最新美国发明专利第2013-07-09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
US08482096B2	Semiconductor photodetector and manufacturing method therefor A method for manufacturing a semiconductor photodetector includes: forming an insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; forming an electrode on and in contact with a predetermined area of a surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a resist on the insulating film after forming the electrode; forming a power supply layer of a metal on the resist and the electrode; plating a surface of a portion of the power supply layer with a metal coating, after forming the power supply layer, the portion overlying and being in contact with the electrode; after the plating, etching and removing a part of the power supply layer leaving a portion that is covered with the metal coating and is an extension of the electrode; and removing the resist after etching the power supply layer.
US08482095B2	High-voltage transistor having shielding gate A semiconductor device includes a plurality of high-voltage insulated-gate field-effect transistors arranged in a matrix form on the main surface of a semiconductor substrate and each having a gate electrode, a gate electrode contact formed on the gate electrode, and a wiring layer which is formed on the gate electrode contacts adjacent in a gate-width direction to electrically connect the gate electrodes arranged in the gate-width direction. And the device includes shielding gates provided on portions of an element isolation region which lie between the transistors adjacent in the gate-width direction and gate-length direction and used to apply reference potential or potential of a polarity different from that of potential applied to the gate of the transistor to turn on the current path of the transistor to the element isolation region.
US08482093B2	Materials, systems and methods for optoelectronic devices A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
US08482092B2	Silicon photomultiplier and method for fabricating the same Provided are a silicon photomultiplier and method for fabricating silicon photomultiplier. The silicon photomultiplier includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer; a first conductive type buried layer disposed in a lower portion of the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and having a higher impurity concentration than the first conductive type semiconductor layer; quench resistors spaced from each other and disposed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a transparent insulator formed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and exposing the quench resistors; second conductive type doped layers disposed under the quench resistors to contact the first conductive type semiconductor layer; and a transparent electrode commonly connected to the quench resistors electrically.
US08482090B2	Charged particle collector for a CMOS imager Charged particle sensing devices and methods of forming charged particle sensing devices are provided. The charged particle sensing device includes a source of charged particles, a plurality of collector electrodes for receiving a first portion of the charged particles and a grid formed around and spaced apart from the plurality of collector electrodes. The grid receives a second portion of the charged particles and directs backscattered charged particles, generated responsive to the second portion, to adjacent collector electrodes.
US08482089B2	Conductive compositions and processes for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices—organic medium components Embodiments of the invention relate to a silicon semiconductor device, and a conductive paste for use in the front side of a solar cell device.
US08482088B2	MEMS device with reduced stress in the membrane and manufacturing method A MEMS device comprises a membrane layer and a back-plate layer formed over the membrane layer. The membrane layer comprises an outer portion and an inner portion raised relative to the outer portion and a sidewall for connecting the inner portion and the outer portion. The sidewall is non-orthogonal to the outer portion.
US08482078B2	Integrated circuit diode A method includes forming isolation regions in a semiconductor substrate to define a first field effect transistor (FET) region, a second FET region, and a diode region, forming a first gate stack in the first FET region and a second gate stack in the second FET region, forming a layer of spacer material over the second FET region and the second gate stack, forming a first source region and a first drain region in the first FET region and a first diode layer in the diode region using a first epitaxial growth process, forming a hardmask layer over the first source region, the first drain region, the first gate stack and a portion of the first diode layer, and forming a second source region and a second drain region in the first FET region and a second diode layer on the first diode layer using a second epitaxial growth process.
US08482075B2	Structure and method for manufacturing asymmetric devices A plurality of gate structures are formed on a substrate. Each of the gate structures includes a first gate electrode and source and drain regions. The first gate electrode is removed from each of the gate structures. A first photoresist is applied to block gate structures having source regions in a source-down direction. A first halo implantation is performed in gate structures having source regions in a source-up direction at a first angle. The first photoresist is removed. A second photoresist is applied to block gate structures having source regions in a source-up direction. A second halo implantation is performed in gate structures having source regions in a source-down direction at a second angle. The second photoresist is removed. Replacement gate electrodes are formed in each of the gate structures.
US08482071B2	Diode biased ESD protection device and method An ESD protection device includes an MOS transistor with a source region, drain region and gate region. A node designated for ESD protection is electrically coupled to the drain. A diode is coupled between the gate and source, wherein the diode would be reverse biased if the MOS transistor were in the active operating region.
US08482070B1	Silicon-on-insulator CMOS integrated circuit with multiple threshold voltages and a method for designing the same An IC has cells placed in a cell row having a UTBOX-FDSOI pMOSFET including a ground beneath the pMOS, and an n-doped well beneath it and configured to apply a potential thereto, and a UTBOX-FDSOI nMOSFET including a ground beneath the nMOS, and a p-doped well beneath the ground and configured to apply a potential thereto, and cells, each including a UTBOX-FDSOI pMOSFET including a ground beneath the pMOS, and a p-doped well beneath the ground and configured to apply an electrical potential to the ground, and a UTBOX-FDSOI nMOSFET including a ground beneath the nMOS, and an n-doped well beneath the ground and configured to apply a potential thereto. The cells are placed so that pMOS's of standard cells belonging to a row align along it and a transition cell including a another well and contiguous with first row standard cells thus ensuring continuity with wells of those cells.
US08482069B2	Nonvolatile memory and electronic apparatus An active region, a source region, and a drain region are formed on a single crystal semiconductor substrate or a single crystal semiconductor thin film. Impurity regions called pinning regions are formed in striped form in the active region so as to reach both of the source region and the drain region. Regions interposed between the pinning regions serve as channel forming regions. A tunnel oxide film, a floating gate, a control gate, etc. are formed on the above structure. The impurity regions prevent a depletion layer from expanding from the source region toward the drain region.
US08482067B2	Lateral extended drain metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (LEDMOSFET) with tapered dielectric plates to achieve a high drain-to-body breakdown voltage, a method of forming the transistor and a program storage device for designing the transistor A lateral, extended drain, metal oxide semiconductor, field effect transistor (LEDMOSFET) with a high drain-to-body breakdown voltage (Vb) incorporates gate structure extensions on opposing sides of a drain drift region. The extensions are tapered such that a distance between each extension and the drift region increases linearly from one end adjacent to the channel region to another end adjacent to the drain region. In one embodiment, these extensions can extend vertically through the isolation region that surrounds the LEDMOSFET. In another embodiment, the extensions can sit atop the isolation region. In either case, the extensions create a strong essentially uniform horizontal electric field profile within the drain drift. Also disclosed are a method for forming the LEDMOSFET with a specific Vb by defining the dimensions of the extensions and a program storage device for designing the LEDMOSFET to have a specific Vb.
US08482066B2	Semiconductor device A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method for the same are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a first doped region, a second doped region, a dielectric structure and a gate structure. The first doped region has a first type conductivity. The second doped region has a second type conductivity opposite to the first type conductivity and is adjacent to the first doped region. The dielectric structure comprises a first dielectric portion and a second dielectric portion separated from each other. The dielectric structure is formed on the first doped region. The gate structure is on a part of the first doped region or second doped region adjacent to the first dielectric portion.
US08482064B2	Termination for superjunction VDMOSFET A termination for silicon superjunction VDMOSFET comprises heavily doped N-type silicon substrate which also works as drain region; drain metal is disposed on the back surface of the heavily doped N-type silicon substrate; an N-type silicon epitaxial layer is disposed on the heavily doped N-type silicon substrate; P-type silicon columns and N-type silicon columns are formed in the N-type silicon epitaxial layer, alternately arranged; a continuous silicon oxide layer is disposed on a part of silicon surface in the termination; structures that block the drift of mobile ions (several discontinuous silicon oxide layers arranged at intervals) are disposed on the other part of silicon surface in the termination. The structures that block the drift of mobile ions disposed in the termination region are able to effectively prevent movement of the mobile ions and improve the capability of the power device against the contamination induced by the mobile ions.
US08482060B2	Semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a drift region of a first conductivity type, a base region of a second conductivity type, a source region of the first conductivity type, a gate electrode in a trench shape, a contact region of the second conductivity type, a drain electrode, and a source electrode. The drift region is selectively provided in a drain layer of the first conductivity type from a surface of the drain layer to an inside of the drain layer. The base region is selectively provided in the drift region from a surface of the drift region to an inside of the drift region. The source region is selectively provided in the base region from a surface of the base region to an inside of the base region. The gate electrode penetrates from a part of the source region through the base region adjacent to the part of the source region to reach a part of the drift region in a direction substantially parallel to a major surface of the drain layer. The contact region is selectively provided on the surface of the drift region. The contact region contains an impurity having a concentration higher than an impurity concentration of the base region. The drain electrode is connected to the drain layer. The source electrode is connected to the source region and the contact region. The contact region extends from a side of the drain layer toward the drift region and does not contact the drain layer.
US08482057B2	Circuit and method for a three dimensional non-volatile memory An architecture, circuit and method for providing a very dense, producible, non volatile FLASH memory with SONOS cells. SONOS memory cells are formed using a uniformly doped channel region. A FinFET embodiment cell is disclosed. Because the novel SONOS cells do not rely on diffused regions, the cells may be formed into a three dimensional array of cells without diffusion problems. FLASH memory arrays are formed by forming layers of NAND Flash cells in the local interconnect layers of an integrated circuit, with the metal layers forming the global bit line conductors. The three dimensional non-volatile arrays formed of the SONOS cells rely on conventional semiconductor processing. P-channel and n-channel devices may be used to form the SONOS non-volatile cells.
US08482051B2	3D nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of channel contacts coupled to a plurality of channel layers and a plurality of section lines coupled to the plurality of channel contacts and method for fabricating the same A 3D nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of channel structures each comprising a plurality of channel layers and interlayer dielectric layers which are alternately stacked, a plurality of channel contacts coupled to the plurality of channel layers, respectively, and a plurality of selection lines vertically-coupled to the plurality of channel contacts and crossing over the plurality of channel structures.
US08482047B2	DRAM layout with vertical FETS and method of formation DRAM cell arrays having a cell area of about 4F2 comprise an array of vertical transistors with buried bit lines and vertical double gate electrodes. The buried bit lines comprise a silicide material and are provided below a surface of the substrate. The word lines are optionally formed of a silicide material and form the gate electrode of the vertical transistors. The vertical transistor may comprise sequentially formed doped polysilicon layers or doped epitaxial layers. At least one of the buried bit lines is orthogonal to at least one of the vertical gate electrodes of the vertical transistors.
US08482043B2	Method for improving transistor performance through reducing the salicide interface resistance An embodiment of the invention reduces the external resistance of a transistor by utilizing a silicon germanium alloy for the source and drain regions and a nickel silicon germanium self-aligned silicide (i.e., salicide) layer to form the contact surface of the source and drain regions. The interface of the silicon germanium and the nickel silicon germanium silicide has a lower specific contact resistivity based on a decreased metal-semiconductor work function between the silicon germanium and the silicide and the increased carrier mobility in silicon germanium versus silicon. The silicon germanium may be doped to further tune its electrical properties. A reduction of the external resistance of a transistor equates to increased transistor performance both in switching speed and power consumption.
US08482042B2	Strained semiconductor device and method of making same A method of making a semiconductor device is disclosed. An upper surface of a semiconductor body is amorphized and a liner is formed over the amorphized upper surface. The upper surface can then be annealed. A transistor is formed at the upper surface.
US08482040B2	Solid-state image capturing device, method of manufacturing solid-state image capturing device, method of driving solid-state image capturing device, and electronic apparatus A solid-state image capturing device includes: a substrate; a substrate voltage source which applies a first potential to the substrate during a light reception period and applies a second potential to the substrate during a non-light reception period; and a plurality of pixels which each includes a light receiver which is formed on a front surface of the substrate and generates signal charges in accordance with received light, a storage capacitor which is formed adjacent to the light receiver and accumulates and stores signal charges generated by the light receiver, dark-current suppressors which are formed in the light receiver and the storage capacitor, an electronic shutter adjusting layer which is formed in an area facing the light receiver in the substrate and distant from the storage capacitor and which adjusts potential distribution, and a floating diffusion portion to which the signal charges accumulated in the storage capacitor are transmitted.
US08482039B1	Memory and interconnect design in fine pitch A memory array includes a first layer, a second layer, a third layer and a contact. The first layer is disposed on a substrate. The second layer includes a first conductive line. The first conductive line includes first line segments and second line segments. Each of the second line segments are connected to a respective one of the first line segments. The first line segments extend in a first direction on the first layer. The second line segments extend in a second direction on the first layer. The first direction is different than the second direction. The third layer is disposed on the second layer. The contact is disposed through the second layer and connects the third layer to the first conductive line. One of the first line segments extends towards the contact. Each of the first and second line segments are at least a predetermined distance from the contact.
US08482038B2	Semiconductor device A technique which reduces the influence of external noise such as crosstalk noise in a semiconductor device to prevent a circuit from malfunctioning. A true signal wire and a bar signal wire which are susceptible to noise and part of an input signal line to a level shifter circuit, and shield wires for shielding these signal wires are laid on an I/O cell. Such I/O cells are placed side by side to complete a true signal wire connection and a bar signal wire connection. These wires are arranged in a way to pass over a plurality of I/O cells and are parallel to each other or multilayered.
US08482036B2	Lateral high electron mobility transistor A lateral HEMT includes a substrate, a first semiconductor layer above the substrate and a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer. The lateral HEMT further includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a rectifying Schottky junction. A first terminal of the rectifying Schottky junction is electrically coupled to the source electrode and a second terminal of the rectifying Schottky junction is electrically coupled to the second semiconductor layer.
US08482035B2	Enhancement mode III-nitride transistors with single gate Dielectric structure According to one embodiment, a III-nitride transistor includes a conduction channel formed between first and second III-nitride bodies, the conduction channel including a two-dimensional electron gas. The transistor also includes at least one gate dielectric layer having a charge confined within to cause an interrupted region of the conduction channel and a gate electrode operable to restore the interrupted region of the conduction channel. The transistor can be an enhancement mode transistor. In one embodiment, the gate dielectric layer is a silicon nitride layer. In another embodiment, the at least one gate dielectric layer is a silicon oxide layer. The charge can be ion implanted into the at least one gate dielectric layer. The at least one gate dielectric layer can also be grown with the charge.
US08482033B2	High throughput epitaxial liftoff for releasing multiple semiconductor device layers from a single base substrate In one embodiment, a semiconductor structure is provided which includes a base substrate, and a multilayered stack located on the base substrate. The multilayered stack includes, from bottom to top, a first sacrificial material layer having a first thickness, a first semiconductor device layer, a second sacrificial material layer having a second thickness, and a second semiconductor device layer, wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness.
US08482031B2	Lateral insulated gate bipolar transistors (LIGBTS) This invention generally relates to lateral insulated gate bipolar transistors (LIGBTs), for example in integrated circuits, methods of increasing switching speed of an LIGBT, a method of suppressing parasitic thyristor latch-up in a bulk silicon LIGBT, and methods of fabricating an LIGBT. In particular, a method of suppressing parasitic thyristor latch-up in a bulk silicon LIGBT comprises selecting a current gain αv for a vertical transistor of a parasitic thyristor of the LIGBT such that in at least one predetermined mode of operation of the LIGBT αv<1−αp where αp is a current gain of a parasitic bipolar transistor having a base-emitter junction formed by a Schottky contact between the a semiconductor surface and a metal enriched epoxy die attach.
US08482030B2	Insulated gate bipolar transistor and manufacturing method thereof A trench gate IGBT designed to reduce on-state voltage while maintaining the withstand voltage, including a first drift layer formed on a first main surface of a buffer layer, a second drift layer of the first conductivity type formed on said first drift layer, a base layer of a second conductivity type formed on the second drift layer, an emitter layer of the first conductivity type selectively formed in the surface of the base layer, and a gate electrode buried from the surface of the emitter layer through into the second drift layer with a gate insulating film therebetween, wherein said first drift layer has a structure in which a first layer of the first conductivity type and a second layer of the second conductivity type are repeated in a horizontal direction.
US08482028B2	Semiconductor device According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductive type, and a periodic array structure having a second semiconductor layer of a first conductive type and a third semiconductor layer of a second conductive type periodically arrayed on the first semiconductor layer in a direction parallel with a major surface of the first semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer are disposed in dots on the first semiconductor layer. A periodic structure in the outermost peripheral portion of the periodic array structure is different from a periodic structure of the periodic array structure in a portion other than the outermost peripheral portion.
US08482023B2	Leadframe having a heat sink supporting part, fabricating method of a light emitting diode package using the same, and light emitting diode package fabricated by the method Disclosed are a leadframe having heat sink supporting parts, a light emitting diode package in which the leadframe is employed, and a fabricating method of a light emitting diode package using the leadframe. The leadframe includes an outer frame surrounding a predetermined region. The heat sink supporting parts extend inward to face each other from the outer frame. Each of the supporting parts has an end portion coupled to a heat sink. Further, lead terminals extend inward to face each other from the outer frame. The lead terminals are spaced apart from the supporting parts. Accordingly, a package main body can be formed by an insert molding technique after the heat sink is coupled to the end portions of the supporting parts, and the heat sink and the lead terminals can be easily aligned.
US08482020B2	System for wafer-level phosphor deposition System for wafer-level phosphor deposition. In an aspect, a semiconductor wafer is provided that includes a plurality of LED dies wherein at least one die includes an electrical contact, a photo-resist post covering the electrical contact, and a phosphor deposition layer covering the semiconductor wafer and surrounding the photo-resist post. In another aspect, a semiconductor wafer is provided that comprises a plurality of LED dies wherein at least one die comprises an electrical contact, a phosphor deposition layer covering the semiconductor wafer, and a cavity in the phosphor deposition layer exposing the at least one electrical contact.
US08482017B2	Organic light emitting diode device An organic light emitting diode device comprises a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, a first light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, a charge generation layer positioned between the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit, and a charge balance layer positioned adjacent to charge generation layer and including a lithium-containing compound.
US08482016B2	Semiconductor light-emitting device and manufacturing method A semiconductor light-emitting device and a method for manufacturing the same can include a wavelength converting layer located over at least one semiconductor light-emitting chip in order to emit various colored lights including white light. The light-emitting device can include a base board, a frame located on the base board, the chip mounted on the base board, the wavelength converting layer located between an optical plate and the chip so as to extend from the optical plate toward the chip, and a reflective material layer disposed at least between the frame and both side surfaces of the wavelength converting layer and the optical plate.
US08482008B2	Method of manufacturing thin film transistor, thin film transistor, and display unit A thin film transistor having a crystalline silicon film that is formed over an insulating substrate with a gate electrode and a gate insulating film in between, and has a channel region in a region corresponding to the gate electrode; an insulating channel protective film that is selectively formed in a region corresponding to the channel region on the crystalline silicon film; an n+ silicon film having a source region and a drain region that sandwich a region corresponding to the channel region on the channel protective film and the crystalline silicon film; and a metal film having a source electrode and a drain electrode that respectively correspond to the source region and the drain region.
US08482001B2	Semiconductor device An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device having a novel structure in which in a data storing time, stored data can be stored even when power is not supplied, and there is no limitation on the number of writing. A semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode; a first channel formation region for which an oxide semiconductor material is used and to which the first source electrode and the first drain electrode are electrically connected; a first gate insulating layer over the first channel formation region; and a first gate electrode over the first gate insulating layer. One of the first source electrode and the first drain electrode of the first transistor and one electrode of a capacitor are electrically connected to each other.
US08481993B2	Semiconductor composite film, method for forming semiconductor composite film, thin film transistor, method for manufacturing thin film transistor, and electronic apparatus A semiconductor composite film includes a semiconductor thin film layer containing an organic semiconductor material, an insulating thin film layer formed from a polymer material phase-separated from the organic semiconductor material in the film thickness direction, and a fine particle material dispersed in at least one of the semiconductor thin film layer and the insulating thin film layer.
US08481992B2	Flat panel display and method for making the same A flat panel display capable of preventing a chipping phenomenon of a pixel definition layer, and a method for making the same are disclosed. The flat panel display includes a thin film transistor formed on a substrate; a planarization layer formed on the thin film transistor; a first electrode layer formed on the planarization layer and electrically connected with the thin film transistor through the via hole formed in the planarization layer; a pixel definition layer formed on the planarization layer and in which an opening for at least partially exposing the first electrode layer is formed; an adhesive reinforcement layer formed at least between the planarization layer and the pixel definition layer on the top of the planarization layer; an emitting layer formed on the first electrode layer; and a second electrode layer formed on the emitting layer and the pixel definition layer. The flat panel display has an improved adhesive property between a pixel definition layer and an planarization layer, which prevents a chipping phenomenon of the pixel definition layer.
US08481989B2	Semiconductor resistive random access memory device suitable for bipolar action According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a word line interconnect layer, a bit line interconnect layer and a pillar. The word line interconnect layer includes a plurality of word lines extending in a first direction. The bit line interconnect layer includes a plurality of bit lines extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The pillar is disposed between each of the word lines and each of the bit lines. The pillar has a selector stacked film containing silicon, and a variable resistance film disposed on a side of the word lines or the bit lines. The selector stacked film has a different component-containing layer. The different component-containing layer is formed at one position in a region excluding ends on the sides of the word and bit lines, and contains a 14 group element having a larger atomic radius than an atomic radius of silicon.
US08481985B2	Method and apparatus for producing a high level of disinfection in air and surfaces This specification relates to an improved method, process and apparatus for disinfecting and sterilizing all types of surfaces and indoor air and room air contaminated with microorganisms. The improved apparatus consists of a multi-wavelength narrow spectral width UV source that is more effective than mercury based 254 nm germicidal lamps for destroying the DNA and outer shell or membrane of virus, bacteria, spores and cists.
US08481984B2	Extreme ultra violet light source apparatus An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus using a spectrum purity filter capable of obtaining EUV light with high spectrum purity. The apparatus includes a chamber; a target supply unit for supplying a target material; a driver laser using a laser gas containing a carbon dioxide gas as a laser medium, for applying a laser beam to the target material to generate plasma; a collector mirror for collecting and outputting the extreme ultraviolet light radiated from the plasma; and a spectrum purity filter provided in an optical path of the extreme ultraviolet light, for transmitting the extreme ultraviolet light and reflecting the laser beam, the spectrum purity filter including a mesh having electrical conductivity and formed with an arrangement of apertures having a pitch not larger than a half of a shortest wavelength of the laser beam applied by the driver laser.
US08481978B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method In an immersion lithographic apparatus, bubble formation in immersion liquid is reduced or prevented by reducing a gap size or area on a substrate table and/or covering the gap.
US08481977B2	LED light source with thermally conductive luminescent matrix A wavelength conversion chip is formed by depositing a wavelength conversion material on a substrate to form a layer, removing the resulting wavelength conversion layer from the substrate and then segmenting the wavelength conversion layer into a plurality of wavelength conversion chips. The wavelength conversion material can be annealed by thermal annealing or radiation annealing to increase the wavelength conversion efficiency of the chips or to sinter the wavelength conversion material to form a ceramic material. Optical coatings, vias, light extraction elements, electrical connections or electrical bond pads can be fabricated on the wavelength conversion chips.
US08481975B2	Method and arrangement for detecting a surface of an object The invention relates to a method for optically detecting surfaces wherein strip patterns are projected onto the surface, images are captured, and the three-dimensional contour thereof is determined from the reproduction of the strip pattern on the surface of the object. The aim of the invention is to prevent reflections that interfere with the images and as a result, the surface of the object is covered with a layer of a fluorescent material, is then radiated with ultraviolet radiation, and the radiation emitted by the fluorescent material in the visible light is detected.
US08481968B2	Electron microscope specimen and method for preparing the same A method for preparing an electron microscope specimen is provided. The method includes providing a wafer sample with an analysis region disposed thereon. A dicing process is performed to cut a sample piece from the wafer sample. The sample piece includes a target pillar structure wherein the analysis region is located on a top portion of the target pillar structure. A thinning process is performed to thin the top portion of the target pillar structure. The invention further provides an electron microscope specimen and a method of forming a 3D image.
US08481967B2	Method of processing objects by focused ion beam system and carrier used therewith A method of processing objects by a FIB (Focused Ion Beam) system and a carrier used therewith are provided. The carrier includes a carrying member and a processing portion having an object disposed thereon. Before the carrier is disposed into the FIB system, the carrying member is set to be flush in height with the processing portion having the object disposed thereon. After an eucentric height adjustment inside the FIB system, both the carrying member and the processing portion are in a same plane with the eucentric point of the system. Therefore, after the object on the processing portion is processed, a processed object or a processed block of the object can be moved to the carrying member without performing further eucentric height adjustment with respect to the carrying member.
US08481965B1	Process for the production of electric energy by the extraction of electrons from atoms and molecules The process of the present application facilitates the production of electric energy by the deliberate extraction of electrons from atoms and molecules of a gas, vapor, liquid, particulate solid, or any other form of matter that can be passed along the surface or through the electron extraction unit. The extracted electrons are captured, collected and controlled or regulated for distribution as electric energy. It is an energy efficient process for the extraction and capture of electrons for the production of electric energy with positive atomic or molecular ions as byproducts. The product ions can then be confined in a coherent beam or restricted to a magnetic enclosure or by other confinement methods, expelled to the atmosphere, another environment or to ground, or modified into useful molecules. These results are accomplished by the forcible extraction and capture of electrons from the object particles by electrically charged particles in a strong electric field. It is an extremely efficient process, in that, once the primary components are sufficiently charged, thereafter it requires only an occasional replenishment of energy to sustain operation.
US08481962B2	Distributed potential charged particle detector A charged particle beam system for imaging and processing targets is disclosed, comprising a charged particle column, a secondary particle detector, and a secondary particle detection grid assembly between the target and detector. In one embodiment, the grid assembly comprises a multiplicity of grids, each with a separate bias voltage, wherein the electric field between the target and the grids may be adjusted using the grid voltages to optimize the spatial distribution of secondary particles reaching the detector. Since detector lifetime is determined by the total dose accumulated at the area on the detector receiving the largest dose, detector lifetime can be increased by making the dose into the detector more spatially uniform. A single resistive grid assembly with a radial voltage gradient may replace the separate grids. A multiplicity of deflector electrodes may be located between the target and grid to enhance shaping of the electric field.
US08481957B2	Ionizing radiation detector An ionizing radiation detector has conductive tubes arranged in parallel and containing a pressurized gas mixture, a conductive wire being pulled tight at the center of each tube and capable of being biased with respect thereto. Each tube is divided into isolated longitudinal sections. All the tube sections of a same transverse slice are electrically connected. Each group of sections of a same slice includes means for being connected to an elementary detector, wherein each slice is formed of a grid of blades.
US08481949B2	Apparatus and methods for cooling positron emission tomography scanner detector crystals Detector crystals in a positron emission tomography (PET) apparatus gantry are cooled by directing cooling gas flow into a cooling duct bounded by the crystals and a cover defining the patient scanning field within the gantry. The cooling gas cools the crystals. Cooling gas may also be directed radially outwardly from the cooling duct into spatial gaps defined between detector enclosures that include the crystals, further isolating heat generated by other components within gantry from the detector crystals. Cooling gas is provided by a cooling system that may be incorporated within the gantry, external the gantry or a combination of both. Cooling gas can be provided by directing air within the gantry in contact with internal gantry cooling tubes and routing cooled air directly into the cooling duct with a powered fan.
US08481948B2	Method to optimize the light extraction from scintillator crystals in a solid-state detector A light transmitting element such as a scintillating element (50) or an optic fiber (50′) has side surfaces coated with a metamaterial (62) which has an index of refraction less than 1 and preferably close to zero to light transmitted in the light transmitting element. A photonic crystal (80) or metamaterial layer optically couples a light output face of the light transmitting element with a light sensitive element (52), such as a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM). A thin metal layer (64) blocks optical communication between adjacent scintillating elements (50) in a radiation detector (22), such as a radiation detector of a nuclear imaging system (10).
US08481945B2	Optical frequency converter An optical frequency converter includes a waveguide including a core made of a nonlinear optical medium having a refractive index n1,light in a wavelength region of light, and cladding disposed so as to cover the core and made of a material whose refractive index n2,light in the wavelength region of light is lower than the refractive index n1,light, and a coupling section made of a material whose refractive index n3,THz in a wavelength region of a terahertz wave is higher than the refractive index n1,light and disposed in contact with the cladding. The coupling section is configured to couple the waveguide with a space in the wavelength region of the terahertz wave. The coupling section covers the cladding.
US08481943B2	Net solar radiometer An improved net radiometer that measures the total net difference between incoming solar and surface reflected radiant short-wave solar energy flux, and inclusive of the down and upwelling long-wave infrared terrestrial radiant energy flux, within the combined short-wave and long-wave far infrared spectral range is disclosed. Disclosed are net radiometers with thermal absorbers structured to reduce wind sensitivity while maintaining or improving response time. Also disclosed are net radiometers that are configured in a novel way to reduce moisture and water accumulation on the thermal absorber surfaces. In addition, net radiometers are disclosed where the components are configured and thermal absorber structured to reduce unit-to-unit inconsistencies and minimize absorber sensitivity asymmetry effect between the upper and lower instrument absorbers.
US08481940B2	Detection device, sensor device, and electronic apparatus A detection device includes a plurality of pyroelectric elements, detection circuit and a poling circuit. The pyroelectric elements include a first pyroelectric element through an n-th pyroelectric element serially provided between a detection node and a first power supply node with n being an integer equal to or greater than 2. The detection circuit is connected to the detection node. The poling circuit is configured to perform a poling process, in which a direction of polarization of at least one of the first pyroelectric element through the nth pyroelectric element is set independently of a direction of polarization of another one of the first pyroelectric element through the n-th pyroelectric element.
US08481937B2	Photocathode apparatus using photoelectric effect of surface plasmon resonance photons A photocathode apparatus is constructed by a transparent body adapted to receive incident light, and a metal cover layer formed on a surface of the transparent body. The incident light reaches an incident/reflective surface of the metal cover layer through the surface of the transparent body to excite surface plasmon resonance light in the incident/reflective surface of the metal cover layer, thus emitting photoelectrons from a photoelectric surface of the metal cover layer opposite to the incident/reflective surface thereof by the photoelectric effect of one of the surface plasmon resonance photons and its second harmonic generation wave.
US08481934B2	Method for inspecting and measuring sample and scanning electron microscope As an aspect for realizing accurate observation, inspection, or measurement of the contact hole with large aspect ratio, a method and a device to scan a second electron beam after scanning a first electron beam to a sample to charge the sample are proposed wherein the beam diameter of the first electron beam is made larger than the beam diameter of the second electron beam.
US08481933B2	Method and device for examining a surface of an object A method for treating a surface of an object and a device suitable in particular for performing this method provide for examining the surface of the object with the aid of a particle beam to counteract the charge buildup on the object. A gas is supplied to convey the charge away from the surface and/or to neutralize it.
US08481931B2	Electron spectroscopy The present invention provides an electron spectroscopy apparatus (12) comprising a high energy particle source (12) for irradiating a sample, an electron detector system (16) (e.g. including a delay line detector) for detecting electrons emitted from the sample and an ion gun (8) for delivering a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) ion beam to the sample, wherein the ion gun comprises a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ion source, for example comprising coronene. In an embodiment, the PAH is located in a heated chamber (22) and vaporised to produce gas phase PAH. The gas phase PAH molecules are then ionised by electron impact, extracted from the ion source via an extraction field and focussed using ion optics. The PAH ion beam can be used for surface cleaning and depth analysis.
US08481930B2	Apparatus and method for replicating liquid blends and identifying the ratios of their liquid ingredients Described herein are methods and an apparatus to determine and replicate unknown ratios of original target liquid blends, such as hydrocarbon fuel blends or contaminants, by using an in-process fluorescence-monitored procedure. The method relies on trial-and-error mixing of the liquid ingredients into a single container. At the end of the trial-and-error procedure the formed blend becomes an exact replica of the target blend. The method can also be used to build calibration curves without employing sets of previously prepared standard solutions.
US08481927B2	High yield atmospheric pressure ion source for ion spectrometers in vacuum Gaseous analyte molecules are ionized at atmospheric pressure and provided to an inlet capillary of an ion spectrometer vacuum system by passing the ions through a reaction tube that ends in a conical intermediate piece for a gastight and smooth transition into the inlet capillary. The reaction tube is shaped so that the atmospheric pressure gas stream passing therethrough form the entrance of the tune to the intermediate piece is stably laminar. Analyte molecules from gas chromatographs, spray devices or vaporization devices can be introduced into the entrance of the reaction tube and ionized within the tube by single- or multi-photon ionization, by chemical ionization, by reactant ions or by physical ionization. For single- or multi-photon ionization, a beam from a laser can be passed axially down the reaction tube. Reactant ions can be produced by any means outside of the reaction tube and mixed with the analyte molecules within the tube.
US08481926B2	Method, system and apparatus for filtering ions in a mass spectrometer A method and mass spectrometer for filtering ions are provided. The mass spectrometer generally comprises an ion guide, a quadrupole mass filter, a collision cell and a time of flight (ToF) detector, and is enabled to transmit an ion beam through to the ToF detector. The mass spectrometer is operated in MS mode, such that ions in the ion beam remain substantially unfragmented, the quadrupole mass filter operating at a pressure substantially lower than in either of the ion guide and the collision cell. The quadrupole mass filter is operated in a bandpass mode such that ions outside of a range of interest are filtered from the ion beam, leaving ions inside the range of interest in the ion beam. The ions inside the range of interest are analyzed at the ToF detector.
US08481925B2	Apparatus and method for elemental analysis of particles by mass spectrometry An apparatus for elemental analysis of particles such as single cells or single beads by mass spectrometry is described. The apparatus includes means for particle introduction; means to vaporize, atomize and ionize elements associated with a particle; means to separate the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratio; means to detect the separated ions, means to digitize the output of the means to detect the ions; means to transfer and/or to process and/or record the data output of the means to digitize, having means to detect the presence of a particle in a mass spectrometer; and means to synchronize one of the means for ion detection, data digitization, transfer, processing and recording with the means to detect the presence of a particle. Methods and computer readable code implementing aspects of the apparatus, and for reducing the rates of data generation, digitization, transfer, processing and recording are also described.
US08481922B2	Membrane for holding samples for use with surface ionization technology The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
US08481921B2	Tandem ion trapping arrangement A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first storage ion trap arranged upstream of a high performance analytical ion trap. According to an embodiment ions are simultaneously scanned from both the first and second ion trap. At any instant in time the quantity of charge present within the second ion trap is limited or restricted so that the second ion trap does not suffer from space charge saturation effects and hence the performance of the second ion trap is not degraded.
US08481920B2	Apparatus and method for determining formation density from nuclear density measurements made using sensors at more than one location In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for determining formation density. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a bottomhole assembly having a drill bit attached to end thereof for drilling through a formation, a first sensor in the drill bit configured to provide first signals for determining a first density of the formation proximate to the drill, a second sensor distal from the first sensor configured to provide signals for determining density of a second density of the formation, and a processor configured to determine the formation density from the first density and the second density.
US08481919B2	Apparatus and method for controllable downhole production of ionizing radiation without the use of radioactive chemical isotopes Apparatus for the controllable downhole production of ionizing radiation (12), the apparatus including at least a thermionic emitter (11) which is arranged in a first end portion (7a) of an electrically insulated vacuum container (9), and a lepton target (6) which is arranged in a second end portion (7b) of the electrically insulated vacuum container (9); the thermionic emitter (11) being connected to a series of serially connected negative electrical-potential-increasing elements (141, 142, 143, 144), each of said electrical-potential-increasing elements (141, 142, 143, 144) being arranged to increase an applied direct-current potential (δV0, δV1, δV1+2, . . . , δV1+2+3) by transforming an applied, driving voltage (VAC), and to transmit the increased, negative direct-current potential (δV1, δV1+2, . . . , δV1+2+3+4) and also the driving voltage (VAC) to the next unit in the series of serially connected elements (141, 142, 143, 144,5), and the ionizing radiation (12) exceeding 200 keV with a predominant portion of the spectral distribution within the Compton range.
US08481918B2	System and method for improving the quality of thermal images An image improvement system and method are disclosed that compensates for effects of optical scattering and pixel cross-talk on image quality in an imager employing a focal plane array. The method characterizes these effects on a test image, presents them as a set of stored numerical coefficients, and applies the coefficients during image processing.
US08481915B2	Optical encoder An linear encoder includes: a scale; a light-emitting element that emits light onto the scale; a detecting head that has a light-receiving element that receives the light emitted by the light-emitting element to be reflected or transmitted by the scale; and a connector connected to the detecting head via a cable. The connector comprises a display that displays a status of the light received by the light-receiving element and a connector controller that controls the display. The connector controller includes a display controller that controls the display in accordance with the intensity of the light received by the light-receiving element.
US08481914B2	Optical encoder including a plurality of encoder heads and common wiring lines An optical encoder is configured as follows. Namely, the optical encoder includes a signal processing circuit which processes encoder signals output from a plurality of encoder heads, a control unit which specifies one of the plurality of encoder heads, sets the signal output of the specified encoder head in an on state, and further sets the outputs of the encoder heads not specified in an off state, thereby causing only the specified encoder head to output an encoder signal to the signal processing circuit, switch signal lines, and a common wiring line which is shared by the plurality of encoder heads and which transmits the encoder signals to the signal processing circuit.
US08481913B2	Beam power with receiver impingement detection A beam power source transmits a signal indicating power availability, receives a request for power in response, and beams power in response to the request.
US08481908B2	Solid-state imaging device According to one embodiments, a transparent reference electrode is provided to be sandwiched between a red-detecting photoelectric conversion film and a green-detecting photoelectric conversion film, a first transparent driving electrode is provided to face the transparent reference electrode with the green-detecting photoelectric conversion film therebetween, a second transparent driving electrode is provided to face the transparent reference electrode with the red-detecting photoelectric conversion film therebetween, and a blue-detecting photoelectric conversion film is provided below the red-detecting photoelectric conversion film and performs blue detection.
US08481901B2	Enhanced sample processing devices, systems and methods Methods for processing sample materials. Methods of the present disclosure can include providing a device including a process chamber array, the process chamber array including a loading chamber and a process chamber; providing sample material in the process chamber array; moving the sample material within the process chamber array by rotating the device; providing paramagnetic particles within the sample material located in the process chamber array; providing a magnet proximate the device; and rotating the device such that the paramagnetic particles within the sample material are subjected to the magnetic field of the magnet during rotation of the device.
US08481900B2	Methods for drying ceramic materials Methods for drying ceramic materials are provided. In one embodiment, a first power set-point of a first microwave applicator of a drying apparatus is determined Power set-points for at least two additional microwave applicators in the drying apparatus are determined such that a power distribution among the microwave applicators provides an energy per unit of water profile for the additional microwave applicators that is substantially uniform. The microwave applicators may be operated at the determined power set-points as the ceramic material is passed through the drying apparatus.
US08481897B2	Printed circuit board or card comprising a heating wire A printed circuit board or card (1) has an electric circuit (1a) and at least one electrically insulated conductive heating wire (2), the heating wire (2) being wire-printed on or in the printed circuit board or card. Heating wire (2) can be connected at connection points (4) to a voltage source (not shown) to be provided on or in the printed circuit board or card (1).
US08481895B2	Portable warming device and method for warming an article A portable warming device for dry heating a towel. The portable warming device includes a heating arrangement that heats one or more surface of the portable warming device so as to heat a towel that is in contact with the one or more heated surfaces. The heating arrangement includes a controller to at least partially control the heating of the towel.
US08481893B2	Portable food heater In one aspect, the present invention provides a consumer appliance that uses RF energy to heat foods stored in a container that is suitable for RF heating.
US08481891B2	Induction ironing system An ironing system (500) comprises an iron (510) with a soleplate (512) comprising an induction heatable material. The ironing system (500) further comprises a unit (520, 530) that includes at least one induction coil (540) and a device (550). The induction coil (540) charges the iron (510) whereas the device (550) detects the temperature of the soleplate (512) by sensing a change in current flowing through the induction coil (540) or by sensing a change in voltage across the induction coil (540). The current or voltage changes as self inductance of the induction coil (540) changes with magnetic permeability of the soleplate (512) as a function of its temperature. The device (550) switches the induction coil (540) on or off depending on the detected temperature.
US08481882B2	Guide device for welding curvilinear pipe surfaces Guide device for use in the processing, in particular welding, of curved surfaces, in particular pipe surfaces. A guide device includes a flexible elongate body provided with a guide for processing means and a tensioning means for tensioning the flexible body around the curved surface. The flexible body is provided along its length with indicators arranged according to a determined pattern, this pattern being such that a determined position of the guide device along the flexible body can be inferred on the basis of the detection of the indicators.
US08481880B2	Drive system for electrical switching devices A modular cost-effective drive system for electrical switching devices of medium-voltage installations is specified. The drive system, by the addition or omission of individual components, can be used both as a three-position disconnector with a snap-action or storage drive function and as a two-position circuit breaker which can also be expanded by a brief interruption function.
US08481879B2	Keypad assembly and electronic device using the same A keypad assembly includes a keycap, fixing bracket, and a fixing member. The fixing member fixes the keypad to the fixing bracket. The fixing bracket includes two support portions, a fixing portion, and at least two resilient portions. The resilient portions interconnect the support portions and the fixing portions. The keycap fixes on the fixing portion. The resilient portions are capable of elastically deforming and generate elastic restoring force to the keycap.
US08481875B2	Plug interlock device for vacuum circuit breaker Disclosed is a plug interlock device for a vacuum circuit breaker. Only after a plug is completely mounted to a connector, an insertion or withdrawal operation by a vacuum circuit breaker is performed. Accordingly, while a breaker body is moved to a ‘RUN’ position from a ‘TEST’ position, or when an operation is performed at a ‘RUN’ position, the plug may be prevented from being separated from the connector. This may prevent an accident.
US08481872B2	Digitizer, stylus and method of synchronization therewith A method for operating a digitizer with an autonomous asynchronous stylus includes sampling outputs from a digitizer, detecting from the outputs at least one pulsed signal transmitted from an autonomous asynchronous stylus at a defined rate, determining a location of the stylus interaction with respect to the digitizer, and tracking stylus interaction with the digitizer over subsequent pulsed signals transmitted from the stylus.
US08481868B2	Junction box A junction box for electrically connecting insulated conductors of a first cable to corresponding insulated conductors of a second cable, including a terminal housing; a plurality of electrically conductive contacts extending through the terminal housing, each contact of said contacts including first and second insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) opening into respective first and second sides of the terminal housing; and first and second lid members operatively coupled to the terminal housing so that relative movement between the terminal housing and the lid members urges insulated conductors interposed therebetween into corresponding IDCs for electric connection to the contacts, wherein said relative movement electrically connects the insulated conductors of the first cable on the first side of said sides of the terminal housing to corresponding insulated conductors of the second cable on the second side of said sides of the terminal housing via the IDCs of common contacts.
US08481864B2	Method for the production of a functional constructional unit, and functional constructional unit The invention relates to a method for producing a functional assembly as well as a functional assembly. According to the inventive method, at least one first material and a second material which are provided with different properties are applied layer by layer, partially in some parts, so as to create an encapsulation from the first material and a strip conductor structure from the second material, one or several functional units being embedded in the layer structure and being contacted with the strip conductor structure when the materials are applied. The disclosed method makes it possible to carefully structure a unit while offering a great degree of creative freedom.
US08481863B2	Substrate and method for manufacturing the same A substrate includes a storage portion which is defined by a base for mounting a light emitting element and a wall portion standing up on and from the base. A package is structured such that the upper end of the wall portion so formed as to surround the periphery of the storage portion is connected to a cover to thereby seal a light emitting element. A seal structure is composed of an uneven portion formed on the lower surface side surface of the base, a close contact layer formed on the surface of the uneven portion, a power supply layer formed on the close contact layer, and an electrode layer formed on the surface of the power supply layer. The uneven portion includes a first recessed portion formed at a position spaced in the radial direction from the outer periphery of a through electrode or from the inner wall of a through hole, and a second recessed portion formed at a position spaced further outwardly from the first recessed portion.
US08481862B2	Low profile compliant leads The present invention relates to a connector system for resiliently attaching and electrically connecting an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board using a plurality of leads. Each of the plurality of leads are sized and arranged to form a curved body having a first leg and a second leg with a curved portion between the first leg and the second leg. The curved body of the leads may be C-shaped in accordance with the present invention. The plurality of leads may be formed from strips of copper foil or copper mesh folded to form the curved body. The plurality of leads may also be sized and arranged to support the integrated circuit chip in a generally flat arrangement relative to the circuit board with a maximum separation of about 0.016 inches or less between the integrated circuit chip and the circuit board.
US08481861B2	Method of attaching die to circuit board with an intermediate interposer A die having a base formed of a first material is connected to a board having a base formed of a second material. An interposer having a coefficient of thermal expansion intermediate coefficients of thermal expansion of the first and second materials is positioned between the die and the board.
US08481860B2	Conductive paste containing silver-decorated carbon nanotubes A conductive paste composition is provided. The conductive paste composition includes 20 to 70 weight % of silver nanoparticles having an average particle size of 1 nm to 250 nm based on a total weight of the conductive paste composition, and 0.01 to 2 weight % of silver-decorated carbon nanotubes based on the total weight of the conductive paste composition.
US08481859B2	Method of preparing a flexible substrate assembly and flexible substrate assembly therefrom Some embodiments teach a method of preparing a flexible substrate assembly. The method can include: (a) providing a carrier substrate; (b) providing a cross-linking adhesive; (c) providing a plastic substrate; and (d) coupling the carrier substrate to the plastic substrate using the cross-linking adhesive. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.
US08481854B2	Electronic component device and connector assembly having same An electronic component device for electrically and mechanically connecting to a lead wire includes a base and a cover. The base includes a receiving body, at least one electronic component, and two spaced stripping connectors. The receiving body defining an installation groove. The at least one electronic component and the stripping connectors are received in the receiving body. Each stripping connector is in electrically connected with the at least one electronic component. The stripping connector defines a stripping slot for extension of the core therethrough, which has a size smaller than or equal to the diameter of the core. The cover includes a pressing surface and an electrically insulating cutting body. The cutting body is used for cutting off the lead wire. The pressing surface is configured for pressing the lead wire into the stripping slot, thus making the core in electrical connection with the at least one electronic component.
US08481852B2	Implementing flex circuit cable and connector with dual shielded air plenum A method, system, and structure are provided for implementing a flex circuit cable and connector with a dual shielded air plenum. A flex circuit cable is provided with a connector. The flex circuit cable includes a stack of three spaced flex cable members with a plurality of gasket separators that are configured to form a pair of air plenums between the inner flex cable member and the respective outer flex cable members carrying cooling air coupled to the connector. The respective outer flex cable members together with the gasket separators provide a shielding function.
US08481851B2	Variable length lightning strike down-conductor A variable-length lightning strike down-conductor is provided that allows for optimized ground path length, where excess down-conductor (grounding) cable is tightly coiled (e.g., as a mono-spiral coil) on a cable reel. Specifically, a primary down-conductor cable from an adjustable-length air terminal is clamped between the air terminal and the cable reel at any intermediate length, and the clamp is shunted to the ground plane (e.g., earth ground) through a second low-impedance down-conductor cable, as opposed to the high-impedance coiled down-conductor cable, thus increasing down-conductor effectiveness by reducing the impedance seen by a lightning strike to reach the ground plane.
US08481850B2	Dye doped graphite graphene solar cell on aluminum An efficient dye doped solar cell that improves upon the conventional dye-sensitized solar cells known within the art. The present inventive dye doped solar cell and its method of manufacture completely eliminate an electrolyte component common to conventional solar cells thereby removing numerous complications found in conventional dye doped cells such as inconsistent reproducibility and safety issues due to leakage of the electrolyte component. The dye doped solar cell of the present invention provides a novel replacement for the conventional electrolyte layer that provides significant improvements in both the safety and function of the inventive dye doped solar cell while eliminating the troublesome electrolyte component that is required in the conventional dye-sensitized doped solar cells known within the art.
US08481847B2	Solar cell and method of manufacturing the same A solar cell and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The solar cell includes a substrate of a first conductive type having at least one via hole; an emitter layer only on at least a portion of the via hole and at least one selected from a group consisting of an incident surface and side surfaces of the substrate, the emitter layer having a second conductive type opposite the first conductive type; at least one first electrode on the incident surface, the first electrode being electrically connected to the emitter layer; a second electrode connected to an opposite surface to the incident surface; and at least one first electrode current collector on the opposite surface, the at least one first electrode current collector being insulated from the second electrode and being electrically connected to the at least one first electrode through the via hole.
US08481846B2	Dye sensitized solar cell A dye-sensitized solar cell that includes a semiconductor layer, to which a photosensitive dye generating electrons is adhered; a photo electrode disposed on a side of the semiconductor layer so as to transfer electrons; and an auxiliary electrode disposed on the other side of the semiconductor layer so as to transfer the electrons, and at least one semiconductor layer and at least one auxiliary electrode are stacked alternatively. Thus, an amount of molecules of the photosensitive dye may be increased without increasing the moving distance of electrons, and the efficiency of the solar cell may be increased.
US08481845B2	Method to form a photovoltaic cell comprising a thin lamina A very thin photovoltaic cell is formed by implanting gas ions below the surface of a donor body such as a semiconductor wafer. Ion implantation defines a cleave plane, and a subsequent step exfoliates a thin lamina from the wafer at the cleave plane. A photovoltaic cell, or all or a portion of the base or emitter of a photovoltaic cell, is formed within the lamina. In preferred embodiments, the wafer is affixed to a receiver before the cleaving step. Electrical contact can be formed to both surfaces of the lamina, or to one surface only.
US08481839B2	System and methods for synchronizing audio and/or visual playback with a fingering display for musical instrument Disclosed herein are various systems and methods for audio and/or visual playback. A system can include a first data encoded according to a first file format, a second data encoded according to a second file format, and a file using the first and second data to enable synchronized audio and/or visual playback of the data on one or more receiving elements. In certain instances, at least a portion of the second data includes information relating to finger positions on a musical instrument.
US08481837B2	Device for providing and analyzing musical data A device includes a rectangular base A engaging with two cursors B and C, the base and the cursors having musical data thereon that relate to notes, scales, tonalities, intervals and chords, and that analytically provides said data with regard to the fundamental rules of harmony. The rectangular base A includes a central longitudinal slot in which the first cursor B slides and the second cursor C slides over the base A and the first cursor B. The device is suitable for use by musicians in general and, more particularly, for instructional use.
US08481835B1	Foot pedal folding structure A foot pedal folding structure to allow a foot pedal swiveling against a stand of a musical instrument for folding includes a pedal rack, a rack sleeve and a swivel shaft. The swivel shaft includes a circular pin, a first non-circular pin and a second non-circular pin. The pedal rack has a first boss and a second boss which respectively include a first holding aperture and a second holding aperture. The rack sleeve has a rotary boss located between the first boss and second boss. The rotary boss has a rotary hole. The swivel shaft has a latch position in which the second non-circular pin straddles the second holding aperture and rotary hole, and a swivel position in which the swivel shaft fully passes through the rotary hole.
US08481818B2	Lettuce cultivar 51-0703373-B A lettuce cultivar, designated 51-0703373-B, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar 51-0703373-B, to the plants of lettuce cultivar 51-0703373-B and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar 51-0703373-B with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 51-0703373-B, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 51-0703373-B and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 51-0703373-B with another lettuce cultivar.
US08481811B2	Maize cystatin promoter for pericarp preferred expression The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of nucleotide sequences of interest in a plant. Compositions are novel nucleotide sequences for a pericarp-preferred promoter associated with the maize cystatin coding region. A method for expressing a nucleotide sequence of interest in a plant using the regulatory sequence disclosed herein is provided.
US08481803B2	Hemostatic device A hemostatic device includes a flexible band adapted to be wrapped around a patient's limb at a site on the limb where bleeding is to be stopped, a portion for securing the band in a wrapped state to the limb, a curved plate which is made of a material more rigid than the band and at least a portion of which is curved toward the inner peripheral side thereof, a main balloon which is provided on the inner peripheral side of the curved plate and which inflates when a fluid is introduced therein, and a pressing member which is provided between the curved plate and the main balloon so that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the balloon and which is adapted for pressing against the balloon. The device provides an excellent hemostatic effect and prevents numbness and poor circulation in areas peripheral to the site of attachment.
US08481801B2	Fluid wound dressing comprising partially cured polyurethane A wound dressing composition comprising a partially cured polyurethane fluid. The composition can be injected directly into a wound, where it cures to form a wound filling dressing. Also provided is a wound dressing comprising such a composition. Also provided is a kit for the preparation of such wound dressings, the kit comprising (a) a polyurethane prepolymer; and (b) a curing agent for the polyurethane prepolymer. Preferably, the polyurethane components comprise reaction products of a diisocyanate with castor oil or a related ester of ricinoleic acid or its derivatives.
US08481800B2	Aqueous phase oxidation process An improved oxidization process may be used to oxidize a wide variety of feedstocks. Oxidation takes place in a reactor where the feedstock is mixed with an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid. The reaction mixture may also include a secondary oxidizing acid such as sulfuric acid as well as water and/or dissolved and mechanically mixed oxygen gas. The reactor may be maintained at an elevated pressure such as at least approximately 2070 kPa or desirably at least approximately 2800 kPa. The temperature of the reaction mixture may be maintained at no more than 210° C.
US08481786B2	Systems and methods for integrated ammonia-urea process Methods for producing urea are provided. A method for producing urea can include exchanging heat from a syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a urea solution comprising urea and ammonium carbamate. The heat transferred can be sufficient to decompose at least a portion of the ammonium carbamate. In one or more embodiments, the syngas can be reacted with liquid ammonia to provide a carbon dioxide lean syngas and an ammonium carbamate solution. The ammonium carbamate solution can be heated to a temperature of about 180 C. or more. At least a portion of the ammonium carbamate in the heated ammonium carbamate solution can be dehydrated to provide the urea solution.
US08481777B2	Metal carbamates formed from tolylenediamines The invention provides metal carbamates of the general formula (I) where R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each an alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms and M is an alkali metal atom.
US08481773B2	Volatile cyclic siloxanes This application relates to cyclic siloxane compounds comprising the structural formula where a≧2 and b≧2, R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R1 is independently hydrogen or methyl, compositions comprising any of the above cyclic siloxanes and an additional silicone, emulsion compositions comprising any of the above cyclic siloxanes or the above composition, and a process for preparing the above cyclic siloxane compounds comprising reacting a chloro end-blocked polydimethylsiloxane with a diol functional compound containing at least 3 carbon atoms.
US08481769B2	Isolation and purification of cartenoids from marigold flowers A process for isolation of carotenoids crystals having lutein and zeaxanthin in a weight ratio of about 10:1, 5:1 or 1:1. The process comprises contacting a plant source rich in lutein with hexane and extracting at a temperature of about 40° C. to 60° C. to obtain an oleoresin rich in lutein; contacting a plant source rich in zeaxanthin with hexane and extracting at a temperature of about 40° C. to 60° C. to obtain an oleoresin rich in zeaxanthin. The oleoresin rich in lutein and the oleoresin rich in zeaxanthin are mixed separately in a ratios ranging from about 80:20 (w/w) to 90:10 (w/w) or about 70:30 (w/w) to 30:70 (w/w) or about 10:90 (w/w) to 20:80 (w/w) and homogenized to obtain a mixed oleoresin. The mixed oleoresin is hydrolyzed with an alcoholic alkali at a temperature of about 70° C. to 80° C. to obtain a reaction mixture. The carotenoids crystals are precipitated by adding hot water to the reaction mixture to form a precipitate. Carotenoids crystals having lutein and zeaxanthin in a ratio of about 10:1 or 5:1 or 1:1 respectively are obtained by filtering, washing and drying the precipitate.
US08481767B2	Catalysts for esterification of epoxidized soyates and methods of using same A combination of catalysts is disclosed as useful to promote the transesterification reaction of an epoxidized soyate with a polyol to yield a high percentage of epoxidized soyate diester with epoxy functionality retained. The primary catalyst is a metallic hydroxide, and the secondary catalyst is a titanate. Bioderived plasticizers useful for thermoplastics and thermosets result.
US08481762B2	Administration of compounds that increase glutathione levels in the melanocytes for the treatment of canities At least one compound that increases the level of glutathione (GSH) in the melanocytes of hair follicles, and admixtures thereof with other active agents selected from among active agents for combating desquamative conditions of the scalp, plant extracts having propigmenting activity and active agents that slow hair loss and/or promote hair regrowth, are useful for preventing and/or limiting and/or stopping the development of canities.
US08481760B2	Inhibition and treatment of prostate cancer metastasis The present invention provides compounds and methods of inhibiting and treating metastatic prostate cancer. The compounds include MEK4 inhibitors. In another aspect the invention provides methods of identifying inhibitors of metastatic prostate cancer by screening for inhibitors of MEK4.
US08481759B2	Process for producing wine lactone The present invention relates to a method comprising (A) reacting a β-keto ester with a 2-halo ester under basic conditions to obtain a 2-aceto-3-methyl-succinic acid ester; (B) reacting the resulting 2-aceto-3-methyl-succinic acid ester with methyl vinyl ketone under basic conditions, optionally followed by a decarboxylation reaction and hydrolysis, etc., to obtain an α-methyl-γ-keto acid; and (C) reducing the resulting α-methyl-γ-keto acid to obtain wine lactone or a stereoisomer thereof or a mixture thereof. Alternatively, the present invention relates to a method comprising step (A) as recited above; (B) reacting the resulting 2-aceto-3-methyl-succinic acid ester with methyl vinyl ketone under basic conditions, followed by decarboxylation reaction to obtain an α-methyl-γ-keto acid ester; and (E) reducing the resulting α-methyl-γ-keto acid ester in the presence of a ruthenium complex having a specific structure and in the presence of a hydrogen donor to obtain wine lactone or a stereoisomer thereof or a mixture thereof.
US08481756B1	Succinic anhydrides from epoxides Catalysts and methods for the double carbonylation of epoxides are disclosed. Each epoxide molecule reacts with two molecules of carbon monoxide to produce a succinic anhydride. The reaction is facilitated by catalysts combining a Lewis acidic species with a transition metal carbonyl complex. The double carbonylation is achieved in single process by using reaction conditions under which both carbonylation reactions occur without the necessity of isolating or purifying the product of the first carbonylation.
US08481755B2	Activated methylene reagents and curable compositions prepared therefrom This invention relates to novel compounds with ester linkage(s) capped with either electron deficient olefinic linkage(s) or group(s) or reactive functional groups (termed herein as “active methylene reagents”), and curable compositions prepared therefrom.
US08481747B2	Synthesis of terminal alkenes from internal alkenes and ethylene via olefin metathesis This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis, and more particularly relates to the synthesis of terminal alkenes from internal alkenes using a cross-metathesis reaction catalyzed by a selected olefin metathesis catalyst. In one embodiment of the invention, for example, a method is provided for synthesizing a terminal olefin, the method comprising contacting an olefinic substrate comprised of at least one internal olefin with ethylene, in the presence of a metathesis catalyst, wherein the catalyst is present in an amount that is less than about 1000 ppm relative to the olefinic substrate, and wherein the metathesis catalyst has the structure of formula (II) wherein the various substituents are as defined herein. The invention has utility, for example, in the fields of catalysis, organic synthesis, and industrial chemistry.
US08481743B2	Phenylpropionamide compounds and the use thereof The invention relates to phenylpropionamide compounds of Formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, and solvates thereof, wherein A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined as set forth in the specification. The invention is also directed to the use of compounds of Formula (I) to treat, prevent or ameliorate a disorder responsive to the activation of opioid receptors, particularly μ-opioid receptors. Compounds of the present invention are especially useful for treating pain.
US08481742B2	Fused aromatic PTP-1B inhibitors The invention encompasses the novel class of compounds represented by the formula below, which are inhibitors of the PTP-1B enzyme. The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions which include the compounds shown (Formula I) above and methods of treating or preventing PTP-1B mediated diseases, including diabetes.
US08481740B2	Imidazo[1,2 a] pyridine-6-carboxamide derivatives, their use for the treatment of colon cancer and their method of manufacture This invention relates to the manufacture of novel chemical compounds which have biological activity, particularly to novel chemical compounds that are cytotoxic against colon cancer cells and colon cancer cell lines. The manufacturing of said chemical compounds displaying anti-cancer properties employs the use of multi-component chemical reactions. The object of this invention is to manufacture and isolate analogues of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, namely compounds of Formula 1, which are cytotoxic against colon cancer cells, while concomitantly being relatively inactive against white blood cells. wherein, R is bromo, methyl, phenyl, nitro, hydrogen or an amide functional group; R1 is benzyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl or cyclohexyl; and R2 is methoxy, benzyloxy or hydroxy.
US08481734B2	Pyrazine derivatives and uses thereof, including in medical imaging and visualization applications Disclosed herein are pyrazine derivatives of Formula I: Formula I; wherein each of X1 and X2 is independently —CONR7R9; and each of Y1 and Y2 is independently —NR48R49; and methods of using the same. The disclosed pyrazine derivatives include those having urea, amide, sulfonamide, thiourea, and/or carbamate substituents. Among the various aspects of the present invention are pyrazine derivatives that may be detected in vivo and used in a number of medical procedures (e.g., renal function monitoring). Without being bound by a particular theory, the pyrazine derivatives described herein may be designed to be hydrophilic, thus allowing for rapid renal clearance for continuous monitoring of renal function.
US08481728B2	Process for preparing entecavir and its intermediates A process of making entecavir comprising converting a compound of formula (M5) to entecavir, wherein the two PGs on the formula (M5) are taken together to form an optionally substituted six- or seven-member cyclic ring.
US08481719B2	Method of manufacturing gel using polysaccharides as raw materials After adding water to the carboxymethyl carrageenan which is raw material and mixing them well, the ionizing radiation of more than fixed dose is irradiated to the obtained paste sample of fixed concentration. As a result, an excellent hydrogel in heat resistance which does not dissolve at 50° C. or more can be obtained. The manufactured gel can be used for many kinds of products. Because this gel has a biodegradation characteristic, it is possible to dispose by composting.
US08481716B2	Process for preparing an alpha-lipoic acid/cyclodextrin complex and product prepared The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a cyclodextrin/alpha-lipoic acid complex, wherein in a first step, an alpha-lipoic acid and a cyclodextrin are dissolved in an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH above pH 7, and in a second step an acid is added to lower the pH of the solution to a pH below pH 7.
US08481711B2	Neurite outgrowth agent An object of the present invention is to provide a non-peptidic nerve axon and/or neurite outgrowth agent for allowing a nerve axon and a neurite to elongate. 3-(Aminocarbonyl)-1-[5-O-[[1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-1-deoxy-β-D-ribofuranos-5-O-yl]phosphonyloxy(oxylato)phosphinyl]-β-L-ribofuranosyl]pyridinium that is an analogue of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) comprising β-L-ribose as the sugar component is used as a nerve axon and/or neurite outgrowth agent or composition, a cancer cell growth suppressing and/or apoptosis inducing agent, or a cancer cell growth suppressing and/or apoptosis inducing composition.
US08481707B2	Methods and compositions for detecting colon cancers This application describes methods and compositions for detecting and treating vimentin-associated neoplasia. Differential methylation of the vimentin nucleotide sequences has been observed in vimentin-associated neoplasia such as colon neoplasia.
US08481705B2	Infectious cDNA clone of North American porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and uses thereof The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, including plasmids; viral vectors; and transfected host cells that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a North American PRRS virus; and also North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention further provides isolated infectious RNA molecules encoding a North American PRRS virus. The invention also provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, infectious RNA molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells encoding genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses; and genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention also provides vaccines comprising such plasmids, RNA molecules, viral vectors, and North American PRRS viruses, and methods of using these vaccines in swine and in other animals. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells that comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide of a North American PRRS virus. These viral vectors and transfected host cell lines are useful in providing peptides to compensate for mutated peptide coding sequences of DNA sequences encoding genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses so that functional virions can be generated.
US08481701B2	Process and method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease The present invention concerns methods and compositions usable for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in mammals, in particular humans. It particularly describes serum markers for Alzheimer's disease and their use in diagnostic methods. It also concerns tools and/or kits usable for implementing these methods (reagents, probes, primers, antibodies, chips, cells, etc.), their preparation and their use. The invention is usable to detect the presence or progression of Alzheimer's disease in mammals, including in the early phase, as well as for predicting the efficacy of an Alzheimer's disease treatment.
US08481695B2	Self-gelling alginate systems and uses thereof Kits and compositions for producing an alginate gel are disclosed. The kits and compositions comprise soluble alginate and insoluble alginate/gelling ion particles. Methods for dispensing a self-gelling alginate dispersion are disclosed. The methods comprise forming a dispersion of insoluble alginate/gelling ion particles in a solution containing soluble alginate, and dispensing the dispersion whereby the dispersion forms an alginate gel matrix. The methods may include dispensing the dispersion into the body of an individual. An alginate gel having a thickness of greater than 5 mm and a homogenous alginate matrix network and homogenous alginate gels free of one or more of: sulfates citrates, phosphates, lactatates, EDTA or lipids are disclosed. Implantable devices comprising a homogenous alginate gel coating are disclosed. Methods of improving the viability of pancreatic islets, or other cellular aggregates or tissue, following isolation and during storage and transport are disclosed.
US08481692B2	Compositions relating to a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin and methods thereof In one aspect, the invention relates to an immunogenic composition that includes a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin A and/or a mutant Clostridium difficile toxin B. Each mutant toxin includes a glucosyltransferase domain having at least one mutation and a cysteine protease domain having at least one mutation, relative to the corresponding wild-type C. difficile toxin. The mutant toxins may further include at least one amino acid that is chemically crosslinked. In another aspect, the invention relates to antibodies or binding fragments thereof that binds to said immunogenic compositions. In further aspects, the invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences that encode any of the foregoing, and methods of use of any of the foregoing compositions.
US08481690B2	Methods for detecting symmetrical dimethylarginine Method of detecting Symmetrical dimethyl arginine (SDMA) in biological samples. SDMA analogs for generating anti-SDMA antibodies having little or no cross-reactivity with asymmetrical dimethyl arginine, arginine, and monomethylarginine. The analogs have a protected or free thiol (—SH) group or hydroxyl (—OH) group that allow them to be linked to a suitable conjugation target which can be, for example, a protein containing molecule of a label. The anti-SDMA antibodies can be used in diagnostic immunoassay for the diagnosis of SDMA associated disorders and/or diseases.
US08481681B2	Silk proteins The present invention provides silk proteins, as well as nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The present invention also provides recombinant cells and/or organisms which synthesize silk proteins. Silk proteins of the invention can be used for a variety of purposes such as in the manufacture of personal care products, plastics, textiles, and biomedical products.
US08481680B2	Mutant smoothened and methods of using the same The emergence of mutations in tyrosine kinases following treatment of cancer patients with molecular-targeted therapy represents a major mechanism of acquired drug resistance. Here, we describe a mutation in the serpentine receptor, Smoothened (SMO), which results in resistance to a Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitor in medulloblastoma. A single amino acid substitution in a conserved glutamic acid residue of SMO maintains Hh signaling, but results in the inability of the Hh pathway inhibitor, GDC-0449, to bind SMO and suppress the pathway. The invention provides screening methods to detect SMO mutations and methods to screen for drugs that specifically modulate mutant SMO exhibiting drug resistance.
US08481679B2	Immobilizing an entity in a desired orientation on a support material The present invention relates to the identification and selection of attachment molecules that attach/immobilize an entity having a detectable activity or property on a support in an orientation that provides a detectable activity or property, and to surfaces made of the attachment molecules.
US08481678B2	Peptide-based tooth whitening reagents Peptide-based reagents comprising at least one tooth surface-binding peptide for delivery of at least one polymer-coated white colorant to the surface of teeth are provided. The peptide-based reagent may comprise at least one tooth-binding peptide coupled to, either directly or through one or more spacers, a polymer-binding peptide capable of binding to the polymeric coating on a polymer-coated white colorant. Methods of delivering a polymer-coated white colorant to a tooth surface are also provided as well as oral care compositions comprising the present peptide-based reagents. The peptide-based reagents may be used in conjunction with at least one polymer-coated white colorant to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth.
US08481676B2	Protein and production process and use thereof [Problems] To provide a polypeptide having a novel structure and showing an activity of inhibiting angiogenesis or an activity of inhibiting osteoclastogenesis, and to provide a recombinant protein by constructing a method of purifying the above protein. To provide an ingredient useful in designing remedies for tendinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis deformans, malignant tumor, etc.[Means for Solving Problems] A novel soluble polypeptide protein.
US08481675B2	Chemical recycling of PLA by alcoholysis A process for recycling a polymer blend necessarily containing PLA, comprising grinding, compacting, dissolving in a solvent of PLA, removing the undissolved contamining polymers, alcoholysis depolymerisation reaction and purification steps.
US08481674B2	Polymer, semiconductor film, electrode, electrode active material, electrochemical element and electricity storage device A polymer having a repeating unit structure represented by the following general formula (1), wherein in general formula (1), Ph is a phenyl group; X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, a selenium atom or a tellurium atom; and R1 and R1 each independently contains at least one selected from the group consisting of a chained saturated hydrocarbon group, a chained unsaturated hydrocarbon group, a cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group, a cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group, a phenyl group, a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, an amino group, a nitro group and a nitroso group. The chained saturated hydrocarbon group, the chained unsaturated hydrocarbon group, the cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group and the cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon group each contain at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbon atom, an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom and a silicon atom:
US08481672B2	Mercaptofunctional high μβ EO chromophores and high Tg, low optical loss, covalently bonded, high μβ EO chromophore containing polymers and methods of synthesizing EO materials The present invention relates generally to mercaptofunctional high μβ EO chromophores and EO polymers, and particularly to mercaptofunctional high μβ EO chromophores and EO polymers useful for making electro-optical devices and systems. Mercaptofunctional high μβ EO chromophores are covalently bonded to poly(imido sulfide) polymers producing high Tg, low optical loss, covalently bonded, high μβ EO chromophore containing polymers. Methods of synthesizing these EO materials using mild polymerization conditions are also described.
US08481671B2	Oxymethylene polymers and process for the preparation thereof The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of oxymethylene polymers as well as oxymethylene polymers obtainable therefrom. The process includes polymerization of a monomer, which forms —CH2—O— units in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde or a polyhydric alcohol and an initiator for cationic polymerization. The initiator may be a heteropoly acid or an acid salt thereof which is dissolved in an alkyl ester of a polybasic carboxylic acid.
US08481669B2	Molding material comprising polysilsesquioxane compound, sealing material, and sealed optical element A molding material which can produce cured products with long-lasting excellent transparency and heat resistance, a sealing material in which the molding material is used, and a sealed optical element are provided. The molding material comprises a polysilsesquioxane compound with a ladder structure having a repeating unit of the following formula (I) in the molecule as a major component. wherein R1 represents a group shown by the formula AO—(CH2)r— (wherein A indicates a protective group for a hydroxyl group and r is an integer of 1 to 10), R2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted (excluding substitution with OA in the above formula) alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an alkenyl group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and l, m, and n individually represent 0 or an arbitrary integer, provided that l and n are not 0 at the same time.
US08481662B2	Silicone hydrogel contact lenses having acceptable levels of energy loss Silicone hydrogel contact lenses having ophthalmically acceptable levels of energy loss are described. The lenses are derived from a polymerizable composition including a first siloxane monomer represented by formula (1): wherein m of formula (1) represents one integer from 3 to 10, n of formula (1) represents one integer from 1 to 10, R1 of formula (1) is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and each R2 of formula (1) is independently either a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; the lenses also include units derived from a second siloxane monomer which is a dual-end methacrylate end-capped polydimethylsiloxane having a number average molecular weight of at least 7,000 daltons. Batches of silicone hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making silicone hydrogel contact lenses are also described.
US08481658B2	Method for transitioning between incompatible olefin polymerization catalyst systems A method for transitioning from a Ziegler-Natta to a Phillips catalyst system for the olefin polymerization reaction in one reactor, preferably a gas phase reactor, is described. The method comprises the steps of a) discontinuing a first olefin polymerization reaction performed in the presence of the Ziegler-Natta catalyst system; b) performing a second olefin polymerization reaction in the presence of a further catalyst system comprising catalyst components (A) and (B) producing, respectively, a first and a second polyolefin fraction, wherein the Mw of the first polyolefin fraction is less than the Mw of the second polyolefin fraction and the initial activity of catalyst component (A) exceeds the initial activity of catalyst component (B); and c) performing a third olefin polymerization reaction the presence of the Phillips catalyst system. Thanks to this method, there is no need to empty the reactor after each olefin polymerization reaction, and the transitioning time needed to attain the desired quality of the polyolefin obtained in each olefin polymerization reaction subsequent to the first one is sufficiently short to permit a quick and reliable change of production.
US08481655B2	Copper complexes of amino-functional organosilicon compounds and their use Copper complexes of aminoorgano group-containing organosilicon compounds exhibit high thermal stability and can be used to impart thermal stability to a wide variety of polymer compositions. The complexes are particularly useful as constituents of xerographic rollers and fuser oils, and are simply and economically prepared.
US08481653B2	Biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester Biodegradable aliphatic/aromatic copolyester comprising: A) an acid component comprising repeating units of: 1) 53 to 54 mol % of an aromatic carboxylic acid; 2) 47 to 36 mol % of an aliphatic acid at least 50% of which is azelaic acid; B) a diol component selected from the group consisting of C3, C4 and C6 diols said AAPE being disintegrated according to the Standard ISO 20200 in 90 days.
US08481652B2	Thermoplastic polyamides having polyether amines Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 10 to 99% by weight of at least one thermoplastic polyamide, B) from 0.01 to 30% by weight of at least one highly branched or hyperbranched polyetheramine, C) from 0 to 70% by weight of further added materials, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to C) is 100%; the use of polyetheramines for improving the flowability and/or thermal stability of polyamides; and to the use of the molding compositions for the production of fibers, of foils, or of moldings of any type, and also to the resultant fibers, foils, or moldings.
US08481651B2	Biodegradable multi-block co-polymers The invention relates to a biodegradable multi-block copolymer, comprising at least two hydrolysable segments derived from pre-polymers A and B, which segments are linked by a multi-functional chain-extender and are chosen from the pre-polymers A and B, and triblock copolymers ABA and BAB, wherein the multi-block copolymer is amorphous at physiological (body) conditions. The invention further relates to a process for preparing said copolymer and to its use as a medical implant, a coating for a medical device or a drug delivery vehicle.
US08481646B2	Solution blending process for preparing thermoplastic vulcanizates This invention relates to the preparation of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) with unique morphological features, more specifically, this invention relates to a method for preparing TPV compositions wherein the mixing of plastomers and elastomers are carried out in solvent with curatives to induce cross-linking.
US08481644B2	Low chloride polybutadiene Compositions comprising a coupled interpolymer such as polybutadiene which may be suitable for HIPS and ABS have been discovered. The coupled interpolymer composition comprises an interpolymer comprising one or more monomeric units derived from a diene wherein the coupled interpolymer composition is characterized by: (A) a halide content of less than about 30 ppm based on the total weight of the coupled interpolymer; (B) a molecular weight distribution of from about 1.6 to about 2.4; and (C) a vinyl content of from about 5 to about 15 weight percent based on the total weight of the coupled interpolymer.
US08481641B2	Flame and smoke spread retardant molding compounds and components molded from these compounds HVAC and building and construction components are molded from novel compositions that meet the flame spread and smoke index, and the molding, safety, strength, and aesthetic requirements for this use. In a further embodiment, these compounds also promote better indoor air quality by inhibiting the growth of microbial contaminants within and on the surface of products molded therefrom. These compounds are based on thermoset resin, e.g. a polyester resin which preferably can comprise a polypropylene glycol dicyclopentadiene copolymerized with maleic anhydride, a low profile additive and hydroxy ethyl methacrylate monomer with additional additives including an appropriate catalyst package, a mold release agent, a thickening agent, a loading of aluminum hydroxide which is from about 40 to 65% by weight, having a loading of glass fibers of from about 10 to about 25% and preferably containing a silver ion containing antimicrobial agent, such as soluble glass containing silver ions.
US08481640B2	Polymer compositions The invention relates to a water-insoluble hydrophilic polymer network comprising polyorganosiloxane polyoxyalkylene block copolymer moieties characterized that they are linked to each other through an organosilicon cross-linking moiety, provided that the cross-linking moiety forming the links between polyorganosiloxane polyoxyalkylene block copolymer moieties result from an addition reaction between cross-linking sites present on the polyorganosiloxane polyoxyalkylene block copolymer moieties prior to formation of the hydrophilic polymer network, selected from silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms and aliphatically unsaturated groups, and reactive groups present on the cross-linking moiety prior to formation of the hydrophilic polymer network. Also disclosed is a process for making the polymer network, and a curable composition able to be reacted into such polymer network.
US08481638B2	High temperature PP adhesive The present invention relates to an adhesive composition providing high peel strength in particular at high temperatures, an article comprising a layer of the adhesive and the use of the adhesive.
US08481637B2	Co-extrudable thermoplastic elastomer compound for blow molded plastic articles A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is disclosed which is a combination of a non-elastomeric polyolefin and two different non-crosslinked elastomers and optional softening oil. The TPE can be used as an outer layer on at least a portion of the outer surface of a co-extruded, blow-molded polyolefin plastic article to provide a “soft touch” gripping surface on the article.
US08481633B2	Rubber mixture comprising precipitated silicic acid The invention relates to a rubber mixture, in particular for pneumatic vehicle tires, bands, and belts. The rubber mixture is characterized by the following composition: at least one diene rubber and—at least one precipitated silicic acid having a CTAB surface area greater than or equal to 150 m2/g and a BET surface area greater than or equal to 150 m2/g and a DBP number between 180 and 350 g/100 g and a full width at half maximum, which is standardized to the location of the reflection, of the reflection of less than or equal to 0.95 and a homogeneity ratio d 25% to d 75% of 1.00 to 1.80 and a relative width Ypressed in the compressed state of less than or equal to 2.8 (g nm)/ml and a fineness index F.V.pressed in the compressed state between 100 and 140, and further additives.
US08481631B2	Method for preparing a polymer particle dispersion in an aqueous medium The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles in an aqueous medium employing a living macroinitiator requiring a reinitiation temperature of less than 100° C.Application of the particles obtained in the field of surface coatings.
US08481630B2	Process for the production of moldings with reduced formation of deposit The invention relates to processes for the production of moldings via shaping of thermoplastic molding compositions F with reduced formation of deposit on the shaping mold, and it is essential to the invention that the thermoplastic molding compositions F comprise an amount of from 0 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg (calculated as the total of the mg of Mg and the mg of Ca per kg of thermoplastic molding composition F and determined by means of atomic emission spectrometry using inductively coupled plasma (ICPAES)) of magnesium compounds and/or calcium compounds; the invention further relates to the use of molding compositions F in the inventive processes, and also to moldings which can be produced by the inventive processes.
US08481629B2	Surface mount adhesive, mounting structure including the same, and method for producing mounting structure A surface mount adhesive includes an epoxy resin, a curing agent, an accelerator, a first filler, and a second filler. The second filler has a specific gravity 1.1 to 3 times that of the first filler, and the second filler has a hardness higher than that of the first filler. The first filler has a largest particle size of 1 to 100 μm, and the second filler has a largest particle size of 1 to 100 μm, a specific gravity of 1.7 to 4.5, and a revised Mohs hardness of 2 to 12. The weight ratio of the first filler to the second filler is from 1:3 to 3:1, and the surface mount adhesive has a specific gravity of 1.2 to 1.5. When the surface mount adhesive is dispensed, dispensing failures are suppressed, and dispensing stability is improved.
US08481628B2	Polymer composition Polymer composition comprising a) 10-99.99% by weight of at least one polyolefin, b) 0-50% by weight of a thermoplastic that is not a polyolefin, c) 0.005-1% by weight of per se known polymer additives, as well as an additional component chosen among d) at least one polybranched organic/inorganic hybrid polymer which has an inorganic core carrying organic branches, the core and branches forming a particulate structure, or/and e) a fat-soluble metal compound prepared by reacting a metal salt and an acidic, organic compound in a process in which a suitable oxidation agent ensures that all the metal in the end product is present in its highest stable oxidation state at standard conditions (25° C. and maximum 98% humidity).
US08481626B1	Wax-based encapsulant/moisture barrier for use with electronics received in water meter pits The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to an encapsulant for electronic components such as those utilized in AMR technology. The encapsulant comprises a wax, a tackifier, a polymer, a plasticizer, a thixotropic agent, and an antioxidant and is designed to protect electronic components from harsh environments such as those where high levels of humidity or corrosive liquids may be present. For example, the encapsulant exhibits minimal percent weight gain due to moisture vapor when subjected to temperatures ranging from about −40° C. to about 70° C. and relative humidities ranging from 0% to 85% over a period of 200 days.
US08481625B2	Polycarbonate resin composition, and molded object, film, plate, and injection-molded article obtained by molding the same The present invention relates to a polycarbonate resin composition (X) which includes a polycarbonate resin (A) and an aromatic polycarbonate resin (B), the polycarbonate resin (A) including a constitutional unit derived from a dihydroxy compound (a) having, as part of the structure thereof, a site represented by the following formula (1) and a constitutional unit derived from a dihydroxy compound (b) of an aliphatic hydrocarbon, wherein the proportion of the constitutional unit derived from the dihydroxy compound (b) of an aliphatic hydrocarbon based on all constitutional units each derived from a dihydroxy compound in the polycarbonate resin (A) is 45% by mole or more. (The case where the site represented by the formula (1) is part of —CH2—O—H is omitted.)
US08481622B2	Soybean based epoxy resin and methods of making and use An improved soybean oil ester based epoxy resin and method of making the same is disclosed. A transesterification step is employed to liberate glycerol and to form new fatty acid esters with additional double bonds. The resulting fatty acid esters containing one or more double bonds are epoxidized by reacting with epoxidation reagent. The epoxidized esters serve as monomers in an epoxy resin system, which may be used to manufacture composite materials with improved mechanical properties as compared to materials obtained from epoxidized triglycerides. The soybean based epoxy resin may be used as low-cost and biocompatible coating materials for food and beverage cans.
US08481614B2	Masterbatch preparation process The process of the present invention provides a novel way of producing a masterbatch or polymer improver by heating a wax or polymer with a low temperature and mixing the molten wax with a additives, including pigments, at a low temperature above the congealing point of the wax to create a carrier material, in doing so this process will not degrade the pigment or additive which will be mixed together.
US08481612B2	Latent hardener with improved barrier properties and compatibility A curing agent for epoxy resins that is comprised of the reaction product of an amine, an epoxy resin, and an elastomer-epoxy adduct; compositions containing the curing agent and an epoxy resin; the compositions are useful in electronic displays, circuit boards, semi conductor devices, flip chips and other applications.
US08481609B2	Phase change inks containing oxazoline compounds and polyterpene resins Disclosed is a phase change ink comprising (a) a crystalline oxazoline compound; and (b) an amorphous polyterpene resin.
US08481606B2	Process for the production of polyester polyols with low volumes of dioxane waste The invention relates to the production and use of polyester polyols, formed from at least one carboxylic acid anhydride and ethylene glycol, wherein a specialized reaction control substantially suppresses the formation of 1,4-dioxane from diethylene glycol.
US08481595B2	Compounds for the treatment of metabolic disorders Agents useful for the treatment of various metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance syndrome, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver disease, cachexia, obesity, atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are disclosed. The agent is a compound of Formula (I): wherein m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; R1 is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and R2 is hydrogen, halo, alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. A is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by 1 or 2 groups selected from: halo, hydroxy, alkyl having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, perfluoromethyl, alkoxy having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, and perfluoromethoxy; or cycloalkyl having from 3 to 6 ring carbon atoms wherein the cycloalkyl is unsubstituted or one or two ring carbons are independently mono-substituted by methyl or ethyl; or a 5 or 6 membered heteroaromatic ring having 1 or 2 ring heteroatoms selected from N, S and O and the heteroaromatic ring is covalently bound to the remainder of the compound of formula I by a ring carbon; Alternatively, the agent can be a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound of Formula (I).
US08481593B2	Para-coumaric acid or para-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and their use in cosmetic or dermatological compositions The invention relates to the use of para-coumaric acid or para-hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives in cosmetic or dermatological compositions, specifically to the use of at least one compound derived from para-coumaric acid having a general formula (I) below: in which, especially, Z represents an oxygen or an —NH— group; X and Y are identical and each represent a CH or CH2 group, as an active principle with depigmenting, free-radical-scavenging and/or antiinflammatory activity. The invention also relates to the use of the above compounds for cosmetic care or for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, especially for depigmenting an area of skin, having antiradical and/or antiinflammatory activity.
US08481587B2	Substituted 2-(5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole-3-yl)acetic acids and ethers thereof and the use of same to treat viral diseases The present invention relates to novel substituted 2-(5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acids, to novel antiviral active ingredients, pharmaceutical compositions, antiviral medicaments, methods for prophylaxis and treatment of viral diseases particularly caused by influenza viruses and infectious hepatisis C (HCV) viruses.Novel substituted 2-(5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acids, their esters of the general formula 1 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or hydrates thereof have been disclosed wherein: R1 represents amino group substituent selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C5 alkyl, acyl or sulfonyl; R2 and R4 independently of each other represent alkyl substituent selected from hydrogen, halogen, optionally substituted C1-C3 alkyl, optionally substituted hydroxyl, optionally substituted amino group, optionally substituted aminomethyl, substituted mercapto group; R3 represents hydrogen, optionally substituted lower C1-C5 alkyl; R5 represents cyclic system substituent selected from hydrogen, fluorine, trifluoromethyl, carboxy group, alkyloxycarbonyl, possibly substituted aryl, heterocyclyl, optionally substituted aminomethyl, cyano group; R6 represents hydroxyl group substituent selected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C5 alkyl, acyl.
US08481586B2	Pyrrolo[2,3-a] carbazoles and use thereof as PIM kinase inhibitors The invention relates to pyrrolo[2,3-a]carbazole derivatives, to a method for preparing the same, and to the use thereof as PIM kinase inhibitors. The invention can particularly be used in the pharmaceutical field.
US08481585B2	Substituted pyrrolo-pyrazole derivatives as kinase inhibitors Compounds represented by formula (Ia) or (Ib) and wherein R and R1 are as defined in the description, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are disclosed; the said compounds are useful in the treatment of cell cycle proliferative disorders, e.g. cancer, associated with an altered cell cycle dependent kinase activity.
US08481584B2	1H-thieno[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives useful as kinase inhibitors Thieno[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as defined in the specification, process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them are disclosed; the compounds of the invention may be useful, in therapy, in the treatment of diseases associated with a disregulated protein kinase activity, like cancer.
US08481583B2	Combination of alpha-2 receptor agonist (clonidin) and anti-muscarinic agent (oxybutynin) for the treatment of sialorrhoea An alpha2 adrenoreceptor agonist eg. clonidine, brimonidine, monoxidine, lofexidine is useful for the treatment of sialorrhoea, administered by the paraungual, sublingual or buccal route. The patient to be treated is also given an anti-muscarinic agent eg. oxybutynin, glycopyrrolate, ipratropium.
US08481577B2	Amide thiazole derivative, preparation method and uses thereof The present invention relates to the field of drugs associated with treating diabetes. Particularly, the present invention relates to a dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor having the structure shown by formula (I), which contains amide thiazole structure and has an effect on treating diabetes, and a preparation method and a pharmaceutical composition containing it, as well as use thereof in manufacture of the drugs for treating the diabetes, wherein, R1 is methyl; R2 is phenyl; phenyl, 2-thienyl substituted in a mono-substituted, bi-substituted manner by fluorine and methyl.
US08481574B2	Compounds as cannabinoid receptor ligands The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein A, E, L2, R1, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the herein, compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions.
US08481572B2	Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer Provided is a pharmaceutical composition including as an active component a compound of formula (I): wherein X and (R1)n are as defined, and a physiological acceptable carrier. Also provided is a method for treating cancer including administering to an individual in need of such treatment an effective amount of the presently described pharmaceutical composition.
US08481568B2	Isoindole-imide compounds and compositions comprising and methods of using the same This invention relates to isoindole-imide compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, and prodrugs thereof. Methods of use, and pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds are disclosed.
US08481565B2	Method for stabilizing anti-dementia drug The present invention provides a method for stabilizing an anti-dementia drug in a pharmaceutical composition containing the anti-dementia drug and a high molecular weight basic substance by adding a high molecular weight acidic substance to said pharmaceutical composition. Further, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing an anti-dementia drug and a high molecular basic substance in which a high molecular weight acidic substance is contained for stabilizing the anti-dementia drug. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition which comprises steps wherein a solution or suspension containing a high molecular weight acidic substance is added to a mixture of an anti-dementia drug and a high molecular weight basic substance for the sake of stabilizing the anti-dementia drug.
US08481561B2	Classes of GABAA/BZR ligands The present invention relates to novel GABAA/BzR ligands of the general formulas (I), (II) and (III) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, haloalkyl having 1-2 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and nitro, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen and alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms, as well as the use of these compounds for treating anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative-hypnotic and myorelaxant conditions as well as anxiogenic, somnolytic and convulsant conditions in mammals including pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.
US08481559B2	Morphine and morphine precursors Methods and materials related to the use of morphine, morphine precursors (e.g., reticuline), and inhibitors of morphine synthesis or activity to treat diseases, to reduce inflammation, or to restore normal function are provided.
US08481558B2	Compounds to inhibit or augment an inflammatory response Isolated and purified chemokine peptides, variants, and derivatives thereof, as well as chemokine peptide analogs, are provided.
US08481555B2	Aza-bicyclic amine N-oxide compounds as alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligand pro-drugs The disclosure generally relates to compounds of the following formula, including their salts, as well as compositions and methods of using the compounds. The compounds are prodrugs for ligands, agonists, and partial agonists for the nicotinic α7 receptor and may be useful for the treatment of various disorders of the central nervous system, especially affective and neurodegenerative disorders.
US08481553B2	Antimetastatic compounds Screening methods for identifying compounds and compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for treating and preventing cancer are disclosed. The compounds affect signal transduction downstream of the MET receptor.
US08481552B2	Solid forms of gyrase inhibitor (R)-1-ethyl-3-[5-[2-(1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)pyrimidin-5-YL]-7-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-YL]urea The present application is directed to solid forms of compounds of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit bacterial gyrase and/or Topo IV and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and salts. These compounds and salts are useful in treating bacterial infection.
US08481551B2	Gyrase and topoisomerase IV inhibitors The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein X and R are as defined herein. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as gyrase and/or topoisomerase IV inhibitors for treating bacterial infections. The compounds of formula (I) either possess a broad range of anti-bacterial activity and advantageous toxicological properties or are prodrugs of compounds having said activity.
US08481550B2	Heteroaryl compounds useful as inhibitors of E1 activating enzymes This invention relates to compounds that inhibit E1 activating enzymes, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds. The compounds are useful for treating disorders, particularly cell proliferation disorders, including cancers, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders; and inflammation associated with infection and cachexia.
US08481543B2	Compounds for treating parasitic disease A compound, particularly an antimalarial compound, according to formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X is an electron-withdrawing group; A is an optionally substituted alkanediyl or an optionally substituted cycloalkanediyl that includes 2 to 5 carbon atoms; and R1 and R2 are each individually H, tert-butyl, isopropyl, or optionally substituted cycloalkyl.
US08481542B2	Pyridazinyl derivatives as smo inhibitors The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: in which R11 and R12 are defined in the Summary of the Invention; capable of inhibiting the Hedgehog and Smo signaling pathway. The invention further provides a process for the preparation of compounds of the invention, pharmaceutical preparations comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds and compositions in the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies relating to the Hedgehog and Smo signaling pathway, for example, tumor formation, cancer, neoplasia and non-malignant hyperproliferative disorders.
US08481535B2	Crystalline forms and processes for the preparation of phenyl-pyrazoles useful as modulators of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor The present invention relates to processes for preparing phenyl-pyrazoles of Formula (I) and salts and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, useful as modulators of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor activity. The present invention also relates to intermediates used in the processes, and their preparation. The present invention also relates to crystalline forms of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor modulators, compositions thereof and methods of using the same.
US08481534B2	5- and 6-membered heterocyclic compounds 5- and 6-membered heterocyclic compounds which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 10 are described as are processes, pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical preparations and pharmaceutical use of the compounds in the treatment of mammals, including human(s) for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other disorders which may affect CNS function. Also described is the treatment of neurological, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders including but not limited to those comprising cognitive deficits or schizophrenic symptoms.
US08481533B2	Kinase inhibitors and method of treating cancer The invention is directed to a compound represented by the following structural formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: Compounds represented by this structural formula are kinase inhibitors and are therefore disclosed herein for the treatment of cancer. Definitions for the variables in the structural formula are provided herein.
US08481532B2	PDE-10 inhibitors Vicinal substituted cyclopropyl compounds which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 10 are described as are processes, pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical preparations and pharmaceutical use of the compounds in the treatment of mammals, including human(s) for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and other disorders which may affect CNS function, for example neurological, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, those comprising cognitive deficits or schizophrenic symptoms.
US08481531B2	Bicyclic heterocyclyl derivatives as FGFR kinase inhibitors for therapeutic use The invention relates to new bicyclic heterocyclyl derivatives of formula (I), to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and to the use of said compounds in the treatment of diseases, e.g. cancer.
US08481526B2	Fluoroquinolone carboxylic acid molecular crystals Disclosed herein is a molecular crystal form of the compound (R)-(+)-7-(3-amino-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-8-chloro-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid. The molecular crystal is characterized by at least one of: (a) an X-ray powder diffraction (“XRPD”) spectrum that comprises peaks at 2θ angles of 10.6, 15, 19.7, 21.1, and 22°±0.2°; (b) a DSC melting peak at 288° C.; (c) a 13C NMR spectrum having peaks at 23.3, 27.7, 41.1, 54.5, 116.6, and 153.5 ppm; and (d) pKa values of 5.65 and 9.91. The compound belongs to the class of fluoroquinolones and is useful as an antibacterial agent.
US08481525B2	Kinase inhibitors and method of treating cancer with same The invention is directed to a compound represented by the following structural formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: Compounds represented by this structural formula are kinase inhibitors and are therefore disclosed herein for the treatment of cancer. Definitions for the variables in the structural formula are provided herein.
US08481519B2	Isolation of atraric acid, synthesis of atraric acid derivatives, and use of atraric acid and the derivatives thereof for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate carcinoma and spinobulbar muscular atrophy A method for isolating atraric acid from biological material, atraric acid derivatives, the chemical synthesis thereof, and the use of atraric acid and the derivatives thereof for treating or producing a medicament for treating benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate carcinoma or spinobulbar muscular atrophy is provided. In addition, a basic substance for the development of other agents used for treating benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate carcinoma, or spinobulbar muscular atrophy is provided.
US08481518B2	Quaternary antimuscarinic compounds for the treatment of bladder diseases The present invention relates to a method for treating bladder disease, including urinary incontinence, which involves intravesical administration of quaternary antimuscarinic compounds having longer duration of effect and fewer side effects than standard treatments.
US08481517B2	Pyrrolidine compounds,pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, devices containing the same, and methods of treating asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by administering the same The present invention relates to novel anti-inflammatory and antiallergic compounds of the glucocorticosteroid series, methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, combinations and therapeutic uses thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to glucocorticosteroids that are derivatives of pyrrolidine.
US08481512B2	Compositions and methods for modulation of vascular structure and/or function The present invention relates to compositions comprising semi-crystalline β-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine polymers (p-GlcNac) and methods utilizing such polymers modulation of vascular structure and/or function. The compositions and methods disclosed are useful for stimulating, in a p-GlcNac concentration-dependent manner, endothelin-1 release, vasoconstriction, and/or reduction in blood flow out of a breached vessel, as well as for contributing to or effecting cessation of bleeding. The methods of the present invention comprise topical administration of materials comprising semi-crystalline p-GlcNac polymers that are free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids as well as other organic and inorganic contaminants, and whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a β-1-4 conformation.
US08481511B2	Pharmaceutical composition containing docetaxel-cyclodextrin inclusion complex and its preparing process A docetaxel inclusion complex having improved water-solubility (up to 15 mg/ml) and stability (stability constant Ka=2056M−1-13051M−1), comprises docetaxel and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin and/or sulfobutyl-beta-cyclodextrin in a ratio of 1:10-150. The method includes steps as follows: docetaxel dissolved in ethanol is added into water solution of cyclodextrin via stirring, until docetaxel is completely dissolved; said solution is filtered in 0.2-04 μm microporous membrane then ethanol is removed through reduced pressure to obtain the inclusion complex in a liquid form; or ethanol, followed by water is removed through reduced pressure, then dried to obtain the inclusion complex in a solid form.
US08481505B2	Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and therapy of BCL2-associated cancers The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of cancers associated with overexpression of a BCL2 gene and/or gene product in a subject, and methods and compositions for the improvement of anti-cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The invention also encompasses methods for determining the efficacy of a cancer therapy in a subject and methods for inducing apoptosis of a cell.
US08481504B2	Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) plasmid-mediated supplementation for therapeutic applications Composition and method for stimulating angiogenesis, stimulating myogenesis, upregulating angiogenic factors and angiopoietins, and treating the muscular and vascular complications of diabetes. Overall, the embodiments of the invention can be accomplished by delivering a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding insulin-like growth factor I (“IGF-I”) or a functional biological equivalent thereof into the cells of the subject and allowing expression of the encoded gene to occur while the modified cells are within the subject. The nucleic acid sequence maybe delivered by a vector system including a synthetic myogenic promoter and a 3′ untranslated region. The preferred method to deliver the constitutive or inducible nucleic acid encoding sequences of IGF-I or the functional biological equivalents thereof is directly into the cells of the subject by the process of in vivo electroporation.
US08481503B2	Combination cancer therapy with an AKT inhibitor and other anticancer agents The invention relates to combination anticancer therapy with certain Akt inhibitor and other anticancer agents such as anticancer antimetabolites, anticancer antibiotics, plant-derived anticancer agents, anticancer platinum-coordinated complex compounds, anticancer camptothecin derivatives and anticancer tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
US08481501B2	Synthesis of metabolically stable analgesics, pain medications and other agents Disclosed are analgesic-related compositions and methods of using the compositions for modulation of analgesic receptor activity. The compositions and methods are useful for reducing pain, as well as for therapeutic intervention of addictions or other diseases or disorders amenable to treatment or prophylaxis by modulation of analgesic receptor signaling.
US08481500B2	Compounds having neuroprotective properties The invention relates to the use of morin and mangiferin, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs and/or solvates thereof in the production of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and/or treatment of a neurodegenerative disease and symptoms associated with ageing, as well as to food compositions comprising said compounds.
US08481497B2	Therapeutic agent for cancer, and method for treatment of cancer [PROBLEMS] To provide a technique which enables an effective antibody therapy for cancer which targets for FGFR1 without the need of using any effective antibody having high specificity and a potent cell-killing activity. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Disclosed are: a therapeutic agent for cancer, which comprises an enhancer of the expression of a fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 and an anti-fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 antibody; and a method for the treatment of cancer using the therapeutic agent.
US08481490B2	Method of reducing plasma amylase and/or plasma lipase in patients with pancreatitis The disclosure provides the use of GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds to treat pancreatitis (e.g., acute, chronic, hemorrhagic, necrotizing) in patients. The disclosure also provides the use of GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds to reduce elevated plasma amylase and/or lipase concentrations in patients. An exemplary GLP-1 receptor agonist compound is exenatide.
US08481487B2	Modified soluble FGF receptor Fc fusions method The invention relates to modified soluble FGF receptor Fc fusions comprising a fusion of a soluble fragment or domain of the FGF receptor part (targeting or binding moiety) with an Fc region of an immunoglobulin part (effector function moiety), having improved biological activity including ADCC/CDC activities, compositions containing them, and method of producing such modified soluble FGF receptor Fc fusion molecules.
US08481486B2	Methods of treating neurological diseases by regulating migration of neuroblasts in the adult nervous system with tenascin-R This invention provides a method for regulating migration of neuronal progenitor cells in the nervous system of a mammal. The method comprises providing a mammal with TNR, a biologically active fragment of TNR, or a TNR agonist in an amount sufficient to direct migration of the neuronal progenitor cells. The invention provides a method of treating neurological diseases by replenishing diseased, damaged, or destroyed neural cells in the central nervous system or in the peripheral nervous system.
US08481478B2	Method for automated, large-scale measurement of the molecular flux rates of the proteome or the organeome using mass spectrometry Disclosed here is a method for measuring the kinetics (i.e., the molecular flux rates—synthesis and breakdown or removal rates) of a plurality of proteins or organic metabolites in living systems. The methods may be accomplished in a high-throughput, large-scale automated manner, by using existing mass spectrometric profiling techniques and art well known in the fields of static proteomics and static organeomics, without the need for additional biochemical preparative steps or analytic/instrumental devices.
US08481476B2	Polyoxyalkylene aminosilicone-based antifoam agent and its process of manufacture Modified aminoalkyl- and polyoxyalkylene-functional organopolysiloxanes exhibit delayed antifoaming activity in washing operations, minimizing foaming of rinse water. When applied to a pulverulent carrier, they may also be used in powder detergent formulations.
US08481472B2	Aqueous acidic formulations for copper oxide etch residue removal and prevention of copper electrodeposition A highly aqueous acidic cleaning composition for copper oxide etch removal from Cu-dual damascene microelectronic structures and wherein that composition prevents or substantially eliminates copper redeposition on the Cu-dual damascene microelectronic structure.
US08481466B2	Biodegradable grease composition using distillation residue generated in production of biodiesel A grease composition using lubricating base oil that is biodegradable by microorganisms in nature and has an affinity to the human body is provided. More particularly, a distillation residue secondarily generated in production of biodiesel from vegetable oil (soybean oil and canola oil) is used as the lubricating base oil.The grease composition is produced by adding 1 to 20 wt % of additives to 100 to 95 wt % of distillation residues, which is generated in production of biodiesel, and 1 to 30 wt % of thickeners.
US08481463B2	Oil-based grouting composition with an insulating material A grouting composition for use in insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit comprises: (A) an oil-swellable binding material comprising a organophilic clay; and (B) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (C) an insulating material comprising a hollow microsphere, wherein after the grouting composition has set, the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr·ft·° F.
US08481462B2	Oxidative internal breaker system with breaking activators for viscoelastic surfactant fluids Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Bromate oxidizing agents are used along with selected breaking activators for the bromate breaking compounds. Useful bromate breaking activators include acid-generating breaking activators, oxidizing sulfur containing breaking activators, and reducing agent breaking activators.
US08481458B2	Adjuvant for pesticides The invention relates to compositions useful in the field of agricultural chemistry and methods for making and using the compositions. The compositions include (i) a permeabilizing agent, and (ii) a active component, for example, a pesticide or plant growth regulator, and can include additional components as well, for example, flow agents. The permeabilizing agent, or a mixture of permeabilizing agents, acts as an adjuvant to the active component or chemicals to improve the degree of efficacy of the active component or speed of action of the active component. The permeabilizing agents are typically one or more chelating agents, cationic materials, anionic materials, and zwitterionic materials, and include polyphosphate salts. Examples of cationic materials include polyamines such as ethylenediamine and quaternary ammonium salts. The active components can be pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, virucides, bacteriocides, and acaricides. Examples of suitable active components include plant growth regulators, defoliators, dessicants, transfection agents, wood treatments (CCA or other chemicals that are effective against termites), traps, disinfectants, marine paints and the like. The compositions can be prepared by mixing the components in a suitable manner, and the compositions can be used by applying the compositions to a plant in need of treatment thereof in an amount effective for the desired use, employing conventional application techniques. In one embodiment, the active components are defoliants, and the composition is used for plant defoliation, for example, with respect to cotton plants.
US08481455B1	SO3 resistant sorbents for removing mercury from flue gas Surface functionalized sorbent particles for vapor-phase mercury removal, especially in the presence of SO3 in, for example, flue gas. The sorbent surface is modified to increase the SO3 resistance of vapor-phase mercury sorbents. The mercury removal efficiency is immune to the presence of SO3, which is not the case with conventional activated carbon as well as brominated activated carbons. The sorbent is based on carbon particles with a metal oxide coating on the surface. The thin metal oxide layer acts as an amenable surface to introduce functional groups. The metal oxide coated carbon was further modified with amine molecules, to increase its resistance towards SO3 poisoning.
US08481447B2	Manufacture of coated materials for use as activators in sulphur vulcanization This invention relates to a solid particulate substrate for use in the vulcanization of rubber and a process for the production thereof. The solid particulate substrate is coated with a coating containing a complexed acetometallate salt of sodium and a transition metal. The use of the solid particulate substrate in the vulcanization of rubber reduces the amount of transition metal oxide used in the vulcanization process.
US08481445B2	Magnesium dichloride-alcohol adducts and catalyst components obtained therefrom Solid adducts comprising a MgCl2, ethanol and a compound (A), said compounds being present in molar ratios defined by the following formula MgCl2.(EtOH)n(A)p in which n is from 0.1 to 6, p ranges from 0.001 to 0.5 and A is a compound selected from cyclic hydrocarbon structures which are substituted with at least two hydroxy groups.
US08481444B2	Catalyst composition for oligomerization of ethylene oligomerization process and method for its preparation Catalyst composition for the oligomerization of ethylene, comprising (i) an at least partially hydrolyzed transition metal compound, obtainable by controlled addition of water to a transition metal compound having the general formula MXm(OR′)4-m or MXm(OOCR′)4-m, wherein R′ is an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or cycloalkyl group, X is halogen, preferably Cl or Br, and m is from 0 to 4; preferably 0-3; and (ii) an organoaluminum compound as a cocatalyst, wherein the molar ratio of water and transition metal compound is within a range of between about (0.01-3):1; a process for oligomerization of ethylene and a method for preparing the catalyst composition.
US08481441B2	Anodic bondable porcelain and composition for the porcelain An anodic bondable low-temperature fired porcelain having high-strength and low-thermal-expansion, wherein a conductive ion during anodic bonding is an Li ion, containing a complex oxide having a composition represented by the following formula: (1−x)(αLi2O-βMgO-γAl2O3-δSi2O2).xBi2O3 (1) where x represents a mass ratio of 0.01 to 0.1, and α, β, γ and δ have a molar ratio of 2 to 5:1 to 2:1 to 2:7 to 17.
US08481429B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. According to an embodiment, the method includes forming a layer to be etched on a semiconductor substrate, and forming a photoresist pattern on the layer to be etched. A block copolymer including a hydrophobic radical and a hydrophilic radical is formed in the photoresist pattern, and the block copolymer is assembled to allow a polymer having the hydrophobic radical to be formed in a pillar pattern within a polymer having the hydrophilic radical. The polymer having the hydrophobic radical is then selectively removed.
US08481425B2	Method for fabricating through-silicon via structure A method for fabricating through-silicon via structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a through-silicon via in the semiconductor substrate; covering a liner in the through-silicon via; performing a baking process on the liner; forming a barrier layer on the liner; and forming a through-silicon via electrode in the through-silicon via.
US08481421B2	Functional anchors connecting graphene-like carbon to metal Functional linkers or anchors interconnecting graphene-like carbon, such as nanotubes or graphite sheets, with a conducting material such as a metal, are shown, together with related structures, devices, methods and systems.
US08481419B2	Method for producing a metal contact on a coated semiconductor substrate A method for producing an electrically conducting metal contact on a semiconductor component having a coating on the surface of a semiconductor substrate. In order to keep transfer resistances low while maintaining good mechanical strength, the invention proposes applying a particle-containing fluid onto the coating, where the particles contain at least metal particles and glass frits, curing the fluid while simultaneously forming metal areas in the substrate through heat treatment, removing the cured fluid and the areas of the coating covered by the fluid, and depositing, for the purposes of forming the contact without using intermediate layers, electrically conducting material from a solution onto areas of the semiconductor component in which the coating is removed while at the same time conductively connecting the metal areas present in said areas on the substrate.
US08481415B2	Self-aligned contact combined with a replacement metal gate/high-K gate dielectric A method of forming a semiconductor device is provided that includes forming a replacement gate structure on portion a substrate, wherein source regions and drain regions are formed on opposing sides of the portion of the substrate that the replacement gate structure is formed on. An intralevel dielectric is formed on the substrate having an upper surface that is coplanar with an upper surface of the replacement gate structure. The replacement gate structure is removed to provide an opening to an exposed portion of the substrate. A high-k dielectric spacer is formed on sidewalls of the opening, and a gate dielectric is formed on the exposed portion of the substrate. Contacts are formed through the intralevel dielectric layer to at least one of the source region and the drain region, wherein the etch that provides the opening for the contacts is selective to the high-k dielectric spacer and the high-k dielectric capping layer.
US08481413B2	Doping of semiconductor substrate through carbonless phosphorous-containing layer A method and system are disclosed for doping a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a carbon free layer of phosphoric acid on a semiconductor substrate, and diffusing phosphorous from the layer of phosphoric acid in the substrate to form an activated phosphorous dopant therein. In an embodiment, the semiconductor substrate is immersed in a solution of a phosphorous compound to form a layer of the phosphorous compound on the substrate, and this layer of phosphorous is processed to form the layer of phosphoric acid. In an embodiment, this processing may include hydrolyzing the layer of the phosphorous compound to form the layer of phosphoric acid. In one embodiment, an oxide cap layer is formed on the phosphoric acid layer to form a capped substrate. The capped substrate may be annealed to diffuse the phosphorous in the substrate and to form the activated dopant.
US08481411B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor substrate having a cavity The present invention provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor substrate, the method including forming a first semiconductor layer on a substrate, forming a metallic material layer on the first semiconductor layer, forming a second semiconductor layer on the first semiconductor layer and the metallic material layer, etching the substrate using a solution to remove the metallic material layer and a portion of the first semiconductor layer, and forming a cavity in the first semiconductor layer under where the metallic material layer was removed.
US08481410B1	Methods of epitaxial FinFET Disclosed herein are various methods for better height control of the finFET patterned fins. In one example, this invention begins by depositing or growing an oxide material, for example, silicon dioxide. This oxide material is then patterned and etched to open windows or trenches to the substrate where fins will be grown. If a common channel material is desired, it is epitaxially grown in the windows. Then, some windows are covered and one pole of fins (for example nFET) are epitaxially grown in the exposed windows. The previously masked windows are opened and the newly formed fins are masked. The alternate channel material is then grown. The masked fins are then un-masked and the oxide is recessed to allow the fins to protrude from the oxide. This invention also allows for different channel materials for NMOS and PMOS.
US08481408B2	Relaxation of strained layers A method for relaxing a layer of a strained material. The method includes depositing a first low-viscosity layer on a first face of a strained material layer; bonding a first substrate to the first low-viscosity layer to form a first composite structure; subjecting the composite structure to heat treatment sufficient to cause reflow of the first low-viscosity layer so as to at least partly relax the strained material layer; and applying a mechanical pressure to a second face of the strained material layer wherein the second face is opposite to the first face and with the mechanical pressure applied perpendicularly to the strained material layer during at least part of the heat treatment to relax the strained material.
US08481406B2	Methods of forming bonded semiconductor structures Methods of forming bonded semiconductor structures include temporarily, directly bonding together semiconductor structures, thinning at least one of the semiconductor structures, and subsequently permanently bonding the thinned semiconductor structure to another semiconductor structure. The temporary, direct bond may be established without the use of an adhesive. Bonded semiconductor structures are fabricated in accordance with such methods.
US08481405B2	Trap rich layer with through-silicon-vias in semiconductor devices An integrated circuit chip is formed with a circuit layer, a trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias. The trap rich layer is formed above the circuit layer. The through-semiconductor-vias are also formed above the circuit layer. In some embodiments, the circuit layer is included in a wafer, and the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias are included in another wafer. The two wafers are bonded together after formation of the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias. Additionally, in some embodiments, yet another wafer may also be bonded to the wafer that includes the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias. Furthermore, in some embodiments, another circuit layer may be formed in the wafer that includes the trap rich layer and through-semiconductor-vias.
US08481401B2	Component having a through-contact A method for manufacturing a component having a through-contact includes: providing a substrate; forming an insulating layer on the substrate; structuring the insulating layer, the insulating layer being removed at least in a predetermined trenching area surrounding a selected substrate area; performing an etching process in which the structured insulating layer functions as a mask to remove substrate material in the trenching area and to create a trench structure surrounding the selected substrate area; and forming a metallic layer on the insulating layer, the metallic layer sealing the trench structure.
US08481391B2	Process for manufacturing stress-providing structure and semiconductor device with such stress-providing structure A process for manufacturing a stress-providing structure is applied to the fabrication of a semiconductor device. Firstly, a substrate with a channel structure is provided. A silicon nitride layer is formed over the substrate by chemical vapor deposition in a halogen-containing environment. An etching process is performed to partially remove the silicon nitride layer to expose a portion of a surface of the substrate beside the channel structure. The exposed surface of the substrate is etched to form a recess in the substrate. Then, the substrate is thermally treated at a temperature between 750° C. and 820° C. After the substrate is thermally treated, a stress-providing material is filled in the recess to form a stress-providing structure within the recess. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a recess and a stress-providing structure. The recess has a round inner surface. The stress-providing structure has a round outer surface.
US08481389B2	Method of removing high-K dielectric layer on sidewalls of gate structure A semiconductor structure, and method of forming a semiconductor structure, that includes a gate structure on a semiconductor substrate, in which the gate structure includes a gate conductor and a high-k gate dielectric layer. The high-k gate dielectric layer is in contact with the base of the gate conductor and is present on the sidewalls of the gate conductor for a dimension that is less than ¼ the gate structure's height. The semiconductor structure also includes source regions and drain regions present in the semiconductor substrate on opposing sides of the gate structure.
US08481383B2	Method of forming semiconductor device having buffer layer between sidewall insulating film and semiconductor substrate A semiconductor device includes an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor. The NMOS transistor includes a channel area formed in a silicon substrate, a gate electrode formed on a gate insulating film in correspondence with the channel area, and a source area and a drain area formed in the silicon substrate having the channel area situated therebetween. The PMOS transistor includes another channel area formed in the silicon substrate, another gate electrode formed on another gate insulating film in correspondence with the other channel area, and another source area and another drain area formed in the silicon substrate having the other channel area situated therebetween. The gate electrode has first sidewall insulating films. The other gate electrode has second sidewall insulating films. The distance between the second sidewall insulating films and the silicon substrate is greater than the distance between the first sidewall insulating films and the silicon substrate.
US08481382B2	Method and apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor device The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device using a PVD method and enabling achievement of a desired effective work function and reduction in leak current without increasing an equivalent oxide thickness. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device in an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: preparing a substrate on which an insulating film having a relative permittivity higher than that of a silicon oxide film is formed; and depositing a metal nitride film on the insulating film. The metal nitride depositing step is a step of sputtering deposition in an evacuatable chamber using a metal target and a cusp magnetic field formed over a surface of the metal target by a magnet mechanism in which magnet pieces are arranged as grid points in such a grid form that the adjacent magnet pieces have their polarities reversed from each other.
US08481380B2	Asymmetric wedge JFET, related method and design structure A junction gate field-effect transistor (JFET) for an integrated circuit (IC) chip is provided comprising a source region, a drain region, a lower gate, and a channel, with an insulating shallow trench isolation (STI) region extending from an inner edge of an upper surface of the source region to an inner edge of an upper surface of the drain region, without an intentionally doped region, e.g., an upper gate, coplanar with an upper surface of the IC chip between the source/drain regions. In addition, an asymmetrical quasi-buried upper gate can be included, disposed under a portion of the STI region, but not extending under a portion of the STI region proximate to the drain region. Embodiments of this invention also include providing an implantation layer, under the source region, to reduce Ron. A related method and design structure are also disclosed.
US08481379B2	Method for manufacturing fin field-effect transistor An embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a FinFET, when a fin is formed, a dummy gate across the fin is formed on the fin, a source/drain opening is formed in both the cover layer and the first dielectric layer at both sides of the dummy gate, the source/drain opening is at both sides of the fin covered by the dummy gate and is an opening region surrounded by the cover layer and the first dielectric layer around it. In the formation of a source/drain region in the source/drain opening, stress is generated due to lattice mismatching, and applied to the channel due to the limitation by the source/drain opening in the first dielectric layer, thereby increasing the carrier mobility of the device, and improving the performance of the device.
US08481375B2	Semiconductor device and method for producing the same A method for producing a semiconductor device includes a step of forming a first insulation film, a step of forming a separation layer in a base layer, a step of forming a light-blocking film on the surface of the first insulation film, a step of forming a second insulation film such that the light-blocking film is covered, a step of affixing the base layer provided with the light-blocking film to a substrate, a step of separating and removing along the separation layer a portion of the base layer affixed to the substrate, and a step of forming a semiconductor layer such that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the light-blocking film.
US08481374B2	Semiconductor element comprising a low variation substrate diode A substrate diode of an SOI device may be formed on the basis of contact regions in an early manufacturing stage, i.e., prior to patterning gate electrode structures of transistors, thereby imparting superior stability to the sensitive diode regions, such as the PN junction. In some illustrative embodiments, only one additional deposition step may be required compared to conventional strategies, thereby providing a very efficient overall process flow.
US08481371B2	Thin package system with external terminals and method of manufacture thereof A method of manufacture of a thin package system with external terminals includes: providing a leadframe; providing a template for defining an external bond finger; forming external bond fingers in the template on the leadframe; forming land pad terminals by a first multi-layer plating; providing a die; attaching the die to the land pad terminals above the leadframe with an adhesive on the leadframe; covering an encapsulant over at least portions of the die and the external bond fingers; and removing the leadframe leaving a surface of the adhesive coplanar with a surface of the encapsulant.
US08481370B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same The present invention provides a semiconductor device having a structure that can be mounted on a wiring substrate, as for the semiconductor device formed over a thin film-thickness substrate, a film-shaped substrate, or a sheet-like substrate. In addition, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that is capable of raising a reliability of mounting on a wiring substrate. One feature of the present invention is to bond a semiconductor element formed on a substrate having isolation to a member that a conductive film is formed via a medium having an anisotropic conductivity.
US08481368B2	Semiconductor package of a flipped MOSFET and its manufacturing method The invention relates to a semiconductor package of a flip chip and a method for making the semiconductor package. The semiconductor chip comprises a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor. On a die paddle including a first base, a second base and a third base, half-etching or punching is performed on the top surfaces of the first base and the second base to obtain plurality of grooves that divide the top surface of the first base into a plurality of areas comprising multiple first connecting areas, and divide the top surface of the second base into a plurality of areas comprising at least a second connecting area. The semiconductor chip is connected to the die paddle at the first connecting areas and the second connecting area.
US08481367B2	Method of manufacturing circuit device Provided is a method of manufacturing a circuit device in which a circuit element is resin-sealed with sealing resins formed integrally with each other. In the present invention, a resin sheet and a circuit board are housed in a cavity of a mold, and thereafter a first sealing resin formed of a tablet in melted form is injected into the cavity. At the time of injecting the first sealing resin, a second sealing resin formed of the resin sheet in melted form is not yet cured and is maintained in liquid form. Accordingly, the injected first sealing resin and the second sealing resin are mixed at the boundary therebetween, preventing the generation of a gap in the boundary portion and therefore preventing the deterioration of the moisture resistance and withstand voltage at the boundary portion.
US08481362B2	Thin film transistor and method for preparing the same The present invention relates to a thin film transistor and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thin film transistor that includes a zinc oxide (ZnO series) electrode having one or more of Si, Mo, and W as a source electrode and a drain electrode, and a method of manufacturing the same.
US08481360B2	Organic electronic device This invention generally relates to organic electronic devices and to methods for their fabrication. More particularly we will describe organic thin film transistor (TFT) structures and their fabrication.An organic electronic device, the device comprising: a substrate supporting a first electrode; a spacer structure over said substrate; a second electrode over said spacer structure and at a height above said first electrode; and a layer of organic semiconducting material over said first and second electrodes to provide a conducting channel between said first and second electrodes; and wherein a majority of said first electrode is laterally positioned to one side of said channel and a majority of said second electrode is laterally positioned to the other side of said channel.
US08481359B2	Methods of forming a phase change material Methods of forming a phase change material are disclosed. The method includes forming a chalcogenide compound on a substrate and simultaneously applying a bias voltage to the substrate to alter the stoichiometry of the chalcogenide compound. In another embodiment, the method includes positioning a substrate and a deposition target having a first stoichiometry in a deposition chamber. A plasma is generated in the deposition chamber to form a phase change material on the substrate. The phase change material has a stoichiometry similar to the first stoichiometry. A bias voltage is applied to the substrate to convert the stoichiometry of the phase change material to a second stoichiometry. A phase change material, a phase change random access memory device, and a semiconductor structure are also disclosed.
US08481350B2	Asymmetric DBR pairs combined with periodic and modulation doping to maximize conduction and reflectivity, and minimize absorption Methods for fabricating an optical device that exhibits improved conduction and reflectivity, and minimized absorption. Steps include forming a plurality of mirror periods designed to reflect an optical field having peaks and nulls. The formation of a portion of the plurality of minor periods includes forming a first layer having a thickness of less than one-quarter wavelength of the optical field; forming a first compositional ramp on the first layer; and forming a second layer on the compositional ramp, the second layer having a different index of refraction than the first layer and having a thickness such that the nulls of the optical field occur within the second layer and not within the compositional ramp, and wherein forming the second layer further comprises heavily doping the second layer at a location of the nulls of the optical field.
US08481345B1	Method to determine the position-dependant metal correction factor for dose-rate equivalent laser testing of semiconductor devices A method reconstructs the charge collection from regions beneath opaque metallization of a semiconductor device, as determined from focused laser charge collection response images, and thereby derives a dose-rate dependent correction factor for subsequent broad-area, dose-rate equivalent, laser measurements. The position- and dose-rate dependencies of the charge-collection magnitude of the device are determined empirically and can be combined with a digital reconstruction methodology to derive an accurate metal-correction factor that permits subsequent absolute dose-rate response measurements to be derived from laser measurements alone. Broad-area laser dose-rate testing can thereby be used to accurately determine the peak transient current, dose-rate response of semiconductor devices to penetrating electron, gamma- and x-ray irradiation.
US08481343B2	Manufacturing method of molded image sensor packaging structure with predetermined focal length and the structure using the same A manufacturing method of a molded image sensor packaging structure with a predetermined focal length and the structure using the same are disclosed. The manufacturing method includes: providing a substrate; providing a sensor chip disposed on the substrate; providing a lens module set over the sensing area of the chip to form a semi-finished component; providing a mold that has an upper mold member with a buffer layer; disposing the semi-finished component into the mold to form a mold cavity therebetween; injecting a molding compound into the mold cavity; and after transfer molding the molding compound, opening the mold and performing a post mold cure process to cure the molding compound. The buffer layer can fill the air gap between the upper surface of the lens module and the upper mold member, thereby preventing the upper surface of the lens module from being polluted by the molding compound.
US08481341B2	Epitaxial film growth in retrograde wells for semiconductor devices A method of fabricating a semiconductor device. A substrate is provided and includes a dielectric layer and a mask layer, which is patterned and developed. A plurality of trenches is created within the dielectric material by a retrograde etching process. The plurality of trenches is subsequently overfilled with a material by heteroepitaxial growth with aspect ratio trapping. The material includes at least one of germanium, a Group III-V compound, or a combination of two or more thereof. The overfilled plurality of trenches is then planarized.
US08481334B1	Method of attaching a ligand to a solid support The invention features a method of attaching a ligand that has a free carboxyl group to a solid support by adding an amino group to the ligand to form a ligand-amino derivative, converting the ligand amino derivative to a ligand sulfhydryl derivative, attaching the ligand sulfhydryl derivative to a protein to form a ligand-linker-protein conjugate, and applying the ligand-linker-protein conjugate to the solid support. The method is particularly useful for immobilizing small molecule ligands having a free carboxyl group, such as cloxicillin, to a lateral-flow test strip, in order to make a detection zone on the test strip that exhibits a clear signal and enhanced sensitivity.
US08481330B2	Method for analyzing sample solution and apparatus for analyzing sample solution Disclosed is a method for analyzing a sample solution, including introducing a sample solution 50 through a sample introduction part 6 and developing the sample solution 50 to a developing layer 2 through a capillary phenomenon to analyze an analyte contained in the sample solution 50, the sample introduction part 6 being provided on one side of a test strip 100 and the developing layer 2 being provided on the other side of the test strip 100, wherein the test strip 100 is disposed in such a development posture that the downstream region of the developing layer faces downward during the development. By this method, the developing rate is less susceptible to the viscosity of the sample solution 50 and thus has a small difference even among sample solutions 50 differing in viscosity. As a result, the analytical accuracy and reliability can be improved.
US08481326B2	Apparatus for measuring cholesterol and method thereof A microfluidic device and method for measuring a level of cholesterol therewith are provided. The cholesterol measurement apparatus includes a microfluidic device including a plurality of chambers and at least one channel through which the plurality of chambers are interconnected. The plurality of chambers include a reaction chamber which contains a capture binder, a buffer chamber which contains an elution buffer and is connected to the reaction chamber, and at least one detection chamber which contains a cholesterol measurement reagent and is connected to the reaction chamber.
US08481315B2	Methods of expanding myeloid cell populations and uses thereof The present disclosure relates to a method of expanding myeloid progenitor cells by culturing an initial population of cells in a medium comprising a mixture of cytokines and growth factors that promote growth and expansion of the myeloid progenitor cells. The expanded cell population provides a source of cells as therapeutic treatments for neutropenia and/or thrombocytopenia arising in patients subjected to myeloablative therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
US08481313B2	Retinal pigment epithelial stem cells The present invention relates to a retinal pigment epithelial stem cell isolated from a posterior region of the retinal pigment epithelium of an adult mammal. The invention also relates to a method of inducing differentiation of retinal epithelial stem and progenitor cells in vitro, wherein the cells of the invention are highly plastic, multipotential stem cells. The invention also includes methods for the treatment of retinal diseases and vision loss involving the transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells or cells differentiated from retinal pigment epithelial stem cells to the retina of a patient in need of treatment.
US08481311B2	Progenitor cells from wharton's jelly of human umbilical cord Human progenitor cells are extracted from perivascular tissue of human umbilical cord. The progenitor cell population proliferates rapidly, and harbors osteogenic progenitor cells and MHC−/− progenitor cells, and is useful to grow and repair human tissues including bone.
US08481303B2	Microfluidic device for cell culture A microfluidic cell culture apparatus includes a cell retention chamber and a perfusion channel. The cell retention chamber has a structured surface. The structured surface includes a major surface from which a plurality of projections extends into the chamber. The plurality of projections are arranged to suspend cells cultured in the chamber above the major surface. The first perfusion channel is configured to provide laminar flow of a fluid through the channel and forms a plurality of openings in communication with the cell retention chamber. The openings are configured to prevent cells from the retention chamber from entering the perfusion channel.
US08481300B2	Conversion to bioenergy from biomass of protistan grazers feeding on aquatic plant and/or algae which can survive and uptake greenhouse gases in the mixture of toxic gases and substance Provided are a method for removing and/or absorbing greenhouse gases using aquatic plant and/or algae having a greenhouse gas absorbing performance and resistance to toxic substances, a method for producing bioenergy using predators with high fatty acids, and a method for producing bioenergy including cultivating aquatic plant and/or algae having a greenhouse gas absorbing performance and resistance to toxic substances, while supplying a waste gas mixture to the aquatic plant and/or algae, (S2) cultivating predators having a capability to prey on the aquatic plant and/or algae while supplying the aquatic plant and/or algae to the predators, (S3) harvesting the predators, and (S4) converting the harvested predators into bioenergy.
US08481299B2	Use of probiotic microorganisms to limit skin irritation Disclosed are methods directed to the cosmetic use of an effective amount of at least one probiotic microorganism especially from the genus Lactobacillus sp. and/or Bifidobacterium sp., of a fraction thereof and/or of a metabolite thereof, as an active agent for limiting, preventing or treating skin irritation and/or irritative skin disorders.
US08481293B2	Mutant microorganisms having a high ability to produce putrescine and method for producing putrescine using the same Provided are mutant microorganisms having the ability to produce a high concentration of putrescine wherein gene(s) involved in the putrescine degradation or utilization pathway is inactivated or deleted and a preparation method thereof. A method for producing putrescine in high yield by culturing the mutant microorganisms is also provided. The mutant microorganisms are useful for producing a high concentration of putrescine which can be widely used in various industrial applications.
US08481289B2	Triple acting antimicrobials that are refractory to resistance development Multi-drug resistant superbugs are a persistent problem in modern health care. This invention provides an antimicrobial endolysin-Lysostaphin triple fusion protein, comprising (1) an endolysin CHAP endopeptidase domain, (2) an endolysin amidase domain, and (3) a Lysostaphin glycyl-glycine endopeptidase domain. The domains are derived from two proteins that show antimicrobial synergy when used in combination. The protein has specificity and exolytic activity for the peptidoglycan cell wall of untreated, live Staphylococcus aureus from many growth phases i.e. stationary, logarithmic and biofilm growth. The recombinant triple fusion protein comprising the three functional antimicrobial domains is designed to be refractory to resistance development.
US08481286B2	Method for production of isoprenoid compounds The present invention is directed to variant squalene synthase enzymes, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae squalene synthase enzymes, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding these variant enzymes. These variant enzymes produce squalene at a lower rate than the wild-type enzyme, allowing more farnesyl pyrophosphate to be utilized for production of isoprenoid compounds, while still producing sufficient squalene to allow the S. cerevisiae cells to grow without the requirement for supplementation by sterols such as ergosterol. These variant enzymes, therefore, are highly suitable for the efficient production of isoprenoids.
US08481285B2	Methods and compositions for the recombinant biosynthesis of n-alkanes The present disclosure identifies methods and compositions for modifying photoautotrophic organisms as hosts, such that the organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into n-alkanes, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of n-alkanes and related molecules.
US08481283B2	Pressure-assisted molecular recovery (PAMR) of biomolecules, pressure-assisted antigen retrieval (PAAR), and pressure-assisted tissue histology (PATH) A method is disclosed for reversing fixation-induced cross-linking in tissue specimens that have been preserved for histological examination. The method involves placing the fixed tissue in a liquid under elevated temperature and pressure conditions that are sufficient to reverse the fixation-induced cross-linking, restore antigenicity to proteins, and permit improved molecular and proteomic analysis of the preserved tissue specimen. Methods are also disclosed for processing tissues for histological examination under elevated pressure conditions that enhance the perfusion of liquid reagents into the tissue and reduce overall processing times.
US08481278B2	Apparatus and methods for analyzing fluid variables Methods and devices for analyzing fluid variables such as viscosity, surface tension, analyte concentration, and the presence of particulates or aggregates are provided. The devices analyze fluid variables by measuring cessation of fluid flow through the medium or a change in flow rate due to an inherent property of the fluid variable, or due to a modification of the fluid variable as the fluid migrates through the medium. The lateral flow devices measure relative rates of capillary flow down converging arms of a common element of porous media in which at least one of the arms has been modified by the addition of flow-modifying agents which affect the flow rate in response to the concentration of the analyte. The fluid fronts will converge at a position determined by their relative flow rates, which is thus indicative of a fluid variable, such as analyte concentration, in the sample fluid.
US08481277B2	Alzheimer's diagnosis Evaluation of VLP-I levels in combination with at least one of amyloid-β peptide (AB), hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) or total tau (tTau) levels in samples of biological fluid improves the accuracy of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
US08481276B2	Ex vivo method for determining potential GLP-2 receptor modulators Disclosed herein is a method for measuring the contractility of intestinal tissue upon treatment with GLP-2 or a GLP-2 ligand. Also disclosed is an assay which directly measures the activity of GLP-2 or GLP-2 ligands ex vivo and permits the screening of putative GLP-2 ligands in native tissue.
US08481275B2	Method of detecting pancreatic cancer To provide a method of accurately detecting pathological haptoglobin using a lectin having strong affinity and high specificity for fucose. The method of the present invention for detecting pancreatic cancer is characterized in that a fucose α1→6 specific lectin is allowed to act on pathological haptoglobin contained in a sample obtained from a living body, said lectin: (1) being extractede from basidiomycetes, (2) having a molecular weight of 4,000 to 40,000 as determined by the SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and (3) having affinity for a fucose α1→6 sugar chain with a binding constant of 1.0×104 M−1 or more at 25° C.
US08481274B2	Methods and kits for separation and detection of proteins in biological samples Methods and kits are provided for separating a mixture of proteins in a biological sample. Methods for detecting and profiling proteins in biological samples by the separation method and kits are also provided. These methods are particularly useful in assessing damage to cells such as cardiac and skeletal muscle cells and in the early clinical diagnosis of myocardial damage by detection of myofilament proteins in serum of a subject.
US08481271B2	Vitro method for the prognosis of progression of a cancer and of the outcome in a patient and means for performing said method The present invention relates to the prognosis of the outcome of a cancer in a patient, which prognosis is based on the quantification of one or several biological markers that are indicative of the presence of, or alternatively the level of, the adaptive immune response of said patient against said cancer.
US08481270B2	Method for chromogenic detection of two or more target molecules in a single sample The present invention provides a method and kit for detection of two or more target molecules in a single tissue sample, such as for gene and protein dual detection in a single tissue sample. Methods comprise treating a tissue sample with a first binding moiety that specifically binds a first target molecule. Methods further comprise treating the tissue sample with a solution containing a soluble electron-rich aromatic compound prior to or concomitantly with contacting the tissue sample with a hapten-labeled binding moiety and detecting a second target molecule. In one example, the first target molecule is a protein and the second is a nucleic acid sequence, the first target molecule being detected by immunohistochemistry and the second by in situ hybridization. The disclosed method reduces background due to non-specific binding of the hapten-labeled specific binding moiety to an insoluble electron rich compound deposited near the first target molecule.
US08481258B2	Methods and compounds for chemical ligation Compositions and methods for chemical ligation are provided. Methods for nucleic acid sequencing, nucleic acid assembly and nucleic acid synthesis are also provided.
US08481257B2	Method for high-throughput AFLP-based polymorphism detection The invention relates to a method for the high throughput discovery, detection and genotyping of one or more genetic markers in one or more samples, comprising the steps of restriction endonuclease digest of DNA, adaptor-ligation, optional pre-amplification, selective amplification, pooling of the amplified products, sequencing the libraries with sufficient redundancy, clustering followed by identification of the genetic markers within the library and/or between libraries and determination of (co-) dominant genotypes of the genetic markers.
US08481255B2	Scytovirin domain 1 related polypeptides A scytovirin domain 1 (SD1) polypeptide, a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, and related fusion proteins, conjugates, isolated cells, vectors, and antibodies, as well as a method of inhibiting a viral infection using the same.
US08481254B2	Substrate probe for use in measuring enzyme activity Substrate probe capable of detecting enzyme activity with high accuracy and a method for detecting the enzyme activity by a multi nuclear magnetic resonance method using the substrate probe. Multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance is performed by using a substrate probe, which is used for measuring enzyme activity by a multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance method and characterized by containing a enzyme recognition site that is selectively recognized by an active-state enzyme, as at least one constitutional unit, and a group to which at least three nuclear magnetic resonance active nuclei each having a nuclear spin and a different resonance frequency are connected, being present specifically to the enzyme recognition, thereby detecting presence of the substrate probe and the enzyme activity. Alternatively, imaging of the enzyme activity is performed by a multi-dimensional nuclear resonance imaging method.
US08481246B2	Method of forming pattern According to one embodiment, a method of forming a pattern includes applying a block copolymer to a substrate, the block copolymer including a first block and a second block, the first block including polyacrylate or polymethacrylate having a side chain to which an alicyclic hydrocarbon group or a hydrocarbon group including a tertiary carbon is introduced, and the second block including polystyrene substituted with hydrocarbon or halogen at an α-position, causing the block copolymer to be phase-separated, irradiating the block copolymer with an energy beam to decompose the second block, and removing the second block with a developer to form a pattern of the first block.
US08481242B2	Salt and photoresist composition containing the same A salt represented by the formula (X): wherein Q1 and Q2, L1 and L2, ring W1, R5, w, v, Z+ and W10 are defined in the specification.
US08481241B2	Compositions and methods for use in three dimensional model printing A radiation curing composition suitable for building a three-dimensional object by a solid freeform method is disclosed. The composition includes one or more mono-functional monomers where a respective polymer has a Glass Transition Temperature higher than about 60° C., one or more di-functional oligomers where a respective polymer has a Glass Transition Temperature lower than about 40° C. and a phase separation inducing component. The phase separation may be induced during curing, resulting in a non-clear cured material having an improved impact strength and higher elongation, when compared to similar compositions without a phase separation including component.
US08481237B2	Photoconductor overcoat layer A photoconductor containing a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer, and an overcoat layer in contact with, and contiguous to the charge transport layer. The overcoat layer is comprised polyethylene-block-polyethylene glycol copolymer and a charge transport component.
US08481236B2	Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus An electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided in which both a long-term potential variation and a short-term potential variation are suppressed, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member are also provided. The intermediate layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes an organic resin and rutile-type titanium oxide crystal particles which contain tin and have an average primary particle diameter of 3 nm or more and 9 nm or less.
US08481235B2	Pentanediol ester containing photoconductors A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, an undercoat layer thereover that contains a metal oxide, a phenolic resin, and a pentanediol ester; a photogenerating layer; and at least one charge transport layer.
US08481234B2	Image bearing member An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a photosensitive layer provided overlying the electroconductive substrate, and a furan derivative represented by the following chemical structure 1, where Ar1 and Ar2 independently represent substituted or non-substituted aryl groups and R1 represents an alkylene group having one to six carbon atoms.
US08481231B2	Preparation of nanostructured thin catalytic layer-based electrode ink A method of making an electrode ink containing nanostructured catalyst elements is described. The method comprises providing an electrocatalyst decal comprising a carrying substrate having a nanostructured thin catalytic layer thereon, the nanostructure thin catalytic layer comprising nanostructured catalyst elements; providing a transfer substrate with an adhesive thereon; transferring the nanostructured thin catalytic layer from the carrying substrate to the transfer substrate; removing the nanostructured catalyst elements from the transfer substrate; providing an electrode ink solvent; and dispersing the nanostructured catalyst elements in the electrode ink solvent. Electrode inks, coated substrates, and membrane electrode assemblies made from the method are also described.
US08481230B2	Liquid tank, tubular structure for liquid tank, fuel cell, and electronic device A liquid tank and a tubular structure for liquid tank capable of suctioning an internal liquid to the last drop even when the tank is tilted to any angle are provided. The tubular structure 40 has a duct line 41 extending from a specific position 41A in the tank body 30 in a direction toward apexes, sides, or faces of the tank body 30. Ends of the duct line 41 are contacted with the apexes, the sides, or the faces of the tank body 30, and have a liquid inlet 41B. Since the inlet 41B is limited to the ends of the duct line 41, flow of the liquid in the tank body 30 has a certain directivity that the liquid enters through only the inlet 41B into the duct line 41, is transported to the specific position 41A, and is suctioned outside. In the tubular structure 40, an inner structure 45 having voids thorough which the liquid passes such as a porous body is provided. The voids have an average pore diameter with which the liquid is able to be suctioned by capillary force from the inlet 41B to the specific position 41A, and thereby increase of flow path resistance is suppressed.
US08481229B2	Fuel cell stack and fuel cell using the same In a fuel cell stack, a cell stack formed by laminating a membrane electrode assembly and a separator and sandwiching them from the both sides in the laminating direction with a pair of end plates is fastened by being tightened in the laminating direction with a first plate spring. The first plate spring includes two arm sections for pressing the pair of end plates and a connecting section connecting the arm sections, and has a C-shaped cross-section.
US08481228B2	Fuel cell assembly Disclosed herein is a fuel cell assembly that arranges a plurality of individual fuel cells into an array. The fuel cells are set into openings formed in a frame. The openings are arranged into the array, such as in columns and rows. A rear cover is sealingly attached to the frame, thereby defining a chamber between the frame and a base of the rear cover, where the chamber serves as a manifold. Optional supports extend from the base to the fuel cells. The void forms a fluid manifold for dispersing fuel for the fuel cells from a fuel reservoir to the fuel cells. Alternatively, the rear cover separates the interstitial space between the rear cover and the frame into compartments, which are fluidly interconnected by channels. The array may also include a functional element electrically connected to the fuel cells configured to transfer power an electronic device.
US08481227B2	Proton conducting materials Materials are provided that may be useful as ionomers or polymer ionomers, including compounds including bis sulfonyl imide groups which may be highly fluorinated and may be polymers.
US08481224B2	Direct methanol fuel cell and anode used therein According to one embodiment, an anode for a direct methanol fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer containing a noble metal catalyst and a proton-conductive polyelectrolyte. A log differential pore volume distribution curve measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry of the anode catalyst layer has a peak within a pore diameter range of 0.06 to 0.3 μm and satisfies the following relationship: 0.5≦(V1/V0)≦0.9 wherein V0 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 1 μm, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry, and V1 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 0.2 μm, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry.
US08481222B2	Fuel cell and electronic device including the fuel cell According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell includes a base body, a flow channel and an electrolyte member. The base body includes a layered body of a plurality of insulating layers. The flow channel links grooves of the different insulating layers. The electrolyte member contacts with a portion of the flow channel.
US08481220B2	Fuel cell power supply A fuel cell power supply includes a fuel cell voltage detection means which detects a terminal-to-terminal voltage of the fuel cell; an internal resistance calculation element configured to supply electric power from a battery to a motor via a second DC-DC converter and configured to calculates a resistance value of an internal resistance of the fuel cell on the basis of a detection voltage of the fuel cell in a state where a current output of the fuel cell is stopped, a detection voltage of a terminal-to-terminal voltage of the fuel cell in a state where the output current of the fuel cell is adjusted to a value, and the value; and a deterioration level determination element configured to determines a deterioration level of the fuel cell on the basis of a change in the resistance value of the internal resistance of the fuel cell.
US08481214B2	Electrodes including support filament with collar stop An electrode including structures configured to prevent an intercalation layer from detaching from the electrode and/or a structure configured to create a region on the electrode having a lower concentration of intercalation material. The electrode includes a support filament on which the intercalation layer is disposed. The support filament optionally has nano-scale dimensions.
US08481213B2	Cathode active material for lithium secondary battery Disclosed herein is a cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery, in particular, including a lithium transition metal oxide with a layered crystalline structure in which the transition metal includes a transition metal mixture of Ni, Mn and Co, and an average oxidation number of all transition metals other than lithium is more than +3, and specific conditions represented by the following formulae (1) and (2), 1.1
US08481212B2	Non-aqueous secondary battery The non-aqueous secondary battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a separator, the negative electrode contains a negative electrode active material containing a graphitic carbon material and a composite in which a carbon coating layer is formed on a surface of a core material containing Si and O as constituent elements, the composite has a carbon content of 10 to 30 mass %, the composite has an intensity ratio I510/I1343 of a peak intensity I510 at 510 cm−1 derived from Si to a peak intensity I1343 at 1343 cm−1 derived from carbon of 0.25 or less when a Raman spectrum of the composite is measured at a laser wavelength of 532 nm, and the half-width of the (111) diffraction peak of Si is less than 3.0° when the crystallite size of an Si phase contained in the core material is measured by X-ray diffractometry using CuKα radiation.
US08481210B2	Hydrogen-absorbing alloy, fabrication method thereof and alkaline storage battery An alkaline storage battery has a negative electrode using a hydrogen-absorbing alloy represented by a general formula Ln1-xMgxNiyAz wherein Ln is at least one element selected from rare-earth elements including Y, Ca, Zr, and Ti, A is at least one element selected from Co, Fe, Mn, V, Cr, Nb, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, P and B, and 0.15≦x≦0.30, 0
US08481204B2	Solid-state battery A solid-state battery has a power generation element (5) having a cathode layer (1), a sulfide-based solid electrolyte membrane (2), an anode layer (3) that are stacked in this order; a battery case (6) in which the power generation element is disposed; and a flowable sealant (7) provided in the battery case and being non-reactive with the sulfide-based solid electrolyte membrane, the power generation element being soaked in the flowable sealant.
US08481198B2	Wound electrochemical device and method of manufacturing same A wound electrochemical device has a wound body formed by winding a multilayer member including a multilayer structure composed of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode; wherein each of the positive and negative electrodes, includes a structure having an active material layer formed on both sides of a current collector; wherein the wound body has a space at a center portion thereof; and wherein the smallest radius of curvature R of a curved part in an innermost circumferential portion of the wound body satisfies the following expression (1): R=α×(T1+2T2) (1) where R is the smallest radius of curvature of the curved part in the innermost circumferential portion of the wound body (unit: μm), α is a value within the range of 3.33 to 7.12, T1 is a thickness of the current collector of the electrode positioned at the innermost circumference of the wound body (unit: μm), and T2 is a thickness of the active material layer of the electrode positioned at the innermost circumference of the wound body (unit: μm), T2 being a value within the range of 8 to 30 (unit: μm).
US08481196B2	Multi-layered type electrochemistry cell of improved safety Disclosed herein is an electrochemical cell constructed in a structure in which a plurality of full cells or bicells, as unit cells, are folded by a separation film formed in the shape of a long sheet, and separators of the unit cells are secured to the separation film by thermal welding. The electrochemical cell according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the electrodes of the stacked electrodes from being separated from the separation film or from being twisted due to external impacts and vibrations, thereby restraining the electrochemical cell from generating heat or catching fire. Furthermore, the structural stability of the electrochemical cell is maintained even when the temperature of the electrochemical cell is increased, or the volume of the electrochemical cell is increased due to the generation of gas.
US08481189B2	Battery receptacle A battery receptacle capable of receiving an external battery for an electronic device includes a receiving portion, a joint portion, a power input interface, and a power output interface. The receiving portion receives the external battery and includes a first receiving room and a second receiving room. The joint portion joins the battery receptacle to the electronic device. The power input interface electronically connects with an electrode of the external battery. The power output interface electronically connects with an external power connector of the electronic device.
US08481187B2	High-energy metal air batteries Disclosed herein are embodiments of lithium/air batteries and methods of making and using the same. Certain embodiments are pouch-cell batteries encased within an oxygen-permeable membrane packaging material that is less than 2% of the total battery weight. Some embodiments include a hybrid air electrode comprising carbon and an ion insertion material, wherein the mass ratio of ion insertion material to carbon is 0.2 to 0.8. The air electrode may include hydrophobic, porous fibers. In particular embodiments, the air electrode is soaked with an electrolyte comprising one or more solvents including dimethyl ether, and the dimethyl ether subsequently is evacuated from the soaked electrode. In other embodiments, the electrolyte comprises 10-20% crown ether by weight.
US08481179B2	Rare earth magnet having high strength and high electrical resistance This rare earth magnet having high strength and high electrical resistance has a structure including an R—Fe—B-based rare earth magnet particles 18 which are enclosed with a high strength and high electrical resistance composite layer 12. The high strength and high electrical resistance composite layer 12 is constituted from a glass-based layer 16 that has a structure comprising a glass phase or R oxide particles 13 dispersed in glass phase, and R oxide particle-based mixture layers 17 that are formed on both sides of the glass-based layer 16 and contain an R-rich alloy phase 14 which contains 50 atomic % or more of R in the grain boundary of the R oxide particles.
US08481175B2	Oligofluorene compound and organic EL element using same An oligofluorene compound is represented by the General Formula (1) below wherein in Formula (1) P1 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; P2 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted 2-naphthyl group; R1 and R2 each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and n represents integer of 2 to 4.
US08481173B2	Organometallic complex and organic electroluminescence device using the same Provided are an organometallic complex providing highly efficient phosphorescence and an organic electroluminescence device using the organometallic complex represented by Formula 1: MLmL′n where M is Ir, Os, Pt, Pb, Re, Ru or Pd, L and L′ are different bidentate ligands, m is 1, 2 or 3, and n is 3−m. The organometallic complex can be used to form an organic layer of the organic electroluminescence device, efficiently emits light of a wavelength corresponding to red light, and has high brightness and low operating voltage.
US08481171B2	Metallic laminate and manufacturing method of light emitting diode package using the same The present invention relates to a metallic laminate and a manufacturing method of a light emitting diode package using the same. The present invention provides a metallic laminate including: a core layer made of an insulating material; a metal layer disposed on one surface of the core layer; a heat radiating metal layer disposed on the other surface of the core layer; and a protective metal oxide layer disposed along an outer surface of the heat radiating metal layer and made of an oxide of the heat radiating metal layer.
US08481168B2	Alginate-based building materials The present disclosure describes various building materials used in the building and construction industry, and to buildings or objects constructed therefrom, and to methods of making these building materials. The building materials comprise a polymeric material, such as sodium alginate and/or calcium alginate which confers significant flame-, fire- and heat-resistance or imperviousness to the materials. Other substances can be added to the materials to improve cross-linking and/or to produce resistance to fungal degradation. The building materials which can be produced, processed, or treated using the alginate polymers of the invention include, but are not limited to, wood products; masonry products; wall, roofing, flooring and siding products; and paint products. Further, sodium alginate in the form of a gel may be used as a firebreak to effectively stop the advance of grass fires, wildfires, and forest fires.
US08481167B2	Charging member Provided is a charging member having an elastic layer to which components derived from a developer hardly adhere even when the charging member is used for a long time period and in which elastic layer the occurrence of compression set is suppressed The charging member includes: a electroconductive support; and a electroconductive elastic layer, in which the elastic layer is formed through irradiation of an electron beam onto a surface of a rubber layer formed of a crosslinked product of a rubber mixture containing an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and a styrene-butadiene rubber; the styrene-butadiene rubber has a 1,2-vinyl bond, and at least one selected from a cis-1,4 bond and a trans-1,4 bond; and a ratio of the numbers of moles of the 1,4 bonds to a total number of moles of the 1,2-vinyl bond, the cis-1,4 bond, and the trans-1,4 bond is 31 mol % or more and 61 mol % or less.
US08481160B2	Bimodal and multimodal plant biomass particle mixtures An industrial feedstock of plant biomass particles having fibers aligned in a grain, wherein the particles are individually characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L, wherein the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the particles in the feedstock are collectively characterized by having a bimodal or multimodal size distribution.
US08481159B2	Water-absorbent porous polymer particles having specific sphericity and high bulk density The present invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent through the polymerization chamber, wherein the temperature of the gas leaving the polymerization chamber is 130° C. or less, the gas velocity inside the polymerization chamber is at least 0.5 m/s, and the droplets are generated by using a droplet plate having a multitude of bores.
US08481156B2	Decorative sheet and decorated formed product A decorative sheet includes a decoration layer having air permeability and an adhesive layer on the decoration layer arranged to bond the decoration layer onto an object. The decoration layer has an adhesive permeated portion permeated with the adhesive that has diffused from the adhesive layer. The adhesive permeated portion is about one-fifth to about one-third as thick as the decoration layer. A method of making the decorative sheet includes providing the adhesive in a sheet shape, and forming an adhesive layer by applying the adhesive onto a decoration layer permeable to air. The step of forming the adhesive layer includes permeating a portion of the decoration layer with a portion of the adhesive, and making the adhesive permeate through a surface of the decoration layer to a depth corresponding to about one-fifth to about one-third of the overall thickness of the decoration layer.
US08481152B2	Refractory material with improved resistance to molten slag A treated refractory material includes a porous refractory material having one or more protective materials disposed within pores of the refractory material. Methods of preparing the treated refractory material are also provided. The treated refractory material provides protection from the penetration of slag and extends the service life of the refractory material.
US08481140B2	Fluorine-containing elastomer composition and molded article made of same A molded article prepared by polyol-crosslinking a fluorine-containing elastomer composition containing a polyol-crosslinkable fluorine-containing elastomer, a polyol crosslinking agent and a silicate of an alkali metal.
US08481139B2	High performance balloon catheter/component Composite fiber reinforced balloons for medical devices prepared by applying a web of fibers to the exterior of a preformed underlying balloon and encasing the web with a matrix material to form a composite balloon. The fiber web is applied to at least the cone portion of the underlying balloon form. Either the cone portion of the underlying balloon form, or the web fibers applied to said cone portion, or both, have a friction-enhancing material coated thereon.
US08481136B2	Multilayer composite pressure vessel and method for making the same A pressure vessel for containing materials under elevated pressures includes a metal liner and an adhesive layer, applied to the outer surface of the metal liner, where the adhesive layer is treated with a vacuum bag in order to secure the adhesive to the outer surface of the liner. An overwrap layer is applied on top of the adhesive on the outer surface of the metal liner, where the overwrap layer is formed by winding a filamentary material around the liner, such that the filamentary material adheres to the adhesive forming an overwrap layer on the outer surface of the metal liner, forming the pressure vessel.
US08481135B2	Engaging member and packing bag with engaging member This engaging member includes a male part and a female part each of which is capable of engaging with each other, in which each of the male part and the female part has a welded part to a main body of a bag and a part other than the welded part, at least the welded part is formed by a resin composition including (A) a polypropylene type resin having a maximum melting peak temperature measured by a differential calorimeter of not more than 145° C., and a melt flow rate ranging from 0.5 g/10 min. to 20 g/10 min., and (B) a polybutene type resin having a maximum melting peak temperature measured by a differential calorimeter of not more than 130° C., and a melt flow rate ranging from 0.1 g/10 min. to 20 g/10 min.
US08481125B2	Mitigation of biomolecular adsorption with hydrophilic polymer additives Molecular adsorption to the microfluidic device surfaces can be passively and actively mitigated by mixing certain hydrophilic polymers (organic polymers with repeating hydrophilic groups—the preferred polymers being amphipathic surfactants—with the sample liquid during or prior to relevant microfluidic operations. Nonionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether are especially effective. High molecular weight polyethylene polymers are also effective. The hydrophilic polymers appear to prevent binding of the fouling molecules to the microfluidic by occupying the surface sites in place of the fouling molecules or by interacting with the fouling molecules to prevent binding of the fouling molecules the surface. When surface adsorption is thus mitigated, microfluidic devices can readily handle samples containing biomolecules to enable active sample concentration, filtering, washing, transport, mixing and other sample handling operations.
US08481120B2	Method for coating a substrate and metal alloy vacuum deposition facility The invention relates to a process for coating a substrate (S) whereby a metal alloy layer comprising at least two metallic elements is continuously deposited on the substrate (S) by means of a vacuum deposition facility (1) comprising a vapor jet coater (7) for spraying the substrate (S) with a vapor containing the metallic elements in a constant and predetermined relative content, the vapor being sprayed at a sonic velocity. The process is more particularly intended for depositing Zn—Mg coatings.The invention also relates to a vacuum deposition facility (1) for continuously depositing coatings formed from metal alloys, for implementing the process.
US08481119B2	Bisamineazaallylic ligands and their use in atomic layer deposition methods Methods for deposition of elemental metal films on surfaces using metal coordination complexes comprising bisamineazaallylic ligands are provided. Also provided are bisamineazaallylic ligands useful in the methods of the invention and metal coordination complexes comprising these ligands.
US08481114B2	Water dispersible polymer compositions The water dispersibility of water-soluble polymer particles can be improved by a method which comprises the following step: i) foaming a fluid composition comprising a compound A) having a weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 or a water-insoluble polymer B) having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000; ii) contacting the produced foam with water-soluble polymer particles having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000; and iii) drying the particles, whereby the foam collapses during the contacting and/or drying step and the water-soluble polymer particles are encrusted with the compound having a weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 or the water-insoluble polymer having a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000.
US08481112B2	Highly luminescent color-selective nanocrystalline materials A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.
US08481105B2	Solar battery and manufacturing method therefor When forming an electrode by printing several times, the cross section area of the electrode is increased and the resistance is reduced while more electrode material is required, which leads to a cost up and waste of resources. There is provided a solar cell manufacturing method for forming an electrode of a predetermined pattern by repeating printing on a substrate surface by a predetermined number of times. A mask pattern for printing the entire predetermined pattern is used at least once among the predetermined number of printings while mask patterns, each for printing a part of the predetermined pattern, are used in the other printings, thereby forming the electrode of the predetermined pattern.
US08481104B2	Method of forming organic electronic devices Disclosed are methods of fabricating an organic electronic device, which includes dip coating layers, and the devices made therefrom.
US08481103B1	Method and pattern of dispensing thermal interface materials An interface is formed by pressing a first surface and a second surface together, with a particle-loaded thermal interface material (TIM) in between. By applying the thermal interface material to controlled locations on the first surface in controlled amounts, final layer thickness at a given squeezing pressure, and time required to squeeze, are minimized. The locations and amounts are controlled such that small islands of TIM merge only just before final layer thickness is achieved. Better TIM thermal performance and quicker manufacturing result.
US08481102B2	Temperature control method for chemical vapor deposition apparatus Provided is a method in which a difference between a surface temperature of a susceptor and a surface temperature of a substrate is accurately grasped without using a complicated high-priced equipment. A temperature control method for a chemical vapor deposition apparatus includes detecting a rotation state of a susceptor on which a substrate is accumulated on a top surface thereof, measuring a temperature of the top surface of the susceptor, calculating a temperature distribution of the top surface of the susceptor, based on the detected rotation state and the measured temperature, and controlling the temperature of the top surface of the susceptor, based on the calculated temperature distribution.
US08481101B2	Mate beverage A process for preparing a maté extract, a maté beverage base formulation and a maté beverage are disclosed. The maté extract is rich in natural caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and antioxidant compounds without the addition of preservatives and synthetic materials and is used to make a maté beverage base formulation. The maté beverage base formulation may be used to make maté beverages, such as carbonated maté beverages.
US08481099B2	Process for conversion of citrus peels into fiber, juice, naringin, and oil Processes for converting by-products of citrus, such as peels and juice from juice sacs attached to the peel after hand or mechanical peeling into high quality dietary fiber, naringin, juice, and oil. The processes involve pressing peels to release juice from vesicles and then grinding peels in water to create a slurry. Peel color and oil is removed by a flotation technique. Decolorized citrus peel particles—or pulp—are debittered with water in steps of boiling and washing. Dietary fiber obtained after debittering is dried and packaged for commercial use. The process promotes environmental responsibility by reducing standard citrus waste—a high BOD waste product, by overcoming discharging problems with industrial waste, by converting an environmentally undesirable product—peels, juice, and oils—into a value-added ingredient, by drastically reducing discharge and penalty cost of waste, and by eliminating the use of solvents that generate pollution.
US08481098B2	Device and process for the preparation of a beverage with enhanced aroma The present invention relates to a device for the preparation of a beverage having: a mixing chamber (1) for mixing a soluble ingredient (2) and a diluent, the chamber further having a top opening (4), a diluent inlet opening (5), a beverage outlet opening (6), sealing item (7) that is able to seal the top opening (4) of the mixing chamber (1) and to prevent any fluid from leaving the mixing chamber through said sealing item. The invention also relates to a method for using this device.
US08481092B2	Antimicrobial suture for medical use with grapefruit extract, and manufacturing method thereof A method of manufacturing a medical antimicrobial suture having a grapefruit extract which is a grapefruit seed extract including naringin, ascorbic acid or citral is provided. The method includes preparing grapefruit extract solution with a concentration of 500 to 2000 ppm by mixing the grapefruit extract with methanol solvent; and impregnating a biodegradable monofilament suture with the grapefruit extract solution for more than 360 minutes. The grapefruit extract is continuously released in a body for 70 hours after the antimicrobial suture is inserted into the body.
US08481089B2	Topical skin care formulations comprising plant extracts Disclosed are compositions and corresponding methods of their use that include extracts from a Lonicera maackii and Polygonum hydropiper. The composition can be used to reduce tyrosinase activity and elastase activity in skin cells.
US08481087B2	Withania somnifera plant extract and method of preparation thereof The present invention provides Withania somnifera plant extract and composition comprising the extract useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease and/or disorders such as Alzheimers disease (AD). The present invention further provides a process for preparation of the extract.
US08481084B2	Cholesterol-interacting layered phyllosilicates and methods of reducing hypercholesteremia in a mammal Layered phyllosilicates are useful for adsorbing and/or binding to cholesterol and, thereby, reducing blood cholesterol in a patient. Accordingly, provided herein is a method of reducing hypercholesteremia in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a protonated and at least partially exfoliated layered phyllosilicate material alone and in combination with other cholesterol-reducing agents in an amount effective to reduce hypercholesteremia in said mammal.
US08481082B2	Method and composition for hyperthermally treating cells A method and composition for hyperthermally diagnosing and monitoring treatment of cells in an animal with photoacoustic sound and nanoparticles. The heat (temperature) and photoacoustic sound wave production inside the target tissue is measured. The desired temperature is achieved using a laser and photoacoustic imaging technique. Hyperthermia treatment of tissue in a target site applies a heat source to kill cells without protein denaturation. The hyperthermia treatment may further comprise platelet-derived treatment. The method introduces an encapsulated dye that is released at a selected temperature in the target site to indicate that a threshold temperature has been reached to hyperthermally treat the tissue. In one embodiment, the composition releases the dye at a temperature of 42° C. to 56° C., and preferably about 45° C. to 49° C. The composition which can be a liposome composition encapsulating the dye can be introduced to the bloodstream of the patient to flow through the target site.
US08481080B2	Method of cross-linking hyaluronic acid with divinulsulfone The present invention relates to methods of producing a homogenous hydrogel comprising hyaluronic acid, or salt thereof, crosslinked with divinylsulfone (DVS), said method comprising the steps of (a) providing an alkaline solution of hyaluronic acid, or salt thereof; (b) adding DVS to the solution of step (a), whereby the hyaluronic acid, or salt thereof, is crosslinked with the DVS to form a gel; (c) treating the gel of step (b) with a buffer, wherein the gel swells and forms a hydrogel comprising hyaluronic acid, or salt thereof, crosslinked with DVS.
US08481078B2	Solid dosage form comprising a fibrate The invention provides stable, solid dosage forms and pharmaceutical compositions in particulate form comprising a fibrate, for example fenofibrate, dissolved in an non-aqueous vehicle in order to ensure improved bioavailability of the active ingredient upon oral administration relative to known fibrate formulations.
US08481077B2	Microbubbles and methods for oxygen delivery Compositions containing a carrier and microbubbles encapsulating one or more gases, preferably oxygen, and methods for making and using the compositions are described herein. The microbubbles contain a lipid envelope. The compositions may be administered to a patient to quickly deliver large amounts of oxygen to the patient's blood supply or directly to a tissue in need of oxygen. The compositions may be administered via injection or as a continuous infusion. The compositions contain a concentrated microbubble suspension, where the suspension contains at least 40 mL oxygen/dL suspension. The microbubbles are preferably less than 20 microns in diameter, more preferably less than 15 microns in diameter. The microbubbles described herein may be administered to a patient in an effective amount to increase in oxygen concentration in the patient's blood, and/or one or more tissues or organs.
US08481075B2	Preparation and application of biodegradable-material-made microsphere vascular embolus containing liposome-encapsulated cytokines The present invention discloses preparation and application of a kind of biodegradable-material-made microsphere vascular embolus that contains liposome-encapsulated cytokines. The present invention is technologically characterized by encapsulation of liposome-wrapped immunocytokines such as IL-2, TNF and interferon by sodium polysaccharide or gelatin, which is extracted from natural alga and is good at biodegradability and biocompatibility. Owing to the encapsulation procedures, cytokine microspheres can take shape measuring 50-75 μm, 75-150 μm, 100-200 μm, 200-300 μm, 200-450 μm, 100-300 μm, 300-500 μm, 500-700 μm, and 700-900 μm. The microsphere preparations are good targeting medication for embolism treatment and immunochemotherapy of animals loaded with human hepatocarcinoma and cervical cancer, as well as human suffering from late-stage or recurrent liver cancer, renal tumors, bladder cancer, colon carcinoma and rectal cancer.
US08481074B2	Hemostatic microfibrous constructs Elastomeric fibrous constructs are formed from multicomponent, non-woven nano-/microfibers having a core and sheath configuration made primarily of an absorbable polymer and preferably a water-soluble one, respectively. Most preferably, the nano-/microfibers are produced by electrostatic spinning. Depending on clinical use of these constructs, suitable bioactive agents can be incorporated into the construct.
US08481069B2	Tyrosine kinase microspheres Biocompatible intraocular microspheres include a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a biodegradable polymer that is effective to facilitate release of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor into the vitreous of an eye for an extended period of time. The therapeutic agents of the microspheres can be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix that is substantially free of a polyvinyl alcohol. The microspheres can be placed into an eye to treat or reduce the occurrence of one or more ocular conditions.
US08481068B2	Bone cell delivery device Bone cages are disclosed including devices for biocompatible implantation. The structures of bone are useful for providing living cells and tissues as well as biologically active molecules to subjects.
US08481067B2	Methods for promoting the revascularization and reenervation of CNS lesions The present invention provides methods of promoting the revascularization and/or reenervation of central nervous system lesions using an in-situ crosslinkable hydrogel.
US08481064B2	Method for delivering a therapeutic agent comprising injection of microspheres The present invention relates to novel drug depot implant designs for optimal delivery of therapeutic agents to subjects. The invention provides a method for alleviating pain associated with neuromuscular or skeletal injury or inflammation by targeted delivery of one or more therapeutic agents to inhibit the inflammatory response which ultimately causes acute or chronic pain. Controlled and directed delivery can be provided by drug depot implants, comprising therapeutic agents, specifically designed to deliver the therapeutic agent to the desired location by facilitating their implantation, minimizing their migration from the desired tissue location, and without disrupting normal joint and soft tissue movement.
US08481061B2	Cosmetic composition A cosmetic composition is provided herein, the composition comprising: an ester of pentaerythritol and a benzoic acid having the formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 independently indicate a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched fatty acid residue having 1 to 24 carbon atoms or a benzoic acid residue, and a cosmetically acceptable carrier.
US08481060B2	Melt-coated pharmaceutical composition with fast release The present invention relates to a process for producing a solid, coated pharmaceutical composition by a melt coating process. The process is adapted to provide a solid, coated pharmaceutical composition by melt coating, which has a fast release.
US08481051B2	Cytotoxic T-cell epitope peptides that specifically attack epstein-barr virus-infected cells and uses thereof The present inventors introduced mRNAs for the Epstein-Barr virus proteins LMP1 and EBNA1 into antigen-presenting cells, and as a result, demonstrated that the cells induced Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T cells. The present inventors also demonstrated that the cytotoxic T cells recognized epitope peptides presented via HLA-A0206, HLA-Cw0303, or HLA-Cw*0304, inhibited the outgrowth of Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells, and lysed Epstein-Barr virus-infected NK lymphomas and NK cells.
US08481050B2	Tissue culture system for production of hepatitis C virus A tissue culture system for production of infectious hepatitis C virus is described. In particular, the invention provides recombinant monocistronic and bicistronic genomic constructs for production of virus, including constructs for production of wild-type HCV type 2a strain JFH1 and constructs for production of chimeric viruses comprising HCV proteins from strain JFH1 and a second HCV isolate. Constructs of the invention also include a reporter gene to facilitate measurement of RNA replication and viral infectivity in cultures. The cell culture system may also include various factors that improve viral replication or infectivity. In addition, a neutralization assay using HCV grown in cell culture is described.
US08481046B2	VEGF antagonist formulations for intravitreal administration Ophthalmic formulations of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific fusion protein antagonist are provided suitable for intravitreal administration to the eye. The ophthalmic formulations include a stable liquid formulation and a lyophilizable formulation. Preferably, the protein antagonist has the amino acid sequence of residues 27-457 of SEQ ID NO:4.
US08481044B2	Neprilysin inhibitors In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1-R6, a, b, Z, and X are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08481039B2	Monoclonal antibody capable of binding to heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor Medicaments for treating diseases related to HB-EGF escalation are in demand. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof which binds to a cell membrane-bound HB-EGF, a membrane type HB-EGF and a secretory HB-EGF.
US08481037B2	Recombinant IL-9 antibodies and uses thereof The present invention provides novel antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide and compositions comprising said antibodies. The present invention also provides methods and compositions preventing, treating, managing, and/or ameliorating diseases and disorders associated with aberrant expression and/or activity of IL 9 or IL-9 receptor or subunits thereof, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, proliferative diseases, and infections comprising administration of one or more antibodies thereof that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide. The invention also encompasses methods and compositions for diagnosing, monitoring, and prognosing these disorders. The present invention further relates to articles of manufacture and kits comprising antibodies that immunospecifically bind to an IL-9 polypeptide.
US08481033B2	Neutralizing antibodies and fragments thereof directed against platelet factor-4 variant 1 (PF4V1) The present invention relates to neutralizing antibodies and fragments thereof directed against Platelet Factor-4 variant 1 (PF4v1) and their use for treating pathologies that require induction of angiogenesis or diseases associated with pathological angiogenesis.
US08481026B1	Bacteria with increased trehalose production and method for using the same in bioremediation Bacteria with improved survival under toxic and oxidative stress and methods of using the same for bioremediation are described. Many bacteria such as Escherichia coli have been found to naturally reduce toxic pollutants into a less toxic form, such as by reducing Chromium (VI) to Chromium (III). Reducing such toxins generates damaging reactive oxygen species, so it is important to find a defense for these bacteria against the associated oxidative stress. Trehalose is a small biomolecule that has been shown to protect bacteria from various types of stress by accumulating within the cells. The present invention is directed to bacteria genetically modified to overexpress trehalose biosynthesis genes. The bacteria demonstrate improved viability when challenged with toxins and oxidative stress. The present invention provides inexpensive and beneficial bacteria and methods for environmental remediation.
US08481022B2	Method of treating autoimmune disease with mesenchymal stem cells Methods and compositions for treating an autoimmune disease, such as new onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a subject using autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells administered to the subject prior to autoimmune-induced complete depletion of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, e.g., within six months of new onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) diagnosis or prior to the onset of disease in a subject determined to be at high risk for T1D.
US08481019B2	Modified-release particles of polyelectrolytes and pharmaceutical formulations thereof The present invention relates to novel particles comprising polyelectrolyte polymers which are transporters of active principle (AP), in particular protein and peptide active principle, and to novel modified-release pharmaceutical formulations comprising said AP microparticles.These novel particles loaded with AP release the AP over a prolonged period of time of several days, or even several weeks.The invention relates, in a first aspect, to particles comprising: a) a first polyelectrolyte polymer (PE1) in a charged state, carrying side hydrophobic groups (GH), wherein said first polyelectrolyte polymer (PE1) can spontaneously form, in water, a colloidal solution of particles at least one pHm value of the pH of between 3 and 8; b) a second polyelectrolyte polymer (PE2) of opposite polarity to the first polyelectrolyte polymer (PE1), wherein said second polyelectrolyte polymer (PE2) forms, in water, a solution or a colloidal solution at said pHm value of the pH; and c) at least one active principle (AP) associated noncovalently with the particles of the colloidal solution of the first polyelectrolyte polymer (PE1); wherein said particles are obtained by mixing, at a pH equal to pHm, the first polyelectrolyte polymer (PE1), in the form of a colloidal solution of particles associated with the active principle (AP), with the second polyelectrolyte polymer (PE2), in the form of a solution or colloidal solution. The invention also relates to the process for the preparation of these particles, to a pharmaceutical formulation comprising such particles and to a process for the preparation of medicaments.
US08481017B2	Thin films for controlled protein interaction A medium for isolating or releasing an electrostatically charged component from or into an aqueous composition. The medium has a polyelectrolyte film on at least one surface of an article wherein the polyelectrolyte film is characterized by an interpenetrating network of a predominantly positively charged polymer and a predominantly negatively charged polymer. The predominantly positively charged polymer, the predominantly negatively charged polymer or both contain (i) a pH sensitive imidazole repeat unit having a pKa between 3 and 9, or (ii) a redox sensitive repeat unit selected from the group consisting of quaternized bipyridine repeat units, coordinated metal repeat units, pyrrole repeat units, aniline repeat units, thiophene repeat units and combinations thereof having a redox potential between +1.2 volts and −1.2 volts versus a standard hydrogen electrode.
US08481016B2	Method for inhibition of potential-dependent cation channel An excellent potential-dependent cation channel inhibitor or an excellent masking agent is provided. Disclosed is a method for inhibiting a potential-dependent cation channel or a method for masking olfaction, both of which include administering an adamantane derivate represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof [wherein R1and R2 are identical with or different from each other, and each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and X represents —OH, —R3—OH (wherein R3 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), —NH2, —R4—NH2 (wherein R4 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), —COOH, —R5—COOH (wherein R5 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), —CO-R6 (wherein R6 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), —CO—R7—COO—R8 (wherein R7 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R8 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), or —NHCO—R9 (wherein R9 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms)].
US08481015B2	Regulation of mammalian hair growth The present invention relates to a topical skin care composition containing a safe and effective amount of a skin care active comprising agmatine, and its salt; a safe and effective amount of a first additional skin care active selected from the group consisting of BHT or BHA, hexamidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, green tea catechins, phytosterols, ursolic acid, compounds derived from plant extracts, their salts and derivatives; and a dermatologically acceptable carrier for the agmatine composition.The present invention also relates to methods of using such agmatine compositions to regulate hair growth and the condition of mammalian skin. Said methods generally comprise the step of topically applying the composition to the skin of a mammal needing such treatment, a safe and effective amount of such compositions.
US08481011B2	Use of polyunsaturated compounds as whitening agents The invention concerns the cosmetic or dermatological use of at least one compound of formula (I), wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and G are such as defined in the description as whitening and/or depigmenting agents for the skin and/or hairs and/or the hair. The invention also concerns a cosmetic method for whitening and/or lightening the skin and/or hairs and/or the hair comprising applying a composition of the invention.
US08481010B2	Covalently bonding nail primer The present invention relates generally to the field of primers and adhesion promoters. More specifically, the primer of the present invention is comprised of one or more multi-carbonylated methacrylates. In a preferred embodiment, a non-ketone polar solvent is also employed. The resulting composition eliminates primer related discoloration of artificial nail enhancements, eliminates the potential for corrosion of skin and nails, and eliminates risk of chemical burn injury, while providing stronger adhesion than currently available primers.
US08481007B2	Compositions and methods for providing ultraviolet radiation protection The present invention provides sunscreen compositions and associated methods. In one aspect, for example, a sunscreen composition can include a cosmetically acceptable carrier and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in the carrier with a dispersant. The nanoparticles include at least one sun-block functional group operable to provide UV radiation protection. In one aspect the nanoparticles can be nanodiamond particles.
US08481003B2	Anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and methods Disclosed are compositions that include anti-CD74 immunoconjugates and a therapeutic and/or diagnostic agent. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the immunoconjugates and using the immunoconjugates in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The compositions may be part of a kit for administering the anti-CD74 immunoconjugate compositions in therapeutic and/or diagnostic methods.
US08481001B2	Combination therapies comprising quinoxaline inhibitors of P13K-alpha for use in the treatment of cancer The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering a compound of Formula I, optionally as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate and/or hydrate thereof, in combination with other cancer treatments.
US08480999B2	Method for manufacturing titanium dioxide The manufacture of titanium dioxide by oxidation of titanium tetrachloride in a plug flow reactor, wherein the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the reactor in at least two stages and is used exclusively in liquid form. The total quantity of liquid TiCl4 used is split up in several stages. A small quantity is added in the first stage in order to start combustion despite using the liquid phase. In the first phase, the activation energy required is provided solely via the preheated oxygen. In all other stages, the activation energy is provided by the preheated oxygen and the reaction enthalpy of TiCl4 oxidation released in the upstream stages.
US08480996B2	High-purity tellurium dioxide single crystal and manufacturing method thereof A high-purity tellurium dioxide (TeO2) single crystal and its manufacturing method are provided. The method comprises the following procedures: firstly performing a first single crystal growth, and then dissolving the resulting single crystal again, thereafter adding a precipitation agent to form powder, and finally performing a second single crystal growth of as-prepared powder to obtain the high purity single crystal. The TeO2 single crystal prepared according to present invention is of high purity, especially with a content of radioactive impurities such as U and Th decreased to a level of 10−13 g/g.
US08480995B2	Use of sodium selenosulfate for supplementing selenium and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy agents, and a rapid process for preparing sodium selenosulfate The present invention relates to a use of sodium selenosulfate for supplementing selenium and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy agents for cancers, and a rapid process for preparing sodium selenosulfate comprising: mixing sodium selenite, the reducing agent and sodium sulfite in a certain proportion to form sodium selenosulfate quickly.
US08480987B2	Method of preparing nanoparticles of lithium transition metal phosphates, lithium transition metal phosphates, and method of preparing the same Provided are lithium transition metal phosphates where the cation anti-site defects between lithium and transition metals in a lithium transition metal phosphate with a cation well-ordered olivine structure are arranged only in a 1D crystal direction, and a method of preparing the same. The method comprises adding any one selected from the group consisting of an alkali element and an element that has a valence of 5+ or any combination thereof to a solid salt comprising lithium, transition metals, and phosphorus as a starting material to produce a first intermediate material; subjecting the first intermediate to a first heat treatment at a temperature of approximately 250° C. to approximately 400° C. to produce a second amorphous material; and cooling the second intermediate material to room temperature, followed by a second heat treatment at a temperature of approximately 400° C. to approximately 800° C. to produce a final material in which the cation-distribution defect is locally clustered and the distribution has a 1D-oriented arrangement parallel to any one axis direction in the crystal.
US08480985B2	Process and device for decomposing laughing gas A method and device for the catalytic decomposition of laughing gas in a laughing-gas-bearing gas. The method includes diluting the laughing-gas-bearing gas with a diluting gas, while forming a laughing-gas-bearing charge gas. The laughing-gas bearing charge gas is passed through a heat-exchange step where heat exchange occurs with an exhaust. A heating step occurs for occasional heating of the laughing-gas-bearing charge gas in a fixed-bed reactor for catalytic decomposition of the laughing gas. In some embodiments the diluting gas is dried, and at least a part of the exhaust from the catalytic decomposition of the laughing gas is mixed with the laughing-gas-bearing charge gas upstream of the catalytic decomposition of the laughing gas.
US08480982B2	Configurations and methods for carbon dioxide and hydrogen production from gasification streams A syngas treatment plant is configured to remove sulfurous compounds and carbon dioxide from shifted or un-shifted syngas in a configuration having a decarbonization section and a desulfurization section. Most preferably, the solvent in the decarbonization section is regenerated and cooled by flashing, while the solvent is regenerated in the desulfurization section via stripping using external heat, and it is still further preferred that carbonylsulfide is removed in the desulfurization section via hydrolysis, and that the so produced hydrogen sulfide is removed in a downstream absorber.
US08480977B2	Automatic analyzer using a sample container having an information recording member A sample is contained in a sample container and a physical relationship between the sample and a sample ID thereof is established. However, after the sample ID is read by a bar code reader and the sample is transferred to an analysis-dedicated small sample container, the sample ID and the sample are separated from each other. Following the end of analysis, therefore, the sample ID must be merged with a corresponding analysis result. A read/write-enable ID carrier is provided on an analysis-dedicated sample container into which the sample is pipetted or on a tank for holding the analysis-dedicated sample container. When the sample is pipetted or when the analysis-dedicated sample container is moved, the sample ID and other information are transferred to the read/write-enable ID carrier.
US08480971B2	Analytical pretreatment device The present invention relates to an analytical pretreatment device, comprising a supporting material 1, m inlet ports 3 as fluid injection ports, n outlet ports 4 as fluid outlet port, m×n hollow filament 5 communicating between the inlet ports and the outlet ports, and n filler cartridges 6 connected to the outlet ports (wherein, m is a natural number; and n is a natural number) that provides an analytical pretreatment device allowing easier automation of the analytical pretreatment step for improvement in operational accuracy and saving in labor.
US08480970B2	Analytical pretreatment device The present invention relates to an analytical pretreatment device, comprising a supporting material 1, m inlet ports 3 as fluid injection ports, n outlet ports 4 as fluid outlet port, m×n hollow filament 5 communicating between the inlet ports and the outlet ports, and n filler cartridges 6 connected to the outlet ports (wherein, m is a natural number; and n is a natural number) that provides an analytical pretreatment device allowing easier automation of the analytical pretreatment step for improvement in operational accuracy and saving in labor.
US08480965B2	Devices for injection of gaseous streams into a bed of fluidized solids Injection nozzles for use in a gas distribution device are disclosed. In one aspect, the injection nozzle may include: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the inlet comprises a plurality of flow restriction orifices. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to an injection nozzle for use in a gas distribution device, the injection nozzle including: a tube having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet comprises an annular orifice surrounding a flow restriction device. Injection nozzles according to embodiments disclosed herein may be disposed in a gas distribution manifold used in a vessel, for example, for conducting polymerization reactions, spent catalyst regeneration, and coal gasification, among others.
US08480963B2	Liquid arc induced cavitation (LAIC) system A liquid arc induced cavitation (LAIC) system (also referred to as a pulsed arc electrohydraulic discharge system) for use in reducing contaminants in liquids (e.g. water), having: a moving electrode positioning mechanism with feedback sensors to control the electrode gap geometry; a bank of hybrid capacitors and an air gap switch.
US08480961B2	Method of making alkylene glycols Herein disclosed is a system for hydrating an alkylene oxide that includes a high shear device configured to form a dispersion of an alkylene oxide and water, the high shear device comprising a rotor, a stator, and a catalytic surface, wherein the dispersion comprises gas bubbles with an average gas bubble diameter of less than about 5 μm; a pump configured for delivering a liquid stream to the high shear device; and a reactor coupled to the high shear device, and configured to receive the dispersion from the high shear device, wherein the alkylene oxide is hydrated in the reactor.
US08480960B2	Air freshener clip with head An air freshener has a head with a face. A clip is coupled to the head opposite the face and extends from the head perpendicularly, and includes a pair of vent rods. A pair of bodies is each coupled to a different one of the vent rods. A scent material is interspersed within the bodies, and is capable of diffusing out of the bodies to surrounding air.
US08480959B2	Chemical sensor using thin-film sensing member Provided is a chemical sensor that may include a first electrode on a substrate, a sensing member covering the first electrode on the substrate, and a plurality of second electrodes on a surface of the sensing member exposing the surface of the sensing member. The chemical sensor may be configured to measure the change in electrical characteristics when a compound to be sensed is adsorbed on the sensing member. Provided also is a chemical sensor array including an array of chemical sensors.
US08480955B2	Gas sensor incorporating a porous framework The disclosure provides sensor for gas sensing including CO2 gas sensors comprising a porous framework sensing area for binding an analyte gas.
US08480952B2	Method of manufacturing pharmaceutical preparations containing liposomes A method of manufacturing liposome-containing preparations which contain liposomes exhibiting superior stability in vivo and high enclosure rate of a drug is disclosed, comprising mixing a supercritical or subcritical carbon dioxide, one or more liposome membrane constituents including a phospholipid exhibiting a phase transition temperature and a water-soluble chemical.
US08480947B2	Method for manufacturing a cooling element and a cooling element A method for manufacturing a cooling element for a metallurgical furnace, wherein there is arranged a frame element mainly made of copper and provided with water cooling channels; in the frame element, there are arranged fastening elements for connecting refractory bricks to the frame element; and refractory bricks are connected to the frame element by using fastening elements; and wherein the fastening elements are at least partly formed of elongate steel fastening strips; the method comprising fastening the elongate fastening steel strips to the frame element so that the elongate fastening steel strips together form in between them an open interspace, which is narrowed in a direction pointed away from the bottom of the open interspace; and arranging refractory bricks in the open interspace so that the refractory bricks are located at least partly in the open interspace. A cooling element to be used in connection with a metallurgical furnace or the like is made mainly of copper and includes water cooling channels.
US08480945B2	Electrospinning manufacture for drug carriers An electrospinning manufacture for drug carriers is disclosed. The method comprises a preliminary step mixing a predetermined drug, an alginate, and a saline to obtain a mixture; an electric field establishing step providing a collection plate and an emitter filled with divalent cation agent and the mixture individually, wherein an electric field is applied to the collection plate and the emitter to form a voltage therebetween; and an electrospinning step sequentially dropping the mixture from the emitter into the divalent cation agent filled in the collection plate via the driving of the electric field, triggering a crosslinking-gelating reaction between the divalent cation and the alginate, wherein a plurality of gel particles is produced for a coating of the predetermined drug presenting a drug carrier performance.
US08480942B2	Method of forming a patterned layer of a material on a substrate A method of forming a patterned layer of a material on a substrate includes forming a layer of the material on a stamp, and contacting the stamp with a first substrate comprising a pattern of protruding and recessed features to bring a first portion of the layer into conformal contact with the protruding features. The stamp is then removed from the first substrate. The first portion of the layer remains in conformal contact with the protruding features, and a second portion of the layer opposite the recessed features is removed with the stamp. Accordingly, a patterned layer is formed on the stamp inverse to the pattern on the first substrate. The method may further include transferring the patterned layer on the stamp to a second substrate.
US08480938B2	Method for producing a storage element in textile and plastic material A method for producing a storage element having a plurality of faces in which a portion of the faces is made in textile material. The method includes the steps of: producing a pattern in textile material, the pattern comprising several panels, placing the pattern in an unfolded condition in an injection mold, injecting a plastic material into the injection mold around the panels so as to overmold at least one portion of each of the panels so as to obtain a pattern comprising the faces in textile and plastic materials of the storage element in the unfolded condition, folding the pattern and attaching the faces to each other.
US08480935B2	Fibre-reinforced composite material and manufacture thereof Prepreg for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced composite material, the prepreg comprising a layer of dry fibers and a layer of resin material adhered to a surface of the layer of dry fibers, the resin material having a plurality of particles dispersed therein, the particles have an average particle size that is larger than the average fiber separation of the layer of dry fibers.
US08480933B2	Fluid dispense device calibration Systems and methods for calibrating a dispense head to provide substantially uniform droplets on a substrate are described.
US08480924B1	Compositions, methods, and systems for reducing contamination Certain exemplary embodiments provide methods for reducing a concentration of a contaminant associated with a medium, which can be any substance or material, such as soil, water, air, and/or fluid. In one exemplary method, the medium is treated with a ferric chelate and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to oxidize at least a portion of the contaminant.
US08480918B2	Piezoelectric material The present invention provides a piezoelectric material which can be applied even to the MEMS technique, exhibits satisfactory piezoelectricity even at high ambient temperatures and is environmentally clean, namely, a piezoelectric material including an oxide obtained by forming a solid solution composed of two perovskite oxides A(1)B(1)O3 and A(2)B(2)O3 different from each other in crystalline phase, the oxide being represented by the following general formula (1): X{A(1)B(1)O3}−(1−X){A(2)B(2)O3} (1) wherein “A(1)” and “A(2)” are each an element including an alkali earth metal and may be the same or different from each other; “B(1)” and “B(2)” each include two or more metal elements, and either one of “B(1)” and “B(2)” contains Cu in a content of 3 atm % or more; and “X” satisfies the relation 0
US08480917B2	Solid electrolyte polymer, polymer actuator using cross-linked polyvinylidene fluoride-based polymer, and method of manufacturing the polymer actuator A solid electrolyte polymer including a cross-linked polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based polymer, and a polymer actuator including the cross-linked PVDF-based polymer and an electrolytic material.
US08480916B2	Ultra low weight insulation board Provided is a lightweight, fibrous thermal insulation panel including high temperature resistant biosoluble inorganic fibers, expanded perlite, binder, and optionally conventional high temperature resistant inorganic fibers. Further provided is a method for preparing a lightweight, fibrous high temperature thermal insulation panel including: (a) providing an aqueous slurry comprising from about 15% to about 90% high temperature resistant biosoluble inorganic fibers, from about 10% to about 80% expanded perlite, at least one of from 0% to about 50% organic binder or from 0% to about 20% inorganic binder by weight, and optionally from 0% to about 70% conventional high temperature resistant fibers; (b) forming the lightweight, fibrous thermal insulation panel by depositing the said aqueous slurry onto a substrate; (c) partially dewatering the slurry on the substrate to form a fibrous layer; and (d) drying the fibrous layer to a moisture content of no greater than about 5% by weight.
US08480913B2	Plasma processing method and apparatus with control of plasma excitation power The amount of RF power supplied to a plasma in a vacuum plasma processing chamber is gradually changed on a preprogrammed basis in response to signals stored in a computer memory. The computer memory stores signals so that other processing chamber parameters (pressure, gas species and gas flow rates) remain constant while the gradual change occurs. The stored signals enable rounded corners, instead of sharp edges, to be etched, e.g., at an intersection of a trench wall and base.
US08480912B2	Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method Provided are a plasma processing apparatus and a plasma processing method, by which plasma damage is reduced during processing. At the time of performing desired plasma processing to a substrate (5), a process chamber (2) is supplied with an inert gas for carrying in and out the substrate (5), pressure fluctuation in the process chamber (2) is adjusted to be within a prescribed range, and plasma (20) of the inert gas supplied in the process chamber (2) is generated. The density of the plasma (20) in the transfer area of the substrate (5) is reduced by controlling plasma power to be in a prescribed range, and the substrate (5) is carried in and out to and from a supporting table (4).
US08480908B2	Process, apparatus and system for treating a hydrocarbon feedstock An apparatus, process and system for treating a hydrocarbon feedstock having a specific gravity differential between components of the feedstock is disclosed and includes a treatment vessel having an inlet for receiving the feedstock. A primary separation container may be located in the treatment vessel to accumulate feedstock to cause a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock to separate and rise to an upper surface of the accumulated feedstock. A secondary separation container may be located in the treatment vessel to receive the collected low specific gravity portion from the primary separation container, to accumulate the collected low specific gravity portion to cause hydrocarbon products to separate and rise to an upper surface of the accumulated low specific gravity portion of the feedstock, producing a hydrocarbon product stream at a product outlet. The operating pressure of the treatment vessel may be regulated to remain within a desired range.
US08480907B2	Method for the floatation-clarification of difficult water and facility for implementing same The invention relates to a method for the floatation-clarification of difficult water, in particular heavily polluted surface water, urban or industrial wastewater, rainwater or any type of water that floats with difficulty, particularly water which contains a high percentage of mineral matter or requires the injection of a flocculation aid and which originates from filters or membrane technologies such as ultrafiltration, said method comprising: a coagulation step (A1) in which a dose of coagulant (1) is injected into the water to be treated; a flocculation step (B) in which flocculant (2) is injected (B1) into the water after the coagulation step, in order to agglomerate the suspended particles in the form of flocs; and subsequently a floatation step (C) in which the flocculated water is mixed with an emulsion of air micro-bubbles in a floatation apparatus. A second coagulant injection step (A2) is performed downstream of the flocculant injection (B1) and upstream of the floatation (C).
US08480906B2	Pure water manufacturing method and pure water manufacturing apparatus In production of ultrapure water by purifying primary pure water with a secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and a tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus, high-purity ultrapure water is produced, wherein generation of hydrogen peroxide is minimized and the concentrations of TOC, DO, and hydrogen peroxide are reduced to the limit. In an ultrapure water manufacturing system, each of the secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and the tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus includes an ultraviolet oxidation device and a deionization device, downstream therefrom, by using an ion exchange resin. UV light control is performed in such a way that the hydrogen peroxide concentration results in 1 to 30 μg/L and the TOC concentration results in 1 to 10 μg/L at the outlet of the ultraviolet oxidation apparatus of the secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and, in addition, the TOC concentration results in 0.1 to 5 μg/L at the outlet of the ultraviolet oxidation apparatus of the tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus. UV light control is performed in such a way that the TOC concentration results in 1 to 10 μg/L at the outlet of the ultraviolet oxidation apparatus of the secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and, in addition, the hydrogen peroxide concentration results in 1 to 20 μg/L and the TOC concentration results in 0.1 to 5 μg/L at the outlet of the ultraviolet oxidation apparatus of the tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus.
US08480901B2	Methods and products for biomass digestion Provided herein are methods and products for biomass digestion, which includes the production of biogas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.
US08480895B2	Vacuum base and related methods and apparatus for vacuum filtration Liquid filter assemblies including an upper sample reservoir, a sample filter and a lower storage bottle are supported by a vacuum base. The base has a vacuum inlet port and, for connection to the liquid filter assembly, a vacuum outlet port. A vacuum is provided through the base to below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. The base may include an auxiliary vacuum outlet port for connection with additional devices. The bases may be connected from one to another through auxiliary vacuum outlets and the vacuum inlets to make a chain of liquid filter assemblies supplied from one vacuum source. Alternatively, one base may include multiple vacuum outlet ports so that it may support and supply vacuum to a plurality of liquid filter assemblies.
US08480888B2	Immediate cleaning and recirculation of cleaning fluid and method of using same A system and process for continuously and immediately removing contaminants from wastewater and treating wastewater, where the wastewater is treated to supply fluid that can be reused in the cleaning system or discharged safely into the environment is disclosed. The system and method comprises one or more pumping means for circulating and recirculating fluids captured or collected by the system to one or more of the processes in the system, such as wash water applications or further treatment cycles. According to one embodiment, the wastewater is transported through purification sections of the device. Depending on the system used, these sections could include several of the following: pretreatment to remove debris and certain heavy solids; treatment by methods such as a conductivity solution injection system and/or electrolytic coagulation system, a polymer injection system, and a inline mixer for mixing the polymer in the wastewater stream; and an ozone treatment system. In a preferred embodiment, each of the treatment sections are contained within an enclosure cabinet that includes a controller and feed containers for conductivity fluid and polymers.
US08480886B2	Flat plate membrane bioreactor with a liquid air separator A multistage immersion type membrane separator includes a liquid air separator, the liquid air separator including an outlet tube, an inlet tube, and a skirt. The outlet tube is cylindrical and has a outlet tube diameter, and the inlet pipe has an inlet pipe diameter of less than the outlet tube diameter. The inlet pipe is attached to and in communication with the outlet tube so that a mixed flow of air and liquid passing through the inlet tube is introduced into the outlet tube and flows circumferentially around the inside of the outlet tube. The inlet pipe is attached to the cylindrical outlet tube so that the inlet pipe is perpendicular to the outlet tube. The outlet tube has two ends, one end being closed and the other end being open. The skirt is attached to the outlet tube and is concentric with the outlet tube. The skirt is attached to the closed end of the outlet tube, and extends to just past the point of attachment of the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The skirt also has two open ends, and one open end penetrates through the closed end of the outlet tube.
US08480885B2	Full flow liquid filter with integral bypass filtration A fluid filter has an outer case with a side wall, a closed first end wall, and a second end wall defining fluid inlet and outlet openings, as well as a filter cartridge received within the outer case. The filter cartridge includes a substantially cylindrical full flow filter element, providing for passage of a major portion of fluid entering the filter, and a substantially cylindrical bypass filter element, providing for passage of a minor portion of fluid entering the filter and disposed radially within and surrounded circumferentially by the full flow filter element. By way of the particular fluid filter configuration disclosed, a simple alternative to known filters having full flow and bypass filters located in common housings is provided.
US08480884B2	Fuel filter unit for diesel internal combustion engines For diesel internal combustion engines, an improved filter unit comprising a casing the interior of which is separated by a filtering baffle into two separate chambers to which a fuel inlet conduit and a fuel outlet conduit are connected respectively, with said unit there being associated a device for determining the degree of clogging of the filtering baffle; said device is located inside said casing and is positioned to be sensitive to the difference between the fuel pressure in said chambers.
US08480882B2	Water filter pitcher meter The present invention is a water filter pitcher equipped with a removable, replaceable filter cartridge and means to count the number of times the pitcher is filled with water, and also means to notify the user when the pitcher has filtered enough water to exhaust the filtering capacity of the filter cartridge so that the user can replace the filter cartridge when necessary but does not have to remember to change the cartridge at a specific interval or count the number of gallons filtered manually, and instead can rely on the water filter pitcher to track the amount of water filtered and inform the user when to change the filter cartridge.
US08480877B2	Sensor arrangement comprising an electrode for detecting diffused loaded particles A sensor arrangement for detecting particles potentially contained in an analyte is disclosed. The arrangement includes a substrate; at least one sensor electrode which is arranged on and/or in the substrate and on which scavenger molecules, which hybridize with particles that are potentially contained in an analyte and are to be detected, are immobilized, electrically charged particles generated by hybridization being detectable on the at least one sensor electrode; and at least one diffusion detection electrode which is arranged in a surrounding region of the at least one sensor electrode and is embodied in such a way that it detects electrically charged particles that are generated by hybridization and can be diffused away by the at least one sensor electrode.
US08480874B2	Gel cassette adaptor A gel cassette adaptor for use with an electrophoresis system gel cassette is disclosed herein. The gel cassette adaptor allows a single gel cassette to be compatible with more than one electrophoresis system. In one example embodiment, the gel cassette adaptor includes an open sided trough having an attachment perimeter and an attachment flange coupled to the attachment perimeter. The attachment flange is designed to be compatible for mating with a gel cassette that is compatible with a first electrophoresis system. After attachment of the gel cassette adaptor, the resulting gel cassette assembly is compatible with a second electrophoresis system. Also provided is a gel cassette that includes a stabilizer post that connects the cassette plates to maintain a constant gap width between the plates during electrophoresis. In reducing deformation of the gap space between plates during gel runs, the stabilizer post can improve electrophoresis results for wide format gels.
US08480873B2	Electrodeionization device and method comprising control of the electric current by measurement of ion-exchange material expansion Device for the removal of ions from a polar liquid, e.g. water, including at least one compartment which includes at least one inlet for an entering polar liquid flow and at least one outlet for an outgoing deionized liquid flow, in which the compartment an electrochemically regenerable ion-exchange material fills a zone through which zone a liquid flow is able to pass, the device including one sensor of at least one dimensional change of the ion-exchange material. The sensor can include a photo-sensor or a sensor of mechanical stress. Preferably an apparatus connected to the sensor is able to analyze this dimensional change and to control the electric current. Also disclosed is a method of using the device, whereby the electrical current applied to the device is controlled according to the expansion of the resin.
US08480872B2	Electrocoating internal surfaces of a metallic substrate using a wireless electrode A system for electro-coating a metallic substrate includes a DC power supply, a primary electrode, and a wireless auxiliary electrode. The primary electrode transmits electrical current through electrolyte fluid when energized by the power supply. The auxiliary electrode is within the drain hole, and receives the current from the fluid at one end. The auxiliary electrode boosts the calibrated voltage at the opposite end near the drain hole. In a method for depositing thin film material onto the internal surfaces, the wireless auxiliary electrode is positioned in the drain hole, and the calibrated voltage is applied from the DC power supply to the primary electrode. Electrical current transmitted through the fluid is received at the first end of the auxiliary electrode. The calibrated voltage is boosted in proximity to the drain hole at the second end of the same auxiliary electrode. A wireless auxiliary electrode assembly is also provided.
US08480871B2	Scodaphoresis and methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles Methods and apparatus for moving and concentrating particles apply an alternating driving field and an alternating field that alters mobility of the particles. The driving field and mobility-varying field are correlated with one another. The methods and apparatus may be used to concentrate DNA or RNA in a medium, for example. Methods and apparatus for extracting particles from one medium into another involve applying an alternating driving field that causes net drift of the particles from the first medium into the second medium but no net drift of the particles in the second medium.
US08480868B2	Method for distinguishing electrochemical sensors A method for distinguishing between types of electrochemical test sensors in a meter is disclosed. The method comprises the acts of providing an electrochemical test sensor comprising an enzyme and a chemical additive, contacting the test sensor to the meter to form an electrical connection, applying a potential having a magnitude sufficient to initiate a redox reaction of the chemical additive, and determining which type of electrochemical test sensor is being used based on whether a predetermined signal has been generated after the potential has been applied. The meter is adapted to determine an analyte concentration in a fluid sample.
US08480865B2	Ring cathode for use in a magnetron sputtering device The present invention relates to a magnetron sputtering device including a large ring cathode having a defined inner radius. The position of the ring cathode is offset in relation to a center point of a planetary drive system. An anode or reactive gas source may be located within the inner radius of the ring cathode. Lower defect rates are obtained through the lower power density at the cathode which suppresses arcing, while runoff is minimized by the cathode to planet geometry without the use of a mask.
US08480861B2	Method of treating gas In a method of treating a gas exhausted from a process chamber, the exhaust gas is conveyed to a vacuum pump (20) and a nitrogen purge gas is added to the exhaust gas for pumping with the exhaust gas. Gas exhaust from the pump is conveyed to an abatement device (28) for abating the exhaust gas. The amount of purge gas added to the exhaust gas is adjusted in response to a variation of the composition of the exhaust gas, or the composition of the gas supplied to the process chamber, to optimise the abatement of the exhaust gas.
US08480856B2	Fluorometric method for monitoring surface additives in a papermaking process An apparatus for and method of monitoring and optionally controlling the addition of one or more surface additives to a papermaking process via fluorometric means is disclosed.
US08480852B2	Cooling substrates with hydrophilic containment layer and method of making Wiping products, such as facial tissues, contain an interior temperature change composition and an exterior hydrophilic lotion composition that can provide a cooling sensation when contacted with the skin of a user. The temperature change composition, for instance, can contain one or more phase change agents that undergo a phase change at slightly elevated temperatures. The phase change agents, in one embodiment, can have a relatively high heat of fusion. When undergoing a phase change, the phase change agents absorb heat and thereby provide a cooling feeling to the skin of a user. The hydrophilic lotion composition may contain a carrier and a thermo-reversible gelling agent. The hydrophilic lotion composition maintains the temperature change composition within the tissue and helps to prevent skin irritation.
US08480851B2	Bamboo fiber material A bamboo fiber material, which is manufactured via the following steps: (1) preparation of bamboo oil: (2) preparation of bamboo fiber: (3) mixing the bamboo oil, a water-proofing agent and sodium chloride, adding water in an amount of 2-5 times of the weight of the mixture, stirring at 15-20° C. for 5-10 minutes; (4) adding the bamboo fiber obtained in step (2), as well as a natural resin powder and an edible starch, stirring at 18-20° C. for 2-5 minutes; finally adding a titanium dioxide and stirring uniformly to obtain the bamboo material. The bamboo fiber material of the present invention is made from natural bamboo as main raw material, taking inherent advantages of bamboo such as antibacterial, anticorrosive, non-toxic and less side-effect. In addition, other raw materials are also all environment-friendly materials, so that the bamboo fiber material is free of volatile chemicals.
US08480849B2	Substrate processing apparatus and electrode structure A substrate processing apparatus capable of preventing the abnormal discharge from being generated on a substrate. A housing chamber houses the substrate. A mounting stage arranged in the housing chamber, is configured to enable the substrate to be mounted thereon. A disc-like electrode structure is connected to a high-frequency power supply, and connected to a gas supply apparatus via at least one gas supply system. The electrode structure has therein at least one buffer chamber and a plurality of connecting sections connected to the gas supply system. The buffer chamber is communicated with the inside of the housing chamber via a number of gas holes, and is communicated with the gas supply system via the plurality of connecting sections. The plurality of connecting sections for the buffer chamber are arranged on the circumference of a circle centering around the center of the electrode structure at equal intervals.
US08480845B2	Thermosetting solvent-free single-component compositions and their use We propose a thermosetting solvent-free single-component composition having a storage stability at room temperature of at least 2 weeks, consisting of (A) 5-90 parts by weight of one at least difunctional (iso)cyanate component, (B) 5-50 parts by weight of a latent curing agent solid up to a temperature of at least 40° C. based on nitrogen compounds suitable for addition crosslinking, (C) 0-50 parts by weight of an epoxy-containing compound and (D) 0-50 parts by weight of modifiers, with the sum of all parts by weight being 100, and its use for bonding, casting, sealing and coating of substrates, in particular electronic parts. The composition is cured at 120° C. to 150° C. within seconds.
US08480840B2	Stretch composites and methods of making the composite A stretch composite having one or more elastomeric members disposed on at least one region of an extensible fibrous substrate to provide stretch properties to a targeted region of the substrate. The composite has been incrementally stretched to at least partially break up the structure of the substrate in order to reduce its resistance to stretch. The stretch composites are useful for disposable and durable articles, such as disposable absorbent articles including diapers, pull-on diapers, training pants, incontinence briefs, catamenial garments, baby bibs, and the like, and durable articles like garments including sportswear, outerwear and the like. The present invention also relates to methods of forming such stretch composites.
US08480839B2	Method for manufacturing composite systems made of metal and polymer shaped parts A method for manufacturing composite systems including metal and polymer shaped parts in the form of stabilizers, bushings, axle bearings, especially in the chassis area, stops, buffers, especially for supporting arms for aggregate bearings, or sleeve bearings, especially torsion-bar shoulder bearings, is provided. With the method, at least one completely vulcanized or partially vulcanized elastomer shaped part, especially a rubber shaped part, as the polymer shaped part and at least one metal part are first prepared. The metal part and the polymer shaped part are then brought into abutment against one another, at least in parts. And, finally the metal part or at least one region of the surface on which the metal part and the polymer shaped part abut against one another, is at least temporarily exposed to at least one induction field or at least one inductive heating unit.
US08480837B2	Seamless edge-sealing method of fluorine resin coating The seamless edge-sealing method of fluorine resin coating comprises following steps: (I) Putting the raw material of fluorine resin into a mold to obtain a cylinder (1) through one of the below ways: First, pressure maintaining and demolding, finally sintering the mold formed casting; Second, mechanical injecting; Third, mechanical vulcanizing; (II) Cutting the cylinder (1) into rings (3) and cutting each ring (3) to form an annular slot (31) on the inner wall of each ring; (III) Cutting a piece of base fabric of fluorine resin coating (2) into the shape adapted for the ring (3), and then stuffing the edge of the cut fabric of fluorine resin coating into the slot (31) of the ring; (IV) After hot-pressing, obtaining a piece of fabric of fluorine resin coating (4).
US08480836B2	Double-sided slip-resistant material and method of making same A double-sided, slip resistant material is produced using a blown film process which produces a film having an interior heat sealable layer, a core layer of flexible polyolefin and an exterior polyolefin elastomer layer in combination with a blowing agent and optionally grit to produce a double-sided slip resistant material. A number of rollers are provided after nip rollers have fused the film together, and which form part of a machine direction orienter (MDO) that is used in line in the manufacturing process to heat, and then cool and condition (anneal and relieve any stresses and/or thickness inconsistencies in the film) prior to the film being wound onto a roll for storage.
US08480832B2	Method of producing optical film laminate A method of manufacturing a laminate of three or more layers of optical films, including: forming a first and a second optical film pieces by cutting the first and second optical films having an elongated shape respectively; disposing the first and second optical film pieces adjacent to each other in a substantially band or strip shape with their optical orientation axis crossing the longitudinal direction of the band or strip-shape; laminating the first and second optical film pieces on a third optical film; and a cutting step of, while holding the third optical film, the first film layer and the second film layer in a laminated state, cutting them into plural pieces, and thereby forming optical film laminates.
US08480827B2	Process of resurfacing a substrate with an engineered quartz material The invention relates to a method of resurfacing a substrate with an engineered quartz material comprised of 93% ground up quartz and recycled post-industrial or post-consumer materials mixed with 7% pigments and binders with a thickness ranged from 5-19 mm. The method includes cutting a first piece with an overhang and an edge piece of the engineered quartz from the slab material, attaching the edge piece to the overhang to form a seam at 90-degrees and attaching 1.5″ wide fiberglass cloth strips to the inside edge to reinforce the seam to form a resurfacing assembly and adhesively attaching the resurfacing assembly to the substrate.
US08480823B1	Induction forming of metal components with integral heat treatment A metal induction forming method includes providing a metal sheet, cold forming the metal sheet by applying shaping pressure to the metal sheet, heating the metal sheet while applying shaping pressure to the metal sheet and quenching the metal sheet.
US08480821B2	Piston ring material for internal combustion engine A piston ring material is provided which retains excellent mechanical properties and processability, which are required of piston ring materials, and has wearing resistance and scuffing resistance, which are sliding properties required of piston rings. The piston ring material, which is for use in internal combustion engines, contains, in terms of mass %, 0.3-0.8% carbon, 0.1-3.0% silicon, 0.1-3.0% manganese, 0.01-0.3% sulfur, 0.1-2.0% chromium, and 0.05-2.0% the sum of titanium and/or zirconium, with the remainder being iron and incidental impurities. The titanium and/or zirconium contained in the piston ring material and the sulfur contained therein satisfy the following relationship. [Ti (%)+½Zr (%)]/S (%)≦5.0 Preferably, the material may contain one or more members selected from up to 1.0% copper, less than 3.0% molybdenum, up to 1.0% aluminum, and less than 2.0% nickel, in terms of mass %.
US08480818B2	Permanent magnet and manufacturing method thereof There are provided a permanent magnet and a manufacturing method thereof capable of preventing grain growth in a main phase and enabling rare-earth rich phase to be uniformly dispersed. To fine powder of milled neodymium magnet material is added an organometallic compound solution containing an organometallic compound expressed with a structural formula of M-(OR)x (in the formula, M represents Cu or Al, R represents a substituent group consisting of a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon, x represents an arbitrary integer) so as to uniformly adhere the organometallic compound to particle surfaces of the neodymium magnet powder. Thereafter, a compact body formed by compacting the above neodymium magnet powder is held for several hours in hydrogen atmosphere at 200 through 900 degrees Celsius. Thereafter, through a sintering process, a permanent magnet is manufactured.
US08480816B2	Permanent magnet and manufacturing method thereof There are provided a permanent magnet and a manufacturing method thereof capable of preventing degrade in the magnetic properties by densely sintering the entirety of the magnet. To fine powder of milled neodymium magnet is added an organometallic compound solution containing an organometallic compound expressed with a structural formula of M-(OR)X (M represents Dy or Tb, R represents a substituent group consisting of a straight-chain or branched-chain hydrocarbon, X represents an arbitrary integer) so as to uniformly adhere the organometallic compound to particle surfaces of the neodymium magnet powder. Thereafter, the desiccated magnet powder is calcined by utilizing plasma heating and the powdery calcined body is sintered so as to form a permanent magnet 1.
US08480814B1	Method of cleaning a shopping cart A method for cleaning a shopping cart includes urging the shopping cart up a ramp and into an interior of a wash chamber of a shopping cart cleaner. A main door leading into said interior of the wash chamber may be closed. A cleaning mode of the shopping cart cleaner may be selected from either an automatic cleaning mode or a manual cleaning mode. A sump that is disposed at a bottom of the wash chamber may be filled with a quantity of water. The shopping cart may be washed with the water and a wash detergent. The shopping cart may be rinsed with the water and a rinse chemical. The water may be drained from the sump. The main door may be opened. The shopping cart may be removed from the wash chamber.
US08480811B2	Fill protection algorithm A fill protection algorithm for determining whether the water level in a dishwasher is sufficient to enable operation of the wash pump of the dishwasher without burn-out or other damage to the wash pump and/or heating element of the dishwasher due to insufficient water level. A change in water temperature TEMPDELTA is detected and is compared to a predetermined water temperature change level or amount, TEMPMIN—DELTA, and if the detected change in water temperature TEMPMIN—DELTA is greater than or equal to the minimum water temperature change TEMPMIN—DELTA, operation of the dishwasher is allowed to proceed.
US08480810B2	Method and apparatus for particle removal A method and system for cleaning a surface, having particulate matter thereon, of a substrate features impinging upon the surface a jet of a liquid having coupling elements entrained therein. A sufficient drag force is imparted upon the coupling elements to have the same move with respect to the liquid and cause the particulate matter to move with respect to the substrate.
US08480808B2	Detergent compositions with combinations of acrylic and maleic acid homopolymers and/or salts thereof for aluminum protection A warewashing detergent composition is provided for use for in cleaning of alkaline sensitive metals such as aluminum or aluminum containing alloys. The compositions include alternatives to sodium tripolyphosphate and/or other phosphorous containing raw materials, while retaining cleaning performance and corrosion prevention. According to the invention, a synergistic combination of polyacrylic and polymaleic polymers is used as corrosion inhibitors in traditional alkaline detergent compositions.
US08480805B2	System and method for sealing a vapor deposition source A system and method for movably sealing a vapor deposition source is described. One embodiment includes a system for coating a substrate, the system comprising a deposition chamber; a vapor pocket located within the deposition chamber; and an at least one movable seal, wherein the at least one movable seal is configured to form a first seal with a first portion of a substrate, and wherein the first seal is configured to prevent a vapor from leaking past the first portion of the substrate out of the vapor pocket. In some embodiments, the movable seal may comprise a first flange, wherein the first flange forms a wall of the vapor pocket; and a second flange, wherein the second flange is configured to be movably disposed within a first groove of the source block.
US08480804B2	Thin film, method and apparatus for forming the same, and electronic component incorporating the same A method for forming a thin film includes the steps of: supplying a deposition material in the form of a liquid onto a heated surface; heating and vaporizing the deposition material on the heated surface while the deposition material is undergoing movement; and depositing the deposition material onto a deposition surface. The deposition material is supplied onto a position of the heated surface where the vaporized deposition material does not reach the deposition surface.
US08480802B2	Cementitious composition incorporating high levels of glass aggregate for producing solid surfaces A cementitious compostion for high density, low porosity sheet-form building materials having solid surfaces is comprised of cement, pozzolans, and a high percentage of fine and/or coarse glass aggregate.
US08480800B2	Aminoalcohol compounds, precursors, and methods of preparation and use Provided are aminoalcohol compounds for use as neutralizing agents for paints and coatings. The compounds are of the formula (I): or salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and n are as defined herein. Also provided are precursors of the aminoalcohol compounds and processes for making and using them.
US08480797B2	Activated carbon systems for facilitating use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) by removal of same, related compounds, or associated odors Several embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for removing compositions comprising dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or related compounds, or odors associated with same. In several embodiments, the systems include activated carbon filters, adsorbents, odor adsorbing fabrics, masks, clean air members and clean air supply assemblies. Methods for reducing the concentration of a DMSO metabolite, or the odors associated with said DMSO metabolite are provided in some embodiments. In some embodiments the systems and methods facilitating the treatment of traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, atherosclerosis, spinal cord trauma, and neurodegenerative illnesses with compositions comprising DMSO.
US08480795B2	Absorbent composition containing molecules with a hindered amine and a metal sulfonate, phosphonate or carboxylate structure for acid gas scrubbing process An acid gas absorbent comprising a metal sulfonate, phosphonate or carboxylate of a hindered amine and a process for the selective removal Of H2S as well as other acidic components such as carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide and oxygen and sulfur derivatives of C1 to C4 hydrocarbons from mixtures containing such acidic components and CO2 using said absorbent.
US08480787B2	Ultrasound-assisted electrospray ionic liquid for carbon dioxide capture A system includes an ultrasound wave generator, a fluid cavity coupled to the ultrasound wave generator, an array of micro-machined ultrasonic-assisted electrospray nozzles coupled to the fluid cavity, an electrode configured to impart a charge onto the fluid output of the electrospray nozzles, and a carbon dioxide release unit configured to receive the ionic liquid after absorption of carbon dioxide by the ionic liquid and to remove carbon dioxide from the ionic liquid such that the regenerated ionic liquid can be recycled for additional carbon dioxide capture.
US08480783B2	Sintered porous metal body and a method of manufacturing the same A sintered porous metal body, which has a sintered structure having a volumetric porosity of 10 to 90%, wherein there are at least one powder particles selected from the group consisting of dielectric material powders and semiconductor material powders that absorb energy of electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 300 MHz to 300 GHz among the metal crystalline particles constituting the sintered body, wherein the particles are substantially homogeneously dispersed in the sintered body, and wherein the metal particles are sintered to bond each other to be united to constitute pores. The invention discloses a method of manufacturing the sintered porous metal body.
US08480780B2	Honeycomb filter for purifying exhaust gases, adhesive, coating material, and manufacturing method of honeycomb filter for purifying exhaust gases A honeycomb filter includes a ceramic laminated body including columnar porous ceramic members and an adhesive layer combining the columnar porous ceramic members with one another. The columnar porous ceramic members each have a partition wall and through holes, the through holes extend in parallel with one another in a length direction of the columnar porous ceramic members, the partition wall separates the through holes and filters particulates in an exhaust gas, and the adhesive layer includes an inorganic binder, an inorganic fiber, inorganic particles and an inorganic balloon.
US08480778B2	Air cleaner arrangements; components; and, methods An air cleaner assembly and components therefor are provided. Features are described providing for a cantilevered support of a filter cartridge contained therein, and also, in some examples anti-rotational support. Also, a supported housing seal is shown. A filter cartridge arrangement is described and shown. Methods of assembly and use are also described.
US08480777B2	Oil separation device of engine An extension piece portion is provided at a lower end portion of a screen plate so as to extend from the lower end portion, beyond a gas-passing through hole, to an oil pocket portion. An oil guide portion is provided at respective gas-hitting-side face portions of the screen plate and the extension piece portion so as to guide oil trapped at the above-described face portions into the oil pocket portion. Accordingly, it can be prevented that part of the oil in the middle of dropping down into the oil pocket portion from the screen plate is carried away by the gas flow passing through the gas-passing through hole, so that the efficiency of oil trap can be improved.
US08480775B2	Self cleaning fan assembly This patent pertains to self-cleaning fan assemblies. One implementation includes electronic components positioned in an enclosure. This implementation also includes a fan assembly that is configured to impart rotational force on air to move the air from outside the enclosure to inside the enclosure and around the electronic components. The fan assembly is further configured to separate contaminants from the air based upon differences in density between the contaminants and the air.
US08480772B2	Transfer assisted screen printing method of making shaped abrasive particles and the resulting shaped abrasive particles Shaped ceramic articles can be obtained by screen printing the desired shapes from a dispersion of a precursor of the ceramic onto a receiving surface using a transfer assisted technique that applies a differential pressure, at least partially drying the screen printed shapes, and firing them to generate the shaped ceramic articles. Shaped abrasive particles made using lower viscosity sol gels that tended to flow or creep after the screen printing formation were found to have higher grinding performance over screen printed shaped abrasive particles made with higher viscosity sol gels.
US08480770B2	Hydrogen production system and method of controlling flow rate of offgas in the system A hydrogen manufacturing system for performing offgas flow control includes: a vaporizer (1) for heating a material mixture containing a hydrocarbon material; a reforming reactor (2) for generating hydrogen-containing reformed gas by reforming reactions of the material; a PSA separator (5) for repeating a cycle of adsorption and desorption, where in the adsorption PSA separation is performed with an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbent to adsorb unnecessary components in the reformed gas and extract hydrogen-enriched gas out of the tower, and in the desorption the offgas containing the unnecessary components from the adsorbent and remaining hydrogen is discharged from the tower; and a buffer tank (6) for holding the offgas before supplying to the vaporizer. The offgas flow supply from the tank (6) to the vaporizer is changed continuously over time when the cycle time is changed according to load change on the separator (5).
US08480769B2	Method for gasification and a gasifier Disclosed is a cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method. The cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method involve a chamber having a first portion proximal to a first end and a second portion proximal to a second end, introducing a first fuel to the first portion of the chamber, introducing a second fuel to the chamber; and introducing a first oxidant to accelerate the velocity of the first fuel and swirl the first fuel from the first portion toward the second portion.
US08480768B2	Hot solids gasifier with CO2 removal and hydrogen production A gasifier 10 includes a first chemical process loop 12 having an exothermic oxidizer reactor 14 and an endothermic reducer reactor 16. CaS is oxidized in air in the oxidizer reactor 14 to form hot CaSO4 which is discharged to the reducer reactor 16. Hot CaSO4 and carbonaceous fuel received in the reducer reactor 16 undergo an endothermic reaction utilizing the heat content of the CaSO4, the carbonaceous fuel stripping the oxygen from the CaSO4 to form CaS and a CO rich syngas. The CaS is discharged to the oxidizer reactor 14 and the syngas is discharged to a second chemical process loop 52. The second chemical process loop 52 has a water-gas shift reactor 54 and a calciner 42. The CO of the syngas reacts with gaseous H2O in the shift reactor 54 to produce H2 and CO2. The CO2 is captured by CaO to form hot CaCO3 in an exothermic reaction. The hot CaCO3 is discharged to the calciner 42, the heat content of the CaCO3 being used to strip the CO2 from the CaO in an endothermic reaction in the calciner, with the CaO being discharged from the calciner 42 to the shift reactor 54.
US08480761B2	Security enclosure for a router A router comprises a local network interface and routing services. The router also includes a data exchanger interface that can be configured to connect to a data exchanger. A security enclosure is configured to cover the data exchanger when the data exchanger is connected to the data exchanger interface.
US08480760B2	Passive ankle-foot prosthesis and orthosis capable of automatic adaptation to sloped walking surfaces and method of use The present invention relates to an improved system for use in rehabilitation and/or physical therapy for the treatment of injury or disease to the lower limbs or extremities. The system can enable an amputee to proceed over any inclined or declined surface without overbalancing. The system is mechanically passive in that it does not utilize motors, force generating devices, batteries, or powered sources that may add undesirable weight or mass and that may require recharging. In particular the system is self-adapting to adjust the torque moment depending upon the motion, the extent of inclination, and the surface topography. An additional advantage of the improvement is that the system can be light and may also be simple to manufacture.
US08480754B2	Patient-adapted and improved articular implants, designs and related guide tools Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures.
US08480753B2	Spot facing trochlear groove The present invention relates to systems and methods for preparing the trochlear groove of a patient's femur to receive a prosthesis thereon. In the system, a combination drill-and-alignment guide includes at least a proximal and intermediate section, and preferably also includes a distal section. Guide holes for receiving guide pins therein are located in the proximal and distal sections of the guide. After the guide is positioned using at least one of several visual and/or tactile references in the system, the guides pins are placed through the guide holes of the guide and into bone. The guide may then be removed and replaced by cannulated reamers that are rotated and used to resect a predetermined amount of bone around the guide pins. A prosthesis having at least a portion of an outer surface that substantially matches the trochlear groove of the patient in a pre-degenerated state is then implanted on the resected bone.
US08480749B2	Friction fit and vertebral endplate-preserving spinal implant An interbody spinal implant including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, opposing anterior and posterior portions, a substantially hollow center, a single vertical aperture, and a roughened surface topography on at least the top surface. The posterior portion has a generally rounded nose profile, and has a shorter height than the anterior portion such that the spinal implant comprises a lordotic angle for aligning the spine of a patient. The junctions of the top and bottom surfaces and the anterior portion comprise a sharp edge to resist expulsion of the spinal implant upon implantation.
US08480745B2	Spinal implant and cutting tool preparation accessory for mounting the implant This invention relates to a spinal implant for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae and restoration of normal disc height. The spinal implant includes an upper and lower surface adapted to engage cancellous bone tissue in the vertebral bodies. The spinal implant also includes at least two opposing bearing surfaces adapted to bear against cortical bone tissue in the endplates of adjacent vertebrae. This invention also provides an instrumentation to prepare the intervertebral space to receive the spinal implant and techniques for treating patents in need of corrective spinal surgery.
US08480744B2	Method of preparing an implant for delivery into a vertebral space A method for delivering a spinal implant into a vertebral space, including providing a spinal implant, providing a die member defining an opening sized to receive the implant while in an initial configuration, inserting the implant into the opening in the die member, displacing the implant relative to the die member, transitioning the implant from the initial configuration to a deformed configuration having a reduced lateral profile relative to the initial configuration, and discharging the implant from the die member and inserting the implant into the vertebral space while in the deformed configuration.
US08480742B2	Total artificial disc An artificial disc prosthesis having load-bearing characteristics that mimic those of the normal, healthy intervertebral disc so as to provide resist flexion and axial compression of the spine in a way that preserves normal spinal function. The disc prosthesis includes three main components, a frame, a cushion molded over the frame, and a sac containing a hydrogel for maintaining disc height that is confined within a cavity in the cushion. Disc height is changed by increasing and/or decreasing the amount of hydrogel in the sac in accordance with the particular needs of the patient into which the artificial disc is implanted. Also provided is a frame for an artifical intervertebral disc that allows the axis of rotation of the spine to shift in a manner that replicates, or mimics, the normal function of the intervertebral disc.
US08480740B2	Rotating, locking, spring-loaded artificial disk A rotating, locking, spring-loaded disk implant for stabilizing adjacent vertebrae. The implant is substantially rectangular in cross-sectional shape with minimal height and maximal width. The implant is inserted into the space between two adjacent vertebrae from which a portion of the intervertebral disk has been removed and, when positioned in the disk space, rotated to bring the sides of the rectangularly-shaped implant defining the width of the implant, with its larger dimension, into engagement with the bodies of the adjacent vertebrae. A portion of the implant is biased away from the implant and into contact with the adjacent vertebrae to provide a cushioning effect between the implant and the vertebra. A lock is then secured to the implant to resist further rotation of the implant in the disk space.
US08480738B2	Implant with nested members and methods of use Vertebral implants that may be movable between collapsed and expanded orientations to space apart first and second vertebral members. The implants may include first and second contact surfaces to contact against the vertebral members. The implants may include nested struts. The implants may have a first height measured between the contact surfaces in the collapsed orientation with a first amount of overlap in the struts. The implants may have a second height in the expanded orientation with a lesser amount of overlap in the struts.
US08480731B2	Tool for implantation of replacement heart valve An implant holder for removably retaining an implant during an implantation procedure includes a holder device having a frame defining a chamber. The frame may be configured for removable retention of an implant, such as the flexible bioprosthetic heart valve, substantially within the chamber. The removable retention of the implant to the implant holder maintains the implant in an orientation and shape suitable for implantation.
US08480730B2	Solid construct mitral spacer A heart valve implant according to one embodiment may include a shaft extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the heart valve implant having at least one anchor configured to be coupled to a first end of the shaft. A spacer may include a plurality of individual segments each including at least one passageway configured to be disposed about the shaft. The plurality of individual segments may define an outer surface of the spacer which is configured to interact with at least a portion of at least one cusp of a heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through the heart valve in a closed position. The plurality of individual segments may each having a length and at least one cross-section dimension no larger than an internal cross-section of a lumen of a delivery catheter.
US08480729B2	Medical devices containing silicate and carbon particles According to one aspect of the present invention, implantable and insertable medical devices are provided which contain one or more particle-containing regions that comprise silicate particles and carbon particles.
US08480728B2	Stent side branch deployment initiation geometry A stent may include a side branch cell comprising a plurality of petals. Each petal may comprise struts and turns, and may have a longitudinal axis oriented at an angle to the stent longitudinal axis. Each petal may comprise a plurality of struts and at least one turn. For each petal, the width of a turn may be greater than the width of the struts. Upon expansion of the stent, a petal may deploy outwardly in a stent radial direction beyond an outer diameter of the rest of the stent.
US08480727B2	Endovascular implant having an integral graft component and method of manufacture A covered stent including an endovascular implant having a polymeric stent structure with an integrally formed membrane-like graft component, also referred to as a stent-graft, and methods of manufacturing the one-piece stent-graft by an injection molding process. A molding system for creating the polymeric stent structure is injected with a melt stream of moldable material that is forced between a parting line of the molding system to create a thin, flexible membrane-like structure within the open areas or interstitial spaces of the molded stent structure. The stent-graft so created is a one-piece, unified structure molded from a polymeric material in a single manufacturing step.
US08480726B2	Stent graft with valve arrangement A stent graft (10) has a tubular body with a side aperture (16) covered by a valve arrangement (18) and an arrangement to hold the valve open (32) with a release wire (30). Retraction of the release wire closes the valve. The stent graft can have a tubular body with a first bifurcation (134) with first and second legs (130, 132) extending from the bifurcation. The side aperture and valve arrangement can be in one of the legs. One of the legs (132) has a further bifurcation (142) to define a side arm (140). The stent graft can be deployed into the vasculature of a patient with the tubular body being in an aorta of the patient, a first leg extending down an iliac artery, a second leg being directed towards a contralateral iliac artery and the side arm directed to an internal artery of the contralateral iliac artery.
US08480725B2	Introducer for deploying a stent graft in a curved lumen An introducer (10) includes release wires (42′) that constrain at least one stent (4′) while the remainder of a stent graft (18) is expanded during deployment. By allowing the constrained stent (4′) to expand after an adjacent stent (4), the constrained stent (4′) overlaps with the interior of the adjacent stent (4) where the stent graft (18) is deployed within a curved body lumen (70).
US08480722B2	Tubular device delivering light and radiation into a patient A device delivers light within a patient using an inner cannula, fiber optics, LED along an endotracheal tube, ETT or tracheostomy tube or a strip with embedded LED adhered to an ETT. The inner cannula includes a tubular thin walled device that transmits light by fiber optics or delivers electrical power to an LED. The light passes along one or more fibers placed within the walls of the inner cannula for outward delivery of the light. The light affects the inside of the cannula, the area between the cannula and the ETT, the area outside the ETT, and into the tracheobronchial tree. The light delivers an antimicrobial effect into the upper airway of a patient. Alternatively, the light delivery device involves tubes and cannulas attaching to existing medical tubes and devices. Alternatively, a transparent strip of embedded LED secures to an existing medical tube.
US08480721B2	Power supply for light-based dermatologic treatment device Switching power supplies made in accordance with the disclosed technology drive flash lamps of dermatologic treatment devices to emit a sequence of relatively small light pulses that are aligned with particular locations within the waveform of the AC line source. Such power supplies not only enable sufficient light energy in aggregate to therapeutically heat target chromophores in a skin region without causing undesired damage to surrounding tissue, but also provide the added benefit that the corresponding electrical energy need not be substantially drawn from any charged capacitor. The disclosed power supply further compensates for performance degradation of the flash lamps during their usable life, by modifying its operation based on predetermined values that are indicative of flash lamp aging/efficiency characteristics. The flash lamps and their associated stored values are preferably incorporated into a replaceable cartridge that facilitates user maintenance of the dermatologic treatment device.
US08480719B2	Device and method for regenerative therapy by high intensity laser therapy A method of high intensity laser treatment for stimulating regeneration of living biological tissue in a patient by applying a pulsed laser beam to a skin of the patient in need of the treatment.
US08480715B2	Spinal implant system and method Embodiments of the present invention provide a spinal implant system and method. One embodiment of the present invention includes a spinal implant comprising, a first implant plate, a second implant plate, a spacer member coupled between the first implant plate and the second implant plate and an end plate coupled to the spacer member, the end plate configured to couple to adjacent vertebrae. The implant plates can include spacer channels that receive the spacer member and insertion tool channels that receive an insertion tool. Preferably, on each implant plate, the spacer channel is near the center of the plate and the insertion tool channels are on either side of the spacer channel. The spacer channels and insertion tool channels can be dovetailed or otherwise shaped to capture a portion of the spacer member and insertion tool. Mating connectors can prevent removal of the spacer member from the spacer channels.
US08480714B2	Offset multiaxial or polyaxial screw, system and assembly A capless multiaxial screw fixation assembly, including: a screw having a threaded portion and a screw head portion positioned at one end thereof; and, a retainer having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bore for receiving the screw threaded portion so that the screw head portion is seated therein. At least one of the screw and the retainer is configured such that the retainer is able to pivot about the screw head portion in a non-symmetrical manner.
US08480711B2	Pedicle screw assembly with inclined surface seat A bone stabilizer assembly includes a fixation element, a coupling element, and a compression nut. The fixation element is adapted to engage a bone and having a head portion and shank portion. The coupling element has an internal bore sized to receive the shank portion of the fixation element and a pyramid-shaped seat for supporting the head portion of the fixation element. The coupling element is adapted to receive a stabilizer rod. The compression nut is engagable with the coupling element and is adapted to rotatingly move distally into the coupling element to translate a force to the head portion through the rod and the saddle such that the head portion is forced against the seat of the coupling element to prevent relative movement between the fixation element and the coupling element.
US08480708B2	Devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous trans-septal left atrial appendage occlusion Methods for occluding an atrial appendage. The steps of an exemplary method include introducing at least a portion of the first device in a heart, introducing at least a portion of a second device into a pericardial space surrounding the heart, positioning the balloon of the first device at least partially within an atrial appendage cavity, inflating the balloon to displace blood present within the atrial appendage cavity, positioning the loop of the second device around the atrial appendage, tightening the loop around the atrial appendage, deflating the balloon to allow for ultimate removal of the first device from the atrial appendage cavity, and separating the loop from the second device so that the loop remains positioned and tightened around the atrial appendage.
US08480706B2	Tubular patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure device with catch system The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by a central tube. The occluder is formed from a tube, which is cut to produce struts in each side. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. The occluder further includes a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is deployed so that the occluder exerts a compressive force on the septal tissue and closes the aperture.
US08480705B2	Extraluminal sealant applicator and method An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.
US08480704B2	Surgical dilator, retractor and mounting pad A retractor having an elongate body that provides access to a surgical location within a patient. The elongate body is generally ovoid in cross section and includes a plurality of segments that are connected to one another through a plurality of ratcheting mechanisms. The ratcheting mechanisms permit relative movement of the segments with respect to one another when expander dilators are inserted within the retractor. The segments are surrounded and retained by a resilient elastomeric sleeve or bands. The distal end surfaces of the segments include thin edges that are configured to mobilize, dissect, split and retract the terminal tissues in the surgical area. The retractor is used in conjunction with a resilient elastomeric pad that is affixed to the patient and firmly engages the outer surface of the elongate body to thereby anchor the retractor to the patient. A separate anchoring device can be used to connect the retractor to the pad.
US08480703B2	Surgical device A surgical device includes a shaft portion coupled to a handle, the handle defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical device also includes a first driver configured to actuate a rotational movement via a first drive shaft and a second driver configured to actuate an articulation movement via a second drive shaft. The surgical device also includes a controller having a first dial and a second dial, the first dial actuated by the first driver and the second dial actuated by the second driver, the second dial positioned within the first dial.
US08480702B2	Convertible embolic protection devices and methods of use An embolic protection device for removing emboli from a blood vessel in a patient's body. The device comprises a mesh element being expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration and an elongate tubular element having a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a lumen between the proximal and distal openings. The lumen has a diameter large enough to slideably accommodate a standard guidewire. The mesh element is disposed on the elongate tubular element.
US08480697B2	Thrombus removal system and process A device capable of capturing and facilitating the removal of a thrombus in blood vessels (or stones in biliary or urinary ducts, or foreign bodies) uses a soft coil mesh with the aid of a pull wire or string to engage the surface of a thrombus, and remove the captured thrombus. The soft coil mesh is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical elements forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls. The use of multiple coil mesh elements, delivered through a single lumen or multiple lumens, preferably with separate control of at least one end of each coil, provides a firm grasp on a distal side of a thrombus, assisting in non-disruptive or minimally disrupted removal of the thrombus upon withdrawal of the device.
US08480694B2	Method and apparatus for anastomosis including an expandable anchor The present disclosure relates a device for joining a first body vessel to a second body vessel, including an inner member having a distal end portion and defining a longitudinal axis, an outer member defining a lumen dimensioned to receive the inner member therein, and a radially expandable anchor disposed at the distal end of the inner member, the expandable anchor having an initial condition wherein the expandable anchor is disposed between the outer member and the inner member and an expanded condition wherein the expandable anchor is radially larger than the expandable anchor in the initial condition.
US08480692B2	Device and method for tendon, ligament or soft tissue repair Disclosed are medical devices and methods for tendon, ligament, and soft tissue repair. A method includes introducing a first segment having a delivery assembly into a first soft tissue, and removing the delivery assembly to expose an opening of a hollow body of the first segment. The method also includes introducing a second segment having a second delivery assembly and a second body into a second soft tissue, guiding the second delivery assembly through the opening, and advancing the second body into the hollow body, thereby joining the first soft tissue and the second soft tissue.
US08480691B2	Snared suture trimmer A suture trimmer having a shaft, a cutting member, an actuating device, and a snare. The shaft has a first end and a second end and bounds a bore extending from the first end toward the second end. The shaft has an opening formed in a side adjacent the first end. The cutting member is slidably disposed within the bore of the shaft and can be moved between a first position and a second position, such that when disposed in the second position the cutting member closes the opening formed in the side of the shaft. The actuating device is in communication with the cutting member and is operable to move the cutting member from the first position to the second position. The snare extends through the opening and out of the bore at the first end of the shaft.
US08480689B2	Suturing device A surgical suturing device has a grasper device that is translatable within an outer lumen where a first end of a needle is grasped with the grasper device. The needle may be resilient to a curved resting state. The grasper device translates proximally relative to the outer lumen such that the needle is translated into the outer lumen, wherein the outer lumen tends to straighten the needle from the curved resting state. The grasper device may be translated distally relative to the outer lumen such that a second end of the needle extends distally from the outer lumen and pierces the tissue. The needle may return to the curved resting state as it exits the outer lumen. When a second end of the needle emerges from the tissue, the second end of the needle may be grasped with the grasper device.
US08480688B2	Actuator and detachable connector of flexible clip applier A clip applier for deploying a surgical clip includes an actuator having a flexible wire and a collet chuck coupled to a piston. Further, actuation of the piston in a forward direction towards a distal end of the clip applier advances the flexible wire in the forward direction.
US08480687B2	Apparatus and methods for achieving serosa-to-serosa closure of a bodily opening The present embodiments provide apparatus and methods for facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, a tissue retraction member and a closure member are provided. The tissue retraction member is advanced in a distal direction through the bodily opening in a contracted state, and then expanded at a location distal to the opening. The tissue retraction member then is proximally retracted to engage first and second serosal tissue regions at least partially surrounding the opening, thereby causing the first and second serosal regions to be disposed in an adjacent relationship. The closure member then is deployed around first and second mucosal tissue regions, such that when deployed, the closure member imposes a compressive force to hold the first serosal tissue region in a sealing relationship against the second serosal tissue region to facilitate sealing of the opening.
US08480684B2	Radiation therapy tattooing system for patient positioning The present invention provides a three section skin marking system combining target placement, lancing, marking, cleanup and protective bandaging comprising a positioning target, an ink application pad and a bandage pad, wherein the ink application pad is attached to the positioning target and the bandage pad is attached to the positioning target, wherein the positioning target is an appliqué with a top side and a bottom side and a peripheral border of material with a center portion of the appliqué removed and free of material, wherein the bottom side has an adhesive for adhering to skin of a patient; wherein the application pad comprises an absorbent pad surrounding micro-encapsulated or macro-encapsulated ink for marking the patient's skin; and wherein the bandage pad comprises an absorbent pad and an adhesive strip.
US08480683B2	Foam introduction system including modified port geometry A surgical apparatus for positioning within a tissue tract accessing an underlying body cavity includes a seal anchor member including leading portion, a trailing portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the leading and trailing portions. The leading portion of the seal anchor member is configured and adapted to ease insertion of the seal anchor member into the tissue tract. Subsequent to insertion of the seal anchor member, the leading portion of the seal anchor member is also configured and adapted to facilitate securing and/or anchoring of the seal anchor member within the tissue tract.
US08480678B2	Bone cavity creation and method with magnetic force retrievable beads The present invention discloses a method of using beads to create a cavity in a bone, which includes introducing beads into a bone by applying a pressure on said beads, wherein the beads are metallic beads able to be attracted by a magnet; and withdrawing the beads from the bone by magnetic force. Preferably, a pocket is disposed in the bone prior to the introduction of beads, and the introduction and withdraw of the beads are carried out with respect to said pocket.
US08480675B2	Betts osteotome A medical device and method of using the device to reinforce and stabilize a compressed tissue is disclosed. The medical device comprises a shaft with a single blade that is biased with a bend, but is elastic enough to be straightened. The end of a cannula is inserted into a tissue, and the blade and shaft are then inserted into a cannula to straightens the blade and direct it to the tissue site. When the blade reaches the tissue site, the blade naturally returns to its bent biased state, and the shaft and blade are then rotated to pulp a volume of tissue. A binding material is then injected into the pulped tissue without removing the tissue.
US08480674B1	Angled reamer spindle for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery A reamer for use in minimally invasive hip replacement surgical approaches is provided. The reamer spindle includes an elongate housing portion that extends along a first axis and a neck or distal portion that extends along a second axis, wherein the second axis extends at an angle of between about 35 degrees and about 65 degrees relative to the first axis. A reamer head is removably connectable to the distal neck portion and has a surface configured to cut bone.
US08480672B2	Apparatus for introducing bone portals Some introducer tools for bone portals have a handle coupled to a driving member by a force-limiting coupling. A bone portal comprising a bone-penetrating portion and a bone stop may be driven to a desired depth in bone when the force-limiting coupling allows application of force to the bone portal that is sufficient to drive the bone-penetrating portion of the portal into the bone but not sufficient to drive the bone stop significantly into the bone. Bone portals of various types are described herein. Various configurations for stylets suitable for use in introducing bone portals or otherwise penetrating bone and methods for inserting bone portals are also described herein.
US08480671B2	Compact jaw including split pivot pin An end effector assembly for use with a forceps includes a pair of jaw members, a knife assembly, and one or more cam assemblies. One or more of the jaw members are moveable relative to the other about a pivot between open and closed positions. One or more of the jaw members include a knife channel. The pivot includes first and second sections defining a passage therebetween. The knife assembly includes a knife blade and an actuation shaft. The knife blade is disposed distally relative to the pivot. The actuation shaft is configured for slidable translation through the passage to allow selective advancement of the knife blade through the knife channel. The one or more cam assemblies are operably coupled to the one or more moveable jaw members and are actuatable to move the one or more jaw members between the open and closed positions for grasping tissue therebetween.
US08480665B2	Cool tip junction A conduit junction for use with an electrosurgical system includes a body having a lumen defined therein and at least one positioning structure. The lumen is configured to receive to receive at least a portion of a tubular structure. The tubular structure includes at least one of a conductor and a conduit of an electrosurgical system. The positioning structure is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lumen and is adapted to position at least one of the conductor and the conduit within the body of the conduit junction. The body of the conduit junction may include a first section and a second section pivotably connected to each other. The positioning structure may include at least one rib pocket.
US08480663B2	Apparatus and methods for cryogenically ablating tissue and adjusting cryogenic ablation regions Apparatus and methods for performing cryogenic ablation of tissue and adjusting the size and/or location of a cryogenic cooling region. A cooling assembly may include tubes for dispensing and exhausting a coolant or refrigerant. One or both of the tubes may be moved, e.g., slidably adjusted, in order to adjust the location or size of a cryogenic ablation region. The cooling assembly may be integrated into cryogenic ablation devices including a cryogenic balloon device that includes an inner inflatable balloon and another balloon that is at least partially wrapped around the inner balloon and carries refrigerant for performing cryo-ablation. Electrodes permit electrical mapping of tissue before or after cryo-ablation to verify success of the procedure.
US08480661B2	Apparatus and method for removing a lenticle from the cornea An apparatus and method for removing a lenticle from the cornea. For this purpose, a device for liquefying the lenticle and a device for suctioning off the resulting fluid are provided. The lenticle is liquefied and the resulting fluid is then suctioned off.
US08480660B2	Device for the treatment of biological tissue using laser radiation An apparatus for the treatment of biological, in particular living tissue comprising a treatment laser device 1 for generating a pulsed treatment radiation directed on to a target tissue, in an embodiment additionally including a measurement laser device 2, 3 for generating a pulsed measurement radiation directed on to the target tissue of lower energy and shorter pulse duration than the treatment radiation, a detector device 4 for measuring pressure transients induced by the measurement radiation and a control device 6 for controlling the treatment radiation in dependence on the pressure transients evaluated in respect of a tissue change, wherein a regulating or control algorithm for controlling the treatment radiation is formed from the pressure transients.
US08480659B2	Method and system for removal and replacement of lens material from the lens of an eye There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for developing laser systems that can create a precise predetermined capsulotomy. The systems, apparatus and methods further provide laser systems that reduce the patient-to-patient variability and doctor-to-doctor variability associated with hand held apparatus for performing capsulorhexis and capsulotomies. There is further provided a precise predetermined shot pattern and shaped capsulotomy that is based at least in part on the shape of an IOL and in particular an accommodating IOL.
US08480658B1	Actuation handle for a surgical device with multiple end effectors A handle for a surgical instrument multiple surgical end effectors, the handle being configured to provide a complete and consistent actuation of the different end effectors regardless of whether the instrument is flexible or rigid. The handle is similar in size and configuration to handles of similar single end effector devices.
US08480657B2	Detachable distal overtube section and methods for forming a sealable opening in the wall of an organ An overtube for use with an endoscopic surgical instrument. In various embodiments, the overtube may comprise a hollow tubular member that has an implantable tip detachably affixed to a distal end thereof. The implantable tip may have at least one retention member formed thereon to retain the tip within an organ wall. The implantable tip may further have a lumen extending therethrough to form a passageway through the organ wall. A plug member may be provided to selectively seal off the lumen within the implantable tip.
US08480652B2	Percutaneous gastrostomy probe with internal collar and biodegradable end piece A percutaneous gastrostomy catheter includes an internal retainer configured to be maintained pressed against the stomach wall and to disengage itself from a tubing by biodegradation; and an external flange, traversed by the tubing, configured to be pressed against an external face of the abdominal wall and exert, in cooperation with the internal retainer, a pressure adapted to press an external face of the stomach wall against an internal face of the abdominal wall. The internal retainer includes an internal flange. A first face of the internal flange is configured to be pressed against an internal face of the stomach wall, the internal flange being detachable from the tubing under the effect of a simple pulling force. The internal retainer also includes an end piece pressed against the second face of the internal flange, such that the internal flange is between the end piece and the external flange, the end piece being made of a completely biodegradable copolymer or polymer having a bond with the tubing.
US08480650B2	Method for increased uptake of beneficial agent and ejection fraction by postconditioning procedures A method for improving tissue uptake of beneficial agent and ejection fraction.
US08480646B2	Medical device connector The present invention relates to a first medical device (1, 100) configured to permit connection to a second medical device (3). The medical device (1, 100, 200) comprises a guiding track (12) for receiving a lock protrusion (4). The guiding track (12) comprises a surface (16) having a lock edge (15) extending between a first and a second level (H1, H2). The lock edge (15) extends in a smooth curvature between the first and the second level (H1, H2), the curvature of which is a function of at least of radius (Ra). The medical device (1, 100) may comprise a neck element (11) with at least one guiding track (12) for receiving a lock protrusion (4) of a second medical device (3) or optionally the medical device may comprise a sleeve member (202) which comprises the guiding track (12). The present invention provide for a connection site which enables a smooth lock but especially a smooth unlock motion of the second medical device being connected.
US08480643B2	Film material with antimicrobial and/or odor-absorbing coating and sanitary article A film material (1) is disclosed herein, particularly a polyolefin-based film material, coated on one side with a water resoluble resin-containing skin (2), and containing antimicrobial and/or odor-absorbing agents susceptible of being activated by organic liquids and blood liquids, such film material is particularly designed to form a disposable sanitary article (4) comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet (5), a liquid-impervious backsheet (6) and an absorbent layer (7) sandwiched between the topsheet (5) and the backsheet (6).
US08480642B2	Merchandise display systems for baby care articles A merchandise system for disposable absorbent articles is provided. The merchandise display system includes a first line-up and second line-up of disposable absorbent articles designed to match a wearer's stage of development. The system also includes various color schemes associated with the first and second line-ups in order to facilitate consumers' identification and selection of the appropriate absorbent article configuration for a particular wearer. A merchandise system for baby care articles is also provided.
US08480640B2	Noninvasive bodily waste collection system and methods of use A noninvasive bodily waste collection system for removing gas, solid or liquid body waste products collected from a peri-anal or stoma of the person to a suction device. The system includes a collection bag having a wafer for adhesive attachment to a person, an evacuation tube within the collection bag and having a plurality of openings for receiving waste from the collection bag, a suction tube attached to the evacuation tube for evacuating waste from the collection bag, and a suction device which provides the necessary vacuum pressure to automatically draw waste out of the collection bag. At least a portion of the evacuation tube is attached to the collection bag such that the tube cannot freely move within the bag and that the proximal end of the evacuation tube can be located in a desired position.
US08480637B2	Nanochanneled device and related methods A nanochannel delivery device and method of manufacturing and use. The nanochannel delivery device comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a nanochannel. The nanochannel may be oriented parallel to the primary plane of the nanochannel delivery device. The inlet and outlet may be in direct fluid communication with the nanochannel.
US08480635B2	Automatic intravenous fluid flow control device An intravenous flow control device includes a flexible drip chamber (20) comprising a fluid entrance (22) and an open bottom (231); a rigid drip assembly (30) secured to the drip chamber (20) and comprising an inner cylinder (31) having a bottom exit (331); and an internal float valve (10) comprising a fastening member (12) including a hollow inner cylinder (121), a plunger (11) slidably disposed through the inner cylinder (121), an upper float member (15) secured to one end of the plunger (11), a lower float member (13) secured to the other end of the plunger (11), and a block member (14) secured to the lower float member (13) for sealingly blocking the exit (331). Fluid flows into the inner cylinder (31) for accumulation so as to float the block member (14), thereby unblocking the exit (331) and moving the plunger (11) upward.
US08480633B2	Drug delivery pump drive using a shaped memory alloy wire A pump drive and a method thereof to dispense a liquid drug from a container having a plunger piston are disclosed. The pump drive provides a unidirectional clutch provided about a rotational axis which supports centrally a wheel. The clutch has an inner race operably connected to the plunger piston, wherein the clutch is configured to rotate both the inner race about the axis in unison with rotation of the wheel in only a first direction to advance the plunger piston, and to let the wheel rotate relative to the inner race about the axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction without advancing the piston plunger. The drive in one embodiment includes at least one shape memory alloy wire which when excited rotates the wheel in the first rotational direction to advance the piston plunger and dispense the liquid drug from the container.
US08480630B2	Modular injection device A modular injection device for administration of dermal filler compositions is provided. The injection device may include a handheld injector unit including a drive unit, the drive unit configured to apply an extrusion force to a fluid; a control unit remote from the injector unit, the control unit configured to control the drive unit; and a cable configured to connect the control unit to the injector unit.
US08480618B2	Catheter system A robotic catheter system is provided. The robotic catheter system includes a housing and a drive assembly coupled to the housing. The drive assembly is configured to impart movement to a catheter device. The catheter system includes a release structure permitting the drive assembly to be decoupled and removed from the housing without removing the catheter device from a patient.

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