respect to the bipolar substance. The third layer contains a light emitting substance.
US08455112B2	Organometallic complexes which emit in the red to green spectral region and their use in OLEDs Organometallic complexes which bear at least one ligand which has a unit having a triplet energy of at least 22 000 cm−1, a process for preparing the organometallic complexes, a mixture comprising at least one of these organometallic complexes, the use of the organometallic complexes or of the mixture in organic light-emitting diodes, the organometallic complexes preferably being used as emitter materials, and specific nitrogen- or phosphorus-substituted triphenylene derivatives and a process for their preparation, the organometallic complex including a monoanionic bidentate ligand of formula (IIa)
US08455110B2	Aluminium brazing sheet material A brazing sheet material for CAB brazing without applying flux. The brazing sheet material including an aluminum core alloy layer provided with a first brazing clad layer material on one or both sides of the aluminum core layer and at least one second brazing clad layer material positioned between the aluminum core alloy layer and the first braze clad layer material. The second brazing clad layer material is an Al—Si alloy brazing material having 5% to 20% Si and 0.01% to 3% Mg, and the first brazing clad layer material is an Al—Si alloy brazing material having 2% to 14% Si and less than 0.4% Mg. Also disclosed is a brazed assembly manufactured in a brazing operation.
US08455107B2	Method of treating cellulosic materials with hydrophobins By treatment with hydrophobins, cellulosic materials such as paper, cardboard, cotton or, especially, wood-based materials, such as solid wood, glued wood products or particle board, can be effectively protected against absorption of and attack by water and/or moisture.
US08455097B2	Coating liquid for covering glass fiber and rubber-reinforcing glass fiber using same There is disclosed a glass-fiber coating liquid for forming a coating layer on a glass fiber cord, prepared in the form of an emulsion by dispersing a phenol resin, a vinylpyridine-stylene-butadiene copolymer (B) and a chlorosulfonated polyethylene (C) into water to form a coating layer on a glass fiber cord, wherein the phenol resin is a monohydroxybenzene-formaldehyde resin (A) obtained by reaction of monohydroxybenzene (D) and formaldehyde (E).
US08455095B2	Article and method for manufacturing same An article includes a substrate; and a color layer deposited on the substrate, wherein the color layer has an L* value between about 28 to about 32, an a* value between about −1 to about 1, and a b* value between about −1 to about 1 in the CIE Lab* color space.
US08455094B2	Medical device having surface lubricity in wet state A medical device wherein a surface lubricating layer and one of various polymer bases are fixed with each other firmly by a relatively simple technique. The medical device permanently exhibits excellent surface lubricity when in use. The medical device has a lubricating surface when wet, and includes a base layer at least the surface of which is composed of a polymer material, a compound (thiol compound) which is supported on at least a part of the base layer and has a plurality of thiol groups in each molecule, and a surface lubricating layer which covers the thiol compound and is composed of a hydrophilic polymer that has a reactive functional group.
US08455090B2	Prepegs and molded bodies produced thereof at low temperature The invention relates to prepregs and composite components (molding) produced therefrom at a low temperature, obtainable by using powdery highly reactive polyurethane compositions containing uretdione groups, with specific catalysts.
US08455089B2	Preform for molding fiber-reinforced resin beam A preform for the molding of a fiber-reinforced resin beam includes a reinforcing-fiber beam which has been formed from a reinforcing-fiber base made up of many reinforcing fibers and has a cross-sectional shape with at least one linear part and at least one curved part connected to the linear part; and a release sheet bonded and united through an adhesive resin to at least part of a surface of the reinforcing-fiber base along the lengthwise direction for the base. A process for producing a preform includes shaping a continuous flat reinforcing-fiber base having a release sheet bonded and united to a surface thereof so that the cross-sectional shape of the base has a curved part to thereby produce a preshaped object; and bonding and uniting the preshaped object to another preshaped object.
US08455085B2	Metal/composite joint with selective interlaminar reinforcement A metal/composite joint. An illustrative embodiment of the metal/composite joint includes a metallic component, a composite component provided in engagement with the metallic component, an engagement region defining contact between the metallic component and the composite component and a plurality of attachment projections joining the metallic component and the composite component. The attachment projections may be non-uniformly distributed along the engagement region. A method of joining a metallic component and a composite component is also included.
US08455083B2	Pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet A pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet includes a base material and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and is formed therein with a plurality of through-holes passing through from one surface to the other surface. The base material includes a first layer positioned on a side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a second layer positioned on an opposite side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The first layer includes a resin composition containing 50 to 88 wt % of a polyolefin-based resin (A); 10 to 48 wt % of a styrene-based resin and/or an acrylic-based resin (B) excluding the polyolefin-based resin (A); and 2.0 to 30 wt % of a pigment (C), and the second layer contains a polyolefin-based ionomer resin (D) as a main constituent, and the ratio of thickness between the first layer and the second layer is 80:20 to 97:3.0.
US08455081B2	Ballistic-resistant article The invention relates to a preformed sheet comprising at least two mono-layers, each mono-layer containing a fibrous network with fibers having a tensile strength of at least about 1.2 GPa and a tensile modulus of at least 40 GPa and a binder, and a separating film on at least one of its outer surfaces, characterized in that the separating film has an areal density of between 1 and 5 g/m2. With this preformed sheet assemblies and articles offering a substantially higher ballistic protection level at a certain weight can be obtained. The invention further relates to an assembly of at least two such sheets and to a flexible ballistic-resistant article comprising said assembly.
US08455077B2	Fibrous structures comprising a region of auxiliary bonding and methods for making same Fibrous structures, more particularly fibrous structures comprising a region of auxiliary bonding and methods for making same are provided.
US08455076B2	Paper substrates useful as universal release liners This invention relates to a paper substrate useful as a universal release liner, as well as methods of making and using the same.
US08455075B2	Decorative stainless steel rolled sheet with embossed pattern A decorative stainless steel rolled sheet has an embossed pattern, suitable for use as a surface finish or an interior surface finish of products, wherein a thin stainless steel sheet subjected to surface treatment including nanoceramic coating or PVD ionic coating resulting in various colors and a release sheet alone or with a nonwoven fabric layer bonded thereto by means of a hot melt adhesive layer are embossed together and bonded to each other with the embossed pattern, thus exhibiting superior bonding strength, heat resistance, fire resistance, scratch resistance, shape stability, flexibility and wrinkling resistance. In the method of manufacturing such a decorative stainless steel rolled sheet, the rolled sheet can be mass produced at uniform quality using a continuous process.
US08455072B2	Polyolefin composition for pipe system and sheets A polyolefin composition, and pipe systems and sheets made therefrom, the composition comprising (percent by weight), 1) 10-60% of a copolymer of propylene and hexene-1 comprising from 0.2 to 10% of recurring units derived from hexene-1; 2) 10-85% of a propylene polymer selected from propylene homopolymer and a polymer of propylene with 0.1-10% of an α-olefin selected from ethylene, a C4-C10 a-olefin, hexene-1 excluded, and a mixture thereof, the propylene polymer being insoluble in xylene at ambient temperature in an amount over 85% and having a Polydispersity Index ranging from 4.5 to 12; and 3) 5-30% of a copolymer of ethylene with a C3-C10 α-olefin and optionally a diene, having an ethylene content ranging from 15 to 60% and an intrinsic viscosity value of at least 1 dl/g.
US08455064B2	UV inkjet printed substrates The present invention relates to printed substrates for use in a variety of applications such as a label stock and flexible packaging structures. The substrates are printed with radiation curable printing ink, especially UV curable printing inks employed in UV inkjet printing processes. The substrates are coated with an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer based coating capable of adhering and providing wet out properties with UV inkjet inks. Optionally, the coating contains an acrylic polymer. In a specific embodiment, the coating includes a major proportion of ethylene-acrylic acid and minor amounts of filler such as talc and silica. The coating can also include wax and/or pigment such as titanium dioxide. In a further embodiment, the carboxylate groups of the copolymer are neutralized with metal ions from Group Ia, IIa or IIb of the Periodic Table of the Elements, specifically, sodium.
US08455055B1	Aligning nanotubes A method for aligning nanotubes. In one embodiment, a method is used to align nanotubes. A bath with nanotubes dispersed on the surface of a solution is provided. An attachment surface is provided to attach the nanotubes. The attachment surface is placed into the bath at an angle of around ninety degrees relative to a surface of the bath. The attachment surface is removed from the bath at a rate sufficient to apply a velocity to the nanotubes in the bath of nanotubes such that the nanotubes are aligned on the attachment surface in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction at which the substrate is removed to form a plurality of aligned nanotubes.
US08455053B2	Separator, battery using the same, and method for manufacturing separator A separator which includes a covering layer in which a fine framework of polyolefin resin is coated with a glass layer and an exposed layer in which the polyolefin resin is exposed is provided. A battery is provided having a cathode and an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator where the separator has the covering layer in which the fine framework of polyolefin resin is coated with the glass layer and a method for manufacturing a separator including the step of coating a fine framework of polyolefin resin with the glass layer by applying a precursor containing viscous liquid product which contains only polysilazane compound or a mixture of viscous liquid product which contains only polysilazane compound with polycarbosilazane compound to the polyolefin resin and placing the precursor applied polyoleline resin in a water bath to dry.
US08455052B2	Method for manufacturing hairline elements in case frames A method for manufacturing hairlines in an apparatus case frame is provided. The method includes forming the case frame having primary hairlines being expressed throughout a relevant mold, coating the primary hairlines with a predetermined paint material, coating the primary hairlines to form a coated surface and scratching the coated surface to form secondary hairlines, the scratching being one of at regular and irregular lines.
US08455049B2	Strontium precursor for use in chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition and rapid vapor deposition A method of depositing a crystalline strontium titanate film on a substrate is provided, comprising carrying out an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process with strontium and titanium precursors, wherein the strontium precursor is bis(n-propyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl)strontium.
US08455039B2	Photoresist-coating apparatus and photoresist-coating method using the same A photoresist-coating apparatus includes a substrate on which a particle-detecting area and an invalid particle-detecting area are defined, a nozzle discharging photoresist to the substrate and moving along a direction, and a particle-detecting sensor controlling on and off of the nozzle in the particle-detecting area according to presence of particles, wherein in the invalid particle-detecting area, the nozzle operates independently from detection of the particle-detecting sensor.
US08455035B2	Plant seed oil The invention relates to a plant seed oil, comprising arachidonic acid comprising approximately 7 to approximately 26 percent by weight of the total fatty acid content, the ratio of the percentages by weight of arachidonic acid to gamma-linolenic acid being approximately 1:1 to approximately 5:1 and the ratio of the percentages by weight of arachidonic acid to dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid being approximately 1:1 to approximately 5:1. The invention additionally relates to processes for the production of this plant seed oil and formulations and uses of the plant seed oil. In particular, the invention also makes available foodstuffs and baby food that contain the plant seed oil mentioned.
US08455031B2	Beverage compositions having low levels of preservative with enhanced microbial stability The present disclosure relates to beverage compositions comprising low levels of preservative, without the need for hot or aseptic packing. In particular, the present invention relates to beverage compositions comprising: (a) from about 20 ppm to about 50 ppm of a preservative selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, alkali metal salts thereof and mixtures thereof; (b) from about 300 ppm to about 1500 ppm of a polyphosphate having the structure; where n averages from about 13 to about 35 and each M is independently selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium; and (c) water; wherein the beverage composition has a pH of front about 2 to about 5 and a total hardness of from 60 to about 300.
US08455026B2	Systems and methods for processing eggs A package of eggs is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows. The eggs are further arranged in the package so that a long axis of each egg in the package is offset no more than a particular number degrees from a long axis of each other egg in the package. Further, a package of eggs is disclosed which comprises a plurality of eggs arranged in one or more rows, wherein eggs are arranged in the package such that long axes of all of the eggs in each row of eggs in the package form approximate right angles with respect to a line intercepting bottoms of receptacles holding the eggs in such a row.
US08455024B2	Appetite suppressant composition A chewable appetite suppressant composition includes a Hoodia extract, a 5-hydroxytryptophan, a Gymnema Sylvestre, and at least one amino acid derivative. The chewable appetite suppressant composition may further include flavorants.
US08455022B2	Use of a polyphenol for the treatment of a cancerous or precancerous lesion of the skin The present invention refers to a method for treating cancerous or precancerous lesions of the skin by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a polyphenol to a patient as well as to the production of a medicament thereto.
US08455021B2	Composition for prophylaxis or treatment of urinary system infection and method thereof The present invention relates to a method of reducing risk of recurrent urethritis or recurrent cystitis comprises administering to a patient with risk of recurrent urethritis or recurrent cystitis an effective amount of a composition consisting essentially of astilbin and chlorogenic acid.
US08455020B2	Composition to enhanced HDL cholesterol and to decrease intima-media thickening in animals and humans and a method for its preparation A method of producing a product to correct hypercholesterolemia including pulping fruits of Emblica officinalis with demineralized water to create a slurry. The slurry is treated with pectinase. The pectinase-treated slurry is filtered to create a solution. The solution is concentrated to create a product. A product having an extract of Emblica officinalis for prophylactic and for therapeutic treatment of coronary diseases, atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
US08455019B2	Food or beverage composition comprising unroasted coffee solids The present invention relates to a food or beverage composition comprising unroasted coffee solids and arabinogalactans, for example a ready-to-drink beverage.
US08455017B2	Active substance for improving hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia An active substance of medication or health product for hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia comprises djulis, and which can effectively inhibit the absorption of cholesterol, advance the metabolism of cholesterol, promote the anti-oxidation and decrease the accumulation of oxidized low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in vessel walls of organisms.
US08455016B2	Treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction or obstruction A jojoba formulation has been developed for administration to the meibomian gland, for treatment of the symptoms of dry eye, and/or for drug delivery to the meibomian gland. The formulation incorporates the natural product jojoba wax, or components thereof, to enhance the spreading of the artificial tear as well as stabilize the tear film. The jojoba wax tear relieves irritation and discomfort as well as sharpens the blurred vision. Jojoba, because of its close chemical and physical properties to meibomian gland secretions, is effective upon topical application to penetrate the lid margin to reach the gland tissues where it may exert a therapeutic effect with or without an adjunctive agent.
US08455013B2	Use of an extract of common mallow as an hydrating agent, and cosmetic composition containing it The present invention relates to a novel use of an extract of common mallow for restoring, maintaining or reinforcing the state of moisturization of the skin; to a cosmetic composition containing it, and also to cosmetic care methods using said composition.
US08455011B2	Adjuvant compositions for herbicides Homogeneous aqueous composition containing from 10 to 350 g/Kg of ammonium sulfate and from 10 to 200 g/Kg of anionic esters of linear or branched C6-C20 alkyl polyglycosides, and diluted sprayable herbicidal formulation comprising the above homogeneous aqueous composition and from 0.01 to 5% by weight at least a herbicide.
US08455009B2	Amniotic membrane preparations and purified compositions and anti-inflammation methods Compositions having a combination of specific biological components have been found to exert a number of useful effects in mammalian cells, including modulating TGF β signaling, apoptosis, and proliferation of mammalian cells, as well as decreasing inflammation in mice. These components can be obtained commercially, or can be prepared from biological tissues such as placental tissues. Placental amniotic membrane (AM) preparations described herein include AM pieces, AM extracts, AM jelly, AM stroma, and mixtures of these compositions with additional components. The compositions can be used to treat various diseases, such as wound healing, inflammation and angiogenesis-related diseases.
US08455008B2	Processed ECM materials with enhanced component profiles Described are medical graft materials and devices having improved properties relating to their component profiles.
US08455007B2	Method to treat propolis A method to treat propolis includes conducting at least a first extraction of raw propolis with an aqueous solvent to obtain an aqueous extract having first properties. A second extraction may be performed with an alcohol solvent on the filtration residues obtained after the first extraction. A third extraction may be performed with an oil solvent on the filtration residues obtained after the second extraction. The method applies to the production of extracts of propolis for use in the manufacture of hygiene, care, cosmetic products, food products and food supplements.
US08455006B1	Organic hair care composition and methods of manufacturing and use An organic hair care composition made from organic ingredients, such as vegetable emulsifying wax, olive oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, and beeswax. The organic ingredients are mixingly introduced in predetermined proportions necessary to effectuate the styling, straightening, and therapeutic revitalization of hair in accordance with the included methods of manufacturing and use.
US08455002B2	Stable corticosteroid nanoparticulate formulations and methods for the making and use thereof Disclosed are stable corticosteroid nanoparticulate formulations, methods of making and therapeutic uses thereof.
US08454991B2	Method and device for photodynamic therapy The present invention relates to a photodynamic therapy method and uses thereof for treating an individual in need thereof, comprising administering a photosensitizer to an individual and activating the photosensitizer with a chemiluminescent light source, and/or a light-emitting diode light source, wherein the light source is in dermal contact with the individual. The present invention also relates to a device for photodynamic therapy comprising a permeable reservoir, for containing a photosensitizer formulation for skin application, the device is adapted to deliver the photosensitizer to the individual. The present invention also relates to a device for photodynamic therapy, comprising a permeable reservoir for containing a photosensitizer formulation for skin application and a light source. The light source is a chemiluminescent light source or a light-emitting diode light source and the device is adapted to deliver the photosensitizer to the individual and to irradiate a part of an individual to activate the photosensitizer.
US08454979B2	Immunopotentiating composition and process for producing same Disclosed is an immunopotentiating composition comprising an effective immunostimulating substance which can activate natural immunity and a subsequent immunity mediated by lymphocytes without causing any damage to cells. Specifically disclosed is an immunopotentiating composition which is characterized by comprising, as an active ingredient, an immunostimulating substance produced by decomposing at least one bacterium selected from an MRE symbiotic bacteria group consisting of Bacillus sp. (FERM BP-11209), Lysinibacillus fusiformis (FERM BP-11206), Bacillus sonorensis, Lysinibacillus sp. (FERM BP-11207) and Comamonas sp. (FERM BP-11208).
US08454973B2	Modified human hepatitis C virus genomic RNA that can be autonomously replicated The present invention provides modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, comprising nucleotide sequences of genomic RNA portions of two or more types of hepatitis C viruses, which comprises a 5′ untranslated region, a core protein coding sequence, an E1 protein coding sequence, a p7 protein coding sequence, an E2 protein coding sequence, an NS2 protein coding sequence, an NS3 protein coding sequence, an NS4A protein coding sequence, an NS4B protein coding sequence, an NS5A protein coding sequence, an NS5B protein coding sequence, and a 3′ untranslated region, and which can be autonomously replicated. In particular, the present invention relates to modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, which can be autonomously replicated by substitution of the RNA sequence portion encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of hepatitis C virus genomic RNA with a partial RNA sequence encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of a JFH1 strain shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
US08454971B2	Glucagon/GLP-1 receptor co-agonists Modified glucagon peptides are disclosed having enhanced potency at the glucagon receptor relative to native glucagon. Further modification of the glucagon peptides by forming lactam bridges or the substitution of the terminal carboxylic acid with an amide group produces peptides exhibiting glucagon/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist activity. The solubility and stability of these high potency glucagon analogs can be further improved by modification of the polypeptides by pegylation, substitution of carboxy terminal amino acids, or the addition of a carboxy terminal peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 26 (GPSSGAPPPS), SEQ ID NO: 27 (K-RNRNNIA) and SEQ ID NO: 28 (KRNR).
US08454970B2	Compositions containing fucoxanthin extract A composition comprises extract of fucoxanthin, wherein said composition further comprises tocotrienols and/or fucoidan. Said composition can be used to treat obesity. Said composition shows outstanding effect of weight loss. There is outstanding synergy effect among those constituents of the composition.
US08454966B2	Nanoparticles for protein drug delivery The invention discloses the nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-γ-glutamic acid, and at least one bioactive agent characterized with a positive surface charge and their enhanced permeability for paracellular drug delivery.
US08454965B2	Method for the treatment of multiple sclerosis A method for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating a subject with multiple sclerosis that includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an IL-21 receptor antagonist, wherein the subject has failed to respond treatment with beta interferon, thereby treating the subject.
US08454964B2	Microparticles comprising carbohydrate beads covalently linked with allergen Microparticles are disclosed which comprise a bead essentially consisting of a cross-linked carbohydrate and an antigen covalently linked thereto. The microparticle can be used for the treatment of disorders of the immune system and in diagnostic tests.
US08454959B2	Compositions monovalent for CD28 binding and methods of use Disclosed are domain antibodies that monovalently bind CD28. Domain antibodies that are monovalent for binding of CD28 can inhibit CD28 activity. In one aspect, a domain antibody consists of or comprises a single immunoglobulin variable domain that specifically binds and antagonizes the activity of CD28, in an aspect, without substantially agonizing CD28 activity. In another aspect, the domain antibody is a human domain antibody. The disclosure further encompasses methods of antagonizing CD80 and/or CD86 interactions with CD28 in an individual and methods of treating diseases or disorders involving CD80 and/or CD86 interactions with CD28, the methods involving administering a domain antibody to the individual.
US08454956B2	Methods for treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis with anti-IL-20 antibodies The invention features methods and compositions for preventing or treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis by administering an antagonist of IL-20. The IL-20 antagonist may be an anti-IL-20 antibody, such as mAB 7E, that is capable of binding human IL-20 and blocking IL-20 interaction with its receptors.
US08454948B2	Long lasting drug formulations The present invention is directed to long-lasting erythropoietin therapeutic formulations and their methods of use wherein the formulation comprises a genetically modified micro-organ that comprises a vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences, wherein the nucleic acid sequence encodes erythropoietin.
US08454943B2	Topical skin care formulations comprising plant extracts Disclosed are compositions and corresponding methods of their use that include plant, plant parts, or extracts thereof from Michelia magnifica, Xylosma japonicum, Prunus cerasifera, Nyssa sinensis, Chimonanthus praecox, Sassafras tzumu, Inula helianthus-aquatica, Capparis bodinieri, Passiflora caerulea, Galium aparine, Boehmeria platyphylla, Colquhounia coccinea, Sageretia rugosa, Jasminum stephanense, Antirrhinum majus, Daphniphyllum oldhamii, Cuscuta chinensis, Salix variegate, Osmanthus parvifolius, Euphorbia trigona, Calliandra haematocephala, Excoecaria acerifolia, Dianthus chinensis, Myriophyllum spicatum, Nymphoides peltatum, Prunus salicina, Solanum coagulans, Elaeis guineensis, Rhododendron moulmainense, Spatholobus suberectus, Artabotrys hexapetalus, Hibiscus syriacus, Lonicera calcarata, Hydnocarpus hainanensis, Ilex fragilis, Antidesma venosum, Acacia pennata ssp. Kerrii, Althaea rosea, Millettia velutina, Themeda japonica, Dalbergia hancei, Ipomoea batatas, Photinia glomerate, Hippophae rhamnoides, Azadirachta indica, Karelinia caspica, Bauhinia touranensis, Eriobotrya japonicas, Anaphalis contorta, and/or Cratoxylum prunifolium, or any combination thereof.
US08454942B1	Cosmetic oil mousse composition An anhydrous oil foam composition containing: (a) at least one liquid oil; (b) at least one surfactant chosen from polyglyceryl-2 laurate; (c) at least one UV filter; and (d) a propellant, wherein the composition is waterless and is capable of imparting UV protection onto a target keratinous substrate.
US08454940B2	Mixtures comprising benzotriazoles and merocyanines The present invention relates to the use of a stabilizing composition comprising (a) an effective stabilizing amount of at least one merocyanine derivative having an absorption maximum of 350 to 400 nm, and (b) at least one UV filter selected from benzotriazole derivatives; and optionally (c) at least one excited state quencher; for the protection of body care and household products against the deleterious effects of light, heat and oxygen.
US08454938B2	Treatment of respiratory diseases A method for treating a mammal suffering from a respiratory disease characterized by acute intermittent or chronic obstruction of the airways of the lungs, such as asthma, acute asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis comprising delivering to the lungs of the mammal a perfluorocarbon and a gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide (CO2), and pharmaceutical compositions of CO2 and perfluorocarbons are provided. The acute relief of airway obstruction provided by the said treatment provides an opportunity for concomitant or subsequent delivery of additional suitable active agent of conventional treatments.
US08454937B2	Method and composition for the site-selective delivery using viruses encapsulated in microbubbles Methods and compositions for the site-selective delivery of a gene to a site within the body of an animal where virus not encapsulated within the microbubbles is inactivated, for example by treatment with a virus-inactivating agent.
US08454936B2	Metal chelators and methods of their use Metal chelators of Formula I and Formula II are disclosed: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also disclosed are metal chelator-targeting moiety complexes, metal chelator-targeting moiety-metal conjugates, kits, and methods of their preparation and use in diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases and conditions, including, inter alia, cancer and thrombosis.
US08454935B2	Cell permeable probe A cell permeable probe is disclosed. The cell permeable probe includes a cell membrane translocating element, which facilitates transport of the probe into the intracellular component of a cell. The cell permeable probe may also include a plurality of binding moieties for a disease specific marker and a contrast agent.
US08454934B2	High molecular weight chelation structure A chelation structure and method of forming and using the chelation structure. The chelation structure has a backbone that includes a linear sequence of monomeric backbone units, at least one polymer side chain, and at least one chelator side chain. The side chains are each covalently coupled to the backbone at one of the monomeric backbone units by a bond that is independently biodegradable or non-biodegradable. The chelation structure is synthesized by Radical Addition Fragmentation Transfer (RAFT), Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP), or Free Radical Polymerization (FRP). The chelation structure, individually or in combination with a shuttle chelator, may be introduced into a mammal to bind an amount of a substance in a mammal, the substance being at least one of a metal and heme. The chelation structure has a log stability constant exceeding that of the shuttle chelator for binding the substance within cells of the mammal.
US08454930B2	Mayenite-type compound and process for production of same The present invention relates to a mayenite-type compound in which a part of Ca of a mayenite-type compound containing Ca, Al and oxygen is substituted by at least one kind of an atom M selected from the group consisting of Be, Mg and Sr, in which the mayenite-type compound has an atom number ratio represented by M/(Ca+M) of from 0.01 to 0.50, and at least a part of free oxygen ions in a mayenite-type crystal structure are substituted by anions of an atom having electron affinity smaller than that of an oxygen atom.
US08454929B2	Continuous process for preparation of calcium thiosulfate liquid solution An efficient process for the continuous preparation of calcium thiosulfate (CaS2O3) from lime sulfur, through oxidation is described. The process involves oxidizing calcium polysulfide intermediate in a series of reactors to produce calcium thiosulfate as a clear liquid in high concentration with minimal byproducts. The process results in the complete destruction of polythionates, permitting the calcium thiosulfate produced to be useful in certain leaching processes for precious metals. The invention further makes it possible to recycle the process water from the leaching process for use as a raw material reactant in the process for calcium thiosulfate production.
US08454926B2	Method and system for separation of solute from an aqueous solution Disclosed is method for separating solute from an aqueous solution comprising providing a first aqueous solution substantially saturated with solute, contacting the first aqueous solution with a clathrate former under conditions sufficient to form clathrates and to precipitate the solute from the first aqueous solution, separating solute from the clathrates by removing a first stream comprising clathrates and solute, and removing a second stream comprising solute, decomposing the clathrates into the clathrate former and a second aqueous solution, the second aqueous solution comprising solute in a concentration less than the concentration of solute in the first aqueous solution, and recycling the second aqueous solution by contacting said solution with a source for the solute to form a third substantially saturated aqueous solution for use as, or in combination with, the first aqueous solution, wherein the method is continuous.
US08454924B2	Method for making cohesive assemblies of carbon Cohesive assemblies comprising carbon are prepared by obtaining carbon in the form of powder, particles, flakes, or loose agglomerates, dispersing the carbon in a liquid halogen by mechanical mixing and/or sonication, and substantially removing the liquid halogen, typically by evaporation, whereby the cohesive assembly of carbon is formed. The method is especially suitable for preparing free-standing, monolithic assemblies of carbon nanotubes in the form of films, wafers, or discs, having high carbon packing density and low electrical resistivity. The assemblies have various potential applications, such as electrodes in batteries or supercapacitors or as electromagnetic interference shielding materials.
US08454922B2	Method and apparatus using carbon nanotubes for hydrogen storage A method of storing hydrogen using carbon nanotubes having a diameter ranging from 0.6-0.8 nm. The hydrogen may be stored in a container which is made of another material. The carbon nanotubes may be provided inside the container for adsorbing the hydrogen.
US08454919B2	Production of precipitated silica Precipitated silica is produced by a process that includes a step for filtering and washing an aqueous suspension (S), comprising the following steps: (a) filtering a first portion (S1) of a precipitated silica suspension (S), whereby a cake (G1) is formed and said cake (G1) is then washed and a suspension (S′1) is formed by suspending the thereby obtained washed cake (G1), notably by dilution with water; (b) filtering a second portion (S2) of the suspension (S), whereby a cake (G2) is obtained; and (c) filtering said suspension (S′1) emanating from step (a) through the cake (G2) obtained at the end of step (b), employed as a filtration precoating layer.
US08454916B2	Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst depletion control systems and methods A dosing control system for a vehicle includes a current storage module, an adaption triggering module, and an adaption ending module. The current storage module estimates an amount of ammonia stored by a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. The adaptation triggering module triggers a reduction of the amount of ammonia stored by the SCR catalyst to zero when a first amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) measured by a first NOx sensor located downstream of the SCR catalyst is greater than a predicted value of the first amount of NOx. The adaptation ending module selectively ends the reduction and enables injection of dosing agent based on a comparison of the first amount of NOx with a second amount of NOx upstream of the SCR catalyst.
US08454913B2	Use of butyraldehyde oxime as an anti-nitrous agent in an operation for the reductive stripping of plutonium The invention relates to the use of butyraldehyde oxime as an anti-nitrous agent in a plutonium stripping operation based on a reduction of this element from oxidation state (IV) to oxidation state (III). Applications: any nuclear fuel reprocessing process in which employing a compound that has the twofold property of being extractable into an organic phase and of being capable of destroying the nitrous acid therein may be useful and especially any process including one or more operations for the reductive stripping of plutonium.
US08454908B2	Automated systems and methods for preparing biological specimens for examination The systems and methods disclosed herein permit automated preparation of biological specimens for examination. The disclosed systems and methods provide fast, efficient, and highly uniform specimen processing using minimal quantities of fluids. The methods include at least a fixing phase for fixing a biological specimen to a substrate such as a microscope slide, a staining phase for staining the specimen, and a rinsing phase for rinsing the specimen. One or more of the fixing, staining, and rinsing phases include one or more agitation cycles for distributing reagents evenly and uniformly across the specimen. The systems can be implemented as a standalone device or as a component in a larger system for preparing and examining biological specimens.
US08454903B2	Assay device for liquid sample Disclosed is an assay device comprising liquid transport means adapted to take up a liquid sample and conduct the liquid to an analyte detection region operable to provide a test signal indicative of the presence and/or amount of an analyte in the liquid sample; the assay device further comprising a sample presence signal generation means, which is not generated by means of an immunoreaction. This sample presence signal generation means can comprise a colored portion, which is overlaid by a material (e.g. nitrocellulose) that is opaque, when dry, and translucent or transparent, when wet, to allow the colored portion to become visible to the user. In another embodiment the signal generation means comprises a color changing material which under-goes a change in its visible properties upon wetting (eg. pH indication). A third embodiment uses a mobilisable detectable which, when wetted by the sample, is carried along resulting in a streaked line parallel with the flow direction.
US08454902B2	Sensing device A sensing device is configured that a first piezoelectric vibrator and a second piezoelectric vibrator, changing over a connection to an oscillation circuit, have the oscillation circuit in common, that an impedance of a conductive path including a first one-surface-side electrode constituting the first piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit and an impedance of a conductive path including a second one-surface-side electrode constituting the second piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit are uniform with each other, and that an impedance of a conductive path including a first other-surface-side electrode constituting the first piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit and an impedance of a conductive path including a second other-surface-side electrode constituting the second piezoelectric vibrator from the oscillation circuit are uniform with each other.
US08454894B2	Device for evaluating biochemical samples Described is a device for evaluating biochemical samples (1), with a sample carrier (2), with an image recording means having a light-sensitive layer (3) connected to an evaluation circuit (10), and with a means for illuminating the samples (1). In order to provide simple design conditions, it is proposed that the light-sensitive layer (3), provided on the sample carrier (2), of the image recording means comprise a photoactive layer (4) based on organic semiconductors between two electrode layers (5, 6), of which the electrode layer (6) between the photoactive layer (4) and the samples (1) is translucent at least in certain regions.
US08454886B2	Durable honeycomb structures A method for manufacturing an inorganic honeycomb structure that resists water damage after drying comprises compounding a base batch mixture including inorganic powders, a batch cross-link agent, an aqueous vehicle, and a cross-linkable batch constituent, and forming the batch mixture into a honeycomb core or skin component while reacting the cross-link agent with cross-linkable batch constituent.
US08454885B2	Method for making fused ceramic articles of near net shape The invention is a solution impregnation and drying treatment that imparts a high temperature binder into an already formed porous green body composed of particulate batch material. The batch material includes inorganic compounds and binder. The result is reduced sag and distortion and the same or increased strength when the porous body is later fused during sintering/firing.
US08454884B2	Method of producing cellulose carbamate blown film and use of the same The present invention relates to a cellulose carbamate spinning solution, the cellulose carbamate being dissolved in at least one ionic liquid. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production of blown films in which a solution of cellulose carbamate in an ionic liquid is extruded into a coagulation bath, and also to the films produced with the method and the use thereof.
US08454882B2	Material dispensing system and method for making same Material dispensing systems and methods for make such systems are described. The material dispensing systems employ a collapsible container that is at least partially surrounded by an elastically deformable band. The band stretches as the container is filled with a flowable composition, thereby creating potential energy which can then be used to dispense the composition in lieu of a propellant and/or pressurized container.
US08454880B2	Method and system for layerwise production of a tangible object A method for layerwise production of a tangible object comprises repeatedly performing method cycles. Each method cycle comprises the steps of solidifying a predetermined area of an uppermost liquid layer (10) of a liquid (3) in a reservoir (2), so as to obtain a solid layer of the tangible object, and creating, above, parallel and adjacent to the solid layer, a successive uppermost liquid layer of the liquid. Said creating of the successive liquid layer is carried out by spraying such liquid onto upper parts of the contents in the reservoir. A height distribution over at least part of the surface of the uppermost liquid layer is measured by means of a measuring device (6). Based on the measured height distribution, the solidifying is carried out to compensate for unflatness of the measured height distribution.
US08454875B2	Method and device for producing molded parts with different decorative regions The present invention refers to a method and to a device fro producing a molded port having a plurality of different decorative regions that abut each other, wherein the different decorative films (9, 10) are inserted into a molding tool (1) by a gripper (4). There they are fixed be means of sliders (8) and are then back molded with a thermoplastic material.
US08454871B2	Apparatus and method for producing light-responsive surfaces on opaque materials The present invention provides for a method of creating a lustrous surface in opaque materials using ridge angles, and valleys of varying depths cut, imprinted or pressed into the opaque material. The combination of the light reflecting ridges, angles to reflect more or less light, and a shadow effect arising from a combination of the valley depths and the angle of the ridges allows one to use light and shadow to create a pattern or series of patterns in the opaque materials. These patterns are created using a process whereby a design is first created, then cut into a master blank using some type of manual or computer-aided method. Next, this pattern is inlaid, pressed, or imprinted into a blank panel composed of the opaque material. In some embodiments, this opaque material is allowed to set, thus creating a finished article of manufacture in the form of a panel.
US08454869B2	Stamper and stamper evaluation method According to one embodiment, this invention determines whether a maximum value Hmax and minimum value Hmin of an HF signal obtained when a data recording portion is irradiated with a laser having a wavelength of 450 nm or less and an NA of 0.6 or more meet (Hmax−Hmin)/Hmax<0.13 . . . (1), or whether a maximum value Hmax, a minimum value Hmin, and a most frequent voltage value Have of a signal level of an HF signal obtained when a data recording portion is irradiated with a laser having a wavelength of 450 nm or less and an NA of 0.6 or more meet Hmax/Have≦1.05 . . . (2) and Hmin/Have≦0.90 . . . (3).
US08454868B2	Method for testing multilayer tablets The present invention is related to a method for testing multilayer tablets in a multiple rotary press, in which die holes of a circulating die plate are successively filled with tablet material of different layers in succeeding filling devices, and the tablet material is compressed one layer after the foregoing layer into pressed articles having n layers by means of synchronously circulating compression punches, and the pressed articles are subsequently ejected in an unloading station and taken out, in which in a testing procedure, pressed articles with m layers are taken out after the compression in a respective unloading station and are conveyed to a testing station, wherein applies 1<=m<=n, wherein before taking out the pressed articles, at least the m-th layer is compressed more strongly than during the normal manufacture of the multilayer tablets, wherein applies m
US08454864B2	Method for making mold for forming anti-flare lens The present disclosure relates to a method for making a mold for forming an anti-flare lens. The lens includes an optically active part and an optically inactive part. In the method, a mold core blank having a bottom surface and a top surface, is provided. The bottom surface is machined into a first surface portion, a second surface portion, and an annular surface portion. The second surface portion is located at a center of the mold core blank. The annular surface portion connects the second surface portion and the first surface portion. The first surface portion is roughened to form a roughened molding surface for forming the optically inactive part. The second surface portion is precisely machined to form a smooth molding surface for forming the optically active part. The annular surface is precisely machined to form a smooth transition surface.
US08454862B2	Method of creating ophthalmic lenses using modulated energy This invention is related to lenses and the associated processes used to manufacture lenses. In particular, the present invention is related to a process for designing and creating bifocal, multifocal, and single vision ophthalmic lenses by modulating an energy source.
US08454853B2	Halogenated alkene heat transfer composition with improved oil return The invention relates to heat transfer agents and heat transfer compositions containing hydrocarbon lubricating oils and halogentaed alkene heat transfer fluid that promote oil flow and provide for improved oil return. The heat transfer compositions are useful in various heat transfer systems such as refrigeration, cooling, air conditioning, chiller operations.
US08454847B2	Method of lifting off and fabricating array substrate for liquid crystal display device using the same A method of lifting off includes forming a first material layer on a substrate; forming a photoresist pattern including first and second holes and on the first material layer; patterning the first material layer using the photoresist pattern as a patterning mask to form a material pattern having first and second grooves within the material pattern, the first and second grooves corresponding to the first and second holes, respectively; forming a second material layer on an entire surface of the substrate including the photoresist pattern and the first and second grooves; and removing the photoresist pattern and the second material layer on the photoresist pattern at the same time, wherein a portion of the material pattern between the first and second grooves and portions of the material pattern at sides of the first and second grooves constitute a line as a whole.
US08454844B2	Microneedle structure and production method therefor A method for processing a wafer to form a plurality of hollow microneedles projecting from a substrate includes forming, by use of a dry etching process, a number of groups of recessed features, each including at least one slot deployed to form an open shape having an included area and at least one hole located within the included area. The internal surfaces of the holes and the slots are then coated with a protective layer. An anisotropic wet etching process is then performed in such a manner as to remove material from outside the included areas while leaving a projecting feature within each of the included areas. The protective layer is then removed to reveal the microneedles.
US08454836B2	Method for removing water from an organic liquid The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for removing water and/or water-based compounds from organic liquids/fluids. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus that utilize fibrous media that contains, is impregnated, or is formed from at least one super absorbent compound, where the fibrous media is formed from nanofibers.
US08454835B2	Remediation system for transition metal ions and method for same In at least one embodiment, a method for remediating oxic water having transition metal ions comprises the steps of providing oxic water having transition metal ions. The water is introduced to a chamber. The pH is adjusted to a range from 2.5 to 7.5 forming a pH-adjusted oxic water. Thiosulfate ions are introduced and reacted with the transition metal ions to form insoluble transition metal-thiosulfate species complexes, which are immobilized forming remediated oxic water.
US08454833B2	Counter-pressure filtration of proteins A method is disclosed for filtering a protein in a liquid mixture in a manner that does not substantially damage or otherwise limit the recovery of the protein in the filtration filtrate. The method generally includes passing a liquid mixture containing a protein (e.g., an aqueous vWF mixture) through a filter while applying a counter pressure to the liquid mixture filtrate to accurately reduce and control the pressure differential across the filter. The disclosed method has the advantage that relatively high filtration flow rates can be achieved at relatively low pressure differentials, in contrast to high pressure differentials, which actually reduce the filtration flow rate of protein liquid mixtures. Further, the method can recover substantially all of the protein that is initially present in the liquid mixture.
US08454828B2	Dispensing device The invention relates to a dispensing device for a liquid medium, having a medium reservoir for accommodating the medium, having a dispensing opening for dispensing the medium from the medium reservoir, and having a pressure-equalizing channel which opens out into the medium reservoir and has a microbiologically active filter arrangement inserted therein.According to the invention, the filter arrangement has a liquid filter oriented in the direction of the medium reservoir and a bacteria filter oriented away from the medium reservoir.
US08454820B2	Electrochemical molecular recognition probes Constitute a molecular recognition probe comprising: an electrochemically active group; an activity suppression group that suppresses an electrochemical activity of the electrochemically active group; a receptor area where a molecule of a target substance is specifically recognized; and a molecule area where a steric structure is changed as a result of molecular recognition; wherein the electrochemically active group is suppressed of its activity by the activity suppression group before the molecule is recognized and restores its activity after the molecule is recognized; or constitute a molecular recognition sensor by providing an anchor area on the molecular recognition probe and fixing it on a surface of an electrode.
US08454818B2	Method for operating copper electrolysis cells In a process for the operation of copper electrolysis cells including a plurality of anode and cathode plates arranged vertically and parallel to each other, a longitudinal electrolyte inflow and an electrolyte outflow, the electrolyte is injected via the electrolyte inflow horizontally and parallel to the electrodes in each electrode gap always at the height of the lower third of the electrodes at a speed of from 0.3 to 1.0 m/s, with the cathode plates being arranged stationarily relative to the inflow direction. As a result, an optimized flow guidance of the electrolyte with regard to the electrodes is achieved, resulting in an increase in the limiting current density.
US08454816B1	Selective recovery of manganese and zinc from geothermal brines This invention relates to a method for the selective recovery of manganese and zinc from geothermal brines that includes the steps of removing silica and iron from the brine, oxidizing the manganese and zinc to form precipitates thereof, recovering the manganese and zinc precipitates, solubilizing the manganese and zinc precipitates, purifying the manganese and zinc, and forming a manganese precipitate, and recovering the zinc by electrochemical means.
US08454814B2	Processes and apparatuses for treating and/or increasing dryness of a substance There are provided apparatuses for increasing dryness of a substance. The apparatuses comprise at least one module, each of the module(s) comprising at least two electrodes adapted to submit the substance to an electric current. The electrodes are also adapted to compress the substance. There are also provided processes for increasing dryness of a substance.
US08454809B2	Modular container assembly for corrosive solutions A modular array of containers placed in parallel for electrolytic solutions used in metals electrolysis processes, particularly for metals electrowinning and electrorefining processes, assemblable from joinable and sealable prefabricated panels with other equal or similar ones, comprising at least a pair of opposite end walls (1, 2), lateral walls (3, 4), a plurality of floor panels (5) and a plurality of intermediate transverse walls (6), the modular array of containers having a common wall between two adjacent containers, the common wall defined by said intermediate transverse walls (6). At least the intermediate walls (6) of the array of containers comprise each one a passage (7, 8) integrated to the wall for the protected feeding and distribution of the loaded electrolytic solution; these walls also being of a reduced wall width in the middle with respect to at least one of its ends and its upper and lower part; said at least one end and upper and lower part of the walls defined by edge formations (9, 10, 11, 12) in which at least one of the formations contains said passage within.
US08454808B2	Hydrogen supplemental system for on-demand hydrogen generation for internal combustion engines A hydrogen generation system for producing hydrogen and injecting the hydrogen as a fuel supplement into the air intake of internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen is produced with a fuel cell at low temperatures and pressure from water in a supply tank. The hydrogen is directed to the air intake of the engine while the oxygen is vented to the atmosphere. The device is powered by the vehicle battery. The system utilizes an engine sensor that permits power to the system only when the engine is in operation.
US08454806B2	Systems for forming reagent with reduced background current Systems and methods for electrochemically oxidizing components of a test-sensor reagent prior to deposition on a test sensor comprise at least a first electrode and a second electrode for contacting the test-sensor reagent. The first electrode and the second electrode may have hollow interior portions for contacting the test-sensor reagent to produce a modified test-sensor reagent having a reduced background current.
US08454804B2	Protective offset sputtering Sputtering in a physical vapor deposition (PVD) chamber may, in one embodiment, utilize a target laterally offset from and tilted with respect to the substrate. In another aspect, target power may be reduced to enhance film protection. In yet another aspect, magnetron magnets may be relatively strong and well balanced to enhance film protection. In another aspect, a shutter may be provided to protect the substrate in start up conditions. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08454803B2	Processing biomass and petroleum containing materials Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08454798B2	Paper making processes and system using enzyme and cationic coagulant combination A method is described for making paper or paper board by applying a composition containing enzyme and cationic coagulant to papermaking pulp prior to paper forming to preferably improve drainage, retention, or both. Sheets of pulp from which paper or paperboard products are made with the method can exhibit excellent drainage, excellent retention of pulp fines, or both. The method also can be applied to other pulp treatments, such as waste water treatments. A system for making such treatments of paper furnish is also provided.
US08454797B1	Process for inkjet paper and paper produced thereby A method for improving the print quality of paper, a process for preparing such paper and the paper produced thereby are disclosed. The method involves applying to the paper an aqueous solution comprising 0.15 to 6 weight percent calcium in the form of its hydroxide. The supersaturated solution of calcium hydroxide can be obtained from reverse osmosis of milk of lime. The paper produced by the method disclosed exhibits a surface concentration of calcium greater than 3 mg/m2 and less than 360 mg/m2 and at the same time less than 20% of a halide, nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, acetate or formate counter ion.
US08454795B1	System and method for producing bonded fiber/cellulose products A system for forming bonded fiber/cellulose products includes a shredded paper particle manufacturing line producing shredded paper particle-based products, such as insulation, a bonded fiber/cellulose product line, and a collector for collecting a portion of the shredded paper particles generated by the shredded paper particle line for the bonded fiber/cellulose product line.
US08454792B2	Composition and method relating to a hot melt adhesive The present invention includes compositions relating to a hot melt adhesive that includes a copolymer of butene-1, a wax, and a tackifying resin. The present invention further relates to adhesives initially exhibiting adhesion properties and subsequently non-adhesion qualities. Methods of using these adhesives are also part of the claimed invention.
US08454791B2	Method for assembling a rotor blade for a wind turbine Method for assembling a rotor blade for a wind turbine, wherein the rotor blade has a first half shell, a second half shell and at least one shear web running in the longitudinal direction of the rotor blade.
US08454789B2	Disposable bond gap control structures In certain embodiments, a bond gap control structure (BGCS) is placed outwardly from a substrate. The BGCS is configured to control a geometry of a bond line of a joining material. The joining material is deposited outwardly from the substrate. The substrate is bonded to another substrate with the joining material. The BGCS is at least partially removed from the substrate.
US08454785B1	Method for applying labels to cable or conduit A method for applying labels comprising providing a system for applying the labels, supplying at least one label, guiding a cable or conduit to the labeling system with at least one guide roller, providing a label applicator for applying the label to the cable or conduit, guiding a moving cable or conduit using the at least one guide roller, providing at least one tamping device, providing a tamping pad with the at least one tamping device, applying at least one label to at least one portion of the cable or conduit with the at least one tamping device, providing at least one guide shoe assembly; and pressing the at least one label against the at least one portion of the cable or conduit using the at least one guide shoe assembly.
US08454784B2	Air-permeable composite fabric An air-permeable composite fabric is provided. The composite fabric has an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and an intermediate vapor barrier. The vapor barrier is selected from adhesive material and an adhesive/membrane combination designed so the composite fabric has a level of air permeability to allow air flow between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer and a variable level of water vapor diffusion resistance that decreases as air speed impinging on the composite fabric increases.
US08454780B2	Method of making laminate structures for mechanical activation A method for producing a stretch laminate includes forming an intermediate stretch laminate. Forming the intermediate stretch laminate includes providing a first substrate and attaching an elastic film to a surface of the first substrate via an adhesive. The first substrate and the elastic film are in a face to face orientation. The intermediate stretch laminate has a residual energy of greater than or equal to 50% at a predetermined applied strain. The method of forming the stretch laminate further includes mechanically activating the intermediate stretch laminate at a strain rate of at least 100 s−1.
US08454778B2	Pneumatic tire with barrier layer and method of making the same A pneumatic tire and a method of making a tire are provided. The tire includes a tire tread, a tire layer, and a barrier layer. The tire layer is circumferentially disposed inwardly of the tire tread and includes a first end and a second end situated adjacent each other to define a butt joint. The barrier layer includes a first end and a second end, a portion of the first end of the barrier layer overlaps the second end by about 1.5 cm or more to define a lap joint, and where the first end of the barrier layer is received between and extends beyond the butt joint such that the first end of the tire layer is sandwiched between the lap joint.
US08454775B2	Bond and stitch repair for delaminated composite A method of repairing delaminated plies of a composite includes drilling a plurality of holes in the plies, stitching one or more tows into the plurality of holes, and tensioning the tows. The holes are disposed across an area of the plies that is delaminated. The method introduces a resin into the area of the plies that is delaminated and cures the resin. Curing of the composite can be performed prior to the stitching and the tensioning of the one or more tows and can be performed by the tensioning of the one or more tows. Optionally, one or more additional plies can be applied to the repaired area and/or a portion of the one or more tows that extends above a surface the plies can be removed.
US08454772B2	Process for the manufacturing of a decorative laminate provided with an aligned surface structure A process for the manufacture of a decorative board, which board includes at least one thermosetting resin impregnated paper layer. A decor paper in the form of a web or a sheet, provided with a plurality of decor sections, each decor section being intended to constitute a décor of a decorative panel, is placed as a surface layer on a base layer and bonded thereto by pressing under elevated pressure. A plurality of press plates or press foils, each press plate or press foil being provided with a surface structure intended to match at least one decor section of the decor paper, are accurately positioned on top of the thermosetting impregnated paper layer before the pressing and is after the pressing separated from the laminate achieved. The laminate will hereby be provided with a décor surface with a matching surface structure which is in register with the décor of the decor paper.
US08454770B1	Non-toxic percussion primers and methods of preparing the same A percussion primer composition including at least one explosive, at least one nano-coated fuel particle having natural surface oxides thereon, at least one oxidizer, optionally at least one sensitizer, optionally at least one buffer, and to methods of preparing the same.
US08454768B2	Near-beta titanium alloy for high strength applications and methods for manufacturing the same A high strength near-beta titanium alloy including, in weight %, 5.3 to 5.7% aluminum, 4.8 to 5.2% vanadium, 0.7 to 0.9% iron, 4.6 to 5.3% molybdenum, 2.0 to 2.5% chromium, and 0.12 to 0.16% oxygen with balance titanium and incidental impurities is provided. An aviation system component comprising the high strength near-beta titanium alloy, and a method for the manufacture of a titanium alloy for use in high strength, deep hardenability, and excellent ductility applications are also provided.
US08454767B2	Heat treatment method, outer joint member, and tripod type constant velocity universal joint A heat treatment method is capable of molding, by mobile quenching of induction quenching, an outer joint member of a tripod type constant velocity universal joint having excellent strength without forming hardened layers in larger radially-inner portions. Mobile quenching is performed in such a manner that a high-frequency induction heating coil is moved in an axial direction relative to an outer joint member, and thus hardened layers are formed on the roller guide surfaces. Magnetic field line cut-out bodies for cutting out generated magnetic field lines are arranged on the high-frequency induction heating coil. The larger radially-inner portions become an unquenched portion by cutting out the magnetic field lines with the magnetic field line cut-out bodies.
US08454761B1	Apparatus and system for cleaning baseball bases An apparatus for cleaning the surface of a base, comprising: a base; a plurality of apertures flush with the surface of said base, said apertures being connected to a plurality of sub-channels and wherein said apertures are adapted to expel air; at least one air chamber operatively connected with said plurality of sub-channels; a main channel connected with said at least one air chamber; wherein said main channel is supplied from an air compressor; and a main valve located between said at least one air chamber and said main channel, wherein said main valve regulates the air flow from said main channel to said at least one air chamber, said valve being further adapted to close said main channel.
US08454758B2	Electrostatic chuck cleaning method An electrostatic chuck cleaning process that cleans an electrostatic chuck, equipped in a chamber, for chucking and holding a substrate. This method has a plasma etching process that performs plasma etching on the electrostatic chuck, a substrate mounting process that mounts a substrate on the electrostatic chuck that was subjected to plasma etching in the plasma etching process, and a substrate removal process that removes the substrate that was mounted on the electrostatic chuck in the substrate mounting process.
US08454755B1	Methods for evacuating particles from a hard drive component An assembly tool is provided. The assembly tool comprises a body, a first vacuum channel defined within the body, and a first locating pin attached to the body. The first locating pin has a shaft portion arranged within a surrounding portion of the body. The first locating pin is configured to engage a first alignment feature of a hard drive component at a first contact area to align the hard drive component with the assembly tool. The body is configured to couple the first vacuum channel to a vacuum source and to facilitate particle evacuation from the first contact area via the first vacuum channel when a vacuum is applied by the vacuum source.
US08454747B2	Method for producing single-crystal thin film A method for producing a single-crystal thin film includes, for example, applying a chemical solution containing raw materials for a single-crystal thin film composed of (BaxSryCaz)TiO3 (wherein x+y+z=1.0) by spin coating on a thin film composed of BaZrO3 formed on a MgO(100) surface of a MgO(100) substrate and subjecting the applied chemical solution to heat treatment at a temperature at which orientation occurs, thereby epitaxially growing a single-crystal thin film composed of (BaxSryCaz)TiO3.
US08454746B2	Method for producing a single crystal composed of silicon using molten granules Silicon single crystals are prepared from molten granules, by producing a first volume of molten silicon between a growing single crystal and the lower end of a silicon conical tube which is closed at its lower end, and encloses a central opening of a rotating silicon plate below which the tube extends, by means of a first induction heating coil arranged below the plate; producing a second volume of molten silicon by a second induction heating coil arranged above the plate; melting the lower end of the tube to form a passage for the second volume of molten silicon, the passage produced at a point in time when the second volume is not yet present or is less than double the volume of the first volume; and crystallizing monocrystalline silicon on the growing single crystal with consumption of molten silicon from the first and the second volume.
US08454734B2	Charging device, air handling device, method for charging, and method for handling air The present invention relates to a charging device having a charge section (20) for charging a floating particle in an air to be handled, and an air handling device (an air cleaning device) having the charging device. The charge section (20) is constituted by a first charge section (20a) adopting an impact charging technique and a second charge section (20b) adopting a diffusion charging technique. With this structure, charging and collection of dust can be accomplished only in the casing of the device, and therefore, an increase in size of the device can be avoided.
US08454726B2	CO2 absorbent and method for CO2 capture A solid absorbent for absorption of CO2 from flue gas, comprising: a) particles made of a cross bounded, highly porous polymer substrate, and b) CO2 absorbing functional nucleophilic groups grafted on the particle surface, is described. A method for CO2 sequestration using the absorbent is also described.
US08454725B2	Method and equipment for improving global warming and air pollution A method and an equipment for improving global warming and air pollution are proposed, wherein hot exhaust gas generated by a thermal machine is injected into an exhaust boosting unit to be compressed and mixed with a liquid medium for atomization. Pollutants in the hot exhaust gas and heat generated due to combustion are adsorbed by the liquid medium. After the liquid medium passes a dust collecting unit, the pollutants adsorbed by the liquid medium will adhere to the dust collecting unit. Humid and hot clean air is extracted to the atmosphere, and rises to high altitudes and is cooled there. Water will drop to the ground in the form or rain or snow to cool the ground temperature and remove other pollutants in the air. Heat circulation and water circulation can be sped up to improve the situation of global warming and render more water resource to the Earth.
US08454724B2	Flexible system to remove carbon dioxide from a feed natural gas A system and process for the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a feed natural gas having variable flow rates and inlet CO2 levels.
US08454723B2	Saprolite neutralisation of heap leach process A heap leach process for the recovery of nickel and/or cobalt from a laterite ore, said process including the steps of: a) providing one or more heaps of a nickeliferous laterite ore; b) leaching the ore in a heap leach step by applying acid to one or more heaps to provide a pregnant leach solution; c) neutralizing the pregnant leach solution with ground saprolite ore; and d) recovering the nickel and/or cobalt from the neutralized pregnant leach solution.
US08454722B2	Method for reclaiming lead A method for reducing tin in lead bullion has the steps of adding an Arrhenius base to a kettle containing lead bullion and tin, adding a byproduct of conventional detinning to the kettle, agitating contents of the kettle, and removing a layer of slag from the kettle. The disclosed method removes tin via chemical oxidation, adds lead via chemical reduction of an oxide from the byproduct of conventional detinning, and preserves most of the antimony content of the lead bullion.
US08454720B1	Air condenser housing screening apparatus A air condenser housing screening apparatus includes a pair of female mating members each comprising an elongated panel having a first side and a second side. A female receiver is mounted on the first side. A pair of male mating members is provided and each is removably engageable with one of the female mating members. Each of the female mating members has one of a plurality of fasteners coupled thereto. The fasteners are configured to releasably couple the female mating members to an air condenser housing. A screen mesh is positioned between coupled pairs of the female and male mating members to cover a portion of the housing with the screen.
US08454718B2	Working vehicle having cooling system with suction device A work vehicle is provided comprising: a main frame including an engine compartment; an engine located in the engine compartment; and a cooling system comprising a rotating fan apparatus and a cooling assembly. The cooling assembly may comprise a heat exchanger for transferring energy in the form of heat from a coolant fluid to air and a filter apparatus positioned adjacent an engine-compartment side of the heat exchanger. The air may be moved through the heat exchanger by the fan apparatus. The filter apparatus may filter the air before the air passes through the heat exchanger. The filter apparatus may comprise filter structure and a suction device for removing debris from the filter structure. The suction device preferably expels the debris outside of the engine compartment.
US08454716B2	Variable flow particle separating structure A particle separating structure for use with a turbine engine. The particle separating structure includes a main housing, first swirling structure, and second swirling structure. The first swirling structure is provided for swirling cooling fluid passing through a first cooling fluid flowpath defined in the main housing. The second swirling structure is provided for swirling cooling fluid passing through a second cooling fluid flowpath defined in the main housing. The first swirling structure is positionable in at least two positions, a first position allowing cooling fluid to pass through the first cooling fluid flowpath and a second position allowing cooling fluid to pass through the first and second cooling fluid flowpaths. The swirling of the cooling fluid causes particles in the cooling fluid to pass to a particle discharge zone while the cooling fluid passes out of the main housing through a cooling fluid outlet.
US08454713B2	Natural gas production method utilizing a gas dynamic laser, with cogeneration of electrical power A method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.
US08454710B2	Process for producing azo compounds, pigment dispersion, coloring composition, ink for inkjet recording, coloring composition for color filter, and color filter To provide a process for producing an azo pigment showing excellent coloring characteristics such as tinctorial strength and hue and showing excellent fastness such as light fastness and ozone fastness, an azo pigment dispersion, a coloring composition, and an ink for inkjet recording. process for producing, for example, an azo pigment represented by the general formula (9), which includes a step of preparing a solution containing a compound represented by the following general formula (7) and an acid, and a step of bringing the solution in contact with a diazonium salt (8) derived from a heterocyclic amine,
US08454706B2	Antibiotic delivery system and method for treating an infected synovial joint during re-implantation of an orthopedic prosthesis An antibiotic delivery system including an intramedullary stem that is adapted to be removably mounted into a medullary canal of a bone. The stem includes a body having an inlet adapted to be in fluid communication with a source of liquid-borne antibiotic and a plurality of outlets disposed along the stem. A channel extends between the inlet and the plurality of outlets for delivering a fluid-borne antibiotic from the inlet to the plurality of outlets so as to distribute the antibiotic along the medullary canal in a controlled fashion. A method of treating an infected joint during a two-stage re-implantation of an orthopedic implant is also disclosed.
US08454704B2	Method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint A method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint.
US08454701B2	Surgical method for implanting a housing-interface assembly in a bone wall A surgical method for positioning an extraoral bone-anchored implant device in a receiving bone site of a patient, the patient being a human being or an animal, including the following successive steps: a step of preparing the receiving bone site, a step of impacting the implant in the opening formed in the receiving bone site; a step of leveling the implant and the surrounding bone structure and making them continuous, during which the external table of the bone structure is rubbed at its part surrounding the implant, then bone fragments are positioned on the rubbed parts of the external table of the bone structure, then the bone fragments are covered with a membrane to hold the bone fragments in position, the membrane being attached to the bone structure on one side and to the implant on the other side, so as to prevent bone proliferation on the implant.
US08454697B2	Method and apparatus for the treatment of tissue This disclosure presents methods and devices for treating a defect in soft tissue of a patient. The methods and devices can employ fixation delivery apparatuses and fixation apparatuses positioned, at least in part, in or on the soft tissue to be repaired. In some aspects, these techniques include the use of this includes a fixation apparatus that includes at least one bone anchor connected to at least one tissue anchor by a shortenable elongate member.
US08454695B2	Selectively expanding spine cage, hydraulically controllable in three dimensions for enhanced spinal fusion A selectively expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is smaller than the diameter of the neuroforamen through which it passes in the distracted spine. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the anterior disc space, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment. Expanding selectively, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces in natural lordosis. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage shape intends to rest proximate to the anterior column cortices securing the desired spread and fixation, allowing for bone graft in, around, and through the implant.
US08454694B2	Interbody device and plate for spinal stabilization and instruments for positioning same Systems, methods and devices for providing stabilization between first and second vertebrae are provided. More particularly, in one form a system includes an implant configured to be positioned in a disc space between the first and second vertebrae and a freestanding plate for engagement with extradiscal surfaces of the first and second vertebrae. The system also includes an insertion instrument with an engaging portion configured to releasably engage with the implant and the plate such that the implant and plate can be positioned together relative to the first and second vertebrae. In one aspect, an angular orientation of the implant relative to the plate is adjustable when the implant and the plate are engaged by the instrument. In this or another aspect, the implant and plate are held in a contiguous relationship when engaged by the instrument. However, different forms and applications are also envisioned.
US08454692B2	Systems and devices having hydromagnetic joints and hydromagnetic springs A hydromagnetic joint includes a first joint part having a first magnetic element with a magnetically charged surface, and a first buoyant element coupled with the first magnetic element, and a second joint part including a second magnetic element having a second magnetically charged surface that opposes the first magnetically charged surface of the first magnetic element, and a second buoyant element coupled with the second magnetic element. The hydromagnetic joint has a liquid disposed between the first and second joint parts. The first and second joint parts are moveable relative to one another and are in fluid communication with the liquid. The first and second magnetically charged surfaces have a common polarity and repel one another.
US08454691B2	Surgical correction of ptosis by polymeric artificial muscles A surgical procedure is described for the restoration of eyelid function in individuals suffering from ptosis or upper eyelid droop syndrome that makes a patient unable to voluntarily fully raise an eyelid. The surgical procedure includes implantation and suturing of eye drop (pH) activated and actuated fibrous contractile and expansive artificial muscles such as pH active hydrogels of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) artificial muscles that are surgically implanted and sutured under the superior palpebral conjunctiva in a serpentine parallel configuration with respect to the tarsal (meibomian) glands of the upper eyelid and anchored to the tissues of superior fornix.
US08454687B2	Lens inserter apparatus and method An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an apparatus and method for inserting a lens into a flap or pocket in the cornea. The apparatus includes a handle, a plunger extending movably through the lumen of the handle, wherein the plunger includes a distal segment which extends beyond the distal end of the handle, an actuator coupled to the plunger configured to provide movement to the plunger, and a leaf extending from the distal end of the handle and configured to hold the lens to be inserted into the eye, wherein the leaf defines a slot configured to enable loading the lens onto the inserter.
US08454685B2	Low profile transcatheter heart valve An implantable prosthetic valve, according to one embodiment, comprises a frame, a leaflet structure, and a skirt member. The frame can have a plurality of axial struts interconnected by a plurality of circumferential struts. The leaflet structure comprises a plurality of leaflets (e.g., three leaflets arrange to form a tricuspid valve). The leaflet structure has a scalloped lower edge portion secured to the frame. The skirt member can be disposed between the leaflet structure and the frame.
US08454684B2	Heart valve holder for use in valve implantation procedures A valve holder for a prosthetic valve having a stent comprising a stent base and multiple commissure posts projecting from the stent base, the valve holder including a connector hub, a plurality of legs connected to the connector hub, each leg having an elongate portion and a commissure post engaging plate, a sliding member slideably connected to each leg of the plurality of legs and positioned between the connector hub and the commissure post engaging plates of the plurality of legs and slideably positionable at a first position relative to the connector hub with the commissure post engaging plates in an uncompressed configuration and a second position relative to the connector hub with the commissure post engaging plates in a compressed configuration, and a handle extending from the connector hub.
US08454682B2	Anchor pin stent-graft delivery system A stent-graft delivery system includes a stent-graft including a proximal anchor stent ring. The proximal anchor stent ring includes proximal apexes and anchor pin structures extending proximally from each of the proximal apexes. The anchor pin structures include anchor pin connecting arms and anchor pins. The anchor pin structures are tucked together to accommodate small catheter sizes. Further, the anchor pins reduce or eliminate migration of the stent-graft. Further still, the anchor pin connecting arms are long and flexible thus distributing stresses in a way that improves the load carrying capacity of the anchor pins and allows flowering of the graft material of the stent-graft prior to release of the anchor pins structures.
US08454679B2	Endovascular conduit device for increasing safety of cardiac lead extraction and other vascular procedures 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.
US08454678B2	Prosthetic implants including ECM composite material Described are preferred prosthetic valve devices including a first extracellular matrix material having a second extracellular matrix material deposited thereon. The preferred materials are made by culturing cells in contact with an extracellular matrix graft material in a fashion to cause the cells to biosynthesize and deposit extracellular matrix components on the material. The cells are then removed to provide the extracellular matrix composite material. In preferred embodiments, the prosthetic valve devices are configured for use in vascular applications.
US08454672B2	Warming device for perioperative use A warming device for perioperative use includes a clinical garment and a convective thermal blanket supported on an inside surface of the clinical garment. A mechanism may be provided to releasably attach the thermal blanket to the clinical garment.
US08454666B2	Slide-type anti-backout device for prosthesis A slide-type cervical plate includes an anti-backout device (2) preventing the vertical movements of the bone anchor screws (3) and which consists of first vertical-blocking elements (71) capable of deforming elastically in a first direction so that an anchor screw (3) can be introduced into the corresponding bore (4) and of second vertical-blocking elements (8) capable of deforming elastically in a second direction different than the first so that another anchor screw (3) can be fitted into another bore (4), the first and second blocking elements deforming elastically when a combined external load in a vertical direction and in rotation in the clockwise direction is applied to the anchor screws (3).
US08454665B2	Multi-purpose bone plate system A multi-purpose bone plate system comprises a set of sterile malleable bone plates, an adjustable bending and contouring tower with adjustable angulation and compression slots and a set of bone plates with angulation and compression slots positioned at pre-selected locations to aid three-dimensional shaping of the bone plate. The surgeon inserts the sterile bone plate template to surround the fractured bone and works the template to acquire the physical shape of the fractured bone, inserts the template into the tower to set the adjustable angulation and compression slots of the tower. Now a symmetrical bone plate is inserted into the tower and bent to a shape that replicates the shape of the bone plate. The three-dimensionally shaped bone plate is sterilized and is attached by screws or nails surrounding the fractured bone segment and provides support to fractured bone segments during healing of the bone.
US08454658B2	Surgical bone anchoring device and spinal column fixation system A bone anchoring device for a spinal column fixation system includes an anchoring part, a bearing part for mounting at least one connection element thereon and a fixing element. The connection element is adapted for fixing to at least two bone anchoring devices. The anchoring part and the bearing part are mounted on each other, movable relative to each other in an assembly position and fixable relative to each other by the fixing element in an implantation position. The fixing element is of integral construction and has a proximal fixing element section, a distal fixing element section and a predetermined break-off area formed between the proximal and distal fixing element sections. The distal fixing element section has a receptacle for engagement with a tool for transferring the bone anchoring device from the assembly position to the implantation position. The device may be part of an improved spinal column fixation system.
US08454653B2	Compound barb medical device and method A compound barb medical device includes a body portion and at least one barb extending therefrom. The at least one barb defines an inner surface. The inner surface includes a first portion disposed at a first orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of the body portion and a second portion disposed at a second orientation relative to the longitudinal axis. The at least one barb is made from a shape memory material which can be deformed into a temporary shape from a permanent shape. The barb projects from the body portion in a first position relative to the body portion when in the permanent shape and in a second position when in the temporary shape.
US08454649B2	Device and method for controlling injection of liquid embolic composition A liquid embolic delivery system is provided for trapping an injected liquid embolic composition to prevent the liquid embolic from solidifying or otherwise passing outside of an embolization area. The delivery system includes a catheter for delivery of a liquid embolic composition and a containment member positioned at a distal end of the catheter which is shaped to trap the liquid embolic composition delivered through the lumen of the catheter. The containment member is formed as a brush, nest, sponge, swab, flexible sack, or other shape into and around which the liquid embolic composition is injected. The liquid embolic composition is trapped or meshes with the containment member during solidification containing the liquid embolic and preventing the embolic composition from passing into the blood stream.
US08454648B1	Locking device for a prostate immobilizer A prostate immobilizer has a shaft with a fluid passageway extending therethrough, a balloon affixed over an end of the shaft such that the fluid passageway communicates with an interior of the balloon, a lumen extending within the shaft so as to have an end opening adjacent an end of the balloon, and a device for locking a position of the shaft. The device has a positioning member having a stem portion extending from a head portion, and a locking member having a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member cooperates with the stem portion of the positioning member so as to fix a position on the shaft. A channel is formed in the head portion so as to receive the shaft therein.
US08454643B2	Tattoo needle housing and assembly The present invention provides a tattoo needle housing, including: a substantially hollow prismatic structure configured to surround a plurality of tattoo needles, wherein the substantially hollow prismatic structure includes a bottom edge portion at one end thereof that has a shape that substantially matches a collective shape of the tips of the plurality of tattoo needles, and wherein the substantially hollow prismatic structure includes an opening manufactured into one or more of a top surface and a bottom surface thereof.
US08454637B2	Scoring balloon with offset scoring elements A scoring balloon (10) includes a balloon portion (12) having a balloon wall substantially even in wall thickness; a plurality of sets of scoring elements (24-28) disposed on the balloon (12); each set of scoring elements including a plurality of scoring elements (30) arranged longitudinally in series, wherein adjacent scoring elements (30) in the series are longitudinally spaced from one another so as to provide gaps (32) between said adjacent scoring elements; each set of scoring elements being radially spaced relative to the other sets of scoring elements around the balloon (12), wherein the scoring elements of one set are longitudinally offset relative to the scoring elements of an or each adjacent set of scoring elements.
US08454634B2	Vessel sealing devices A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.
US08454630B2	Endoscopic clipping device A hemostatic clipping device is provided. The device includes first and second elongate arms, each arm comprising distal and proximal end portions, the arms being connected to allow relative motion between the first and second arms, the distal portion of each of the first and second arms further comprising a track blindly defined from a distal end of each arm toward the proximal portion of each arm. A clip is slidably disposed between the opposed distal portions of each of the first and second arms, the clip comprising first and second fingers each with distal and proximal portions, the proximal portions of the first and second fingers being fixed together to bias the distal portions of the first and second fingers toward each other, the first and second fingers each further comprising a pin extending radially outward from the distal end portion thereof.
US08454629B2	Biopsy devices and methods A method of marking and optionally treating a tissue sample, the method having the steps of: (a) providing an instrument including a needle having an opening and a clip delivery device within the needle, wherein the clip delivery device includes an opening coexisting with the opening of the needle; and (b) delivering a clip to a biopsy site, wherein the clip includes an encasement adapted to provide treatment to tissue sample; wherein delivery of the clip is essentially free of a step of longitudinal re-positioning of greater than about 3 mm by the user of the needle or clip delivery device so that the clip is precisely deployed to a central portion of the biopsy site.
US08454621B2	Instruments and methods for spinal implant revision Instruments and methods are provided for re-positioning and extracting spinal implants in a space between vertebrae. The instruments can include rotator instruments, hook instruments, and extractor instruments engageable to the implant. A method for manipulating a spinal implant in a space between vertebrae includes positioning a spinal implant in the space between vertebrae; engaging the spinal implant with a hook member at a distal end of a hook instrument; pulling the spinal implant toward an opening into the space between the vertebrae; grasping the spinal implant with an engaging assembly of an extractor instrument; and removing the spinal implant from the space with the extractor instrument.
US08454620B2	Systems and methods for reducing fractured bone using a fracture reduction cannula with a side discharge port An elongated shaft is sized and configured to establish an access path to bone having an interior volume occupied, at least in part, by cancellous bone. The elongated shaft includes a generally closed distal end portion and a side opening spaced from the closed distal end. A first tool is sized and configured to be selectively inserted into the shaft and selectively removed from the shaft. The tool includes a region that, when the first tool is inserted into the shaft, is capable of being aligned with and advanced through the side opening to project outside the side opening and contact cancellous bone. A second tool is sized and configured, upon removal of the first tool from the shaft, to introduce into the shaft a bone filling material for discharge through the side opening into the cancellous bone contacted by the first tool.
US08454612B2	Method for vertebral endplate reconstruction Embodiments relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide increased pull-out resistance, stability and/or contact with tissue involving a reduced amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and can include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces. Several embodiments disclose anchors and anchoring systems that effectively reconstruct or augment vertebral endplate surfaces.
US08454605B2	Blocking device for a broken or cracked bone Locking mechanism for a broken or fractured bone, comprising a medulla nail with a proximal portion which may incorporate perforations and a distal portion, and at least one locking aid, characterized in that the distal portion has a surface structure which is designed so that the bone can be stabilized by means of the medulla nail due to the at least one locking aid acting on the surface structure of the nail through the bone from outside, preferably preventing it from rotating and/or being subjected to axial stress.
US08454602B2	Apparatus, system, and method for performing an electrosurgical procedure The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a handle assembly including a movable handle and one or more shafts. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A solenoid is in operative communication with the movable handle and operatively couples to a drive rod operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second jaw members for causing movement thereof. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more teeth configured to engage one or more teeth located on the drive rod such that rotation of the solenoid imparts one of longitudinal and rotational movement of the drive rod such that at least one of the first and second jaw members moves between the open and closed positions.
US08454597B2	Endoscopic devices and related methods of use Embodiments of the invention include a medical device including a handle portion, an end effector assembly, an elongate member connecting the handle portion and the end effector assembly, and one or more treatment devices extendable through the elongate member and end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes an electrode assembly configured to cauterize tissue. The treatment devices may include an elongate cutting member with a safety tip. The treatment devices may include a multi-lumen catheter with a lumen configured to deliver fluid and another lumen configured to accommodate an injection needle, a cutting member, or other therapeutic or diagnostic devices.
US08454592B2	Medical device system for determining contact between first medical device and second medical device The medical device system includes: first and second medical devices that are used in the body cavity and surfaces of which have conductivity; a first electrode electrically connected to the surface of the first medical device; a second electrode electrically connected to the surface of the second medical device; a resistance measuring unit for measuring an inter-device resistance value between the first electrode and the second electrode; a threshold storing unit for storing a predetermined lower limit threshold of the inter-device resistance value; a determining unit for determining, when the inter-device resistance value is lower than the inter-device resistance threshold, that the first medical device and the second medical device come into contact with each other; and a warning generating unit for generating a warning.
US08454591B2	Subcutaneous electric field distribution system and methods Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling electric field distribution within tissue disposed at various depths beneath the skin at a target region of a patient's body by independently controlling the electric potential of each of a plurality of electrodes in relation to the electric potential of a ground pad. By controlling electric field distribution during a procedure, a target tissue at particular depths beneath the skin can be selectively heated relative to adjacent non-target tissue. At least one of the electrodes and the ground pad may comprise a spiral inductor comprising a substantially planar spiral of electrically conductive material.
US08454587B2	Closed loop catheter coolant system A coolant system for a cryoablation or treatment probe that includes a compressor and condenser having a low pressure inlet side and a high pressure outlet side, wherein the outlet side passes through a heat exchanger and is cooled by the inlet side and conditioned for injection to a catheter inlet. A vacuum return system connectable to the catheter outlet draws thermally expended coolant from the catheter and returns it to the low pressure inlet side. A motorized pressure regulator between the heat exchanger and the catheter inlet determines the pressure of coolant passing into the catheter, regulating the cooling rate for a selected mapping or ablation regimen. A coolant reservoir feeds into the low pressure inlet side and receives a return flow of excess fluid from a branch off the outlet side of the compressor.
US08454585B2	Flexible shaft extender and method of using same An extender for use in an electro-mechanical surgical system that includes a surgical attachment that may be detachably coupled to an electro-mechanical driver device via a flexible shaft. The extender is a substantially rigid extender that includes a proximal end that may be detachably coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft. The extender also includes a distal end that may be detachably coupled to the surgical attachment. The extender also includes at least one rotatable drive shaft configured to engage and be secured with a respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft such that rotation of the respective rotatable drive shaft of the flexible shaft by the electro-mechanical driver device causes the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the extender to rotate, thereby rotating a complementary connector of the surgical attachment so as to operate the surgical attachment. The extender may include a memory unit and a data cable that transfers data from the memory unit to an electro-mechanical driver device. Additionally or alternatively, the extender may include a data cable that transfers data from a memory unit in the surgical attachment to the electro-mechanical driver device. Advantageously, the extender is autoclavable.
US08454581B2	Infusion pump systems and methods Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can include a controller in which one or more features sets to be provided by the controller are enabled or disabled based upon the particular pump device that is connected to the controller. For example, in some embodiments, one or more advanced features of the controller are available to the user only when a first type of pump device (e.g., having predefined settings stored therein) is connected to the controller, and those advanced features of the controller are disabled when a second type of pump device is connected to the controller.
US08454579B2	Medical connector with automatic valves and volume regulator Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a medical connector having a backflow resistance module configured to prevent fluid from being drawn into the connector when a backflow inducing event occurs. In some embodiments, the backflow resistance module can include a variable-volume chamber configured to change in volume in response to a backflow-inducing event and a check valve configured to resist backflow. In some embodiments, the medical connector can include a fluid diverter configured to direct fluid flowing through the medical connector into the variable volume chamber to prevent fluid stagnation therein. In some embodiments, the medical connector includes a body member, a base member, a seal member, a support member, and a valve member.
US08454577B2	Catheter having an auxiliary lumen for use with a functional measurement wire The present invention relates to a surgical catheter, and more particularly, a balloon catheter having an auxiliary lumen configured to permit the advancement of a functional measurement wire to a treatment site. The auxiliary lumen communicates with a working lumen that is configured to permit the advancement of a guidewire and the functional measurement wire, so that the guidewire and functional measurement wire may selectively be advanced to the treatment site during a surgical procedure.
US08454573B2	Medicament administration apparatus An apparatus for removal of premixed drugs or reconstitution of lyophilized drugs and for the injection of the reconstituted drug into the patient. The apparatus includes a syringe assembly and an adapter assembly that can be removably connected to a medicament container containing a premixed drug or lyophilized medicament. The syringe assembly of the apparatus includes a liquid chamber between the forward end of the body portion and the piston and a syringe cannula assembly. The syringe cannula assembly, which can be removably interconnected with the body portion, comprises a cannula support and a hypodermic needle sealably connected to the cannula support. The adapter assembly comprises an adapter preferably molded from a moldable plastic that includes a top wall, an adapter cannula connected to and extending from the top wall and a variety of connectors connected to the top wall for removably interconnecting the adapter with the medicament container. The adapter assembly further includes syringe connector member connected to the top wall for removably interconnecting the syringe with the adapter in a manner to uniquely position the syringe cannula within the lumen of the adapter cannula wherein it is completely shielded from external contamination to prevent print damage and injury to the user.
US08454571B2	Disposable absorbent article having a frangible bonding agent A disposable absorbent article that includes a frangible bonding agent for maintaining the absorbent article in a predetermined configuration. The frangible bonding agent may be disposed on a fastening system in order to maintain one or more portions of the fastening system in a particular position during manufacturing but still provide an easy-to-open fastener when used by a consumer.
US08454567B2	Multi-conduit connectors and methods for negative pressure wound therapy Multi-conduit connector apparatuses for use in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) apparatuses to wound dressing, and methods for installing multi-conduit connector apparatuses in NPWT apparatuses.
US08454563B2	Trocar and cannula assembly having improved conical valve, and methods related thereto A trocar and cannula assembly with improved conical valve that incorporates a plurality of ribs to restrict and/or otherwise influence valve movement, and a plurality of improved convolutes and bumps to enhance performance characteristics.
US08454561B2	Fluid delivery systems for delivery of pharmaceutical fluids An assembly for connection to a system for injecting a patient is disclosed. The assembly includes an enclosure, a compartment incorporated into the enclosure, a connector, and an output. The compartment is adapted to accept a pharmaceutical container. At least one sealing member is adapted to reversibly seal the compartment. The connector is adapted to establish a fluid connection with a pharmaceutical container in the compartment. The outlet is in fluid connection with the first connector and adapted to connect to the injector.
US08454560B2	Syringe mount for a medical fluid injector In certain embodiments, a syringe mount of the invention may include a plate, an actuator, and one or more movable members located between the plate and the actuator. Each of the plate and the actuator may have an orifice defined therein, and an imaginary reference axis of the syringe mount may extend through one or both of these orifices. The actuator may be movable relative to the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reference axis. Further, the moveable member(s) may be designed to move (e.g., pivot) toward the reference axis due to movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position and to move (e.g., pivot) away from the reference axis due to movement of the actuator from the second position to the first position.
US08454559B2	Hypodermic syringe with retractable needle Hypodermic syringe having a barrel which with an inner wall thereof defines a reservoir, a closing-off device near the first end of the barrel, and a plunger that is movably placed in the second end of the barrel, wherein the closing-off device comprises a circumferential wall that sealingly abuts the inner wall of the barrel, at the side facing away from the nozzle is provided with a recess extending along a centre line of the closing-off device and over the full width thereof, which recess merges into the through-opening, with in the recess two diametrically opposite flexible locking members, extending in the longitudinal direction of the recess and towards the inner wall, which locking members engage into diametrically placed locking grooves in the inner wall, and at the side facing away from the nozzle, at a circumferential part of the closing-off device situated outside of the recess, is provided with two diametrically opposite and radially outwardly extending blocking members, that engage in diametrically placed blocking grooves in the inner wall.
US08454557B1	Infusion pump system and method Some embodiments of an infusion pump system may be configured to detect when at least one component of the pump system is exposed to an impact above a threshold level. In particular embodiments, the infusion pump system can be equipped with an impact detection system that can sense when an impact above the threshold level has occurred to the pump device, which thereby enables the infusion pump system to initiate appropriate patient safety countermeasures.
US08454555B2	Cardiac related neural activity The present invention relates to a medical device for analyzing cardiac related input signals. The device is capable of receiving an ECG-signal and a nerve activity signal, such as vagus nerve signal in order to detect a cardiac related neural activity, such as epilepsy. The device is programmed for detecting a trigger feature (e.g. the R-peak) in the signal and extracting a nerve activity signal segment from the nerve activity signal in response to detecting the trigger feature. An activity related feature is generated either based on a combined signal obtained from a number of nerve activity signal segments, or as a segment-based activity related feature obtained from a number of nerve activity signal segments. Moreover, the device is adapted for comparing the activity related feature to a predefine criterion in order to detect the cardiac related neural activity.
US08454553B2	Disposable extracorporeal blood circuit and apparatus for the extracorporeal treatment of blood A rigid tubular piece (24) and a cassette assembly (10) for extracorporeal blood circulation having the rigid tubular piece are disclosed. The rigid tubular piece is used for submitting fluid circulating therein to measurements and includes a protrusion or a recess in correspondence of at least an end connector. A blood treatment medical apparatus using the cassette assembly is also disclosed. The apparatus is able to detect if the right rigid tubular piece is in proper position before authorizing measurements of a blood property.
US08454552B2	Method for constructing an instrument with a covered bore for subcutaneous implantation A method for constructing an instrument with a covered bore for subcutaneous implantation is provided. An incising body is formed by defining a non-circular coaxial bore and sharpening a cutting edge extending from a bottom distal end beyond the opening of the coaxial bore and affixing an attachment point at a top distal end. A plunger is constructed sized to fit within the coaxial bore. The plunger is inserted in the bore of the incising body. A cover is affixed to the attachment point, wherein the cover extends down to the bottom distal end and, when closed, the cover encloses the opening proximal to the cutting edge.
US08454551B2	Removable adapter for phacoemulsification handpiece having irrigation and aspiration fluid paths Current phacoemulsification handpieces require rigorous cleaning after each procedure because the aspiration and irrigation pathways for fluids are integral to the handpiece. According to the present invention, a removable horn extension and nosecone may be used with a phacoemulsification handpiece to allow for disposable fluid pathways exterior to the handpiece. This will reduce the cleaning time and effort, reduce cross-contamination, and increase the lifespan of the handpiece. Furthermore, the current invention allows different horn extensions to be used to excite different motions at the tip of the handpiece, depending on the preference of the surgeon.
US08454548B2	System and method for plasma reduced platelet collection A method and apparatus for collecting plasma reduced platelets potentially suspended in a synthetic solution from a donor. Whole blood is drawn from the donor and introduced into a separation chamber. Platelets are extracted from the separation chamber into a container, using, for example, surge (with anticoagulated plasma or a synthetic solution) or push methodologies. The remaining blood components in the separation chamber are returned back to the donor. The steps of drawing whole blood and introducing the whole blood into the separation chamber, extracting platelets from the separation chamber into the container, and returning the remaining components in the chamber back to the donor are repeated. The sequestered platelets in the container are reintroduced into the separation chamber, whereupon a plasma reduced platelet product is extracted.
US08454547B2	Device, system, and method for controllably reducing inflammatory mediators in a subject Devices, systems, and methods are provided for controlling an inflammatory response in a subject. Devices, systems, and methods are provided that alter the functional structure of one or more inflammatory mediators in the peripheral blood of the subject. The device or system is useful in a method for treating an inflammatory disease or condition in the subject.
US08454541B2	Training apparatus for the disabled Apparatus for disabled persons, comprising a skid which optionally may be equipped with wheels, to which skid is connected a device for tightening the user's knees.
US08454539B2	Method and device for detecting and preventing plantar ulcers A method of detecting a risk of occurrence of a plantar ulcer includes the following steps: monitoring at least the temperature and pressure of the sole of at least one foot; as soon as one of the temperature and pressure parameters exceeds a threshold value, opening a first time window for monitoring the first parameter; if at the end of the first time window the first parameter still exceeds the threshold value, monitoring the second parameter during a second time window; and assigning a coefficient of risk to the event encountered.
US08454537B2	Guide wire with core having welded wire segments An intravascular guide wire having two core materials joined together without the use of a connector tube or sleeve, the core materials being stainless steel and psuedoelastic metal alloy, nitinol. The core materials are joined to each other through an intermediate transition piece made essentially of nickel, which is welded on either side to the two core materials. In a multi-segment intravascular guide wire, discrete, high modulus and medium modulus core portions of different materials are welded to a shapeable, low modulus distal core portion made of a third material having a flattened, shapeable section at a most distal end that is not welded to but made from the distal core portion, so the flattened, shapeable section can be deformed to create a steerable tip. Processes such as simultaneous resistance and friction welding can be used to join the core portions.
US08454534B2	Blood collector device and blood analysis procedure The present invention provides an improved arterialized earlobe blood collection device, and an improved process for blood analysis. The device and the process of the invention can be used in many unsual and/or risky situations, including collecting arterialized blood in space missions under microgravity environment and within ambulances or the like. The process of the present invention enables easier and faster blood analysis, since the blood collector device of the invention is coupled with an analyzing apparatus so as no blood or needle manipulation is required.
US08454532B2	Clutch and valving system for tetherless biopsy device A biopsy device may include a needle, a cutter, and a handpiece. A vacuum pump may be provided in the handpiece for providing a vacuum to the needle and/or to the cutter. A motor may be provided in the handpiece to drive the vacuum pump and/or the cutter. A biopsy device may also include a valving mechanism within the handpiece for selectively communicating a vacuum and/or atmospheric air to the needle. A clutching mechanism may selectively provide communication between a motor and the cutter. Portions of a valving mechanism and a clutching mechanism may be integrally formed. A clutching and valving mechanism may be driven by a first motor; and a cutter and vacuum pump by a second motor. A biopsy device may include batteries for powering motors. A biopsy device may thus provide vacuum and power from within a handpiece, such that the biopsy device is tetherless.
US08454524B2	Wireless flow sensor Devices and methods useful for non-invasively measuring and indicating a rate of fluid flow are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor housing adapted to received fluid flow therethrough is provided. A radio frequency tag and a masking element can be disposed in the sensor housing. The masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to one another. The relative positions or movement can alter the response of the radio frequency tag to a wireless signal (which can be emitted from an external reading device, for example) and thereby indicate a rate of fluid flowing through the housing. For example, in some embodiments, the masking element can selectively cover at least part of the radio frequency tag in correspondence to the flow rate, which can change a characteristic of the radio frequency tag's response to the wireless signal.
US08454523B2	Method and device for the intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which in an alternating manner the coronary sinus is occluded by an occlusion device and the occlusion is released, the curve of the fluid pressure occurring in the coronary sinus after the release of the occlusion is estimated by calculation and the time of the beginning of the next occlusion is determined as a function of the estimated pressure curve.
US08454521B2	Sphygmomanometer The objective of the present invention is to provide a sphygmomanometer that is easy to use. The sphygmomanometer according to the present invention measures blood pressure in accordance with an oscillation in an artery wall, resulting from an arterial pulse correspondent with a change in cuff pressure. It comprises a cuff that is connected to the sphygmomanometer main body by a tube, a display unit for displaying the results of blood pressure measurements, and an air supply unit for supplying air to, and thus pressurizing, the cuff, which is detachable from the sphygmomanometer main body. The air supply unit is screwed into the sphygmomanometer main body with a screw assembly, and the screwed-in state is preserved by a caulking ring. The air supply unit also comprises a filter for keeping dust from entering the sphygmomanometer main body.
US08454519B2	Miniature forward-looking ultrasound imaging mechanism enabled by local shape memory alloy actuator The present invention relates to a new forward-looking ultrasound device including a local actuator embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention includes an ultrasound transducer element configured to engage with the local actuator and rotate about an axis of rotation at least when the ultrasound transducer element and the local actuator are engaged. Also disclosed are methods of using the same.
US08454518B2	Ultrasonic probe An ultrasonic probe is provided capable of eliminating difficulties in processing, increasing the directivity of ultrasonic waves, and obtaining a high-resolution diagnostic image. An ultrasonic probe 10 is configured to include a plurality of piezoelectric elements 1, an acoustic matching layer 2 provided on a front surface in the thickness direction at a subject side (upper side in the drawing) so as to correspond to the respective piezoelectric elements 1, a backing load member 3 provided, as necessary, on a rear surface (lower surface in the drawing) in the thickness direction of the piezoelectric elements 1 at a side opposite to the acoustic matching layer 2, and an acoustic lens 4 provided, as necessary, on the acoustic matching layer 2. The acoustic matching layer 2 is formed of a rubber elastic material and arranged in a non-divided, flat surface shape at one side of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 1.
US08454517B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic method An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 comprises an ultrasonic transmitter unit 13,15, an ultrasonic receiving unit 13,17, an extracting unit 17, a filter unit and an adder unit 19c,21c. The ultrasonic transmitter unit 13,15 transmits ultrasonic varied at least one of phase and amplitude to an object. The ultrasonic receiving unit 13,17 receives ultrasonic echoes. The extracting unit 17 extracts a first nonlinear signal obtained through modulating the amplitude and a second linear signal obtained through modulating the phase from common ultrasonic echoes. The filter unit processes a filter process to the first nonlinear signal and the second nonlinear signal with at least two deferent sets of a middle frequency and a width of a band. The adder unit 19c,21c performs weighted addition to signals obtained through the first nonlinear signal and the second nonlinear signal according to a depth of the object.
US08454514B2	Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a medical image-processing apparatus An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 1 comprises an ultrasonic probe 2 for transmitting the ultrasound while three-dimensionally scanning, and receiving ultrasound reflected from biological tissue, an image processor 5 (and a signal processor 4) for generating image data for an MPR image based on results received thereof, an information memory 6 for storing cross-sectional-position information D showing a cross-section of this MPR image, a display part 81, and a controller 9. The image processor 5 generates image data for the new MPR image for the relevant cross-sectional position, based on the cross-sectional position shown in the cross-sectional-position information D1 obtained when the MPR image was obtained in the past and the received results obtained by the new three-dimensional scan performed with the ultrasonic probe 2. The controller 9 causes the display part 81 to display the new MPR image.
US08454513B2	Micro-machined medical devices, methods of fabricating microdevices, and methods of medical diagnosis, imaging, stimulation, and treatment A medical device may include a micro-machined substrate, at least one thermo-electric assembly associated with the substrate, and a cooling system configured to configured to remove heat from the a region of the substrate proximal the substrate. According to various aspects, a method of clearing plaque from a blood vessel may include implanting a micro-device in the blood vessel, wherein the micro-device may include at least one ultrasonic transducer, and operably controlling the micro-device to emit high frequency ultrasonic waves for breaking up said plaque.
US08454512B2	Confocal photoacoustic microscopy with optical lateral resolution A confocal photoacoustic microscopy system includes a laser configured to emit a light pulse, a focusing assembly configured to receive the light pulse and to focus the light pulse into an area inside an object, an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive acoustic waves emitted by the object in response to the light pulse, and an electronic system configured to process the acoustic waves and to generate an image of the area inside the object. The focusing assembly is further configured to focus the light pulse on the object in such a way that a focal point of the focusing assembly coincides with a focal point of the at least one ultrasonic transducer.
US08454509B1	Nanostructured composite material and biosensor comprising it A nanostructured composite is provided which comprises a matrix comprising carbon nanofibers, and a biochemical receptor, especially an enzyme, immobilized in the matrix, where the carbon nanofibers have been subject to an oxidation treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the nanostructured composite further comprises a biomimetically synthesized silica matrix.
US08454503B2	Remote tissue retraction device A medical device for managing tissue in an organ, such as the stomach, for retracting or positioning tissue and related organs to allow certain regions of the stomach to be acquired for a gastroplasty procedure. The medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue treatment device attached to the distal end of the elongated body. The tissue treatment device includes a first jaw opposite a second jaw, and each jaw is adapted to acquire tissue. A retractor is disposed along the tissue treatment device and adapted to be moveable from a delivery position to a retraction position to move or manage the tissue of the stomach. The medical device also includes a collapsible barrier disposed between the first and second jaws of the tissue treatment device to direct tissue into the first and second jaws separately.
US08454494B2	Support apparatus for gastric band system injector A support apparatus connects with and provides fluid communication between a needle and a syringe. The support apparatus includes at least one arm that is configured to provide cantilever support of the needle and syringe while the needle is inserted in a patient. The arm engages the patient's skin, and may be rigid, malleable, hinged, stretchable, telescoping, and/or have other properties. The support apparatus may form part of an adapter that also includes a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor senses the pressure of fluid in a gastric band system when the needle is inserted in an injection port of the gastric band system. A cable may extend from the pressure sensor to a display device, and may include markings configured to provide measurement from the needle to a patient's xyphoid process. Such a measurement may be factored into a calculation to account for hydrostatic pressure differences in pressure readings.
US08454489B2	Implant comprising radioactive seeds The present disclosure relates to an implant comprising at least two sheets of a biocompatible material, and at least one radioactive seed disposed between said sheets of material. The disclosure also relates to a method for treating a patient, comprising fixing to the tissue of the patient at least one implant comprising at least two sheets of a biocompatible material, and at least one radioactive seed disposed between said sheets of material.
US08454482B2	Body contouring apparatus and the method thereof A body contouring apparatus and the method for using such apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a flexible rod, which has two ends and a laminar cross-section. The exercise device can switch between a rod shape and a ring shape. The exercise device has two connecting components, which are disposed at the two ends of the flexible rod, and at least one handle portion, which is female-connected to the flexible rod. When the two connecting components are connected to each other, the exercise device is in a ring shape; and when the two connecting components are not connected to each other, the exercise device is in a rod shape.
US08454478B2	Vertical arc exercise machine An exercise device comprising: a foot support arranged on a frame for supporting a user standing upright on the foot support, the foot support being movable on the frame back and forth between a rearward position and a forward position along any one of a plurality of separate, reproducible user selectable segments of an overall arcuate path; the foot support being supported in a cantilevered arrangement on a rear linkage that is pivotally mounted on the frame for back and forth movement.
US08454477B2	Power transmitting device and vehicle having same mounted thereon A power transmission configured with a mechanical pump that generates and deliver a fluid pressure to a clutch. An electromagnetic pump generates and delivers a fluid pressure to the clutch, and an accumulator connects the clutch and the electromagnetic pump, and accumulates fluid pressure acting there between. A switching valve selectively switches between connecting the mechanical pump side and the clutch in a fluid communicating manner and connecting the electromagnetic pump and the clutch in a fluid communicating manner. A valve drive portion that drives the switching valve so as to connect the mechanical pump side and the clutch when the mechanical pump is driving, and drives the switching valve so as to connect the electromagnetic pump and the clutch when the electromagnetic pump is driving in place of the mechanical pump.
US08454472B2	Multi-speed transmission with external drive gearsets A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, two external gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. Each of the external gear sets includes first and second gears. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US08454470B2	Power generating apparatus and method for assisting engine The present invention relates to a power generating apparatus and method for assisting an engine, capable of supplying auxiliary power to an engine transmission shaft when the engine is transmitting power to the engine transmission shaft via a gearbox. The power generating apparatus comprises: a power supply unit for providing a high voltage power source; a driver for converting the high voltage power source into a driving power source and transmitting same; and a direct-current motor for converting the driving power source transmitted by the driver into the auxiliary power to be transmitted to the engine transmission shaft; wherein the rotational speed of the direct-current motor driving the engine transmission shaft is enabled to be higher than that of the engine driving the engine transmission shaft, so as to supply the auxiliary power to the engine transmission shaft.
US08454469B2	Power split transmission with energy recovery Power split drive (PSD) transmissions capable of energy recovery and suitable for use in automotive applications. Each PSD transmission includes a mechanical transmission system for mechanically transmitting mechanical power between a rotatable input shaft and a rotatable output shaft, and a hydraulic transmission system containing a fluid for hydraulically transmitting hydraulic power between the input shaft and the output shaft, and at least a third shaft operatively interconnected to one of the mechanical and hydraulic transmission systems. The hydraulic transmission system is operatively coupled by at least a first planetary gear train to the mechanical transmission system. According to the invention, the PSD further comprises means operatively associated with at least one of the mechanical and hydraulic transmission systems for storing and releasing energy within the PSD transmission, the energy storing and releasing means comprising a flywheel or an accumulator or a combination thereof.
US08454467B2	Power split transmission The present invention relates to a power split transmission for a motor vehicle, having a mechanical and a hydrostatic power branch (3, 4) disposed parallel to each other and contacting a mutual drive shaft (1), wherein the hydrostatic power branch (4) consists of a hydro motor (6) coupled to a hydro pump (5) and is connected to the drive shaft (1) via a gear stage (7), wherein the branched power from the mechanical and hydrostatic power branch (3, 4) can be combined into a gear drive (13) disposed on the face side, said gear drive being subsequently connected to a drive shaft (2), wherein the mechanical power branch (3) further consists of two planetary gears (8, 9) having sun gears (10, 12), planetary gears (16, 17), and hollow gears (21, 22), wherein the sun gear (10) of the first planetary gear transmission (8) is placed directly on the drive shaft (1) while the sun gear (12) of the second planetary gear transmission (9) is in contact with the gear drive (13) via a sun shaft (11), and wherein the planetary gears (16, 17) of both stages (8, 9) are disposed in a coaxial manner and are supported on a mutual planetary carrier shaft (18).
US08454466B2	Hybrid powertrain system using selectable one-way clutches A hybrid powertrain system includes first and second torque machines, a differential gear set including first, second and third elements, an output member, and first, second, and third selectable one-way clutches (SOWC). The first SOWC is configurable to prevent rotation of the third element of the differential gear set in a first rotational direction when controlled to a first activated state, and configurable to prevent rotation of the third element of the differential gear set in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction when controlled to a second activated state. The first torque machine is coupled to the third element of the differential gear set only when the second SOWC is controlled to one of the activated states. And, the third element of the differential gear set is coupled to the input member only when the second and third SOWCs are each controlled to one of the activated states.
US08454464B2	Power transmission belt and method of making same A method of making a belt including the steps of: (a) helically wrapping a fabric strip of predetermined width on a mandrel at a first helix angle; (b) helically winding a tensile cord onto the mandrel over the fabric at a second helix angle less than the first helix angle; (c) wrapping a sheet or a strip of elastomer material around the mandrel over the tensile cord; and (d) curing the elastomer material under pressure to form a belt sleeve. The mandrel may be grooved for making toothed belts. The fabric strip may be preformed. A resulting toothed belt has a fabric seam spanning several teeth and having a helix angle. The seam may be joined.
US08454460B2	Breakaway basketball rim assembly A basketball rim mounting assembly permitting multi-directional deflection in response to extraordinary forces imposed on the rim has a fixed portion coupled to a backboard and a movable portion fixed to a basketball rim. The fixed portion can include a back plate secured to a front face of the backboard and a pair of bracket plates fixed to extend forward from the back plate. A tilt regulating structure can control the extent of deflection of the rim relative to the backboard such that the extraordinary force necessary to cause the rim to break-away from its normal position is the same in any direction. The tilt regulating structure can bias a rollable member within a detent formed in the back plate. A pivot axis member can be coupled to the tilt regulating structure to define the tilt and roll axes of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion.
US08454456B2	Low lift golf ball A golf ball having a plurality of dimples formed on its outer surface, the outer surface of the golf ball being divided into plural areas comprising at least two groups of areas, a first group of areas containing a plurality of first dimples and a second group of areas containing a plurality of second dimples, the first and second groups of areas being arranged to form an Archimedean solid, the first and second groups of areas and dimple shapes and dimensions being configured such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules and such that the first and second groups of areas produce different aerodynamic effects, and the first dimples being of different dimensions from the second dimples.
US08454454B2	Golf ball having reduced surface hardness A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, the core comprising an outer surface and a geometric center, the outer surface being treated with and comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt composition, the outer surface further having a first hardness and the geometric center having a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is the same as or different than the second hardness.
US08454438B2	Gaming machine having two image display devices A gaming machine is provided which is capable of causing a player's eye to smoothly move from a main game to a rendering when the rendering is started.When a predetermined number or more of predetermined symbols are displayed on a first display as a result of a first game, a first control signal for displaying on the first display a dice image in a mode of rolling of the dice for determining progress of a second game that is different from the first game is output from a controller to the first display, as triggered by detection of an operation of an operating device by a player. After a first predetermined period of time has elapsed after output of the first control signal has been started, a second control signal for display control to display a dice image in a dice rolling mode on the second display is output from the controller to the second display.
US08454431B2	Characters interactions in a video game or other virtual environment managed by an automated system In various embodiments, systems generate a video game or other virtual environment and player characters in the video game can form different types of interactions and relationships. Some relationships provide benefits and/or obligations. The video game facilitates the monitoring, forming and terminating of various kinds of relationships.
US08454428B2	Gaming machine performing real-time 3D rendering of gaming events A gaming machine uses mathematical modeling and graphical displays to provide players with realistic depictions of gaming activities for wagering. Three-dimensional mathematical models are used to simulate real-world interactions of physical objects, with a display showing the player a visual representation of the game interactions. By providing the player with a realistic depiction of real-world gaming activities, a gaming machine according to the present invention involves the player in the wagered-upon activity to a greater extent than traditional gaming machines.
US08454427B2	Gaming device having wager dependent bonus game play In one embodiment of the present invention, the player must wager a number of paylines to qualify for one of a plurality of bonus games. The highest required number of paylines qualifies the player to play the main or most elaborate bonus game. The main or first bonus game preferably has the highest average payout per credit wagered. This provides an incentive to the player to play the highest required number of paylines. In an embodiment, any number of paylines less than the highest required number or max lines qualifies the player to play a second bonus game. The second bonus game has an average payout per credit wagered that is slightly less than the main bonus game. This allows the incentive or disparity between payouts to be set by the game designer so that the player not wagering max lines or the highest required number is not overly disadvantaged.
US08454426B2	Wagering game with active paytable highlighting winning combinations A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a game display, a display arrangement, and a controller. The game display is operable to display a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game in response to receiving a wager from a player. The display arrangement displays a video image and overlays the game display. The video image includes a paytable having paytable regions indicating respective winning combinations. The controller is in communication with the display arrangement, wherein in response to the randomly selected outcome including symbols of a winning symbol combination, the controller causes one or more aspects of the paytable region associated with the winning combinations to be distinguished from the other paytable regions.
US08454425B2	Gaming system and method of gaming A gaming machine is provided that provides games in which a plurality of symbols are selected from a group of symbols and displayed on a display and, if a winning combination occurs, the gaming machine awards an award. The gaming machine comprises a user interface in communication with a game controller. The game controller is configured to provide a first game in which an event counter is maintained by the game controller and modified by the game controller each time a counter event occurs, and to provide a second game in which the game controller modifies the group of symbols to include a number of specific symbols. The number of specific symbols is dependent on the value of the event counter.
US08454424B2	Gaming machine and playing method thereof, which qualifies player to join special game through chance game run at the same time base game is run A gaming terminal of the present invention a base game offering a chance of winning a payout according to a predetermined combination; a chance game offering a chance of obtaining a chance flag which qualifies a player to join a special game offering a chance of winning a higher payout than the base game; a terminal storage unit storing the number of chance flags; a terminal display which displays images of the base game, the chance game, and the special game; and a terminal controller, which performs the steps of: running the base game and the chance game at the same time; determining and awarding a payout according to a result of the base game; determining the number of chance flags according to a result of the chance game, and awarding a resulting number of chance flags; accumulatively storing in the terminal storage unit the number of chance flags awarded; and awarding a payout determined according to a result of the special game which is run when the number of the chance flags stored in the terminal storage unit equals or surpasses a predetermined.
US08454421B2	Method of playing a bingo-type game with a mechanical technological aid, and an apparatus and program product for playing the game A method of playing a bingo-type game includes the steps of generating a result of the game and displaying a representation of the result. More specifically, the representation of the result of the game is displayed through a mechanical technological aid at an electronic play station. An apparatus for playing the game includes a server and the electronic play station in operative communication with the server. The server generates the called numbers, which correlate to the result of the game, and the electronic play station includes the mechanical technological aid for displaying the representation of the result of the game. A program product for playing the game is stored on computer readable media and includes a result program code for generating the result of the game and a display program code for displaying the representation of the result through the mechanical technological aid.
US08454418B2	Methods and apparatus for stringed controllers and instruments Stringed instruments, game controllers, and related structures and methods are described. A game controller having one or more strings is described for a computer gaming application. A plurality of frets can be disposed on a fingerboard and underlying the strings. The frets may include electrically conductive zones that can be electrically insulated from each other, and each zone corresponds to a different string. A polyphonic pickup having a plurality of wire-wound coils coupled to corresponding magnetic returns can be included, and can be adapted to detect striking of at least one of the strings by a user of the game controller. Output signals may be sent from the controller to the gaming application indicative of fingering of the game controller and the time at which the strings of the game controller are struck. Multi-mode apparatus are also described. A stringed apparatus may be used as both a game controller and an instrument.
US08454417B2	Scent-based board game The present invention includes a scent-based board game to challenge the olfactory sense of the player, and a method of play thereof, further including a game board having a start space, an end space and a set of spaces positioned between the start and end space; a scented card having a scent, the identity of the scent and an order; and positional markers. The players progress along the game path by following instructions on the game spaces, identifying the correct scent on the scented cards, and avoiding obstacles. The first player to arrive to the end space is declared as winner.
US08454411B2	Hand-held power tool system A hand-held power tool system has a hand-held power tool, a guard unit, and a guard anti-rotation lock unit configured to prevent rotation between the guard unit and the hand-held power tool in a case where a tool of the hand-held power tool breaks during intended operation. The guard anti-rotation lock unit also is configured to prevent rotation between the guard unit and the hand-held power tool at a same time as the guard unit is attached to the hand-held power unit, when the guard unit is in a working position. Preferably, the guard anti-rotation lock unit is at least partially located on a closing unit which includes a clamping band and a pivotable lever. The anti-rotation lock unit preferably includes an anti-rotation lock element provided on the lever.
US08454405B2	Flying toy having gyroscopic and gliding components Provided are flying devices and methods of manufacturing and launching same, in particular flying toys or other recreational items that are designed to be thrown through the air by a user participating in any one of a variety of throwing (i.e. “catch”) games. In particular, the concept is directed toward a flying disc having rotatably attached non-rotating (a.k.a. “gliding”) portions that are attached to the disc and provide an optical illusion, wherein the user (and, similarly, an observer) does not notice the spinning of the flying disc, but instead sees a flying craft that appears to have no propulsion, yet flies. While the non-rotating portions alter the airflow associated with a typical flying disc, they do not negatively affect the flight characteristics of the disc itself. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the non-rotating portions (e.g., ailerons) have been observed to improve the flight characteristics of typical flying discs.
US08454404B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing sealed panel and method and apparatus for manufacturing plasma display panel A method for manufacturing a sealed panel having a first substrate and a second substrate, including: a melting step of melting a sealing material which does not contain a binder for making the sealing material into paste form; a coating step of applying the melted sealing material onto a surface of the second substrate; and a sealing step of laminating the first substrate and the second substrate via the sealing material applied onto the surface of the second substrate.
US08454402B1	Systems and methods for performing a shift in a transmission in marine propulsion systems Propulsion systems for marine vessels comprise an internal combustion engine rotating a driveshaft; an electric motor; a transmission selectively connecting the rotating driveshaft to a propulsor via a rotating gear; and a control circuit controlling the electric motor to slow rotation of the driveshaft and gear when a shift into the gear is requested.
US08454396B2	Terminal weld tab having a wire squeeze limiter One embodiment includes an electrical connection terminal (20) including at least a first weld tab (22). The first weld tab (22) including an outer face (23) and a weldable inner face (33). The weldable inner face (33) includes a substantially planar first portion (25) and a substantially planar second portion (27), and wherein the first portion (25) and second portion (27) are not in the same plane.
US08454395B2	Electrical connector having improved contact member An electrical connector (100) for mating with a mating connector includes a housing (1) defining a receiving cavity (10), a rear insulator (32), a central pin (7), a front insulator (31) and a contact member (5) received in the receiving cavity. The contact member includes a first through fourth side walls (513a-513d) surrounding an inserting slot (514), a pair of resilient beams (515) respectively bent from the second and the fourth side walls toward the inserting slot for clasping the mating connector. The first side wall includes a first edge portion (511) having a first protrusion (519) and a first cutout (518) in front of the first protrusion, and a second edge portion (512) having a second protrusion (516) engaged with the first cutout and a second cutout (517) behind the second protrusion and engaged with the first protrusion.
US08454392B2	System and method for coupling a portable electronic device to a charging/ data pod An adaptor is provided. The adaptor comprises a first portion including a plug insertable into a port of a portable electronic device. The adaptor further comprises a second portion including at least one adaptor contact configured such that, when the plug of the first portion is inserted into the port and the portable electronic device is placed in a pod, the at least one adaptor contact abuts to at least one pod contact in the pod.
US08454390B2	Inline fuse holder assembly An inline fuse holder assembly encloses a fuse assembly including a fuse, and first and second wire connectors at respective first and second longitudinal ends of the fuse assembly. The inline fuse holder assembly includes first and second components including respective first and second connectors. The first and second connectors include mateable, non-releasable connection components configured to connect the first and second components to one another and form a substantially waterproof, non-releasable connection upon connection. The first and second components together define an enclosure for enclosing an entirety of the fuse assembly when the first and second fuse holder components are connected to one another.
US08454389B2	Fuse-receiving device The invention relates to a fuse-receiving device, in particular for junction boxes in photovoltaic systems, comprising a fastening web and receiving contact portions, arranged on the end faces of the fastening web, for contact blades of fuses, comprising insulating caps which are placed on the fastening web and cover the receiving contact portions at least in part and also have slot openings which allow the contact blades of a fuse to be guided through, the fastening web having at least one groove-shaped socket for an electrical busbar, into which socket a contact tab of one of the receiving contact portions is inserted, and at least one groove which extends along the axis of the fastening web being provided in at least one end face of the fastening web, and a holding member being provided which has a plug means which may be brought into engagement with the at least one groove.
US08454388B2	Micro-USB connector A connector includes a plurality of terminals, a housing to fix these terminals, and a shield surrounding the housing. Each terminal comprises a mating portion, a soldering portion, and a connecting portion extending therebetween. The housing comprises a main body and a tongue portion extending forward from the main body and the shield comprises a top wall, a base, and two side walls positioned opposite each other, the walls forming a mating cavity with an opening at the front. The base is formed by the meeting of the two half bases, which are formed by the lower edges of the two side walls extending out toward each other, there is a first soldering leg on each half base, and the first soldering leg extend from a front edge of each half base first in a downward direction and then in a horizontal direction toward a rear of the connector.
US08454385B2	Coaxial cable connector with strain relief clamp Coaxial cable connectors with a strain relief clamp. In one example embodiment, a coaxial cable connector for terminating a coaxial cable is provided. The coaxial cable includes an inner conductor, an insulating layer surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the insulating layer, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor. The coaxial cable connector includes an inner conductor clamp configured to engage the inner conductor, an outer conductor clamp configured to engage the outer conductor, a strain relief clamp configured to exert a first inwardly-directed radial force against the coaxial cable, and a moisture seal configured to exert a second inwardly-directed radial force against the jacket. The first force is greater than the second force.
US08454380B2	Card edge connector A card edge connector includes an elongated housing having an upper wall and a lower wall defining a mating cavity therebetween and extending along a longitudinal direction. A plurality of terminal grooves are respectively defined in the upper wall and lower wall and in communication with the mating cavity. A plurality of contacts are respectively received in said terminal grooves. A pair of locking devices are disposed at opposite ends of the mating cavity and extend along a rear-to-front direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A recess facing the upper wall is defined in the lower wall and extends along the longitudinal direction under condition that two longitudinal ends of the recess are closer to the upper wall than a middle portion of the recess.
US08454378B2	Connector A connector is provided that may include first and second housings. The first housing may include a first body and a lock arm. The first body may include a first receptacle. The lock arm may be pivotably coupled to the first body. The second housing may include a second body having a second receptacle and a support member. The first and second housings may be engageable with each other in a first position and a second position and movable relative to each other from the first position to the second position. The lock arm may be deflectable relative to the support member when the first and second housings are in the first position. The support member may restrict deflection of the lock arm when the first and second housings are in the second position.
US08454377B2	System for electrically connecting batteries to electric vehicles The connection system is designed to facilitate electrical and data connections between the battery and the electric vehicle. The connectors are designed with alignment mechanisms to account for initial misalignment of the battery and vehicle while still ensuring positive contact between them. The alignment mechanisms also introduce compliance into the system to ensure that the mechanical components of the system are not placed under unwanted loads or stresses. The connection system houses data connectors carrying communication signals as well as power connectors carrying high voltage electricity. The data connectors are shielded to prevent interference caused by proximity to the high voltage elements. The connection system uses no mechanical latching or locking mechanisms.
US08454373B2	Socket with lower contacts with configuration A socket for receiving an IC (integrate circuit) package comprises an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts. The insulative housing defines a plurality of contact passageways for receiving the contacts. Each contact has a retaining portion, an elastic arm and a soldering portion, and the retaining portion is formed with a first part, a second part and a bending part between the first and the second parts. Each of the first and the second parts is formed with a protrusion on an outside lateral edge thereof away from the bending part for interfering with the contact passageway of the insulative housing to retain the contact to the insulative housing.
US08454372B2	Electrical connector with power plug and power socket An electronic device includes a power plug and a power socket coupled to the power plug. The power plug includes a housing, two plug contacts, one conductive member, two conductive resilient pieces, and two magnetic members. The conductive resilient pieces are positioned in the housing, and are electrically connected to the conductive member. The magnetic members are positioned in the housing, and opposite to the at least two conductive resilient pieces. The power socket includes an inner housing, two socket contacts, and two metal pieces. The inner housing defines an assembly groove to receive the power plug. The metal pieces are positioned in the assembly groove of the inner housing, and are opposite to the magnetic members, such that a magnetic attraction force exerted between the metal pieces and the magnetic member actuates the power plug.
US08454371B2	Adhesive-backed chalkboard wall covering An improved chalkboard marking surface comprises a rollable, flexible sheet of polypropylene having two sides that are opposite one another, each having a generally flat surface. On one side, a layer of adhesive is applied to the polypropylene substrate. On the same side of the polypropylene substrate, a selectively removable release sheet is preferably applied to the layer of adhesive for the purpose of keeping foreign materials from attaching to the adhesive when the chalkboard surface is not in use. On the reverse side of the polypropylene substrate, a layer of ink is applied which forms an abrasive surface after it dries, and importantly, results in a chalkboard surface that is lighter in weight.
US08454370B2	Submersible tablet for underwater or extreme environment A tablet that is suitable for use underwater or in any extreme environment is provided. The tablet is designed, through the use of buoyant materials such as polystyrene, to have a slightly negative buoyancy at a depth of about fifty feet so that it can be very easy to manipulate underwater and will not sink or ascend rapidly if let go. A length of waterproof (plastic) vellum is stretched between two rollers to form a drawing or writing surface thereby enabling the user to easily record information on the vellum.
US08454369B2	Extensible exam language (XXL) protocol for computer based testing A memory stores a plurality of first data structures, which includes element specific data objects indicating a classification of at least one of the plurality of segments of the test definition language, and second data structures, which include attribute specific data objects indicating at least one attribute of the segments of the test definition language implemented by a computer. A method for computer-based testing includes authoring a test specification and content of the at least one test using a test definition language, compiling the test specification and content of the at least one test to create a compiled test specification and content, which includes validating the test specification and content, storing the compiled test specification and content to a resource file, and retrieving the compiled test specification and content from the resource file during delivery of the test.
US08454366B2	Actuated support platform for video system An actuated support frame for transmitting motion to a seat with respect to a ground as a function of motion signals associated with video output, comprises a frame. The frame is expandable/retractable along translational degrees of freedom. Support surfaces are provided on the frame. The support surfaces are displaceable with respect to one another by expansion/retraction of the frame so as to be sized to support a seat. Actuators are provided between the frame and the ground. The actuators receive signals and selectively displace the frame with respect to the ground in synchronization with a video output, whereby a seat supported on the frame is displaceable within the frame. A method for installing a seating system of a motion simulator system is also provided.
US08454364B2	Method for preparing a physical plaster model The invention provides a method for creating a physical teeth model. The method comprises the following steps: providing a virtual three dimensional (3D) representation of a patient's dentition that comprises at least a region of the teeth that includes a tooth stump on which a crown is to be fitted or a region on to which a bridge is to be fitted; and preparing a physical model of the jaws of a subject from a blank, based on information from said virtual 3D image.
US08454361B2	Swaggering endodontic instruments Endodontic instruments are described which have at least a section with a center of mass offset from an axis of rotation so that when the instrument is rotated, the section bends away from the axis of rotation.
US08454360B2	Liquid droplet interproximal cleaning apparatus with gas stream protection The interproximal cleaning apparatus includes a gas reservoir (12) containing a compressed gas, such as CO2, in both liquid and gaseous states. A siphon tube (20) extends down into the liquid region of the gas reservoir when the apparatus is in an upright position. The siphon tube connects the reservoir to a metering valve (18) which has a metered volume to accommodate an amount of liquid compressed gas which is sufficient for good liquid droplet cleaning when it decompresses and forms a gaseous stream, without damage to the dental regions of the user. If the apparatus is severely tilted or turned upside down, gaseous CO2 or a combination of gaseous and liquid CO2 will enter the siphon tube and then the metering valve. The size of the metering valve will limit the volume of the gaseous CO2 to a safe amount, both when liquid CO2 or gaseous CO2 are applied to the metering valve.
US08454355B2	Porous-medium burning apparatus A burning device is provided for fuel cell to be run under high temperature. The burning device uses a specific-designed fuel spraying device having porous medium. The burning device can be used under different statuses of flow in the fuel cell. With the burning device, the fuel cell has improved efficiency by enhancing recycling of system heat and pollution of discharged waste gas is reduced.
US08454352B2	Micro-pilot for gas appliance A micro pilot for a gas hot water heater is provided. The micro pilot provides a flame that is substantially smaller than a typical pilot in a hot water heater during standby operation of the burner. Just prior to allowing gas to flow to the burner upon a call for heat, a pilot flame of sufficient size to ensure ignition of the burner is provided. In one embodiment this larger pilot flame is produced by providing an additional amount of bleed gas to the pilot to increase flame size. In another embodiment, bleed gas is provided to a separate booster pilot, which is ignited by the micro pilot. The flame from the booster pilot is then used to ignite the main burner. This design allows for the micro pilot to be positioned closer to the flame trap of a flammable vapor resistant hot water heater to ensure smooth ignition of any such vapor.
US08454349B2	Removable light-off port plug for use in burners An improved burner and a method for combusting fuel used in furnaces such as those found in steam cracking. The burner includes a burner tube having a downstream end and an upstream end, a burner tip adjacent a first opening in the furnace, so that combustion of the fuel takes place at the burner tip, a lighting chamber adjacent to the first opening in the furnace, and a removable lighting chamber plug having a shape effective to substantially fill the lighting chamber when positioned within the lighting chamber.
US08454345B2	Dimensional printer system effecting simultaneous printing of multiple layers A printer system for developing a three dimensional (3D) printed structure includes a plurality of spaced apart sets of printing devices; a conveyor system arranged to serially convey a print medium past each set of printing devices, whereby the print medium receives printed voxels from each successive set of printing devices to form successive layers of voxels into a 3D printed structure upon the print medium; a placement mechanism configured to place an object upon layers of the 3D printed structure, the placement mechanism comprising a translation mechanism configured to translate the object at substantially the same velocity as the conveyance of the print medium during placement of the object; and a plurality of curing mechanisms interleaved between the sets of printing devices fur curing the printed voxels. At least one printhead of a first of the plurality of spaced apart sets is operable to print voxels simultaneously with a printhead of a second of the plurality of spaced apart sets, whereby multiple layers of voxel are formed at the same time.
US08454340B1	Heat treated formation of tubular articles Apparatus and method are provided for heat treatment of a tubular preform material that is loaded onto the outer surface of an electrically conductive mandrel forming a rotatable tubular shaped resistance heater.
US08454338B2	Apparatus for manufacturing infiltrating water-proof material for zipper An apparatus for manufacturing infiltrating water-proof material for zippers comprising a lower mold and an upper mold, wherein the lower mold is positioned with a positioning recession and a groove, the upper mold is provided with a mold cave on a top thereof and a scraper portion on a bottom edge thereof and adhering to a bottom surface of the positioning recession, whereby the upper mold is assembled to the lower mold into a unitary member in which the upper mold is fitted in the positioning recession, a liquid PU rubber which has been treated with thickening step is poured into the mold cave of the upper mold, and then a zipper tap is moved by transferring rollers to the positioning recession to provide a water-proof film therefor.
US08454337B2	Septic tank fabrication system A system for fabricating a septic tank using an outer mold and an inner removable plug, between which hardenable fluid material is poured. Preferably, the plug and mold are positioned with respect to one another in a manner that permits a septic tank to be fabricated in a single pour.
US08454335B2	Valveless vane compressor A vane compressor has a plurality of vanes that are radially translatable and have outer ends. The vanes create zones between each pair of adjacent vanes, each zone having a given area. The vane compressor also has an axis about which the vanes rotate and an outlet for expelling compressed fluid. A first zone immediately following a second zone, which is in register with the outlet, has the same area as the second zone.
US08454332B2	Method of assembling a refrigerating compressor A compressor comprising a sealed chamber delimited laterally by a shell, a drive shaft housed in the shell and guided relative to the other parts of the compressor via at least one bearing provided in a bearing support fixed to the internal wall of the shell. The method comprises steps consisting in supplying a shell have, in the fixing plane of the bearing support, an oval section comprising a small axis to which the bearing support is intended to be mounted, exerting a pressure on the shell in order to elastically deform it so as to increase the length of its small axis, inserting and positioning the bearing support in the fixing plane of the latter, and ceasing to exert a pressure on the shell so that the latter tends to elastically return to its original form and grip the bearing support.
US08454331B2	Plate pump assembly for use with a subsurface pump A plate pump assembly for pumping various fluids including heavy crude. The plate pump assembly includes first and second chambers each having lower and upper valves. Primary upper and lower eccentric cams within the plate pump assembly are connected to an upper plate and a lower plate. A secondary eccentric cam is connected to a piston that separates the first and second chambers. A drive shaft of the assembly rotates the primary upper and lower eccentric cams to actuate the upper and lower plates alternately concealing and revealing the lower and upper valves for the first and second chambers. The drive shaft further rotates the secondary eccentric cam to actuate the piston alternately decreasing and increasing an area of the first and second chambers to receive fluids through the lower valves and compress the area within the first and second chambers to push the fluids through the upper valves.
US08454328B2	Multiplex reciprocating pump A reciprocating pump assembly comprises: a motor with a rotary motor drive shaft; a cam coupled to the motor drive shaft with an axis of rotation and a cam channel cut generally axially into a radial face of the cam; and multiple reciprocating pump units arranged radially about the cam axis of rotation, each with an inlet valve, an outlet valve, a plunger and a plunger sleeve, with a free end of its plunger coupled to the cam by way of a cam follower riding in the cam channel; wherein rotation of the motor output drive shaft causes the plunger in each pump unit to independently reciprocate in its respective sleeve.
US08454327B2	Piezoelectric micropump A piezoelectric micropump in which a pump chamber is isolated by a diaphragm. A piezoelectric element is disposed on a back surface of the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is deformed by bending deformation of the piezoelectric element to change the volume of the pump chamber and transport fluid in the pump chamber. A support member for supporting a back surface of the piezoelectric element is provided so that the support member inhibits bending of a peripheral portion of the diaphragm in a reverse direction. The support member thus prevents the piezoelectric element from being floated. Accordingly, the displacement of the piezoelectric element can be reliably transmitted as the change in volume of the pump chamber, thereby enhancing the fluid transportation performance.
US08454325B2	Coaxial pumping apparatus with internal power fluid column A pump having an increased energy efficiency is provided. The pump has an internal power fluid column and a transfer piston which is reciprocatingly mounted about the power fluid column. The transfer piston defines a product fluid chamber, located above the transfer piston valve, and a transfer chamber, located below the transfer piston valve. The power fluid column has at least one passageway, which allows the fluid inside the power fluid column to be in communication with a power fluid chamber. The power fluid chamber, the transfer chamber, and the product chamber are situated coaxially about the power fluid column.
US08454322B2	Fan having a magnetically attached remote control A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet, the air outlet comprising an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow, the air outlet defining an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth, a control circuit for controlling the motor, a remote control for transmitting control signals to the control circuit, and at least one magnet for attaching the remote control to the air outlet.
US08454321B2	Methods and devices for optimizing heat transfer within a compression and/or expansion device Systems, methods and devices for optimizing heat transfer within a device or system used to compress and/or expand a gas, such as air, are described herein. For example, systems, methods and devices for optimizing the heat transfer within an air compression and expansion energy storage system are described herein. A compressor and/or expander device can include one or more of various embodiments of a heat transfer element that can be disposed within an interior of a cylinder or pressure vessel used in the compression and/or expansion of a gas, such as air. Such devices can include hydraulic and/or pneumatic actuators to move a fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) within the cylinder or pressure vessel. The heat transfer element can be used to remove heat energy generated during a compression and/or expansion process.
US08454315B2	Active force generation system for minimizing vibration in a rotating system A method and device for reducing vibratory noise in a system with an integral rotating member includes independently operable drive systems for controlling the angular velocity of at least two independently rotatable masses. Control signals manipulate the drive system to rotate each mass at optimal speed, direction and phase to reduce noise induced in the system by the rotating member.
US08454311B2	Wind turbine blade edge monitoring system A monitoring system and associated operational method are operatively configured with a wind turbine for detecting separation of shell members along an edge of a wind turbine rotor blade. The system includes any configuration of sensors disposed within an internal cavity of the rotor blade, with the sensor oriented relative to a leading or trailing edge of the blade and configured to detect a physical characteristic within the blade that is indicative of onset of a separation between the shell members along the monitored edge. A controller is configured to receive signals from the sensor and to initiate an automatic response to a detected separation.
US08454307B2	Socket with bearing bore and integrated wear plate Embodiments of the invention provide a pump with a housing including a pump chamber and an impeller positioned within the pump chamber. The pump also includes a socket with a wear plate, an inner ring, and an outer ring. The wear plate at least partially defines the pump chamber. The impeller is in contact with the wear plate. An outer surface of the outer ring is coupled to the housing. An inner surface of the outer ring receives a bearing. The inner ring receives a seal. A portion of the housing is molded over an end of the socket.
US08454305B2	Air diffuser system for industrial pumps An air diffuser device suitable for use in an air diffuser system for a centrifugal pump the pump including a pump casing with a pumping chamber therein, an impeller mounted within the pumping chamber for rotation about a rotation axis, the impeller including a front side and a rear side. The air diffuser system comprises one or more passages extending through the impeller from the front side to the rear side, the or each passage having a first opening at the rear side and a second opening at the front side of the impeller. The air diffuser device comprises a main body having a seal side and an impeller side, and at least one channel extending through the main body from the seal side to the impeller side, the or each channel having an intake opening at the seal side, a discharge opening at the impeller side, and a base wall extending through the main body, the base wall having a leading end portion at the seal side, and a trailing end portion at the impeller side, the discharge opening being in fluid communication with the first opening of the passage in the impeller when installed.
US08454304B2	Bearing support structure for turbine Bearing support structure for turbines comprising an inner ring (1) and an outer ring (2) radially connected by means of structural vanes (5) and aerodynamic vanes (6) in a circumference-like arrangement between both rings (1, 2). The aerodynamic vanes (6) are thinner and lighter than the structural vanes (5), and the number of structural vanes (5) depends exclusively on the loads of the bearing (3) housed in the structure to be transmitted to the anchoring points (7) of the engine assembly located in the outer ring (2), and on the amount of service fluids which must go through between the inner ring (1) and the outer ring (2), while the number of aerodynamic vanes (6) and their section depends exclusively on the aerodynamic requirements demanded from the support structure for the straightening of the turbine main flow. Thus, the structural vanes (5) fulfill only structural functions and the aerodynamic vanes (6) fulfill only aerodynamic functions.
US08454302B2	Steam feed for a steam turbine A steam supply for a turbomachine with an inner housing and an outer housing is provided. The steam supply includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe, a cooling medium inlet opening disposed in the outer pipe and a cooling medium entering thereby into space between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, and the inner pipe being cooled thereby.
US08454298B2	Fan case reinforcement in a gas turbine jet engine Described is reinforcement of a fan case in a gas turbine jet engine. In one embodiment, a containment ring and a heat resistance ring are shrink interference fit on the inside diameter of the fan case, the containment ring where the large fan blades turn, and the heat resistance ring where heated air from backfiring heats up the fan case. In one example, the containment ring is made of a super alloy to provide added strength to the fan case should a fan blade break, containing the fan blade within the fan case. The heat resistance ring is made of titanium or other suitable material. Additionally, one or more stiffener rings may be shrink interference fit on the outside diameter of the fan case. The containment ring and stiffener rings can reduce the flight weight of the fan case and lower the material costs, while increasing the containment strength of the fan case. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08454297B2	Method for determining the remaining service life of a rotor of a thermally loaded turboengine A method for determining the remaining service life of a rotor of a thermally loaded turboengine in which a temperature on the rotor is determined. Thermal stress on the rotor is calculated from the determined temperature, and the remaining service life of the rotor is calculated from the derived thermal stress. The temperature is measured directly at a predetermined point of the rotor, and the thermal stress on the rotor is derived from the measured temperature.
US08454296B2	Pipe-handling apparatus and methods Apparatus and methods for moving a tubular member to and from an elevated drilling rig floor. A support structure has an elongate indentation in its upper surface. A ramp assembly comprises telescoping assemblies having nested tubular elements extendable between retracted and deployed positions, thus forming a guide extending from the elongate indentation towards the drilling rig floor. Indexers may urge the tubular member towards or away from the elongate indentation. Kickers may urge the tubular member into or out of the elongate indentation, and may be operable via actuators which also operate the indexers.
US08454293B2	Substrate loading and unloading station with buffer A substrate processing apparatus having a station for loading and unloading substrates from the apparatus, includes an aperture closure for sealing a loading and unloading aperture of the station, a fluidic magazine door drive for removing a door of a substrate magazine and thus opening the substrate magazine and for operating the aperture closure to open the aperture, and sensor for mapping vertical locations of substrates mounted to the magazine door of the drive. The fluidic magazine door drive may include an encoder different from the sensor, the encoder being configured for determining the vertical location of the sensor.
US08454291B2	Device for attaching an element to a holder A device for attaching an element to a holder, the device including a screw having a body and a head, the screw body being able to pass through an opening of the element and to penetrate the holder, and a washer surrounding the screw body when the washer is inserted between the head of the screw and the element, characterized in that the washer comprises an external periphery and an internal periphery each having at least one protruding portion, each protruding portion being able to penetrate respectively the element and the holder to provide the attachment between the element and the holder. Also, an attachment method using such a device, and a front face with including device.
US08454276B2	Cutting insert and cutting tool A cutting insert has a substantially polygonal shape, and a groove formed in a corner portion of one polygonal surface, and at an intersecting portion between a leading cutting edge and a peripheral cutting edge formed at intersecting portions of side surfaces adjacent to each other across the corner portion, a minor cutting edge is formed. Of the groove, in an area associated with the leading cutting edge and the minor cutting edge, a rake face including a downward inclined surface is formed. A first angle between a direction of maximum inclination of the downward inclined surface and the leading cutting edge is larger than a second angle between the direction of maximum inclination and the minor cutting edge.
US08454275B2	Bevel gear cutting tool with cutter bars The invention relates to a form blade (10) for the milling of bevel gears, with a base body (11) which has a receiving area and with at least two cutting strips (13.1, 13.2) with a cutting edge (18.1). The cutting strips (13.1, 13.2) are detachably fixed in corresponding receiving areas (12.1, 12.2) of the base body (11).
US08454274B2	Cutting inserts A cutting insert for use in a chipforming material removal operation that includes a cutting insert body, which has a seating surface, a flank face, and a corner cutting region at the intersection of a peripheral edge and the flank adjacent corresponding corners thereof. The cutting insert body contains a central aperture. The seating surface contains a coolant delivery trough, which has a radial orientation toward a corresponding corner cutting region. The coolant delivery trough has a radial outward end terminating at the peripheral edge and a radial inward end opening into the central aperture. There are a pair of lateral topographic regions wherein the one lateral topographic region is along one side of the coolant delivery trough and the other lateral topographic region is along other side of the coolant delivery trough.
US08454271B2	Apparatus and method for providing access to a buried pipe The pipe access device is comprised of a curved plate adapted to engage an underground pipe along an arc of the outer surface of the pipe, and a boss extending upwardly from the curved plate about an aperture in the curved plate. The curved plate extends along an arc of the outer surface of the curved plate that corresponds to a central angle of the pipe less than or equal to 180°. The curved plate includes a concave surface with a radius of curvature less than a radius of curvature of the outer surface of the pipe so as to bias the curved plate against the outer surface of the pipe when the curved plate is flexed to engage the pipe. The pipe access device is for use in providing access to the buried pipe that requires minimal excavation and disruption of the soil.
US08454270B1	Portable foam dispensing machine A foam dispensing apparatus for dispersing foamed material into an excavation containing pipelines and a novel power head for dispersion of foam.
US08454268B2	Gaseous sequestration methods and systems Methods and systems for gas sequestration are provided. The systems include a porous storage reservoir containing a dense fluid; a first tubing string, configured to provide and inject a gaseous emissions (GE) stream at or near the top of the porous storage reservoir above the base portion of the porous storage reservoir; and a second tubing string configured to withdraw the dense fluid from the base portion of the porous storage reservoir. In some embodiments, the first and second tubing strings may be encased in a single well bore and may include measurement and control equipment for pressure management of the injection locations. The withdrawn dense fluids may be re-injected into an overlying porous reservoir or may be sent to the surface for treatment. Methods are provided for injection of GE and withdrawal of dense fluids for safe, long term gaseous sequestration of significant portions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and associated gases (gaseous emissions, GE).
US08454263B2	Production-optimized manhole cover A manhole cover is made of a fiberglass reinforced saucer-like shell that is filled with concrete. The interior surface of the shell is rough and the shell has a maximum thickness of 5 mm. An adhesive agent may be provided between the base and the filling, to obtain a reliable bond between base and filling. The concrete for the filling may be pure mineral concrete. One or more lifting handles are embedded in the filling. To this end, a recess for each handle is formed in the filling. The ends of the handle are embedded in the concrete and the lifting portion of the handle is curved upward and is held in the recess such that there is a space between the curved portion and the bottom of the recess, so that the handle may be easily grasped.
US08454262B2	Shelf clip A two-piece connector for connecting two pieces of corrugated material. A first connector piece configured to connect to a first piece of corrugated material includes a flange connected to a first connecting mechanism. A second connector piece configured to connect to a second piece of corrugated material includes a second connecting mechanism configured to cooperate with the first connecting mechanism of the first connector piece.
US08454260B2	Weight selecting pop-pin A pop-pin and a method for using the pop-pin with a weight-training machine to perform mixed-weight sets of exercise are disclosed. A pop-pin having a spring loaded into an unstable equilibrium position can be inserted into a weight stack to select a weight and vertical guide bar while another conventional pin is inserted into the same weight stack and the vertical guide bar at a position above the pop-pin. A user can then operate the weight-training machine, at which point the spring on the pop-pin is dislodged from the unstable equilibrium position and presses on the weight plate into which it is inserted. When the weight stack is lowered, thus reducing the load of weight on the pop-pin, the force of the spring pressing against the weight plate ejects the pop-pin from the weight plate. At this point, the user can continue the exercise with the smaller stack.
US08454253B2	Keyboard having keys horizontally arranged in the alphabetical order of the english language Disclosed is an arrangement of keypads, entitled Cenky Keyboards, which are uniquely-designed keyboard layouts that utilize data entry keypads having the letters of the English language arranged in natural alphabetical order. This arrangement, or layout, is applicable to electronic hand-held or desktop computing, typing, and calculating devices, and assists users in locating letters and typing more efficiently. Letters A through Z are arranged alphabetically on the keyboard, either horizontally in rows or vertically in columns, thus facilitating quick typing. This product may be used in conjunction with any i-pad, smart phone, computer, or other devices, including those with fixed keyboards, touch screens, and slider keyboards.
US08454247B2	Lens holder and image capture device using same An adaptive mounting for an image capture device includes a lens holder, a tilt bracket rotatably engaging with the lens holder, and a pan bracket pivotally connecting the tilt bracket via a pair of adjustment screws. The lens holder includes two opposite connecting portions used for engaging with either a vari-focus lens module or a fixed focus lens module.
US08454246B2	Handheld camera balancing support system A balancing support system is provided for a handheld electronic device enabled with a camera. The support system is balanced on a central apex of a handle member. Laterally spaced apart clamping members allow various camera devices to be clamped onto the support system. Counterbalancing stabilizer arms are also able to support a camera on the support system in a self-supported and upright orientation. A steering member transmits steering movement to the camera device relative to the handle member through a magnetic interaction to minimize the effects of undesirable user movements on the video being captured by the camera device.
US08454240B2	Cage for ball bearing A cage for a ball bearing comprising a body of generally annular shape and clamps, the body comprising a heel of substantially annular shape and a substantially axial portion being connected to the heel and wherein recesses are arranged for the balls, the substantially axial portion supporting said clamps on the side axially opposite to the heel, the cage comprising an axial partition placed between the recesses and extending axially from the end of the heel opposite to the clamps toward the clamps while radially delimiting external free spaces and internal free spaces situated radially on either side of said partition.
US08454236B2	Bag for storing and transporting game and meat A game bag defines an open mouth ringed by a drawstring passage. Suspending loops are sewn into stitching forming the drawstring passage and are positioned near opposite side edges of the bag. Light reflective loops are carried at a side edge and in a bottom seam near an opposite side edge.
US08454235B2	Radiographic imaging system A radiographic imaging system includes an imaging apparatus which takes a radiographic image of a subject and outputs image data of the radiographic image; an image processing apparatus which performs image processing of at least one of an exposure field recognition process and a trimming process on the image data of the radiographic image; an image processing information storage apparatus which stores the imaging conditions of the radiographic image and image processing information which indicates the image processing and its applicable range in an associated manner; and an image processing information search apparatus which searches for image processing information according to imaging conditions of current imaging, among the image processing information of past imaging stored. The imaging apparatus changes a range of radiation exposure irradiated from a radiation source in accordance with the applicable range of the image processing of the past imaging contained in the image processing information retrieved by the image processing information search apparatus.
US08454228B2	Thermal detector testing device A testing device for testing thermal detectors includes a hollow sleeve, open on at least one end, configured to receive a thermal detector. The hollow sleeve can have a length greater than a diameter. A heater is positioned is in proximity to the hollow sleeve, and is configured to provide heat for testing the thermal detector. The heater can be a flexible foil heater. A power source is provided to supply power to the heater. A power control module can be provided for variably adjusting a set point temperature or a rate of temperature rise for the heater.
US08454224B1	Fomite tumbler and method of transferring biological material A fomite tumbler and method of transferring an agent from a source object to one or more fomites is provided. The tumbler provides reproducible and adjustable experimental determination of agent transfer between objects such as during handling. The inventions provide a unique mechanism for studying the transfer of a biological agent through a public use system such as the United States Postal System.
US08454221B2	Lighting unit, liquid crystal display, and electronic apparatus An end of a light guide plate used for a liquid crystal display and a lighting unit, which is positioned on one side in a first direction, is provided with a depressed portion, and another end of the light guide plate, which is positioned on the other side in the first direction, is provided with a projecting portion. Using the depressed portion and the projecting portion, the light guide plate is placed in a predetermined position of a frame body. The depressed portion and the projecting portion are formed at positions opposite each other in the first direction, and the projecting portion is equal to or smaller than the depressed portion in size.
US08454220B2	Illuminator with light source units radially arranged at a reference point of a base frame There is provided an illuminator comprising a plurality of light source units that include: a light guide plate; and a plurality of point light sources arranged on a lateral side of the light guide plate, each of the light source units being configured as that light introduced from the plurality of point light sources to the light guide plate is adapted to exit from a main surface of the light guide plate, wherein the plurality of light source units are radially positioned at a reference point of the base frame.
US08454219B2	Backlight unit and display apparatus including the same A backlight unit and a display apparatus including the backlight unit are provided. The backlight unit includes: a light source unit which includes at least one light source which emits light, and a gap maintaining unit; a light guiding plate which guides the light emitted from the light source; and an elastic member which elastically biases the light source unit toward the light guiding plate so that the gap maintaining unit maintains a gap between the light source and the light guiding plate.
US08454218B2	Illuminating apparatus An illuminating apparatus includes a plurality of light source units and a light guide plate. The light guide plate has a flat part and a protruding part, wherein the light source units provide a side light beam into the light guide plate at an edge surface, the side light beam is guided in the light guide plate and exits at the protruding part.
US08454217B2	Electronic device An electronic device includes a housing and a light guide member. The housing defines a mounting hole and one or more positioning portions formed on an inner wall of the mounting hole. The light guide member is detachably mounted to the housing and received within the mounting hole of the housing. The light guide member includes a main body, one or more resilient portions formed on the main body, and one or more latching portions formed on the resilient portions corresponding to the positioning portions of the mounting hole of the housing. The latching portion is detachably latched with the positioning portion via the deformation and returning to original shape of the resilient portion. Thus, the light guide member is conveniently mounted on or detached from the housing.
US08454210B2	Cable receiving apparatus and lamp using the same A cable receiving apparatus include a hollow base defining a through hole, a hollow conduit including a threaded end. The threaded end passes through the through hole and engages a nut to connect the hollow conduit to the hollow base. The threaded end defines a first slot for a cable running through the hollow conduit to enter the hollow base. In this way, during the assembly process, operators can assemble the cable first, then use a socket wrench to screw the nut directly.
US08454208B2	Retractable energy conserving solar or other powered landscape light including method of replacing retractable landscape light The current inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for a providing an energy efficient and durable landscape lamp. The lamp can retract when not in use to prevent damage. The high efficiency retractable landscape lamp of this invention may be powered by conventional distributed low voltage or by a solar photovoltaic (PV) source. In some embodiments the lamp may be powered by low voltage, it may be individually interchangeable with a conventional low voltage landscape lamp or may be installed in a low voltage lighting complete system. This lamp may house the electrical components and gearmotor in an upper dry compartment making it reliable in outdoor installations, even in wet environments. This invention can also relate to operation without the need for unreliable limit switches for the raising and lowering of the lamp.
US08454206B2	Surface light source device A surface light source device includes a lamp post, a number of light sources distributed in rows on the side surfaces of the lamp post, and a number of first prism sheets and second prism sheets arranged around the lamp post in that order. Each of the first prism sheets and the second prism sheets includes a light incident surface and a light exit surface opposite to the light incident surface. Each of the light exit surfaces includes a number of substantially parallel elongated protrusions, and the longitudinal directions of the elongated protrusions of the first prism sheet and the second prism sheet are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first prism sheets and the lamp post are approximately spaced by a first predefined distance, and the second prism sheets and the first prism sheets are approximately spaced by a second predefined distance.
US08454193B2	Independent modules for LED fluorescent light tube replacement Disclosed herein are embodiments of a LED fluorescent tube replacement lamp and lighting modules from which the lamp is constructed. One embodiment of a replacement lamp includes a plurality of interchangeable lighting modules that are configured to be electrically connected to adjacent modules. The interchangeable lighting modules can include end modules each having an end cap with pin connectors, at least one of the end modules includes electrical circuitry connected to the pin connectors for powering the modules. The lighting modules can also be center unit modules having LEDs mounted to a circuit board. The replacement lamps can be made from conceivable configurations of the lighting modules, requiring removal of only one module for repair or replacement.
US08454185B2	Hollow, liquid cooling and strip-shaped LED lamp The invention discloses a hollow, liquid cooling and strip-shaped LED lamp, comprising an LED driver, an LED light source, and LED substrate, a light distributing lampshade, electrical connectors at two ends and a lamp socket. The invention is characterized in that a hollow inner container is set in the light distributing lampshade. The hollow chamber between the hollow inner container and the light distributing lampshade is filled with heat conducting liquid. The LED substrate is immersed in the heat conducting liquid. The invention conducts heat by conduction and convection of the heat conducting liquid, which can obtain good heat radiating effect. Meanwhile, the inner container and the light distributing lampshade form a hollow radiating shell filled with high performance heat conducting liquid, and the hollow radiating shell can be made of light weight materials. Therefore, the radiating shell is light in weight, environmental friendly, durable and low cost. Especially, since the heat conducting liquid fills in the hollow chamber of the hollow radiating shell directly in the invention, the heat radiating effect will be improved and at the same time the volume of the product will not increase.
US08454180B2	Measuring instrument A measuring instrument includes a light source, a dial plate with a scale design, and a light guide member. The light guide member includes a receiving portion for receiving the light from the light source, and a flat plate portion for irradiating the light transmitted from the receiving portion to the dial plate. The flat plane portion includes a thick wall section located close to the scale design, and a thin wall section extending from the thick wall section in a direction away from the light source. The thick wall section is thicker than the thick wall section. A boundary end face connected to a region of the thick wall section and a region of the thin wall section in the second face of the light guide member reflects the light transmitted in the light guide member from the light receiving portion to irradiate the image design.
US08454171B2	Method for determining a video capture interval for a calibration process in a multi-projector display system First, a delivery delay, i.e. the time it takes for a content to be captured and a representative frame made available (i.e. delivered), is determined. Second, a video capture interval, i.e. a minimum time delay requirement between stable captured content frames, is determined. In other words, the recycle time-period after which it is safe to change frame content during a capture interval without impacting a prior stable video frame in the pre-delivery stage is determined.
US08454167B2	Presbyopia correction program Systems and methods for treating presbyopia are provided. In one embodiment, a system for photorefractive treatment of presbyopia includes a laser source configured for ablating corneal tissue and a control system in communication with the laser source and configured to control the laser source to ablate conical tissue of a patient to achieve a desired corneal shape. In some instances, the control system controls the laser source by calculating a global optimum regarding curvature and asphericity of the cornea. In some instances, control system controls the laser source by calculating a central steep island and calculating a curvature and asphericity for the rest of the cornea. In some embodiments, a laser source is controlled to ablate the cornea of the patient in accordance with a calculated shape profile to achieve a desired corneal shape.
US08454166B2	Methods and systems for amblyopia therapy using modified digital content Systems, methods, and apparatuses for amblyopia and ocular deviation correction are disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for amblyopia correction, the system includes, an image processing unit to identify a set of image parameters and, when, in operation, the image processing unit modifies a source visual content based on one or more of the set of image parameters to generate visual content and a visualization unit coupled to the image processing unit operable to receive visual content from the image processing unit, the visualization unit having a screen, when, in operation, the screen displays the visual content.
US08454165B2	Method and system for quantitative assessment of visual contrast sensitivity A method is presented to address quantitative assessment of visual contrast sensitivity in a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to the subject on a display, the scene comprising a plurality of elements and a background; (2) modulating the contrast of at least one element; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one input device; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback relative to the scene; (5) adjusting the contrast relative to accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (6) calculating a critical threshold parameter for the subject; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium. An apparatus for quantitative assessment of visual contrast sensitivity of a subject comprising a display device, an input device, a control device, and a tangible computer readable medium. In its simplest sense, quantitative assessment profile of visual contrast sensitivity by psychophysical responses is generated on a tangible computer readable medium.
US08454162B2	Optimizing vision correction procedures In one embodiment a wavefront sensor is configured to measure real time aberration values of a wavefront returned from the eye of a patient while an image of the eye of the patient is being viewed by a surgeon during an on-going vision correction procedure and for providing an output signal indicating real time aberration values and a display, coupled to the wavefront sensor, is configured to show a dynamic display indicating the real time aberration values to the surgeon and configured to be viewed by the surgeon while also viewing the image of the eye of the patient during the on-going vision correction procedure.
US08454161B2	Apparatus and method for illuminating and imaging the retina of an eye of a patient An apparatus for illuminating and imaging the retina of an eye of a patient utilizes an LED as source of illumination.
US08454160B2	Zone extension systems and methods Wavefront measurements of eyes are often taken when the pupil is in a first configuration in an evaluation context. The results can be represented by a set of basis function coefficients. Prescriptive treatments are often applied in a treatment context, which is different from the evaluation context. Hence, the patient pupil can be in a different, second configuration, during treatment. Systems and methods are provided for determining a transformed set of basis function coefficients, based on a difference between the first and second configurations, which can be used to establish the vision treatment.
US08454157B2	Three-dimensional glasses A pair of three-dimensional glasses include two lenses, a frame holding the two lenses, a circuit board controlling the two lenses, and a power unit powering the circuit board. The power unit includes a control switch. The control switch extends from an inner surface of the frame. The circuit board is powered on when the control switch is contacted, and powered off when the control switch is not contacted.
US08454151B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus, includes a recording head including ink nozzles configured to record an image on a sheet being conveyed along a direction, a reading unit configured to read the image recorded on the sheet by the recording head at a reading position, a supply unit configured to supply a gas to flow along the direction through a space where the ink nozzles are exposed, and a exhaust unit including an inlet which is placed in the vicinity of a position between the recording position and the reading position, at least a part of the gas flowed through the space being sucked from the inlet.
US08454149B2	Thermal inkjet print head with solvent resistance An inkjet printing system includes a print head in fluid communication with an ink reservoir and having a plurality of orifices and a corresponding plurality of associated ejection chambers. The print head includes a substrate and a barrier layer disposed on the substrate. The barrier layer defines in part a plurality of fluid channels and the plurality of ejection chambers. The barrier layer includes a material selected from epoxy-based photo resist materials and methyl methacrylate-based photo resist materials. An orifice plate is disposed over the substrate. The orifice plate includes the plurality of orifices in fluid communication with the ejection chambers. The orifice plate comprises a material selected from polyimides and nickel.
US08454148B2	Liquid ejection head A liquid ejection head includes a common liquid chamber for storing liquid, a plurality of flow paths that communicate individually with the common liquid chamber and through which liquid from the common liquid chamber flows, a plurality of ejection orifices that communicate individually with the plurality of flow paths and eject liquid supplied from the common liquid chamber, a plurality of ejection energy generating elements corresponding to the plurality of ejection orifices and generating energy necessary to cause liquid to be ejected from the plurality of ejection orifices, and a movable pressure buffer provided in the common liquid chamber and capable of absorbing a pressure wave generated by driving the plurality of ejection energy generating elements.
US08454147B2	Method and system for delivering solid-ink pellets The present disclosure provides systems and methods for supplying solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming device. The system includes a delivery tube within the container, with one or more openings to receive solid-ink pellets from the container. An agitating structure coupled to the delivery tube disturbs the solid ink pellets. The movement of the delivery tube moves the agitating structure, resulting in disturbing the solid-ink pellets and maintaining flowability of the pellets to the image-forming device.
US08454146B2	Ink containment system and ink level sensing system for an inkjet cartridge An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.
US08454145B1	Air extraction momentum pump for inkjet printhead An ink chamber for an inkjet printer is fluidically connected to the ejector die and includes an air accumulation chamber with an air vent opening and a mass movable along the air accumulation chamber toward and away from the air vent opening. A one-way valve covers the air vent opening, is outside the air accumulation chamber, and includes a flapper valve having a free end.
US08454144B2	Ink storage reservoir for a solid ink printhead A reservoir is provided for a printhead in an ink jet printing machine, the printhead having at least one printhead inlet at a rear face thereof for flow of ink from the reservoir into the printhead. The reservoir comprises a perimeter wall sealably mounted to the rear face of the printhead and defining a chamber in communication with the printhead inlet. The chamber is open at one face and the reservoir includes a resilient flexible membrane attached to the perimeter wall and covering the one face. An inlet is provided in communication with the chamber for passage of ink into the chamber. The resilient flexible membrane has an initial relaxed condition in a first state in which the reservoir is substantially full of ink, and a flexed condition in which the membrane is collapsed into the chamber.
US08454141B2	Liquid container and liquid supplying system A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus to which a plurality of liquid containers are detachably mountable, wherein the recording apparatus includes apparatus electrical contacts corresponding to the liquid containers, respectively, photoreceptor means for receiving light, and an electric circuit connected with a line which is commonly connected with the apparatus electrical contacts, the liquid container includes a container electrical contact electrically connectable with one of the apparatus contacts; an information storing portion capable of storing at least individual information of the liquid container; a light emitting portion; a controller for controlling emission of light of the light emitting portion in response to a correspondence between a signal indicative of individual information supplied through the container electrical contact and the information stored in the information storing means.
US08454140B2	Valve unit and inkjet print head A valve unit has two pressure adjusting mechanisms, each of which includes a flexible film. The flexible film of one of the two pressure adjusting mechanisms is installed on one side surface of the valve unit and the flexible film of the other pressure adjusting mechanism is installed on the other side surface of the valve unit. These flexible films are disposed so that, when projected on a first plane that is parallel to the one side surface and the other side surface, their projected figures partly overlap each other. When two valve units are installed in the print head to adjoin each other, the flexible film on one of the adjoining valve units and the opposing flexible film on the other valve unit are disposed so that, when projected on a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane, their projected figures at least partly overlap each other.
US08454136B2	Ink cartridge and image forming apparatus employing the ink cartridge An ink cartridge removably mountable in an image forming apparatus includes a flexible storage member, a pressurization-space formation member, an output port, and an opening-and-closing assembly. The flexible storage member stores ink. The pressurization-space formation member hermetically houses the storage member and forms a pressurization space to which a fluid is supplied between the pressurization-space formation member and the storage member. The output port is connected to the storage member, through which the ink is supplied from the storage member to the image forming apparatus. The opening-and-closing assembly opens and closes between the output port and the storage member by the fluid supplied into the pressurization space.
US08454134B1	Printed drop density reconfiguration A method of printing includes selectively loading a memory element during a printing operation with data that modifies a subsequent actuation of jet control elements to form or steer or form and steer print drops that print pixels on a receiver in a second regularly spaced pixel grid, the second regularly spaced pixel grid having a second spatial density of pixels extending in a direction perpendicular to a travel path of the receiver that is different when compared to a first spatial density of a first regularly spaced pixel grid, and printing pixels on the receiver in the second regularly spaced pixel grid.
US08454130B2	Liquid ejection head and method of producing liquid ejection head A method of producing a liquid ejection head includes preparing an element substrate including energy generating elements for generating energy and connecting terminals electrically connected to the energy generating elements, an electrical wiring member including lead wires electrically connected to the connecting terminals, and a support member supporting the element substrate and has a recess for accommodating the element substrate and a protrusion protruding inward from an inner surface of the recess; providing adhesive on a bottom surface of the recess, positioning the element substrate in the recess and pressing the adhesive to introduce a portion of the adhesive into a space between the protrusion and the element substrate, and sealing a connected portion of the connecting terminals and the lead wires with a sealing material, the sealing material being prevented from flowing by a portion of the adhesive filling the space between the protrusion and the element substrate.
US08454126B2	Print head with electromagnetic valve assembly A print head includes a fluid cavity and nozzle in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. A stopper is positioned adjacent the nozzle and adapted to control flow of fluid through the nozzle. An arm supports the stopper and is configured to pivotally move the stopper with respect to the nozzle. An electromagnet is positioned adjacent the arm and configured to move the arm toward the electromagnet to open the nozzle.
US08454123B2	Assembly and image recording apparatus An assembly includes a frame having a first wall and a second wall, a support shaft, an elastic member, and an engaging member. The engaging member has a first engaging portion, the first wall has a recessed portion, the second wall has a second engaging portion, and the support shaft has an insertion portion. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other in a state in which the insertion portion is fitted into the recessed portion and the elastic member is compressed by the engaging member.
US08454122B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to jet droplets of recording liquid; a maintenance device configured to maintain/restore a condition of the recording head, whereby the maintenance device is detachably attached to a body of the image forming apparatus; and a waste liquid tank configured to hold waste liquid collected by the maintenance device, whereby the waste liquid tank is disposed adjacent to the maintenance device. The maintenance device has a jetting tube configured to discharge the waste liquid into the waste liquid tank. The waste liquid tank includes an induction opening surrounding the jetting tube, whereby the induction opening has a notch through which the jetting tube passes when the maintenance device is detached from the body. The image forming apparatus further includes a wall member configured to block at least part of the notch when the maintenance device is attached in the body.
US08454119B2	Inkjet printing apparatus An inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet print-head, an ink inlet conduit, a vacuum device, and a cleaning assembly. The inkjet print-head defines a number of nozzles. The ink inlet conduit is connected to the inkjet print-head and communicates with the nozzles. The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning member defining a cleaning groove. The vacuum device is connected to the inkjet print-head to impel cleaner received in the cleaning groove to flow through the nozzles along a direction reverse of a direction the ink is jetted.
US08454118B2	Recording apparatus A supply unit is provided to supply humidified gas near a nozzle array of a line-type recording head. The flow-rate distribution of the supplied humidified gas in a direction of the nozzle array is changeable in accordance with a conveying region where a sheet is conveyed while opposing the nozzle array.
US08454116B2	Printing material container, and board mounted on printing material container A printing material container detachably attachable to a printing apparatus having apparatus-side terminals. The container can comprise an electrical device, a memory device and a plurality of terminals. First and second terminals can be coupled to the electrical device and a plurality of memory terminals can be coupled to the memory device. Terminal contact portions are present where the terminals contact a respective apparatus side contact forming member. A short detection contact portion can be positioned to contact a contact forming member that itself is coupled to a short detection circuit of the printing apparatus. The terminals can be arranged with the memory terminal contact portions located to the left of the second terminal contact portion and to the right of the first terminal contact portion. The contact portion that is second farthest to the right can be the third contact portion.
US08454112B2	Liquid ejection apparatus Provided that at least one of a plurality of recording media which are successively conveyed by a conveyance mechanism is a reference recording medium, a liquid ejection apparatus determines, for an ejection surface, an ejection region which opposes a recording region on the reference recording medium when the medium is being conveyed and a non-ejection region which does not oppose the recording region. Both of the ejection openings in the ejection region and the ejection openings in the non-ejection region carry out at least one of preliminary ejection and preliminary vibration in a recovery period. An amount of ejection of liquid in the preliminary ejection and the frequency of vibration of meniscus in the preliminary vibration are larger in the ejection openings in the ejection region than in the ejection openings in the non-ejection region.
US08454111B2	Printing apparatus and object conveyance control method A printing apparatus and a conveyance control method are provided, both capable of detecting a print medium conveying state highly precisely in an entire process of conveying the print medium being printed. For this purpose, the surface of the print medium placed on the belt and the surface of the belt are detected to acquire the moving distance or moving speed of the print medium. Based on the moving distance or moving speed thus obtained, the driving of the belt is controlled. Even in a situation where the object being detected switches from the print medium to the belt in the middle of the conveying operation, the measurement of the moving distance can be performed without interruption by the same detection method using the same optical sensor unit.
US08454110B2	Ink jet printing system and ink jet printing method An image data signal value conversion is performed such that the volume of ink applied to image areas on a print medium to be printed by the overlapping portions of the printing element substrates is smaller than that applied to image areas on the print medium to be printed by portions other than the overlapping portions. Alternatively, the image data signal value conversion is performed such that the volume of ink applied to overlapping areas on the print medium to be printed by two consecutive printing main scans is smaller than that applied to areas other than the overlapping areas. For this reason, even when forming photographic images by using an elongate “joining head”, high-quality images with no density unevenness between overlapping areas and other areas on a print medium can be produced. Also in a serial type printing apparatus, uniform images with no seam stripes can be produced.
US08454109B2	Image forming device An image forming device has: a droplet ejecting head that ejects droplets with respect to a recording medium and can form dots of plural diameters; and a control unit that, on the basis of image data expressing a tone value of each pixel in an image to be formed on the recording medium, controls sizes of droplets ejected from the droplet ejecting head such that, in a case in which the tone value is within a predetermined tone range, first dots, whose diameter is greater than a predetermined diameter, are formed at a recording rate that satisfies a predetermined formula, and second dots, whose diameter is less than or equal to the predetermined diameter, are formed between the first dots at a recording rate corresponding to the tone value.
US08454105B2	Automated beam marker A beam marking system is disclosed for marking on beams with a marking device. The beam marking system includes a beam marking device configured to mark on the surface of a beam. A movable arm is coupled to the marking device. The movable arm has at least three movable components that collectively move the beam marking device along or about at least three axes. A controller is in electronic communication with the movable arm and the marking device. The controller controlling the movement of the at least three movable components of the movable arm and controlling the operation of the marking device. In some instances, the beam marking system can automatically mark beams, such as metal beams used in heavy construction projects in a rapid and accurate manner.
US08454103B2	Refrigerator A refrigerator including left and right doors of rotating opening/closing type and a sliding door between the left and right doors. The left and right rotating opening/closing doors have an improved slim edge structure such that a door thickness is hidden. The sliding door includes door guards to accommodate food.
US08454099B2	Wheel for vehicle A wheel for vehicle comprising: a rim 2 having a drop portion; and a disk 10 formed integrally from a plate material, the rim and the disk being welded together, wherein the disk has: a hub mounting portion 10a; a plurality of spokes 10b radially extending from the hub mounting portion toward an outer periphery of the disk; and a ring-shaped disk flange 10c that is connected to the spokes through a curved-surface connecting portion R that is formed by bending the spokes at an outer circumferential end thereof in a wheel axial direction, the disk flange extends in the wheel axial direction, and a decorative hole 20 is defined by the adjacent spokes, the hub mounting portion, and the disk flange, and a part that faces a distal end 12 of the spoke in a fitting area between an inner circumferential surface of the rim and an outer circumferential surface of the disk flange is welded.
US08454098B2	Wheel for furniture roller with locking device The invention relates to a wheel for a furniture roller having a locking device, having a rigid wheel core with a hub for holding an axle and having an elastic wheel casing as a running surface. According to the invention, in order to be able to realize a locking device which is effective even for small wheel diameters, an inwardly pointing toothing is provided on an outer ring of the wheel core, wherein at least one aperture is formed in the outer ring between the tooth flanks, into which aperture a web, which is aligned axially in parallel and which is offset radially inward with respect to the running surface, of the wheel casing engages in a positively locking manner.
US08454094B1	Combined deoderizing and air freshening vehicle seat cushion and associated method A combined deodorizing and air freshening vehicle seat cushion for removing odors and releasing a pleasant aroma in a vehicle may include primary bodies oriented in a side-by-side configuration. The primary bodies may include a deodorizing agent contained within an internal cavity of the primary bodies for filtering and deodorizing the airborne odor in the ambient air. Auxiliary bodies may be contiguously conjoined to the primary bodies and may include freshening agents for impregnating the deodorized ambient air with pleasant aromas. An air-permeable fluid-absorbent liner preferably has pivotally coupled seat and back portions removably positioned over the primary and auxiliary bodies respectively. A communications link provides a passageway for circulating air throughout first and groups of primary bodies defined along seat and back rest sections of the apparatus.
US08454086B2	Angle adjuster for bicycle seat An angle adjuster for a bicycle seat that is disposed between a frame of a vehicle and a seat. The angle adjuster for a bicycle seat includes: a frame connector configured to be connected to the frame; a seat connector rotatably connected to the upper end of the frame connector and configured to support seat; an angle adjusting assembly including a main clutch fixing and releasing the frame connector and the seat connector, and controlling rotational angle of the seat connector with respect to the frame connector by the release operation of the main clutch; an operating lever configured to mount on the frame to operate the main clutch; and a wire connecting the main clutch with the operating lever and operating the main clutch, when the operating lever is operated.
US08454083B2	Motor vehicle having a windshield and chassis pillars In a motor vehicle, a gap-shaped opening is provided between lateral end sections of the windshield and adjacent A-pillars. The air flows through this gap-shaped opening when the motor vehicle is moving. This reduces the formation of high loss vortices in the lateral area of the motor vehicle.
US08454070B2	Gripper for pulling arrows A gripper for pulling arrows, wherein the gripper comprises a handle, a gripper head and three hinges. The handle and gripper head comprising two first legs extending in an elongated manner, which are connected to one another via the first hinge, which has a first rotation axis aligned transversely to the elongated extension of the legs, so that two counteracting levers are provided via a first hinge as a first support, wherein two lever arm sections act as force arm sections and arranged on the handle and two lever arm sections act as load arm sections and consequently are arranged on the gripper head, and wherein on each of the two lever arm sections that are arranged on the gripper head, a gripper jaw is pivoted in the interior of the gripper head via a second hinge.
US08454069B2	Gripper with adjustable bumper stops A gripper assembly including at least one gripper jaw and an actuator operative for moving the at least one gripper jaw. A support is fixed relative to the actuator for supporting the at least one gripper jaw, wherein the support has at least one mount location formed in the support. A stop member is removably affixable to the support at the at least one mount location for limiting movement of the at least one gripper jaw wherein the size of the stop member corresponds to a discrete maximum degree of opening of the at least one gripper jaw.
US08454068B2	Edge grip device and robot including the same A chuck hand 1 includes a pressing mechanism 14 having a pusher 25 which presses a semiconductor process wafer 3 in the direction of a front guide 12 to thereby grip the semiconductor process wafer 3. The pressing mechanism 14 further has a pusher supporting body 22 and a buffering member 28. The pusher supporting body 22 is configured such that it can advance and retract. The pusher supporting body 22 is disposed in the pusher 25 such that it can slide back and forth. A gap 26a is defined forward relative to the pusher supporting body 22. The buffering member 28, which has a low bounce and is elastically deformable, is interposingly placed in the gap 26a. When the pusher supporting body 22 moves forward, it pushes the pusher 25 through the buffering member 28 whereby the pusher 25 is moved forward. The pusher 25 is abutted and pressed against the semiconductor process wafer 3.
US08454065B2	Lifting tool for construction of modular block structures A support structure for lifting precast blocks includes a longitudinal support arm having a cable suspended therefrom at a multiple suspension points. Several cradles are connected to the cable in positions such that each cradle is positioned between and below a pair of the suspension points. Each cradle may be attached to a sheave that movably connects it to the cable. Each cradle may receive a portion, such as a handle, of a lifting tool below the support arm.
US08454064B2	Arrangement and method for attaching a bumper to side members of a vehicle An arrangement for fastening a bumper to a vehicle includes a deformation organ having one end for attachment to the bumper, and another end for sliding into a side member. The insertion section includes an inner wall which is stretchable when subjected to a tensile force. For elongating the inner wall, a material strip is received in a receiving space and equipped with a threaded breakthrough, which is aligned with a breakthrough of the adjacent transverse wall for receiving a tensile screw. The tensile screw extends through a breakthrough in a side member and exerts a force which elongates the inner wall. This initially provides a loose sliding-in of the insertion section in the side member and, following stretching of the inner wall, a tight seat of the insertion section in the side member.
US08454063B2	Mode-switchable door strike A lockable keeper arm extends across an opening of a door strike housing. A pivotally mounted transmission lever releasably engages the keeper arm. A pivotally mounted release lever releasably engages the transmission lever. An actuator engages the release lever at a point between the release lever pivot and the transmission lever and drives the release lever between alternate positions in either fail-safe and fail-secure modes. The actuator engagement point may be closer to the release lever pivot point than the transmission lever engagement point. A stop limits travel of the release lever and may be positioned in alternate positions. In alternate positions, the primary lever unlocks the keeper arm when the actuator is either energized or de-energized, placing the strike in fail-safe or fail-secure modes. Magnets may be mounted inside the housing to attract metal particles. The actuator may be an electric solenoid or a motor.
US08454062B2	Handle device The invention relates to a handle device for a vehicle door, comprising an outer shell with a metal layer at least on the side facing away from the vehicle door and a cavity in which a sensor system for the keyless activation of a locking and unlocking system is arranged. According to the invention, the outer shell (4) has a free surface (7) with no metal layer, provided with a first sensor element (6a) arranged in the sensor system (6a, 6b, 6c), which has a touch- or proximity-sensor embodiment.
US08454060B2	Electronic device with cover-locking mechanism An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a main body, a first cover, a second cover, a rotating member, a sliding member, and a pushing member. The main body includes a first guiding member. The second cover includes a first connecting member. The rotating member includes a driving member. The sliding member includes a slot and a first converting member. The slot cooperates with the driving member. The pushing member includes a second guiding member, a second converting member and a locking post. The second guiding member cooperates with the first guiding member, and the locking post cooperates with the first connecting member. When the second guiding member is pushed to the second position, the locking post disengages from the first connecting member. When the second guiding member is pushed from the second position to the third position, the second cover moves to an open position.
US08454059B2	Connector assemblies, fluid systems including connector assemblies, and procedures for making fluid connections A connector assembly has first and second connector bodies, a coupling mechanism arranged to couple the connector bodies at the first ends of the bodies, a moveable hollow piston, and a moveable actuator. The hollow piston moves from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the actuator from a first position to a second position. In the second position the hollow piston is sealed to the interiors of first and second connector bodies.
US08454050B2	Airbag housing An example airbag housing assembly includes a base and an end cap. The end cap is positioned at a lateral end of the base. The end cap is configured to be fastened directly to a vehicle.
US08454044B2	Bicycle damping system A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. Desirably, a front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs can define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the fork leg. Seat stays, chain stays, the seat post and other components of the bicycle can also include a damping system.
US08454043B2	Dressing cover structure in construction machine A construction machine includes a tank with an upper surface and a side surface that is configured to allow a user to get onto and off the upper surface; and a dressing cover that covers part of the side surface, an upper portion of the dressing cover being formed by an inclined surface having an inclination angle set so as not to allow the user who gets onto and off the upper surface to step on the upper portion.
US08454040B2	Heavy-duty axle-to-beam connection An axle-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam connection includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.
US08454038B2	Bi-directional propulsion caster A bidirectional propulsion caster assembly is disclosed for enabling a rider to generate bi-directional motion from a ride-on device. A mounting bracket is attachable to the bottom of the device and defines a pivot axis extending in a generally transverse direction across the bottom of the device. A rocker bracket and caster shaft having a caster shaft axis are attached to the mounting bracket and pivot about the pivot axis along an arc between first and second positions. A wheel bracket is mounted to and rotates about the caster shaft. A wheel is mounted to the wheel bracket for rotation about a wheel axis angularly offset from the caster shaft axis. One or more changeable pivot stops may be attached to the rocker bracket or the mounting bracket and effective to further define the available arc of rotation.
US08454037B2	Outrigger assembly with quick change load wheel assembly A load wheel assembly for a materials handling vehicle includes first and second spaced side members, at least one rotatable roller extending between the first and second side members. An interface structure provides a substantially rigid connection between the load wheel assembly and a mounting structure on the materials handling vehicle. The mounting structure includes a transverse bar and the interface structure includes a portion that engages and mates with the transverse bar to form a rigid connection between the interface structure and the transverse bar.
US08454034B2	Foldable walker apparatus There is provided a brake pad assembly for a walker apparatus. The walker apparatus has a frame and a wheel pivotally connected to the frame. The assembly includes a brake pad mechanism having a brake pad. The brake pad mechanism is spring-biased to position the brake pad spaced-apart from and adjacent to the wheel. The brake pad mechanism is configured to cause the brake pad to abut the wheel when the brake pad mechanism is actuated. The assembly includes an arch-shaped brake housing. The brake pad mechanism pivotally mounts to the arch-shaped brake housing. The arch-shaped brake housing extends completely over the brake pad mechanism for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.
US08454033B2	Handcart The invention relates to a handcart composed of a main frame, four wheels properly assembled with a frame rod of the main frame, a grip, two positioning sleeves combined movably with the grip, and two joint assemblies installed between the main frame and the grip for changeably connecting the main frame with the grip. The grip together with the positioning sleeves can be aligned flat or become 90° relative to the main frame by means of the joint assemblies. Then the handcart can be transformed into a two-wheel handcart or a four-wheel one by handling the grip through movement of the pivotal bases of the joint assemblies.
US08454029B2	Wheel suspension for motor vehicles The invention relates to a wheel suspension for motor vehicles with level adjustment of the body, having a vertical adjusting device (22; 80) which is disposed between a wheel guide element and the superstructure of the motor vehicle and which is particularly designed as a ball screw mechanism driven by an electric motor and acts on an adjusting plate spring (34) of at least one support spring (14), wherein the vertical adjusting device (22; 80) is outwardly sealed by at least one enclosing rubber-elastic bellows (50, 52; 100). In order to prevent deformation of the at least one bellows and ingress of dirt or moisture into the vertical adjusting device, the invention proposes that the interior space (54, 56; 102) enclosed by the bellows (50, 52; 100) is connected directly or indirectly to an auxiliary volume (66; 108) positioned outside of the bellows (50, 52; 100).
US08454028B1	Fixture for holding a chamfering tool during cutting insert preset operation A fixture for facilitating the accurate and repeatable preset of chamfering tool cutting inserts to proper height and angle specifications. The fixture may include an upright main body with a removable insert for receiving an end of a chamfering tool of interest. The insert may include several raised support pads for supporting the chamfering tool in an elevated position. The fixture may also employ chamfering tool clamping mechanisms to securely clamp the chamfering tool to the fixture. The clamping mechanisms may include a feature that allows for proper clamping pressure to be exerted on a given chamfering tool even if a flange portion thereof is somewhat thicker or thinner than expected. One or more locating pins or other locating elements may also be employed to ensure repeatable location of a chamfering tool to the fixture.
US08454026B2	Dust sealing The present invention concerns a system for sealing between a rock processing equipment, such as a vibrating screen and a stationary cover or other part. A sealing strip is arranged between the vibrating screen and the stationary cover. The sealing strip is attached to snap profiles fixed to the vibrating screen and the stationary cover, respectively. The sealing strip is fixed to the snap profiles by means of grip strips. The sealing strip is placed slanted in relation to the sides of the vibrating screen and stationary cover, respectively.
US08454022B1	Single, color-coded game set for playing multiple games A game set for education and amusement includes a plurality of large cylindrical game pieces of nine different colors and a plurality of small game pieces of nine different colors preferably corresponding to the nine colors of the large game pieces. Pieces of a given color are also provided with a corresponding number selected from one through nine on one side. All pieces of a given color share the same numerical indicia. Large game pieces also include either a white or a black mark on a second side. A game board includes eighty-one depressions formed therein having a cylindrical shape corresponding to that of the eighty-one large pieces. A customized tray allows for holding all game pieces. An instruction manual containing written instructions for playing Sudoku, Checkers and Go using the large and small pieces and the game board is also provided.
US08454021B2	Strategy game A strategy game is disclosed herein. The game comprises a plurality of playing pieces, a plurality of stopper tiles, and a rule set. The rule set includes a plurality of rules, where a first rule provides that a stopper tile is an edge of a game playing area when placed on a playing pieces.
US08454020B1	Game method and apparatus A game apparatus that combines the features of various games of chance, such as poker, craps and blackjack, includes a first set of six dice, each having the numbers 1-36 imprinted thereon and a second, lettered die having a select one of the letters A-F on each side thereof. A third, colored die includes a discrete one of six colors on a side thereof. The game also includes a set of playing cards, each having any one of the six colors on the colored die, any one of the letters A-F and only one of numerals 1-36 imprinted thereon. Each player is assigned a card and the numbered dice are rolled; the players alternate wagering and the lettered and colored dice are rolled and compared to each player's assigned card to determine a winner according to the greatest number of matches of colors, letters and numbers.
US08454012B2	Sheet conveying apparatus A sheet conveying apparatus has a first pair of rollers which nip and convey a sheet; a second pair of rollers provided on a downstream side of the first pair of rollers in a conveying direction of the sheet, which nip and convey a sheet; and a position detecting sensor which detects a position of a sheet in a width direction which is perpendicular to the conveying direction. When the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers nip and convey the sheet, the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers are simultaneously moved according to a position detected by the position detecting sensor in the same direction of the width direction which is perpendicular to the conveying direction.
US08454011B2	Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus incorporating same A sheet feeder incorporatable in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet container to accommodate a sheet, a sheet feeding unit, a sheet conveyance member, a sheet conveying unit disposed downstream from the sheet feeding member in a sheet conveyance direction, and a controller to stop the sheet feeding unit before the sheet abuts against the sheet conveying unit and to resume the driving, and to drive the sheet conveying unit to start while rotating the sheet feeding unit. The controller adjusts a temporary stop period for the driving of the sheet feeding unit before the sheet abuts against the sheet conveying unit, according to a period in which the sheet passes first and second points determined optionally between a standby position determined prior to feeding of the sheet and a temporary stop position located before the sheet abuts against the sheet conveying unit.
US08454008B2	Retard roller and retard roller module having such retard roller with soft elements A retard roller and a retard roller module are provided. The retard roller is used in an automatic document feeder for providing a frictional force to separate plural documents from each other. Unidirectional rotation of the retard roller is permitted. Due to the unidirectional rotation, the contact surface of the retard roller can be switched. During the sheet-feeding process, the document is contacted with a specified contact surface. By rotating the retard roller, the document is contacted with another contact surface.
US08454005B2	Clamping apparatus A clamping apparatus includes a receiving frame, a guide plate, two drive assemblies, and two clamping assemblies. The receiving frame includes two parallel securing arms and a connection arm. The securing arms and the connection arm define a first receiving space. Each of the securing arms defines a slot. The guide plate is configured for mounting of a workpiece thereon. The drive assemblies are configured for cooperatively moving the guide plate between a first position and a second position. When the guide plate is located at the first position, the workpiece is loaded on the guide plate and distant from the connection arm. When the guide plate is located at the second position, the workpiece is adjacent to the connection arm and entirely received in the first receiving space and the slots. The clamping assemblies are configured for cooperatively clamping the workpiece.
US08454001B2	Emission purifiying system and device for slowing global warming An emission purifying system and device for slowing global warming is provided herein which may eliminate the pollutant gases produced by combustion. The system uses a pump with waterfall, bubbling, airing, lubricating and liquefying sub-systems to catch and store the combustion gases, thus reducing the temperature of the combustion, potentially preventing global warming effects and acid rain, eliminating the noise produced by combustion as well as the characteristic odors, while utilizing the produced thermal energy to transform it into steam and kinetic energy for a variety of uses.
US08454000B2	Method and apparatus for controlled aeration of liquid medium in a pipe An apparatus and method for mixing gas and liquid including a pipe having an enclosure positioned in-line with the pipe, wherein a sealed space is defined, at least one blower, the blower regulates the barometric pressure in the sealed space at or above fluid line pressure in the pipe, wherein intermeshed rotating sets of discs operate on parallel shafts driven by variable speed drives, and strakes are radially mounted on the discs to carry liquid up into a mixing area and to carry air and liquid down into a mixing area resulting in a shear force that drives air into the oxygen depleted liquid. Strakes provide leading and trailing rotor wipes to maximize pull of liquid flow from the pipe into the mixing area and back into the pipe and acute angled energy capture strakes for capturing the energy from liquid flow exerted against the back side of strake.
US08453998B2	Air scavenging carburetor In one form, a carburetor may include an air passage, a fuel and air mixing passage, a throttle valve, an air valve and a lost motion coupler interconnecting the air valve and the throttle valve. The throttle valve may be disposed in communication with the fuel and air mixing passage and moveable between an idle position and an open position permitting an at least somewhat less restricted fluid flow therethrough than when the throttle valve is in the idle position. The air valve may be disposed in communication with the air passage, and moveable between closed and fully open positions to control air flow through the air passage. The lost motion coupler may permit a limited movement of the throttle valve away from its idle position without a corresponding movement of the air valve, and may also permit movement of the air valve along with the throttle valve after said limited movement and until the air valve is fully open, and may also permit further movement of the throttle valve to its wide open position after the air valve is fully open.
US08453996B1	Wheel-anchored display barrier A compact, collapsible, wheel-anchored display barrier is anchored to the ground via the wheel of an automobile. The barrier post is a pivotable, telescoping arm that can be swiveled then locked about a 180° arc to allow the barrier to accommodate different sized vehicles. When a barrier is positioned under each vehicle tire, a retractable lanyard extends from the top of each telescoping arm and is connect to the telescoping arm of the adjacent barrier, located at the adjacent wheel.
US08453994B2	Engagement chain type driving device The invention relates to an engagement chain type driving device including a pair of driving sprockets, which rotate positively and reversely in opposite directions about a pair of rotating shafts, a pair of engagement chains, which engage with each other by the pair of driving sprockets so to be integrated together, and a driving source, which drives the pair of driving sprockets, wherein the engagement chain includes inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates, which each include buckling limiting flat surfaces, the inner tooth plates and outer tooth plates being brought opposite to each other and into contact with each other when the engagement chains are integrated by the pair of driving sprockets, such that the flat surfaces hold the chain engagement position.
US08453992B2	Pilot operated water valve A solenoid operated pilot valve utilizes an offset pilot opening and a lever arm to provide a mechanical advantage to multiply the opening force of the solenoid, thereby allowing the solenoid size to be reduced. The lever arm used to position the pilot valving member is mechanically positioned via a solenoid driven plunger in one embodiment, and is positioned by magnetic force alone in an alternative, plungerless embodiment. The lever arm pivots via a fixed fulcrum point, a profiled fulcrum providing continuously variable mechanical advantage, or a stepped fulcrum providing discreet different mechanical advantages as the pilot valving member is moved from its fully closed to its fully opened position.
US08453990B2	Lifting adjusting assembly for a shaft A lifting-adjusting assembly for a shaft has an outer device, an inner device and multiple positioning elements. The outer device is adapted to mount around a shaft and has a base and a mounting casing. The mounting casing is mounted around the base and has a chamber, an opening and a cone surface. The inner device is movably connected to the outer device and has a moving mount and at least one spring. The moving mount is movably mounted in the outer device and has a mounting chamber, a pressing segment and multiple positioning holes. The at least one spring is mounted in the chamber to enable the positioning holes to face to the cone surface. The positioning elements are mounted in the positioning holes of the moving mount and abut with the cone surface and the shaft to hold the lifting-adjusting assembly on the shaft.
US08453989B2	Suspension device A suspension device that suspends, from a ceiling slab, a beam member including a groove portion which extends along an axial center direction thereof and includes an opening portion narrower than an inner space of the groove portion in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial center direction, the suspension device including: a first suspension member including: a first shaft portion; a first connection portion; and a first supporting portion which supports the beam member; and a second suspension member attachable to and detachable from the first suspension member, the second suspension member including: a second shaft portion which supports the beam member.

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