最新美国发明专利第2013-07-23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
US08492743B2	Nonvolatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate, a lower electrode formed above said substrate, a second variable resistance layer formed above said lower electrode and comprising a second transitional metal oxide, a first variable resistance layer formed above said second variable resistance layer and comprising a first transitional metal oxide having an oxygen content that is lower than an oxygen content of the second transitional metal oxide, and an upper electrode formed above said first variable resistance layer. A step is formed in an interface between said lower electrode and said second variable resistance layer. The second variable resistance layer is formed covering the step and has a bend above the step.
US08492732B2	Multi charged particle beam writing apparatus and multi charged particle beam writing method A multi charged particle beam writing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first aperture member to form multiple beams, a blanker array provided with a plurality of blankers which respectively perform blanking deflection of a corresponding beam in the multiple beams, a first electromagnetic lens and a second electromagnetic lens arranged between the first aperture member and the blanker array, a second aperture member arranged between the first electromagnetic lens and the second electromagnetic lens and at a position of a convergence point of the multiple beams and configured to restrict passage of charged particles deviated from the convergence point, and a third aperture member to block each beam which was deflected to be in a beam off state by the plurality of blankers.
US08492730B2	Neutron detectors comprising ultra-thin layers of boron powder High-efficiency neutron detector substrate assemblies comprising a first conductive substrate, wherein a first side of the substrate is in direct contact with a first layer of a powder material having a thickness of from about 50 nm to about 250 nm and comprising 10boron, 10boron carbide or combinations thereof, and wherein a conductive material is in proximity to the first layer of powder material; and processes of making said neutron detector substrate assemblies.
US08492727B1	Nano-structure arrays for EMR imaging An detector material for detecting electro-magnetic radiation is described. The detector material includes a substantially regular array of nano-particles embedded in a matrix material. The nano-particles are arranged such that when a bias voltage to the matrix material is applied, electrical current is directly generated based on a cooperative plasmon effect in the detector material when electro-magnetic radiation in a predetermined wavelength range is incident upon the detector material, where the dominant mechanism for decay in the cooperative plasmon effect is non-radiative.
US08492726B2	Radiation detection apparatus and radiation detection system A radiation detection apparatus includes a scintillator configured to convert incident radiation into visible light, a photoelectric conversion unit and an electrically conductive member. The photoelectric conversion unit includes a two-dimensional array of pixels arranged on a substrate. Each pixel is configured to convert the visible light into an electric signal. The electrically conductive member is supplied with a fixed potential. The electrically conductive member, the substrate, the photoelectric conversion unit, and the scintillator are disposed in this order from the radiation-incident side of the radiation detection apparatus to the opposite side.
US08492725B2	Method and system of optimized volumetric imaging A system of performing a volumetric scan. The system comprises a surface of positioning a patient in a space parallel thereto, a plurality of extendable detector arms each the detector arm having a detection unit having at least one radiation detector, and an actuator which moves the detection unit along a linear path, and a gantry which supports the plurality of extendable detector arms around the surface so that each the linear path of each respective the extendable detector arm being directed toward the space.
US08492723B2	Method of analysis of an object by neutron interrogation, by the associated particle technique, and device for implementing the method A device which includes a sealed neutron tube, equipped with an alpha particle detector and a gamma radiation detector is placed in a first position. Steps are performed in which neutrons are sent towards an object and in which data provided by the detectors is acquired and processed in order to obtain a three-dimensional mapping of the object. Further, at least one displacement of the device is performed around the object so as to place it in another position, and the steps are repeated wherein, each mapping is geometrically corrected so that it may be updated relative to the set of all mappings, and these mappings are then combined together.
US08492721B2	Systems and methods for near infra-red optical inspection An inspection system and a method for defect detection, the method includes: generating a first beam that comprises a near infrared spectral component and a visible light component; directing at least the near infrared spectral component of the first beam towards an inspected object; directing, towards a sensor, a near infrared spectral component of a second beam generated from the illuminating of the inspected object; wherein the sensor is sensitive to visual light radiation and to near infrared radiation; generating, by the sensor, detection signals that are responsive to the near infrared component of the second beam; and detecting defects in the inspected object by processing the detection signals.
US08492720B2	Small low-profile optical proximity sensor In an embodiment, the invention provides a proximity sensor including a transmitter die, a receiver die, an ASIC die, a lead frame, wire bonds, a first transparent encapsulant, a second transparent encapsulant, and an opaque encapsulant. The transmitter die, the receiver die and the ASIC die are attached to portions of the lead frame. Wire bonds electrically connect the transmitter die, the receiver die, the ASIC die, and the lead frame. The first transparent encapsulant covers the receiver die, the ASIC die, the wire bonds, and a portion of the lead frame. The second transparent encapsulant covers the transmitter die, the wire bonds, and a portion of the lead frame. The opaque encapsulant covers portions of the first and second encapsulants and a portion of the lead frame.
US08492710B2	Fast time-of-flight mass spectrometer with improved data acquisition system Time-of-flight mass spectrometer instruments are disclosed for monitoring fast processes with large dynamic range using a multi-threshold TDC data acquisition method or a threshold ADC data acquisition method. Embodiments using a combination of both methods are also disclosed.
US08492709B2	Method and apparatus for chemical and biological sample separation The present invention describes a method and apparatus for separating chemical and/or biological samples based on selective ion-molecular interactions in the gas phase. A chemical modifier is added to the drift gas that interacts selectively with a targeted molecule in at least one component of the sample in a drift tube. The component may be impurities and/or interferences in the sample whereby the chemical modifier enhances sample resolution by shifting the components drift times. In addition, reagents can be added to the sample prior to, during, or after ionization to form a complex with selected components in the sample. In addition, one or more internal and/or external standard can also be added to the sample as a calibration for the measurement.
US08492708B2	Multi-dimensional ion mobility spectrometry methods and apparatus Various embodiments of a multi-dimensional ion mobility analyzer are disclosed that have more than one drift chamber and can acquire multi-dimensional ion mobility profiles of substances. The drift chambers of this device can, for example, be operated under independent operational conditions to separate charged particles based on their distinguishable chemical/physical properties. The first dimension drift chamber of this device can be used either as a storage device, a reaction chamber, and/or a drift chamber according to the operational mode of the analyzer. Also presented are various methods of operating an ion mobility spectrometer including, but not limited to, a continuous first dimension ionization methods that can enable ionization of all chemical components in the sample regardless their charge affinity.
US08492703B2	Lens aberration correction in a doubly telecentric displacement sensor A method and apparatus for suppressing loss of scale image contrast due to interference effects from optical path length differences, including lens profile aberrations, are provided in a displacement sensing optical encoder that uses a telecentric imaging configuration. According to the invention, the encoder is configured such that the image light that reaches the detector comprises symmetric ray bundles concentrated symmetrically on opposite sides of the optical axis center at the limiting aperture of the telecentric imaging configuration. Central ray bundles, and/or other ray bundles that have an optical path lengths significantly different than the operational symmetric ray bundles are prevented or blocked. As a result destructive interference is prevented and image contrast is improved.
US08492702B2	Method and system for detecting light having a light absorbing layer with bandgap modifying atoms A light detection system is disclosed. The system comprises a light absorbing layer made of a semiconductor having majority carriers and minority carriers, and being incorporated with bandgap modifying atoms at a concentration selected so as to allow generation of photocurrent indicative of absorption of photons at any wavelength at least in the range of from about 3 μm to about 5 μm.
US08492701B2	Measuring station for measuring vehicles A measuring station for measuring vehicles has at least one laser source, which emits laser radiation (20) during operation, and a safety system, which includes at least one sensor, which is set up to detect objects. The safety system is configured in such a way that it switches off the laser source when at least one sensor detects an object which approaches a region in which the laser radiation emitted by the laser source has a particularly high intensity.
US08492700B2	Dynamic impedance receiver circuit having a first and second impedances during charging and discharging phases respectively for ultrafast low-power photodetector A photodetector receiver circuit, including: a photodetector for receiving an optical signal and converting the optical signal into a current; and a dynamic impedance circuit connected to the photodetector; wherein the dynamic impedance circuit is configured to have a first impedance during a charging phase and a second impedance during a discharging phase, the first impedance comprising a slower decay time than the second impedance.
US08492697B2	Hybrid analog-to-digital converter, an image sensor and a method for providing a plurality of digital signals A hybrid analog-to-digital converter includes a plurality of converting circuits. Each converting circuit is configured to provide a digital signal based on an analog input signal by performing a successive approximation conversion to obtain, as a result of the successive approximation conversion, a first number of bits of the digital signal, and by subsequently performing a slope conversion based on a common variable reference voltage to obtain a second number of bits of the digital signal, the second number of bits corresponding to a residual between the analog input signal and the result of the successive approximation conversion. The hybrid analog-to-digital converter further includes a common variable reference voltage provider configured to provide to each converting circuit of the plurality of converting circuits the common variable reference voltage.
US08492696B2	Optical projector with beam monitor including mapping apparatus capturing image of pattern projected onto an object Optical apparatus includes a device package, with a radiation source contained in the package and configured to emit a beam of coherent radiation. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is mounted in the package so as to receive and diffract the radiation from the radiation source into a predefined pattern comprising multiple diffraction orders. An optical detector is positioned in the package so as to receive and sense an intensity of a selected diffraction order of the DOE.
US08492695B2	Solid-state image pickup apparatus having improved spectral balance A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a substrate, a wiring layer, and a waveguide. The substrate is provided with a pixel array portion constituted of a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric converter that converts incident light into an electrical signal. The wiring layer includes a plurality of wirings and an insulating layer that covers the plurality of wirings that are laminated above the substrate. The waveguide guides light to each of the photoelectric converters of the plurality of pixels, the waveguide being formed in the wiring layer. The waveguide is formed to have a waveguide exit end from which light exits the waveguide so that a distance between the waveguide exit end and a surface of the photoelectric converter that receives light from the waveguide become shorter, as wavelengths of light guided by the waveguide are longer.
US08492694B2	Photomultiplier tube having a plurality of stages of dynodes with recessed surfaces The photomultiplier tube 1 is provided with an electron multiplying part 33 having a plurality of stages of dynodes 33a to 33l arrayed along a direction at which electrons are multiplied on an inner surface 40a of a casing 5 and a photocathode 41 and an anode part 34 installed so as to be spaced away form the electron multiplying part 33 inside the casing 5. Each of the dynode 33c to 33e is provided with a plurality of columnar parts 51c to 51e where secondary electron emitting surfaces 53c to 53e are formed, thereby forming electron multiplying channels C between adjacent columnar parts. An opposing surface 54e which opposes a columnar part 51d which is a previous stage at a columnar part 51e which is a subsequent stage is formed in such a manner that both end parts 56e, 57e in a direction along the inner surface 40a of the opposing surface 54e project to the first end side from a site 55e which opposes the end part of the second end side on the secondary electron emitting surface 53d of the columnar part 51d.
US08492688B2	Meal kit and cooking tray A meal kit for microwave cooking of a multi-component food product is provided that includes at least two sealed packages of ingredients for the multi-component food product. One of the sealed packages of ingredients contains a liquid component of the multi-component food product. The meal kit also includes a cooking tray formed of a microwave-safe material having a bottom wall with an upstanding sidewall extending around the periphery thereof to define an interior of the cooking tray. Outer packaging is provided to contain the sealed packages of ingredients and the cooking tray.
US08492687B2	Power control apparatus for high-frequency dielectric heating and power control method for the same A power control unit for high-frequency dielectric heating is provided, and includes an input current detection section for detecting input current from the AC power supply to the inverter circuit and outputting input current waveform information. A conversion section converts the input current waveform information into a drive signal of the switching transistor of the inverter circuit so that instantaneous fluctuation of the input current waveform information is suppressed. A mix circuit mixes the input current waveform information and power control information for controlling so that current or voltage at an arbitrary point of the inverter circuit becomes a predetermined value and generates an on voltage signal. The conversion section converts the on voltage signal into the drive signal so that the on time is shortened in the portion where the input current is large and that the on time is prolonged in the portion where the input current is small.
US08492685B2	Method for controlling a static power conversion unit and induction heating system for cooling appliances using such method In a method for controlling a static power conversion unit to an inductor, particularly for an induction system used in cooking appliances, the value of an electrical parameter of the circuit is monitored at predetermined time intervals and at a predetermined duty cycle of the power transistor switching frequency, and on the basis of the monitored value, the duty cycle is modulated accordingly between the predetermined time intervals in order to keep the delivered power at a predetermined constant value.
US08492680B2	Heating device for seat A heating device for a seat exhibiting excellent durability, reliability, safety and enhanced workability in fixing work to a seat while reducing the cost and weight and ensuring comfortable feeling at seating without causing a strange feeling. The heating device for a seat comprises a heating matter (4) including a base substance (2) and a heating wire (3) arranged on the base substance, a temperature detection element (5) for detecting temperature of the heating matter, and a temperature control circuit (1) for controlling temperature of the heating matter based on the output from the temperature detection element, characterized in that the temperature detection element and the temperature control circuit are arranged at predetermined positions on the base substance. The temperature control circuit is insulation-covered together with a part of lead wires connected to the temperature control circuit.
US08492672B2	Insulated arc flash arrester An arc flash arrester includes a fixed contact; a movable contact; an actuator mechanism structured to close the movable and fixed contacts; and insulation disposed between the fixed and movable contacts in an open position of the arc flash arrester. The insulation is selected from the group consisting of liquid insulation; SF6; a gas, other than SF6 or air, at a pressure of at least about one atmospheric pressure; and solid insulation.
US08492668B2	Emergency switch The invention relates to an emergency switch that includes a body receiving a mobile member capable of translation and capable, under the effect of an axial pressure through a mushroom member, of moving from an extended position into a retracted position. Each of the positions are indexed by a blocking device capable of interaction with an extended position notch and with a retracted position notch, the position change being managed by a guide. The body fixedly includes, in the inside thereof, a concentric bushing in which the mobile member is capable of axially moving and which includes a portion of the guide while the mobile member includes the other portion. The blocking device is made in the shape of a piece of material flexibly and elastically attached to the rest of the bushing via a blade.
US08492667B2	Electrical circuit breaker and switch position indicator thereto An electrical circuit breaker, in particular a high-voltage circuit breaker filled with insulating gas, is described. The circuit breaker is furnished with a first contact, in particular, a contact pin and a second contact, in particular, a tulip contact that are movable in opposite directions. The circuit breaker is furnished with a drive mechanism that is coupled to the second contact. The circuit breaker is furnished with a reversing gear that produces a coupling between the second and the first contact. A first indicator element is provided that is associated with the reversing gear.
US08492661B2	Inhibiting moisture intrusion in a very small form factor consumer electronic product A very small form factor consumer electronic product includes at least a single piece housing having an integral front and side walls that cooperate to form a cavity in cooperation with a front opening where an edge of the side walls define a rear opening and at least some of the edges have flanges. The consumer electronic product also includes an user input assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the front opening and a clip assembly having a size and shape in accordance with the rear opening and having an external user actionable clip, a plurality of internal hooking features, and a plurality of internal latching features. The clip assembly is secured by engaging at least some of the hooking features and the flanges on the edges of the housing and engaging the latching features and corresponding attachment features on the internal support plate.
US08492657B2	Printed wiring board, method for forming the printed wiring board, and board interconnection structure A board interconnection structure having a first printed wiring board in which a first conductive circuit is arranged on a first insulating layer, the first conductive circuit having, on an end portion thereof, a first connection terminal in which an upper surface width is narrower than a bottom surface width; a second printed wiring board in which a second conductive layer having a second connection terminal is arranged on a second insulating layer; and a connection layer that forms fillets along longitudinal side surfaces of the first connection terminal, and interconnects the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal. The first connection terminal may have a projection portion.
US08492651B2	Housing A housing is used to accommodate electrical switching components. The housing includes a housing body, a cover, and a seal between the housing body and the cover. The cover is fastened to the housing body using fastening elements. A smooth transition is formed between the side parts of the housing body and the cover on the housing side having the seal. Thus a particularly easy to clean housing can be provided, wherein the housing meets the exceptional hygienic requirements that exist, for example, in the field of the food industry or in medical fields. In the housing as descried, soiling can no longer collect on the housing.
US08492647B2	Organic solar cell and method for forming the same The invention provides an organic solar cell, including: a substrate having a first electrode formed thereon; a hole transport layer overlying the first electrode; a metal layer having a first pattern in the hole transport layer; a photoactive layer, including: a first organic semiconductor film having a second pattern complementary to the first pattern and overlying the metal layer and the hole transport layer; a second organic semiconductor film having a first pattern substantially aligned to the first pattern of the metal layer and overlying the first organic semiconductor film, wherein the first organic semiconductor film and the second organic semiconductor film have opposite conductive types; a second electrode overlying the photoactive layer. The invention further provides a method for forming the organic solar cell.
US08492646B2	Electrolyte composition The invention relates to an electrolyte composition, comprising a polyether polymer, a polyethylene oxide, and a redox pair and optionally nano-particles.
US08492645B1	Transportable solar power system A transportable, self-contained, solar power system comprised of a plurality of individual solar power arrays, each array being contained within a transportable frame. Each array is folded into a frame during transportation. Upon reaching a desired location, the frame is positioned at a desired location. The frame then acts as a base while its solar power array is activated and deployed. The array has the capability of tracking the position of the sun during deployment. Each frame has a global positioning system (GPS) and a controller containing a chart of sun locations for a given location. The controller positions a frame's solar array to maximize the array's exposure to the sun. Each frame has a battery system, enabling a frame's solar array to self-start after a period of darkness.
US08492643B2	Thermoelectric material, and thermoelectric element and thermoelectric module comprising same A thermoelectric material, and a thermoelectric element and a thermoelectric module including the thermoelectric material are disclosed. The thermoelectric material may have improved thermoelectric properties by irradiating the thermoelectric material with accelerated particles such as protons, neutrons, or ion beams. Thus, the thermoelectric material having excellent thermoelectric properties may be efficiently applied to various thermoelectric elements and thermoelectric modules.
US08492641B2	Bowing sensor for musical instrument The invention provides a music controller, in the form of a bowing sensor. The music controller includes a musical bow member (4) movable over a guide (2). Associated with the guide (2) is at least one optical flow sensor (6) for monitoring the speed and/or angle of the musical bow member (4) when it is moved longitudinally in contact with the guide, and optionally a pressure sensor (14) for monitoring the pressure of the bow member on the guide. That monitored data, combined with input from a keyboard or ribbon controller (16) enables an attached sound generating device (12) to generate sound that emulates the sound of a real bowed performance or other desired output.
US08492633B2	Musical fingerprinting A method for fingerprinting an unknown music sample is disclosed. A plurality of known tracks may be segmented into reference samples. A reference fingerprint including a plurality of codes may be generated for each reference sample. An inverted index including, for each possible code value, a list of reference samples having reference fingerprints that contain the respective code value may be generated. An unknown fingerprint including a plurality of codes may be generated from the unknown music sample. A code match histogram may list candidate reference samples and associated scores, each score indicating a number of codes from the unknown fingerprint that match codes in the reference fingerprint. Time difference histograms may be generated for two or more reference samples having the highest scores. A determination may be made whether or not a single reference sample matches the unknown music sample based on a comparison of the time difference histograms.
US08492630B1	Musical instrument pick with replaceable strap A musical instrument pick has a flat pick with parallel slots through which an adjustable strap is passed. The strap has a wide portion and a narrow portion. The narrow portion is passed through the slots until a shoulder of the wide portion encounters a slot and prevents further passage of the strap. The strap has hook-and-loop surfaces that allow a user to adjust the strap to a wide range of digit diameters and shapes.
US08492629B2	Shoulder rest A shoulder rest for a violin, viola or like instrument is described which has a reduced risk and incidence of slippage and disengagement from the instrument by having provided thereon a cross-member adjacent to or displaced from the rest member of the shoulder rest, which cross-member is resilient and substantially stretch resistant and preferably linking two support members protruding from or associated with the rest member of the shoulder rest. When pressure is applied during use, the legs (or support members) of the shoulder rest do not splay and the shoulder rest remains in position. Feet or gripping members for attaching a shoulder rest to a violin reduced any detrimental impact to the sound quality of the violin caused by use of a shoulder rest by maintaining contact with the backplate only in the area of the backplate outside the inner purfling line.
US08492619B2	Seedless pepper plant The present invention generally relates to seedless pepper (SLP); and more specifically, it pertains to male sterile pepper plants having unique characteristics including the capability of growing edible seedless fruits, wherein the “seedless” trait is controlled by a genetic determinant independent of exogenous factors.
US08492610B1	Transgeneic animal expressing a multiple mutated form of presenilin 1 The present invention relates to the field of transgenic animal models and more particularly the animal models of Alzheimer's disease. The invention relates to a transgenic animal expressing a multimutated form of presenilin 1 and allowing an apoptotic phenomenon to be detected in a renewable peripheral tissue.
US08492609B2	Absorbent article with printed layer A feminine hygiene article with a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core placed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The article may include a printed pattern which is printed on a garment-facing side of the backsheet. The printed pattern is visible through at least a portion of topsheet outside a core area.
US08492608B2	Disposable absorbent article designed to facilitate an easy change A disposable absorbent article to be worn about the lower torso of a wearer that facilitates an easy, intuitive change is provided. The disposable absorbent article includes at least one serviceable indicium that facilitates an easy change by providing alignment of the article relative to an anatomical feature of the wearer or by externally highlighting one or more components of the article thereby indicating alignment and fit about the wearer's lower torso.
US08492607B2	Treatment of chemical agent hydrolysates The present invention relates generally to the destruction of chemical weapons. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for treating hydrolysates of chemical agents. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for heating solids resulting from precipitation of organophosphorus compounds to make them un-recombinable. In another embodiment, the invention relates to solidification of hydrolysate into a solid with or without the presence of an oxidizer.
US08492599B2	Catalysts, preparation of such catalysts, methods of using such catalysts, products obtained in such methods and uses of products obtained A hydrocarbon composition is provided containing a total Ni/Fe/V content of at least 200 wtppm; a residue content of at least 0.2 grams per gram of hydrocarbon composition; a distillate content of at least 0.2 grams per gram of hydrocarbon composition; a sulfur content of at least 0.04 grams per gram of hydrocarbon composition; and a micro-carbon residue content of at least 0.06 grams per gram of hydrocarbon composition; and wherein the hydrocarbon composition has a viscosity of at most 100 cSt at 37.8° C.
US08492598B2	Methods of removing impurities from alkyl bromides during distillation and distillate produced therein Methods are provided for removing impurities from compositions comprising alkyl bromide. Such methods comprise combining such composition with at least one nonvolatile epoxide during distillation to purify the alkyl bromide. Ultra pure alkyl bromide compositions are also provided.
US08492595B2	Methods and systems for generating polyols Disclosed are methods for generating propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols from biomass using hydrogen produced from the biomass. The methods involve reacting a portion of an aqueous stream of a biomass feedstock solution over a catalyst under aqueous phase reforming conditions to produce hydrogen, and then reacting the hydrogen and the aqueous feedstock solution over a catalyst to produce propylene glycol, ethylene glycol and the other polyols, diols, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and alcohols. The disclosed methods can be run at lower temperatures and pressures, and allows for the production of oxygenated hydrocarbons without the need for hydrogen from an external source.
US08492590B2	Process for the preparation of oxindoles and ortho-substituted anilines and their use as intermediates for syntheses The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of oxindoles and ortho-substituted anilines and their use as intermediates for syntheses. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of compounds of formula (4): where a mixture of an aniline (compound of formula Q) is reacted with a thioether (compound of formula W): in the presence of a chlorinating agent and an organic solvent at a reaction temperature in the range above −65° C. In a subsequent process, this compound is further reacted in the presence of an acid catalyst to give the indole of formula (7) or the oxindole of formula (8):
US08492589B2	Alkynyl phenyl derivative compounds for treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders Provided are alkynyl phenyl derivative compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating ophthalmic diseases and disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration and Stargardt's Disease, using said compounds and compositions.
US08492585B2	Method for recovering anionic fluorinated emulsifier To provide a method for recovering an anionic fluorinated emulsifier, capable of easily and efficiently recovering an anionic fluorinated emulsifier adsorbed on a basic ion exchange resin.A basic ion exchange resin is brought into contact with a mixture of an aqueous inorganic acid solution and a non-aqueous fluorinated medium, or the basic ion exchange resin is brought into contact with an aqueous inorganic acid solution and then brought into contact with a non-aqueous fluorinated medium, then a phase of the non-aqueous fluorinated medium is recovered, and an acid of the anionic fluorinated emulsifier is recovered from the phase of the non-aqueous fluorinated medium.
US08492579B2	Method for producing astaxanthin dimethyldisuccinate The present invention relates to an improved method for producing all-E astaxanthin dimethyldisuccinate of the formula I.
US08492575B2	Method for improving the color index of organopolysiloxanes The present invention relates to method for improving the color index of an organopolysiloxanes functionalized with a benzalmalonate said method comprising the step of contacting said organopolysiloxanes functionalized with a benzalmalonate with a hydroxy carboxylic acid or a cyclic ester thereof in an organic solvent.
US08492574B2	Methods for preparing dioranozinc compounds There are provided methods for preparing diorganozinc compounds of formula R2Zn. For example, such a method can method comprise reacting together a compound of formula ZnX2 with at least one compound chosen from compounds of formulas RM1T, R2M1, and RM2. R, X, M1, M2, and T can be various different chemical entities. Compounds of formula R2ZnR3, in which R2 and R3 are the same or different, can also prepared in a similar manner.
US08492571B2	Mixtures of and methods of use for polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids and alkyl ether phospholipids species A chemical composition of a molecular species mixture of phospholipids, purified to at least 85% purity through chromatography purification, the chemical composition contains enriched both sn-1-acyl fatty chains/sn-2-docosahexaenoic acid molecular species and sn-1-ether fatty chains/sn-2-docosahexaenoic acid molecular species, the phospholipids are selected from the group consisting of: phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Methods using the above disclosed composition in mammals to treat various conditions.
US08492570B2	2-substituted estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3-yl sulfamate with an anti-tumor action The invention relates to the use of 2-substituted estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3-yl sulfamates of general formula I, in addition to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts for producing a medicament. Said compounds have an anti-tumour action.
US08492569B2	Anthraquinone dye-containing material, composition including the same, camera including the same, and associated methods A (meth)acrylate ester includes a (meth)acrylate moiety having an ester oxygen, an anthraquinone moiety having a transmittance spectrum producing blue light, and a linking group covalently bound to the ester oxygen and to a ring of the anthraquinone moiety, the linking group including, as a first component: phenyl, naphthyl, a linear alkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbons, a branched alkyl group having from 3 to about 6 carbons, a cycloalkyl group having from about 3 to about 20 carbons, or a substituted aromatic group.
US08492566B2	Method for starting a gas-phase oxidation reactor What is described is a process for starting up a gas phase oxidation reactor for oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride, said reactor comprising at least one catalyst layer and being temperature-controllable by means of a heat carrier medium, wherein a) the catalyst layer is interrupted by a moderator layer which is less catalytically active than the catalyst layer or is catalytically inactive, b) a gas stream is passed through the reactor with an initial loading of o-xylene and at an initial temperature of the heat transfer medium, c) the loading of the gas stream is increased to a target loading and, in parallel, the temperature of the heat transfer medium is lowered to an operating temperature. The introduction of the moderator layer allows the loading to be increased more rapidly and the startup time to be shortened.
US08492563B2	4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[B]thiophene derivatives and their use as sigma receptor ligands The present invention relates to compounds having pharmacological activity towards the sigma (σ) receptor, and more particularly to some 4, 5, 6, 7 tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivatives, wherein n is selected from 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; m is selected from 0, 1 or 2; the dotted line represents either a single or a double bond; to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use in therapy and prophylaxis, in particular for the treatment of psychosis.
US08492560B2	Quinazoline derivatives as angiogenesis inhibitors The invention relates to the use of compounds of formula (I) and salts thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the production of an antiangiogenic and/or vascular permeability reducing effect in warm-blooded animals, processes for the preparation of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient and compounds of formula I. The compounds of formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof inhibit the effects of VEGF, a property of value in the treatment of a number of disease states including cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
US08492558B2	Method for producing 2-aminobiphenylene The present invention relates to a process for preparing 2-aminobiphenyls of the formula I in which n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, R1 is hydrogen, cyano or fluorine, and each R2 is independently selected from cyano, fluorine, C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-fluoroalkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, C1-C4-fluoroalkoxy, C1-C4-alkylthio and C1-C4-fluoroalkylthio. The invention also relates to a process for preparing pyrazolecarboxamides of such 2-aminobiphenyls.
US08492553B2	Hepatitis C virus inhibitors The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HCV infection.
US08492552B2	N-heterocyclic carbene metallacycle catalysts and methods The present invention generally relates to materials and methods for catalytic reactions, including transition metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The materials may be stable metal complexes that do not require special handling or processing conditions. In some cases, materials of the invention advantageously may be synthesized in one synthetic step without the need for isolation of intermediate compounds. Also, materials of the invention may be synthesized from inexpensive and readily available starting materials, under relatively mild reaction conditions that do not require the exclusion of air, water, and the like. In some embodiments, the material is a N-heterocyclic carbene metallacycle complex. Such materials and methods may be useful in the production of fine chemicals, advanced materials and specialty polymers.
US08492551B2	Process for preparing an optically active proton pump inhibitor An improved process for the preparation of (S)-5-methoxy-2-[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole of Formula I, (I) with high enantiomeric excess from racemic mixture.
US08492549B2	2,3-dihydrobenzo(1,4) dioxin-2-ylmethyl derivatives as alpha2C antagonists for use in the treatment of peripheric and central nervous systeme diseases Compounds of formula I wherein X, Z, R1-R4, and m are as defined in the claims, exhibit alpha2C antagonistic activity, and are thus useful as alpha2C antagonists. Methods for the treatment of diseases and conditions of the peripheric system and the central nervous system are also disclosed.
US08492543B2	Method for producing quinazoline derivative [4-(3-aminophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-2-yl]methylamine with a favorable yield and high purity can be produced by subjecting a compound represented by the following formula (I) to a step of reacting with methylamine and a step of deprotection if desired: wherein L represents a protective group of amino.
US08492541B1	Synthesis of azido heterocycles Energetic candidate azido heterocycles and their synthesis are described.
US08492540B2	1,2,4,-triazin-3,5-dione compounds suitable for treating disorders that respond to modulation of the dopamine D3 receptor The invention relates to compounds of the formula I: wherein A is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having a chain length of 4 to 6 carbon atoms, the hydrocarbon chain being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 methyl groups; R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C3 alkyl and fluorinated C1-C3 alkyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C1-C3 alkyl, C1-C3 alkoxy, fluorinated C1-C3 alkyl or fluorinated C1-C3 alkoxy; R3 is selected from the group consisting of branched C4-C6 alkyl and C3-C6 cycloalkyl, and R4 is C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, fluorinated C1-C3-alkyl and fluorinated C3-C6 cycloalkyl. and the physiologically tolerated salts of these compounds and the N-oxides thereof. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition that comprises at least one compound of the formula I and/or at least one physiologically tolerated acid addition salt thereof, and further to a method for treating disorders that respond beneficially to dopamine D3 receptor antagonists or dopamine D3 agonists, said method comprising administering an effective amount of at least one compound or physiologically tolerated acid addition salt of the formula I to a subject in need thereof.
US08492539B2	Preparation of 2′-fluoro-2′-alkyl-substituted or other optionally substituted ribofuranosyl pyrimidines and purines and their derivatives The present invention provides (i) processes for preparing a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-2′-methyl-D-ribonolactone derivatives, (ii) conversion of intermediate lactones to nucleosides with potent anti-HCV activity, and their analogues, and (iii) methods to prepare the anti-HCV nucleosides containing the 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-2′-C-methyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides from a preformed, preferably naturally-occurring, nucleoside.
US08492538B1	Cyclodextrin derivative salts Chiral salts comprising anionic cyclodextrin derivatives with particular types of non-metal cations are provided. The anionic CD derivative salts can serve as ionic liquids and can possess substantial advantages over currently commercially available ionic liquids particularly for use as chiral phase transfer catalyst, chiral reaction medium, chiral extraction medium, and/or as chiral additive to a chemical process. Methods of preparing the same are provided.
US08492533B2	Infectious cDNA clone of North American porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and uses thereof The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a genetically-modified North American PRRS virus, wherein the polynucleotide molecule lacks at least one detectable antigenic epitope of North American PRRS virus. The invention also provides vaccines comprising genetically modified North American PRRS virus, RNA molecules, plasmids and viral vectors comprising the isolated polynucleotide molecules. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules further comprising at least one nucleotide sequence that encodes a detectable heterologous antigenic epitope, and vaccines comprising North American PRRS virus, RNA molecules, plasmids and viral vectors comprising such isolated polynucleotide molecules.
US08492532B2	Attenuated chimeric flavivirus bearing attenuated japanese encephalitis virus gene as backbone A nucleic acid molecule containing nucleotide sequences that encode the capsid protein, pre-membrane protein and non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus, and a nucleotide sequence that encodes the envelop protein of a second flavivirus, wherein the nucleotide sequence(s) that encode(s) the pre-membrane protein and/or non-structural protein of Japanese encephalitis virus contain(s) nucleotide mutations that produce one or more amino acid mutations that attenuate the virus.
US08492531B2	Nucleic acids encoding humanized anti-CD40 antibodies Provided are humanized anti-CD40 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and methods for treating disease characterized by expression of CD40 antigen.
US08492527B2	Anti-VEGF antibodies Anti-VEGF antibodies and variants thereof, including those having high affinity for binding to VEGF, are disclosed. Also provided are methods of using phage display technology with naïve libraries to generate and select the anti-VEGF antibodies with desired binding and other biological activities. Further contemplated are uses of the antibodies in research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US08492522B2	Matrix metalloproteinase 11 vaccine Compositions comprising matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP-11) or stromelysin-3 (ST-3) or the nucleic acid encoding the MMP-11 for use in vaccines for treating tumors and cancers, which overexpress MMP-11, are described. In particular embodiments, the compositions comprise a nucleic acid encoding a fusion polypeptide that includes the catalytically inactivated MMP-11 linked at the C-terminus to an immunoenhancing element wherein the codons encoding the MMP-11 and the immunoenhancing element have been optimized for enhanced expression of the fusion polypeptide in human cells. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise the catalytically inactivated MMP-11 linked at the C-terminus to an immunoenhancing element. The compositions can be used alone or in synergy with vaccines against other tumor associated antigens as well as with conventional therapies such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
US08492510B2	Multifunctional degradable nanoparticles with control over size and functionalities In one aspect, the invention relates to polymers, crosslinked polymers, functionalized polymers, nanoparticles, and functionalized nanoparticles and methods of making and using same. In one aspect, the invention relates to degradable polymer and degradable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the invention relates to methods of preparing degradable nanoparticles and, more specifically, methods of controlling particle size during the preparation of degradable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the degradable nanoparticles are useful for complexing, delivering, and releasing payloads, including pharmaceutically active payloads. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08492502B2	Method for production of polyarylene sulfide resin with excellent luminosity and the polyarylene sulfide resin The present invention relates to a process of producing polyarylene sulfide (PAS) and PAS resin produced therefrom, and more specifically, to a process of preparing polyarylene sulfide with better thermal properties and luminosity than conventional PAS and the PAS resin produced therefrom, including the steps of: a) melting and mixing a composition including solid sulfur, iodinated aryl compounds, and a polymerization terminator; b) polymerizing the molten mixture of step a) for 1 to 30 hours while increasing the temperature and decreasing the pressure from initial reaction conditions of a temperature of 180 to 250° C. and a pressure of 50 to 450 Torr to final reaction conditions of a temperature of 270 to 350° C. and a pressure of 0.001 to 20 Torr; and c) heating the reaction product of step b) at a temperature of 270 to 350° C. for 1 to 25 hours. The process of polyarylene sulfide resin further includes a step of heating the polymerized product at a high temperature following the polymerization step, and uses the polymerization terminator in a suitable amount to control the molecular weight of polyarylene sulfide, thereby producing polyarylene sulfide with excellent thermal properties and luminosity.
US08492501B2	Polycarbonate recovery from polymer blends by liquid chromatography Polycarbonates are recovered from polymer blends by liquid chromatography. Polycarbonate recovered by the process can be reused in new applications. The invention can be extended to recycling of other polymers present in the blends.
US08492500B2	Method for producing liquid-crystalline polyester The present invention provides a method for producing a liquid-crystalline polyester, the method comprising: a step of melt-polymerizing raw monomers in a melt polymerization vessel to obtain a polymer melt; a step of drawing the polymer melt from the melt polymerization vessel and granulating the polymer melt to obtain a granulate; a step of allowing the granulate to undergo solid phase polymerization in a solid phase polymerization vessel to obtain a solid phase polymer; and a step of making an impact on the solid phase polymerization vessel containing the solid phase polymer, and taking out the solid phase polymer from the solid phase polymerization vessel.
US08492499B2	Addition compounds as dispersants and dispersion stabilizers The invention relates to addition compounds which are obtainable by reacting a) one or more polyisocyanates containing uretdione groups with b) one or more compounds of the formula (I) Y—(XH)n (I) with the proviso that at least 50% of the free isocyanate groups of component a) are reacted with the compounds of the formula (I) to give an intermediate which contains uretdione groups, and subsequently the intermediate is reacted with c) one or more compounds of the general formula (II) Z—NHRm (II) with the proviso that all free NCO groups optionally still present and at least 20% of uretdione groups originally used are reacted with Z—(NHR)m. The invention further relates to the use of the addition compounds as dispersants and dispersion stabilizers, and to a process for preparing them.
US08492493B2	Sterically emcumbered bidentate and tridentate naphthoxy-imine metallic complexes The present invention discloses post-metallocene complexes based on sterically encumbered bi- and tri-dentate naphthoxy-imine ligands. It also relates to the use of such post-metallocene complexes in the oligomerization of ethylene to selectively prepare vinyl-end capped linear alpha-olefins.
US08492490B2	Apparatus for manufacturing polymer resin, polymerization vessel, and method for manufacturing polymer resin An apparatus for manufacturing a polymer resin comprises a polymerization vessel, a bearing part, a protection part, a circulating cooling means, a raw material-injecting nozzle and a flow path-constituting part. The protection part forms a first flow path between the protection part and the side face of the agitation axis. The circulating cooling means includes a circulating inlet nozzle provided on a side face of the protruding part so as to be opposite to the protection part. The flow path-constituting part is provided between the bearing part and the protection part so as to cover the side face of the agitation axis, to fix the bearing part and the protection part. This flow path-constituting part forms a second flow path between the side face of the agitation axis and the flow path-constituting part and a third flow path for coupling the second flow path with the raw material-injecting nozzle. The first to third flow paths constitute a continuous flow path and an uppermost end of the first flow path is opened to the inside of the protruding part. The gap, part of the first flow path other than the uppermost end, the second flow path and the third flow path are isolated from the inside of the protruding part.
US08492487B2	Thermosetting fluoropolyether adhesive composition and adhesion method A thermosetting fluoropolyether adhesive composition is provided. This composition cures at lower than 100° C., and the cured product exhibits good adhesion to various substrates and excellent adhesion durability at a temperature of up to 150° C. A method for adhering the composition to the substrate is also provided. The composition comprises (A) a straight chain polyfluoro compound, (B) a fluorine-containing organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least 2 SiH groups and not containing other functional group, (C) a platinum group metal catalyst, (D) a fluorine-containing organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing a fluorine-containing organic group, SiH group, epoxy group and/or tri(organoxy)silyl group, and an aryl group, (E) a polyhydric allyl ester compound, (F) an organosilicon compound having epoxy group and an organoxy group, and not containing SiH group, and (G) an organosilicon compound having SiH group and an aryl group, and not containing epoxy group or a tri(organoxy)silyl group, or a fluorine-containing organic group.
US08492481B2	Block polymers, compositions and methods for use for foams, laundry detergents, and shower rinses and coagulants The present invention relates to a block polymeric material. Typically the block polymer comprises units capable of having an average cationic charge density of about 15 or less, preferably 5 or less, more preferably from about 0.05 to about 5, even more preferably from about 0.05 to about 2.77, even more preferably from about 0.1 to about 2.75, most preferably from about 0.75 to about 2.25 units per 100 daltons molecular weight at a pH of from about 4 to about 12. The polymeric material is a suds enhancer and a suds volume extender for personal care products such as soaps and shampoos. The compositions have increased effectiveness for preventing re-deposition of grease during hand and body washing. The polymers are also effective as a soil release agent in fabric cleaning compositions. The polymeric material is also effective in oil well treating foam, fire-fighting foam, hard surface cleaning foam, shaving cream, post-foaming shaving gel, dephiliatories and as a coagulant/retention aid for titanium dioxide in paper making.
US08492480B2	Block copolymer composition, method for producing the same, and film of the same A block copolymer composition comprising an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer having a high-level balance between a high elastic modulus and a small elongation set is provided. The block copolymer composition comprises a block copolymer A represented by formula (A) and a block copolymer B represented by formula (B), where the weight ratio of the block copolymer A to the block copolymer B, A/B, is from 36/64 to 85/15 and the ratio of the aromatic vinyl monomer units relative to all polymer components in the block copolymer composition is 27-70 wt %. Ar1a-Da-Ar2a (A). Ar1b-Db-Ar2b (B). (In the formulae, Ar1a, Ar1b and Ar2b each represent an aromatic vinyl polymer block having a weight-average molecular weight of from 6,000 to 18,000; Ar2a represents an aromatic vinyl polymer block having a weight-average molecular weight of from 40,000 to 400,000; Da and Db each represent a conjugated diene polymer block having a vinyl bond content of from 1 to 20% by mol; and Db has a weight-average molecular weight of from 60,000 to 400,000).
US08492477B2	Silicone polymer dispersion and method of forming same A dispersion includes dispersed particles. The particles include a reaction product of a first polymer, a second polymer, and a chain terminator. The first and second polymers have at least two Si—H moieties and silicon bonded unsaturated moieties, respectively. The chain terminator has one Si—H moiety or one unsaturated hydrocarbon moiety. The first and second polymers and the chain terminator are reacted in the presence of a metal catalyst. The dispersion is formed by a method that includes the step of combining the first and second polymers, and the chain terminator. This method also reacts the first and second polymers and the chain terminator in the presence of the metal catalyst to form the dispersed particles.
US08492467B2	Automotive lamp peripheral parts There is provided automotive lamp peripheral parts excellent in heat resistance, rigidity and fogging property. The lamp peripheral part according to the invention is obtained from a resin composition containing 70% by mass or more of a polyphenylene ether (A) and a styrene-based resin (B), and has a haze value of a glass plate of 1.0% or less after the glass plate is subjected to a fogging test using an apparatus according to ISO 6452.
US08492466B2	Friction material and production method of friction material A friction material including: an amorphous resin that has a chain-like polymer structure; and other components that constitute the friction material and that are components other than the amorphous resin, wherein dispersion treatment is preliminarily carried out in which the amorphous resin is dispersed in at least one of the other components, and a manufacturing method of the friction material.
US08492464B2	Flame retardant laser direct structuring materials Flame retardant thermoplastic compositions that are capable of being used in a laser direct structuring process. The compositions include a thermoplastic resin, a laser direct structuring additive, and a flame retardant. The compositions offer flame retardant characteristics while also substantially maintaining the mechanical properties of the base thermoplastic resin, such as the impact strength and/or HDT of the composition. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications such as personal computers, notebook and portable computers, cell phone and other such communications equipment.
US08492463B2	Flameproof thermoplastic resin composition A flameproof thermoplastic resin composition can include (A) about 5 to about 40% by weight of an epoxy group-containing rubber modified aromatic vinyl copolymer resin, (B) about 30 to about 90% by weight of a polycarbonate resin, (C) about 1 to about 50% by weight of a polyester resin and (D) about 5 to about 30 parts by weight of a phosphorus-containing flame retardant, per 100 parts by weight of a base resin comprising (A), (B) and (C).
US08492458B2	Solvent borne polyurethane composition A solvent borne polyurethane composition with a polymodal molecular weight distribution comprising: i) 10 to 90 wt % of at least a polyurethane A with a Mw in the range of from 4,000 up to 25,000 g/mol, ii) 90 to 10 wt % of at least a polyurethane B with a Mw in the range of from 25,000 to 100,000 g/mol and iii) a liquid medium.
US08492455B2	Activated carbon as a means to reduce taste and odor from plastic materials The present invention relates to a polyolefin composition comprising: a) an olefin homo- or copolymer (A), and b) activated carbon (B) as a taste and/or odor reducing agent, to the use of such a polyolefin composition, and to a pipe material and pipe having reduced taste and/or odor development comprising the above polyolefin composition.
US08492453B2	Photosensitive resin composition, flexible circuit board employing the same, and circuit board production method A photosensitive resin composition is provided, which has properties necessary for a solder resist (insulative property, solder heat resistance, alkali developability and the like) and is capable of forming a film that is excellent in folding endurance even after the IR reflow process. A flexible circuit board employing the photosensitive resin composition and a circuit board production method are also provided. The photosensitive resin composition comprises: (A) a linear polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated compound comprising a carboxyl-containing ethylenically unsaturated compound; (B) an epoxy resin; (C) a polymerizable compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated group; and (D) a photopolymerization initiator. The photosensitive resin composition has a tensile breaking elongation percentage of not less than 10% and a 2% weight loss temperature of not lower than 260° C. after being cured.
US08492452B2	Polymerizable photoinitiators and radiation curable compositions A polymerizable photoinitiator is represented by Formula (I): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl group and an optionally substituted aryl group or R1 and R3 represent the necessary atoms to form a five to eight membered ring; p, w, y and z are all integers with y representing a value 1 to 6; p representing the sum of w and z; p representing a value of 1 to 6; w=1 to (p−z) and z=0 to (p−w); L represents an optionally substituted (p+y)-valent linking group comprising 1 to 14 carbon atoms; A represents a radically polymerizable group selected from the group consisting of an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, a styrene group, an acryl amide group, a methacryl amide group, a maleate group, a fumarate group, an itaconate group, a vinyl ether group, an allyl ether group, an allyl ester group and a vinyl ester group; and X represents a photoinitiating moiety including at least one group capable of initiating a free radical polymerization reaction upon exposure to actinic radiation.
US08492449B2	Photosensitive resin composition, printing plate precursor and flexographic printing plate Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition that provides an excellent water developability, drying property, and image reproducibility. The photosensitive resin composition comprises a water-dispersible latex (A), a rubber (B), a surfactant (C), a photopolymerizable monomer (D), and a photopolymerization initiator (E). A ratio of a mass of the component (C) to a total mass of the components (A), (B), and (C) is within a range of 0.1 to 20%. A ratio of a mass of the component (A) to a total mass of the components (A) and (B) is within 20 to 90%. A size of a dispersed phase consisting mainly of the component (B) is 10 μm or smaller.
US08492446B2	Enhanced process for the production of expanded PVC and plastic materials based on expanded PVC obtained therewith A process for the production of expanded PVC of the type includes heating a mass of polymeric mixture inside a closed mold; controlling the expansion of the mass in an environment having a constant volume defined by the closed mold, control being performed by the presence, in the mass of polymeric mixture, of microparticles of a compressible material, suitable for being contracted, under the action of the pressure generated by the formation and expansion of microcells of expanding gas in the same mass, from an initial form having a larger volume, to a form having a smaller volume; and expanding the microparticles, from their configuration to the initial configuration, the density of the expanded material thus obtained being determined by the contemporary presence of both microcells of expanding gas and the microparticles in their configuration having a larger volume.
US08492444B2	Biogenic silica from silica-containing plant material such as rice hulls A biogenic silica from a plant material such as rice hulls, rice straw and so forth containing a significant amount of silica for use as an anti-caking agent, excipient or flavor carrier. When the plant material is certified as organic, the silica may also be certified as organic. The plant material is ground and the silica may be concentrated by carbon reduction through enzymatic treatment or burning. In some instances an antimicrobial treatment of the silica may be beneficial.
US08492443B2	Treatment for herpes simplex virus and other infectious diseases Topical formulations and methods use are described herein for relieving symptoms created by herpes simplex, mouth ulcers, and yeast infections. The formulations comprise effective amounts of d-limonene.
US08492442B2	Medicinal composition, food or drink having effect of enhancing parasympathetic nervous activity It is intended to provide a safe composition for treating a disease or condition relating to autonomic nervous activity which has an autonomic nervous control effect; in particular, an effect of enhancing parasympathetic nervous activity. Thus, a medicinal composition, a food or a drink containing L-phenyl lactic acid and/or D-phenyl lactic acid and having an autonomic nervous control effect is provided.
US08492440B2	Difluorophenyldiacylhydrazide derivatives Novel difluorophenyldiacylhydrazide derivatives of the formula I, in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are kinase inhibitors and can be used for the treatment of diseases and complaints such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome (dyslipidaemia), systemic and pulmonary hypertonia, cardiovascular diseases and kidney diseases, generally in any type of fibroses, inflammatory processes, tumours and tumour diseases.
US08492431B2	Use of benzo-fused heterocycle sulfamide derivatives for the treatment of obesity The present invention is a method for the treatment of obesity, for promoting weight loss and/or suppressing appetite comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of one or more novel benzo-fused heterocycle sulfamide derivatives of formula (I) as herein defined.
US08492430B2	Fused cyclic compounds The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the description, or a salt thereof. The compound or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof has a GPR40 receptor function modulating action and is useful as an insulin secretagogue or an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes and the like.
US08492427B2	Isoindolones derivatives as MEK kinase inhibitors and methods of use The invention relates to isoindolones of formula, (I) with anti-cancer and/or anti-inflammatory activity and more specifically with MEK kinase inhibitory activity. The invention provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth, treating a hyperproliferative disorder, or treating an inflammatory disease in a mammal. The invention also relates to methods of using the compounds for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis or treatment of mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions.
US08492420B2	Use of purine derivatives for the production of medicaments for the treatment of mucoviscidosis and diseases related to protein addressing errors in cells The invention relates to the use of purine derivatives for the production of medicaments for the treatment of mucoviscidosis and diseases related to protein addressing errors in cells, said derivatives being of formula (I): where R2, R6 and R9, independently=halogen, a R—NH—, R—NH—NH—, NH2—R′—NH or R—NH—R′—NH— group, where R=straight or branched chain saturated or unsaturated alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl group, R′=straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkylene, arylene or cycloalkylene, R and R′ each include 1 to 8 carbon atoms optionally substituted with one or more —OH, halogen, amino or alkyl groups, R2 furthermore may be a heterocycle optionally with a straight or branched chain saturated or unsaturated alkyl, aryl or cycloaryl or a heterocycle optionally substituted by one or more —OH, halogen, amino or alkyl groups, R9 furthermore may be a straight or branched chain saturated or unsaturated alkyl, aryl or cycloalkyl and R2 and R9 furthermore may be hydrogen with the exception of 2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-6-benzylamino-9-methylpurine.
US08492410B2	Pyridine derivatives as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators The present invention relates to novel pyridine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08492405B2	Glucokinase-activating fused heterocyclic compounds and methods of treating diabetes and obesity The present invention aims to provide a glucokinase activator useful as a pharmaceutical agent such as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes, obesity and the like, and the like.A glucokinase activator containing a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof.
US08492404B2	Bis-aryl amide compounds and methods of use The present invention comprises a new class of compounds useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of protein kinase mediated diseases, including autoimmune disease and inflammation. In one embodiment, the compounds have a general Formula I wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, L, R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein. The invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions including one or more compounds of the present invention, methods of use such as treatment of Lck and/or c-Kit kinase mediated diseases by administering the compounds of the invention, or compositions including one or more compounds of the invention, and intermediates and processes useful for the preparation of compounds of the present invention.
US08492402B2	Stable crystalline salt of (R)-3-fluorophenyl-3,4,5-trifluorobenzylcarbamic acid 1-azabicyclo [2.2.2]oct-3-yl ester The present invention refers to a stable crystalline salt of (R)-3-fluorophenyl-3,4,5-trifluorobenzylcarbamic acid 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl ester and its use as medicament, in particular for the treatment of urinary incontinence or other diseases involving genitourinary disorders.
US08492395B2	7-substituted quinazolinone compounds and compositions comprising the same Provided are quinazolinone compounds of formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and stereoisomers thereof. Methods of use, and pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds are disclosed.
US08492392B2	Alkoxy tetrahydro-pyridopyrimidine PDE10 inhibitors The present invention is directed to alkoxy tetrahydro-pyridopyrimidine compounds of formula I, which are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of central nervous system disorders associated with phosphodiesterase 10 (PDE10). The present invention also relates to the use of such compounds for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, psychosis or Huntington's disease, and those associated with striatal hypofunction or basal ganglia dysfunction.
US08492390B2	Synthesis of locked nucleic acid derivatives The invention relates to a novel strategy for the synthesis of Locked Nucleic Acid derivatives, such as α-L-oxy-LNA, amino-LNA, α-L-amino-LNA, thio-LNA, α-L-thio-LNA, seleno-LNA and methylene LNA, which provides scalable high yielding reactions utilising intermediates that also can produce other LNA analogues such as oxy-LNA. Also, the compounds of the formula X are important intermediates that may be reacted with varieties of nucleophiles leading to a wide variety of LNA analogues.
US08492386B2	Methods for treating HCV The present invention features interferon- and ribavirin-free therapies for the treatment of HCV. Preferably, the treatment is over a shorter duration of treatment, such as no more than 12 weeks. In one aspect, the therapies comprise administering at least two direct acting antiviral agents without interferon and ribavirin to a subject with HCV infection. For example, the therapies comprise administering to a subject an effective amounts of therapeutic agent 1, therapeutic agent 2 (or therapeutic agent 3), and an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (e.g., ritonavir).
US08492384B2	Imidazolylalkylcarbonyl derivatives as calcium channel modulators and preparation method thereof Disclosed are novel imidazolylalkylcarbonyl derivatives useful as calcium channel modulators and a preparation method of the same. Also disclosed is a method for the treatment of diseases by administering the above compounds based on their inhibitory activity against calcium channel.
US08492383B2	Combination of a nitrogen mustard analogue and imatinib for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia The invention relates to a combination which comprises (a) a nitrogen mustard analogue selected from chlorambucil, chlornaphazine, estramustine, mechlorethamine, mechlorethamine oxide hydrochloride, navembichin, phenestrine, prednimustine, trofosfamide or uracil mustard and (b) 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino)phenyl]-benzamide of formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the invention pertains to the use of said combination for the treatment chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
US08492381B2	Pyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazine mTOR kinase inhibitor for oncology indications and diseases associated with the mTOR/PI3K/Akt pathway Provided herein are Heteroaryl Compounds having the following structure: wherein R1-R4 are as defined herein, compositions comprising an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound and methods for treating or preventing cancer, inflammatory conditions, immunological conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, obesity, neurological disorders, age-related diseases, or cardiovascular conditions, comprising administering an effective amount of a Heteroaryl Compound to a patient in need thereof.
US08492379B2	Translocator protein ligands The present invention relates to compounds and methods for imaging translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) expression in a subject. This invention also relates to compounds and methods for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, inflammation or anxiety in a subject.
US08492377B2	MTKI quinazoline derivatives The present invention concerns the compounds of formula the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein Y represents —C3-9alkyl-, —C1-5alkyl-NR6—C1-5alkyl- or —C1-5alkyl-NR7—CO—C1-5alkyl-; X1 represents —O —; X2 represents NR5—C1-2alkyl-; R1 represents hydrogen, halo or Het3-O—; R2 represents hydrogen; R3 represents hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy- or C1-4alkyloxy substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from Het4, hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy-, C1-4alkyloxy-C1-4alkyloxy and NR9R10; R5 represents hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; R6 represents hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; R7 represents hydrogen; R9 and R10 each independently represent hydrogen; C1-4alkyl-S(═O)2—C1-4alkyl-C(═O)—; C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyl substituted with hydroxy; Het3 represents pyridinyl optionally substituted with C1-4alkyl; Het4 represents morpholinyl, piperidinyl or piperazinyl wherein said Het4 is optionally substituted with hydroxy-C1-4alkyl or C1-4alkyl-S(═O)2—C1-4alkyl-.
US08492374B2	Azaazulene compounds An azaazulene compound is provided. The azaazulene compound has formula (I) shown below. Each variable in formula (I) is defined in the specification. The compound can be used to treat cancer. The invention also provides a method for treating cancer. The method includes administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of one or more azaazulene compounds of formula (I).
US08492368B2	Nasal delivery mechanism for prophylactic and post-acute use of progesterone and/or its enantiomer for use in treatment of mild traumatic brain injuries Compositions and methods for treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using progesterone and ent-progesterone are described.
US08492363B2	Use of difructose anhydride-containing composition A method for increasing the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper through the intestines of a subject desiring such an increase, includes administering to the subject a difructose anhydride (DFA) in an amount effective to increase the absorption of magnesium, zinc, and/or copper present in the intestines.
US08492360B2	Creamy O/W emulsion composition and production process thereof A major object of the present invention is to provide a creamy O/W emulsion composition containing an adenosine phosphate ester, more specifically, to provide a creamy O/W emulsion composition containing an adenosine phosphate ester, which ensures emulsification stability and a superior feel during use. Specifically, the present invention provides a creamy O/W emulsion composition containing the following Components (A) to (F) at the following proportions based on its total amount: (A) not less than 0.1 wt. % of adenosine phosphate ester selected from at least one member selected from the group consisting of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate, adenosine monophosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and salts thereof; (B) 0.5 to 6 wt. % of polyglycerin fatty acid ester; (C) 0.05 to 0.7 wt. % of acrylic acid-alkyl methacrylate copolymer; (D) 0.5 to 10 wt. % of amphiphilic lipid; (E) 0.5 to 20 wt. % of polyhydric alcohol; and (F) 0.3 to 5 wt. % of self-emulsifiable glycerin fatty acid ester.
US08492355B2	Antisense modulation of apolipoprotein B expression Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of apolipoprotein B. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding apolipoprotein B. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of apolipoprotein B expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of apolipoprotein B are provided.
US08492353B2	Antiaging composition The present invention provides an antiaging composition capable of efficiently retarding skin aging skin aging, particularly, alleviating skin pigmentation. The present invention also provides a method for potentiating the antiaging action of ascorbic acids. The invention provides an antiaging composition containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, a derivative of ascorbic acid, and a salt thereof (A), and a purine nucleic acid-related substance (B). The invention provides a method for potentiating the antiaging action of such component (A) by the combined use of at least one member selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, a derivative of ascorbic acid, and a salt thereof (A), with a purine nucleic acid-related substance (B).
US08492352B2	Polysaccharides with antithrombotic activity, including a covalent bond and an amino chain The present invention relates to novel synthetic polysaccharides with antithrombotic activity, having at least one covalent bond with an amino chain, and to the preparation method thereof and to the therapeutic use thereof.
US08492348B2	Methods of increasing cerebral blood flow Methods of increasing blood flow in a mammalian brain blood vessel characterized by, or otherwise experiencing, decreased blood flow due to an ischemic or other hypoxic event, vasoconstriction or vasospasm following hemorrhagic stroke; due to chronic high blood pressure; and/or due to idiopathic causes are provided. The method for increasing blood flow in such a mammalian brain blood vessel includes administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of δ protein kinase C. In certain embodiments, the inhibitor can be chronically administered without causing desensitization of the patient to the inhibitor. Kits for increasing blood flow in a mammalian brain blood vessel characterized by, or otherwise experiencing, decreased blood flow due to an ischemic or other hypoxic event, vasoconstriction or vasospasm following hemorrhagic stroke; due to chronic high blood pressure; and/or due to idiopathic causes are provided.
US08492347B2	Peptide for induction of immune tolerance as treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus The present invention relates to D-amino acid peptides and their use in methods for the diagnosis and/or treatment of immune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
US08492341B2	Amyloid-β binding peptides A peptide sequence of the form: X(Lys,Arg)XXXXX(Arg,Lys)X, wherein Lys and Arg are replaceable and X is preferably one or more of the following amino acids: hydrophobic amino acid residues (eg Pro, Leu, Met, Ile), basic amino acid residues or threonine; and wherein the sequence is capable of engaging Aβ and ameliorating its SOD activity and/or metal ion binding.
US08492340B2	Methods of treating depression and other related diseases The invention relates to methods for treating depression, anxiety, and other related diseases by administering a peptide NMDAR partial agonist.
US08492337B2	Targeted therapeutic proteins Targeted therapeutics that localize to a specific subcellular compartment such as the lysosome are provided. The targeted therapeutics include a therapeutic agent and a targeting moiety that binds a receptor on an exterior surface of the cell, permitting proper subcellular localization of the targeted therapeutic upon internalization of the receptor. Nucleic acids, cells, and methods relating to the practice of the invention are also provided.
US08492334B2	Sustained intraocular delivery of drugs from biodegradable polymeric microparticles Biodegradable polymeric microparticle compositions containing one or more active agents, especially those useful for treating or preventing one or more diseases or disorders of the eye, and methods of making and using thereof, are described. In a preferred embodiment, the microparticle compositions contain one or more active agents useful for managing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. Relatively hydrophilic, and preferably carboxylated, polymeric materials such as PLGA are used for a drug such as timolol maleate, which is relatively water soluble, to increase drug loading. Higher molecular weight polymers, as well as the ratio of LA (which has a longer degradation time, up to one to two years) to GA (which has a short degradation time, as short as a few days to a week), are used to provide release over a longer period of time.
US08492333B2	Peptides and methods for inducing cell death The invention provide isolated peptides, protides and conjugates having novel peptide sequences which are able to induce antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative or programmed cell death activity. The invention also provides a method of inducing programmed cell death in a cell by contacting the cell with an isolated peptide, protide or conjugate described herein. In some aspects, the method can be used in the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease, such as an infection, cancer, autoimmune disease, or inflammatory disease.
US08492331B2	Methods for increasing absorption of peptides, peptidomimetics and other gastrointestinal transport protein substrates Methods and compositions useful for enhancing the absorption and/or transport of peptides, peptidomimetics, and other gastrointestinal transport protein substrates through gastrointestinal transport proteins are provided. The methods comprise using hormones such as 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine to increase the transport of the peptides, peptidomimetics, and substrates. The compositions comprise one or more hormones and one or more peptides, peptidomimetics, and other gastrointestinal transport protein substrates.
US08492329B2	Bioactive peptides and methods of using same Disclosed are peptide ligands for G-protein coupled receptors that are useful for treating disorders associated with G-protein coupled receptor activation.
US08492328B2	Biomarkers and methods for determining sensitivity to insulin growth factor-1 receptor modulators IGF1R biomarkers useful in a method for identifying and monitoring a mammal that will respond therapeutically to a method of treating cancer comprising administering an IGF1R modulator, wherein the method comprises (a) exposing the mammal to the IGF1R modulator and (b) measuring in the mammal the level of the at least one biomarker, wherein a difference in the level of the at least one biomarker measured in (b) compared to the level of the biomarker in a mammal that has not been exposed to the IGF1R modulator indicates that the mammal will respond therapeutically to the method of treating cancer and (c) wherein the level of the biomarker in a mammal after exposure to a IGF1R modulator indicates that the mammal has responded therapeutically to the method of treating cancer.
US08492321B2	Use of an oligomer-based additive for stabilizing a lubricating composition for a conveyor chain The use of an additive including a mixture of oligomers that is produced from the reaction of aromatic amines chosen from:(i) the reaction with one another of diphenylamine (DPA) compounds of formula (I) below: wherein the groups R1 and R2 stand for, independently of one another, a hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, advantageously from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, (ii) the reaction with one another of phenyl-α-naphthylamine (PAN) compounds of formula (II) below: wherein the group R3 stands for a hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, advantageously from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and(iii) the reaction of a (DPA) compound of formula (I) above with a (PAN) compound of formula (II) above as an agent for the stabilization of a lubricating composition for a conveyor chain subjected to a temperature of at least 120° C.
US08492318B2	Spray material, a thermal spray layer, as well as a cylinder with a thermal spray layer Spray material for thermally coating a substrate, a thermal spray layer, and a cylinder for a reciprocating piston combustion engine coated with the thermal spray layer. The spray material includes a solid lubricant of ZnO. A volume fraction of ZnO in the spray material lies in a range from 0.1% to 15% of the volume of the spray material.
US08492317B2	Slag compositions and methods of use Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations. Methods and compositions that include a latex strength enhancer for enhancing the compressive strength of slag compositions.
US08492316B2	Method for the fracture stimulation of a subterranean formation having a wellbore by using impact-modified thermoset polymer nanocomposite particles as proppants A method for fracture stimulation of a subterranean formation includes providing a thermoset polymer nanocomposite particle precursor composition comprising a polymer precursor mixture, dispersed within a liquid medium, containing at least one of an initiator; at least one of a monomer, an oligomer or combinations thereof, said monomer and oligomer having three or more reactive functionalities capable of creating crosslinks between polymer chains; at least one of an impact modifier; and nanofiller particles substantially dispersed within the liquid medium; subjecting the nanocomposite particle precursor composition to suspension polymerizing conditions; subjecting the resulting nanocomposite particles to heat treatment; forming a slurry comprising a fluid and a proppant that includes the heat-treated nanocomposite particles; injecting the slurry into a wellbore; and emplacing the proppant within a fracture network in the formation.
US08492312B2	Systemic plant conditioning composition This invention relates to compositions and methods facilitating availability, uptake and translocation of active ingredients in plants. More specifically, this invention relates to the surprising discovery that the application to the roots, such as administration to the soil surrounding plants, of two or more osmolytes in combination with an active ingredient, either simultaneously or within a short time of each other, results in an induction of translocation of active ingredient from the roots systemically into the plant.
US08492310B2	Herbicidal compositions containing benzoylpyrazole compounds Many herbicidal compositions have been developed and used, but there are many types of weeds to be controlled, and their development lasts for a long period of time. Accordingly, it has been desired to develop a herbicidal composition having a wider herbicidal spectrum and having a highly active and long-lasting herbicidal activity. The present invention provides a herbicidal composition which comprises as active ingredients (a) a herbicidal benzoylpyrazole compound represented by the formula (I) or its salt: wherein R1 is alkyl or cycloalkyl, R2 is a hydrogen atom or alkyl, R3 is alkyl, R4 is alkyl, haloalkyl or the like, R5 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl or the like, R6 is haloalkyl, halogen or the like, and A is alkylene substituted by alkyl, and (b) other herbicidal compound.
US08492309B2	Herbicide compatibility improvement A process for preparing an aqueous concentrate glyphosate salt composition comprises (i) neutralizing glyphosate acid with potassium hydroxide and a minor amount of a low molecular weight organic amine in presence of water to produce a glyphosate salt solution having a pH of about 4.8 to about 5.0, where the neutralizing operation comprises a first neutralization step in which a slurry or glyphosate salt solution having a pH of about 4.4 to about 4.7 is produced and a second neutralization step in which the pH is adjusted to about 4.8 to about 5.0; and (ii) after the first neutralization step and before, during or after the second neutralization step, adding further water if necessary and optionally at least one surfactant to produce a final composition having a total glyphosate a.e. concentration not less than about 360 g/l.
US08492307B2	Microporous carbon and method for making the same A substantially homogeneous composite for making a carbon material includes a carbon precursor and an activation agent that is soluble in a solution including the carbon precursor. An amount of the activation agent used is sufficient to form the carbon material having at least 90% of a total pore volume of the carbon material composed of micropores, and 10% or less of the total pore volume composed of mesopores and macropores.
US08492302B2	Dielectric ceramic composition and ceramic electronic component A dielectric ceramic composition includes a compound having perovskite type crystal structure shown by a general formula ABO3, where A is at least one selected from Ba, Ca and Sr, and B is at least one selected from Ti and Zr. The dielectric ceramic composition includes, as subcomponents, an oxide of RA (Dy, Gd and Tb); an oxide of RB (Ho and Y); an oxide of RC (Yb and Lu); Mg oxide and an oxide including Si in terms of RA2O3, RB2O3, RC2O3, Mg and Si, respectively. Also, when contents of the oxide of RA, RB and RC with respect to 100 moles of the compound are defined as “α”, “β” and “γ”, respectively, they satisfy relations of 1.2≦(α/β)≦5.0 and 0.5≦(β/γ)≦10.0.
US08492301B2	Dielectric ceramic composition and ceramic electronic component A dielectric ceramic composition includes a compound having perovskite type crystal structure shown by a general formula ABO3, where A is at least one selected from Ba, Ca and Sr, and B is at least one selected from Ti and Zr, as a main component. The dielectric ceramic composition includes, as subcomponents, with respect to 100 moles of the compound, 1.0 to 2.5 moles of an oxide of RA (Dy, Gd and Tb); 0.2 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of RB (Ho and Y); 0.1 to 1.0 mole of an oxide of RC (Yb and Lu); 0.8 to 2.0 moles of Mg oxide and 1.2 to 3.0 moles of an oxide including Si in terms of RA2O3, RB2O3, RC2O3, Mg and Si, respectively. Also, when contents of the oxide of RA, RB and RC with respect to 100 moles of the compound are defined as “α”, “β” and “γ”, respectively, the “α”, “β” and “γ” satisfy relations of 2.5≦(α/β)≦5.0 and 1.0≦(β/γ)≦10.0. According to the present invention, a dielectric ceramic composition having good properties can be provided.
US08492296B2	Method for producing light-transmitting electromagnetic wave-shielding film, light-transmitting electromagnetic wave-shielding film and plasma display panel using the shielding film A silver salt-containing layer containing a silver salt and provided on a support is exposed and developed to form a metal silver portion and a light-transmitting portion, and then the metal silver portion is further subjected to physical development and/or plating to form a conductive metal portion consisting of the metal silver portion carrying conductive metal particles. A method for producing a light-transmitting electromagnetic wave-shielding film which enables production of an electromagnetic wave-shielding material simultaneously having high EMI-shielding property and high transparency in a fine line pattern and also enables mass production of such films at a low cost, and a light-transmitting electromagnetic wave-shielding film obtained by the production method and free from the problem of moire are provided.
US08492292B2	Methods of forming oxide layers on substrates Methods for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for processing a substrate includes providing a substrate having an oxide layer disposed thereon, the oxide layer including one or more defects; and exposing the oxide layer to a plasma formed from a process gas comprising an oxygen-containing gas to repair the one or more defects. In some embodiments, the oxide layer may be formed on the substrate. In some embodiments, forming the oxide layer further comprises depositing the oxide layer atop the substrate. In some embodiments, forming the oxide layer further comprises thermally oxidizing the surface of the substrate to form the oxide layer. In some embodiments, a processing temperature is maintained at about 700 degrees Celsius or below during the thermal oxidation of the surface.
US08492291B2	Formation of gate dielectrics with uniform nitrogen distribution The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a gate dielectric (710) that includes providing a nitrided dielectric layer (220) over a substrate (120). The nitrided dielectric layer (220) has a nonuniform concentration of nitrogen in a bulk thereof. The nitrided dielectric layer (220) is exposed to oxygen radicals (410), resulting in a reduction of the non-uniformity.
US08492289B2	Barrier layer formation for metal interconnects through enhanced impurity diffusion A method of forming a barrier layer for metal interconnects of an integrated circuit device includes forming a first cap layer over a top surface of a conductive line of the integrated circuit device in a manner that facilitates a controllable dose of oxygen provided to the top surface of the conductive line, the conductive line comprising a metal formed over a seed layer that is an impurity alloy of the metal; and annealing the integrated circuit device so as to combine diffused impurity atoms of the seed layer with the controllable dose of oxygen, thereby forming an impurity oxide layer at an interface between the first cap layer and the top surface of the conductive line.
US08492288B2	Methods of treating semiconductor substrates, methods of forming openings during semiconductor fabrication, and methods of removing particles from over semiconductor substrates Some embodiments include methods of treating semiconductor substrates. The substrates may be exposed to one or more conditions that vary continuously. The conditions may include temperature gradients, concentration gradients of one or more compositions that quench etchant, pH gradients to assist in removing particles, and/or concentration gradients of one or more compositions that assist in removing particles. The continuously varying conditions may be imparted by placing the semiconductor substrates in a bath of flowing rinsing solution, with the bath having at least two feed lines that provide the rinsing solution therein. One of the feed lines may be at a first condition, and the other may be at a second condition that is different from the first condition. The relative amount of rinsing solution provided to the bath by each feed line may be varied to continuously vary the condition within the bath.
US08492285B2	Method for plasma texturing A dry etching method for texturing a surface of a substrate is disclosed. The method includes performing a first dry etching onto the surface of the substrate thereby forming a surface texture with spikes and valleys, the first dry etching comprising etching the surface of the substrate in a plasma comprising fluorine (F) radicals and oxygen (O) radicals, wherein the plasma comprises an excess of oxygen (O) radicals. The method may further include performing a second dry etching onto the surface texture thereby smoothening the surface texture, the second dry etching comprising chemical isotropic etching the surface texture, obtained after the first dry etching, in a plasma comprising fluorine (F) radicals, wherein the spikes are etched substantially faster than the valleys.
US08492280B1	Method for simultaneously forming features of different depths in a semiconductor substrate Embodiments of the invention may include first providing a stack of layers including a semiconductor substrate, a buried oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor-on-insulator layer on the buried-oxide layer, a nitride layer on the semiconductor-on-insulator layer, and a silicon oxide layer on the nitride layer. A first opening and second opening with a smaller cross-sectional area than the first opening are then formed in the silicon oxide layer, the nitride layer, the semiconductor-on-insulator layer, and the buried-oxide layer. The first opening and the second opening are then etched with a first etching gas. The first opening and the second opening are then etched with a second etching gas, which includes the first etching gas and a halogenated silicon compound, for example, silicon tetrafluoride or silicon tetrachloride. In one embodiment, the first etching gas includes hydrogen bromide, nitrogen trifluoride, and oxygen.
US08492279B2	Method of controlling critical dimensions of vias in a metallization system of a semiconductor device during silicon-ARC etch When forming via openings in sophisticated semiconductor devices, a silicon-containing anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer may be efficiently used for adjusting the critical dimension of the via openings by using a two-step etch process in which, in at least one of the process steps, the flow rate of a reactive gas component may be controlled to increase or reduce the resulting width of an opening in the silicon ARC layer. In this manner, the spread of critical dimensions of vias around the target value may be significantly reduced while also reducing any maintenance and rework efforts.
US08492276B2	Chemical mechanical polishing aqueous dispersion and chemical mechanical polishing method A chemical mechanical polishing aqueous dispersion is used to polish a polishing target that includes an interconnect layer that contains tungsten. The chemical mechanical polishing aqueous dispersion includes: (A) a cationic water-soluble polymer; (B) an iron (III) compound; and (C) colloidal silica particles. The content (MA) (mass %) of the cationic water-soluble polymer (A) and the content (MB) (mass %) of the iron (III) compound (B) satisfy the relationship “MA/MB=0.004 to 0.1”. The chemical mechanical polishing aqueous dispersion has a pH of 1 to 3.
US08492274B2	Metal alloy cap integration A metal interconnect structure, which includes metal alloy capping layers, and a method of manufacturing the same. The originally deposited alloy capping layer element within the interconnect features will diffuse into and segregate onto top surface of the metal interconnect. The metal alloy capping material is deposited on a reflowed copper surface and is not physically in contact with sidewalls of the interconnect features. The metal alloy capping layer is also reflowed on the copper. Thus, there is a reduction in electrical resistivity impact from residual alloy elements in the interconnect structure. That is, there is a reduction, of alloy elements inside the features of the metal interconnect structure. The metal interconnect structure includes a dielectric layer with a recessed line, a liner material on sidewalls, a copper material, an alloy capping layer, and a dielectric cap.
US08492270B2	Structure for nano-scale metallization and method for fabricating same A method for forming structure aligned with features underlying an opaque layer is provided for an interconnect structure, such as an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an opaque layer over a first layer, the first layer having a surface topography that maps to at least one feature therein, wherein the opaque layer is formed such that the surface topography is visible over the opaque layer. A second feature is positioned and formed in the opaque layer by reference to such surface topography.
US08492265B2	Pad bonding employing a self-aligned plated liner for adhesion enhancement Two substrates are brought together and placed in a plating bath. In one embodiment, a conductive material is plated in microscopic cavities present at the interface between a first metal pad and a second metal pad to form at least one interfacial plated metal liner portion that adheres to a surface of the first metal pad and a surface of the second metal pad. In another embodiment, at least one metal pad is recessed relative to a dielectric surface before being brought together. The two substrates are placed in a plating bath and a conductive material is plated in the cavity between the first metal pad and the second metal pad to form a contiguous plated metal liner layer that adheres to a surface of the first metal pad and a surface of the second metal pad.
US08492264B2	Method for forming interconnection levels of an integrated circuit A method for forming interconnection levels of an integrated circuit, including the steps of: (a) forming an interconnection level comprising conductive tracks and vias separated by a porous dielectric material; (b) forming, on the interconnection level, a layer of a non-porous insulating material, said layer comprising openings above portions of porous dielectric material; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) to obtain the adequate number of interconnection levels; and (d) annealing the structure.
US08492260B2	Processes of forming an electronic device including a feature in a trench A semiconductor substrate can be patterned to define a trench and a feature. In an embodiment, the trench can be formed such that after filling the trench with a material, a bottom portion of the filled trench may be exposed during a substrate thinning operation. In another embodiment, the trench can be filled with a thermal oxide. The feature can have a shape that reduces the likelihood that a distance between the feature and a wall of the trench will be changed during subsequent processing. A structure can be at least partly formed within the trench, wherein the structure can have a relatively large area by taking advantage of the depth of the trench. The structure can be useful for making electronic components, such as passive components and through-substrate vias. The process sequence to define the trenches and form the structures can be tailored for many different process flows.
US08492245B1	Methods for making thin layers of crystalline materials Methods for making growth templates for the epitaxial growth of compound semiconductors and other materials are provided. The growth templates are thin layers of single-crystalline materials that are themselves grown epitaxially on a substrate that includes a thin layer of sacrificial material. The thin layer of sacrificial material, which creates a coherent strain in the single-crystalline material as it is grown thereon, includes one or more suspended sections and one or more supported sections.
US08492238B2	Method and apparatus for fabricating piezoresistive polysilicon by low-temperature metal induced crystallization The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fabricating piezoresistive polysilicon on a substrate by low-temperature metal induced crystallization by: (1) providing the substrate having a passivation layer; (2) performing, at or near room temperature in a chamber without breaking a vacuum or near-vacuum within the chamber, the steps of: (a) creating a metal layer on the passivation layer, and (b) creating an amorphous silicon layer on the metal layer, wherein the metal layer and the amorphous silicon layer have approximately the same thickness; (3) annealing the substrate, the passivation layer, the metal layer and the amorphous silicon layer at a temperature equal to or less than 600° C. and a period of time equal to or less than three hours to form a doped polysilicon layer below a residual metal layer; and (4) removing the residual metal layer to expose the doped polysilicon layer.
US08492235B2	FinFET with stressors A fin type transistor includes a dielectric layer on a substrate surface which serves to isolate the gate of the transistor from the substrate. The dielectric layer includes a non-selectively etched surface to produce top portions of fin structures which have reduced height variations across the wafer. The fin type transistor may also include a buried stressor and/or raised or embedded raised S/D stressors to cause a strain in the channel to improve carrier mobility.
US08492218B1	Removal of an overlap of dual stress liners A first liner and a second liner are formed such that a peripheral portion of the second liner overlies a peripheral portion of the first liner. A photoresist layer is applied and patterned such that a sidewall of a patterned photoresist layer overlies an overlapping peripheral portion of the second liner An isotropic dry etch is performed to laterally etch the overlapping peripheral portion of the second liner from below the patterned photoresist layer. The patterned photoresist is subsequently removed, and a structure without an overlap of the first and second liners is provided.
US08492215B2	Static random access memory (SRAM) cell and method for forming same An embodiment is a method for forming a static random access memory (SRAM) cell. The method comprises forming transistors on a semiconductor substrate and forming a first linear intra-cell connection and a second linear intra-cell connection. Longitudinal axes of the active areas of the transistors are parallel. A first pull-down transistor and a first pull-up transistor share a first common gate structure, and a second pull-down transistor and a second pull-up transistor share a second common gate structure. The first linear intra-cell connection electrically couples active areas of the first pull-down transistor and the first pull-up transistor to the second common gate structure. The second linear intra-cell connection electrically couples active areas of the second pull-down transistor and the second pull-up transistor to the first common gate structure.
US08492214B2	Damascene metal gate and shield structure, methods of manufacture and design structures Semiconductor structures with damascene metal gates and pixel sensor cell shields, methods of manufacture and design structures are provided. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a dummy gate structure. The method further includes forming one or more recesses in the dielectric layer. The method further includes removing the dummy gate structure in the dielectric layer to form a trench. The method further includes forming metal in the trench and the one more recesses in the dielectric layer to form a damascene metal gate structure in the trench and one or more metal components in the one or more recesses.
US08492213B2	Transistor and method for forming the same The invention discloses a semiconductor device which comprises an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor formed on a substrate; and grid electrodes, source cathode doped areas, drain doped areas, and side walls formed on two sides of the grid electrodes are arranged on the NMOS transistor and the PMOS transistor respectively. The device is characterized in that the side walls on the two sides of the grid electrode of the NMOS transistor possess tensile stress, and the side walls on the two sides of the grid electrode of the PMOS transistor possess compressive stress. The stress gives the side walls a greater role in adjusting the stress applied to channels and the source/drain areas, with the carrier mobility further enhanced and the performance of the device improved.
US08492209B2	Semiconductor device with electrically floating body A semiconductor device along with circuits including the same and methods of operating the same are described. The device includes an electrically floating body region, and a gate is disposed over a first portion of the body region. The device includes a source region adjoining a second portion of the body region, the second portion adjacent the first portion and separating the source region from the first portion. The device includes a drain region adjoining a third portion of the body region, the third portion adjacent the first portion and separating the drain region from the first portion.
US08492207B2	Implementing eFuse circuit with enhanced eFuse blow operation A method and an eFuse circuit for implementing with enhanced eFuse blow operation without requiring a separate high current and high voltage supply to blow the eFuse, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. The eFuse circuit includes an eFuse connected to a field effect transistor (FET) operatively controlled during a sense mode and a blow mode for sensing and blowing the eFuse. The eFuse circuit is placed over an independently voltage controlled silicon region. During a sense mode, the independently voltage controlled silicon region is grounded providing an increased threshold voltage of the FET. During a blow mode, the independently voltage controlled silicon region is charged to a voltage supply potential. The threshold voltage of the FET is reduced by the charged independently voltage controlled silicon region for providing enhanced FET blow function.
US08492205B2	Offset geometries for area reduction in memory arrays An array with cells that have adjacent similar structures that are displaced from each other across a common cell border in a direction that is not perpendicular to the cell border thus avoiding an across cell border design rule violation between the adjacent similar structures. A method of forming reduced area memory arrays by moving adjacent similar structures that is not perpendicular to a fully identical common cell border. A method of building arrays using conventional array building software by forming unit pairs with cells that are not identical and are not mirror images or rotated versions of each other.
US08492202B2	Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same In a structure of a semiconductor device, a Si chip and a metal leadframe are jointed by metallic bond via a porous joint layer made of high conductive metal, having a three-dimensional network structure and using Ag as a bonding material, and a film containing Zn oxide or Al oxide is formed on a surface of a semiconductor assembly contacting to a polymer resin. In this manner, by the joint with the joint layer having the porous structure mainly made of Ag, thermal stress load of the Si chip can be reduced, and fatigue life of the joint layer itself can be improved. Besides, since adhesion of the polymer resin to the film can be enhanced by the anchor effect, occurrence of cracks in a bonding portion can be prevented, so that a highly-reliable Pb-free semiconductor device can be provided.
US08492195B2	Method for forming stackable non-volatile resistive switching memory devices A method for forming a vertically stacked memory device includes forming a first dielectric material overlying a surface region of a semiconductor substrate, forming first memory cells overlying the first dielectric material including a first top metal wiring spatially extending in a first direction, a first bottom metal wiring spatially extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and first switching elements sandwiched in intersection regions between the first top metal wiring and the first bottom metal wiring, forming a second dielectric material overlying the first top metal wiring, forming second memory cells overlying the second dielectric material including a second top metal wiring extending in the first direction, a second bottom wiring spatially extending in the second direction, and second switching elements sandwiched in intersection regions of the second top metal wiring and the second bottom metal wiring.
US08492190B2	Method for manufacturing display panel A method for manufacturing a display panel includes; formation of a lower gate line, disposal of a semiconductor on the lower gate line, disposal of a lower data line substantially perpendicular to the lower gate line, disposal of an insulating layer having a plurality of trenches exposing the lower gate line and the lower data line on the lower data line, disposal of an upper gate line directly on the lower gate line and within the plurality of trenches, and disposal of an upper data line directly on the lower data line and within the plurality of trenches.
US08492189B2	Combinatorial screening of transparent conductive oxide materials for solar applications Embodiments of the current invention include methods of improving a process of forming a textured TCO film by combinatorial methods. The combinatorial method may include depositing a TCO by physical vapor deposition or sputtering, annealing the TCO, and etching the TCO where at least one of the depositing, the annealing, or the etching is performed combinatorially. Embodiments of the current invention also include improved methods of forming the TCO based on the results of combinatorial testing.
US08492186B2	Method for producing group III nitride semiconductor layer, group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device, and lamp The present invention is a method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor layer in which a single crystal group III nitride semiconductor layer (103) is formed on a substrate (101), the method including: a substrate processing step of forming, on the (0001) C-plane of the substrate (101), a plurality of convex parts (12) of surfaces (12c) not parallel to the C-plane, to thereby form, on the substrate, an upper surface (10) that is composed of the convex parts (12) and a flat surface (11) of the C-plane; and an epitaxial step of epitaxially growing the group III nitride semiconductor layer (103) on the upper surface (10), to thereby embed the convex parts (12) in the group III nitride semiconductor layer (103).
US08492179B2	Method of mounting a LED module to a heat sink A method of mounting a light emitting diode (LED) module (100) to a heat sink (102), the method comprising the steps of placing the LED module (100) in a hole (120) in the heat sink (102); and expanding a portion of the LED module (100) such that the LED module (100) is secured to the heat sink (102). The method provides a cost efficient way of securing an LED module to a heat sink where the mount has a high reliability over time.
US08492175B1	System and method for aligning surface mount devices on a substrate A method is provided for assembling a stack of surface-mount devices (SMDs) on a substrate. The method provides a substrate, die, or printed circuit board (PCB) with a top surface having a landing pad and a first reference feature. An alignment jig is placed overlying the substrate top surface. The alignment jig second reference feature is aligned with respect to the substrate first reference feature. A first SMD is placed overlying the substrate landing pad. The first SMD third reference feature is aligned with respect to the alignment jig second reference feature. A second SMD is placed overlying the substrate top surface. Then, the alignment jig first boundary feature is mated with the second SMD second boundary feature. In response to the mating, the second SMD first interface is aligned over an underlying SMD active element.
US08492168B2	Droplet-based affinity assays The present invention relates to droplet-based affinity assays. According to one embodiment, a method of detecting a target analyte in a sample is provided, wherein the method includes: (a) executing droplet operations to combine affinity-based assay reagents on a droplet microactuator with a sample potentially comprising the target analyte to generate a signal indicative of the presence, absence and/or quantity of analyte; and (b) detecting the signal, wherein the signal corresponds to the presence, absence and/or quantity of the analyte in the sample.
US08492165B2	Microfluidic interface The method for making microfluidic connections includes the steps of providing a system including a base, a movable device in communication with the base, and a sealing component attached to the movable device; delivering a microfluidic device to the base; aligning the sealing component and the microfluidic device, wherein the moveable device is capable of adjustably positioning the sealing component and capable of optical alignment, to bring the sealing component and the microfluidic device into fluid communication; and compressing the sealing component and the microfluidic device into contact thereby forming a microfluidic connection by creating a leak-resistant seal between at the interface of the sealing component and the microfluidic device.
US08492164B2	Manifold designs, and flow control in multichannel microchannel devices Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
US08492163B2	Methods, mixtures, kits and compositions pertaining to analyte determination This invention pertains to methods, mixtures, kits and compositions pertaining to analyte determination by mass spectrometry using labeling reagents that comprise a nucleophilic reactive group that reacts with a functional group of an analyte to produce a labeled analyte. The labeling reagents can be used as isobaric sets, mass differential labeling sets or in a combination of isobaric and mass differential labeling sets.
US08492162B2	Electronic system for tracking and monitoring articles to be sterilized and associated method An electronic system for tracking and monitoring articles to be subjected to a sterilization cycle is disclosed. The method uses a sterilization indicator and electronically links sterilization information with the articles subjected to the sterilization process. The indicator allows a sterilization cycle to be monitored without the need for a user to subjectively distinguish between color, quality or intensity of display patterns.
US08492160B1	Biomarker sensors and method for multi-color imaging and processing of single-molecule life signatures The invention is a device including array of aciive regions for use in reacting one or more species in at least two of the active regions in a sequential process, e.g., sequential reactions. The device has a transparent substrate member, which has a surface region and a silane material overlying the surface region. A first active region overlies a first portion of the silane material. The first region has a first dimension of less than 1 micron in size and has first molecules capable of binding to the first portion of the silane material. A second active region overlies a second portion of the silane material. The second region has a second dimension of less than 1 micron in size, second molecules capable of binding to the second portion of the active region, and a spatial distance separates the first active region and the second active region.
US08492157B2	Microfluidic device and hemoglobin measurement method using the same A microfluidic device and a method for measurement of biomaterials using the same. The microfluidic device includes a microfluidic structure including: a sample chamber which receives and accommodates blood; a reagent chamber which contains a luminescent reactant; a first detection chamber which contains a first material that is positively charged; a second detection chamber which is connected to the first detection chamber, and contains a second material having a boronate moiety; and at least one channel which connects the sample chamber, the reagent chamber and the first and second detection chambers.
US08492155B2	Automated immunoassay apparatus An automated immunoassay apparatus is disclosed comprising a single optical reading device (2a, 2b) for reading two microtitre plates (9, 14). A first microtitre plate (9) is loaded into an upper plate holder (8) which is linearly translated at a fixed height. A second microtitre plate (14) is loaded into a lower plate holder (13). The lower plate holder (13) runs along a contoured track which varies the vertical height of the second microtitre plate (14).
US08492154B1	Method for predicting fouling tendency of a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock fouling tendency for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes.
US08492149B2	Efficient generation of neural progenitors, neurons, and dopaminergic neurons from human embryonic stem cells The present invention relates to a method for inducing the differentiation of neural progenitors, neurons, and dopaminergic neurons from human embryonic stem cells with high efficiency, in which neural selection can be performed by the selected media and physical methods. The invention has advantages such as higher efficiency, the effect of lowering cost and time, and maintenance of neural progenitors for a longer period of time, as compared to the known methods for inducing the differentiation into neural progenitors, neurons, and dopaminergic neurons. Accordingly, the method can stably generate cells used for treating Parkinson's disease or other nervous system diseases.
US08492148B2	Method for amplification of endothelial progenitor cell in vitro The present invention provides a method for expanding an endothelial progenitor cell in vitro. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for culturing a hemangioblast comprising incubating a hemangioblast in a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 and thrombopoietin, and a vascular endothelial cell produced by the method; and a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand and thrombopoietin, and a kit for the preparation of the serum-free culture medium and the like.
US08492131B2	Fungal laccases and uses thereof Novel laccases from Cerrena sp. WR1 and Lentinus sp. and uses thereof.
US08492128B2	Processing biomass Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US08492126B2	Isolated polypeptide for increasing activity of polysaccharide hydrolase and methods of use An isolated polypeptide is disclosed that improves the hydrolyzing capacity of a polysaccharide hydrolase such as cellulase, is capable of binding to a polysaccharide, is deficient in polysaccharide hydrolase activity, and includes a GH45 or a pollen-allergen domain. Methods of hydrolyzing polysaccharides using the isolated polypeptide are also disclosed.
US08492125B2	Method for dissolving cellulose and a cellulosic product obtained from a solution comprising dissolved cellulose The present invention relates to a method for dissolving cellulose. The method comprises—introducing cellulosic raw material,—treating the cellulosic raw material in an enzymatic treatment process,—mixing the cellulosic raw material after the enzymatic treatment in an aqueous solution in order to obtain an aqueous intermediate product containing the cellulosic raw material of at least 3.5 wt.-%, alkali metal hydroxide between 3.5 wt.-% and 7 wt.-% and zinc salt,—freezing the intermediate product to a solid state, and—melting the frozen intermediate product. The present invention also relates to a cellulosic product obtained from a solution comprising dissolved cellulose.
US08492121B2	Complexity management of genomic DNA The presently claimed invention provides for novel methods and kits for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample by providing non-gel based methods for amplification of a subset of the sequences in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, amplification of a subset can be accomplished by digesting a sample with two or more restriction enzymes and ligating adaptors to the fragments so that only a subset of the fragments can be amplified. The invention further provides for analysis of the above amplified sample by hybridization to an array, which may be specifically designed to interrogate the desired fragments for particular characteristics, such as, for example, the presence or absence of a polymorphism.
US08492119B2	Antibody to human IL-3 receptor alpha chain The present invention provides an antibody to human IL-3Rα chain, which does not inhibit IL-3 signaling and binds to B domain of the human IL-3Rα chain but does not bind to C domain of the human IL-3Rα chain; a composition for preventing or treating a blood tumor in which a cell expressing IL-3Rα is found in bone marrow or peripheral blood of a subject, which comprises the antibody to human IL-3Rα as an active ingredient; and a method for treating a blood tumor in which a cell expressing IL-3Rα is found in bone marrow or peripheral blood, which comprises administering, to a subject, a composition comprising the IL-3Rα antibody as an active ingredient.
US08492116B2	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.
US08492109B2	Methods for the delivery of toxins or enzymatically active portions thereof The present invention relates to methods, systems, and kits for intoxicating cells, neuronal and non-neuronal cells, with a toxin or fragment thereof. This is done by subjecting toxin substrate and a lipid or polymeric carrier (e.g., DNA uptake facilitating agent) to one or more cells for use in cell based assays. In an aspect, the methods of the present invention allow for high throughput assays and, as such, for the evaluation of drug candidates.
US08492108B2	Methods of treating anemia and red blood cell dysfunction with lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase Disclosed are methods for treating conditions characterized by anemia or red blood cells dysfunction by administering an agent that increases the level of endogenous LCAT or LCAT activity. Additionally disclosed are methods of treating conditions wherein red blood cells have reduced function in relation to deformability, oxygenation, increased adhesion and aggregability, reduced nitric oxide function, or decreased life-span, increased free cholesterol, or abnormal phospholipid content. Also disclosed are methods for treating conditions characterized by an abnormal concentration of free cholesterol in red blood cells and methods of normalizing the free cholesterol content of red blood cells.
US08492107B2	Neural proteins as biomarkers for nervous system injury and other neural disorders The present invention identifies biomarkers that are diagnostic of nerve cell injury and/or neuronal disorders. Detection of different biomarkers of the invention are also diagnostic of the degree of severity of nerve injury, the cell(s) involved in the injury, and the subcellular localization of the injury.
US08492102B2	Molecular diagnosis and classification of malignant melanoma The present invention provides methods for diagnosing and providing a prognosis of melanoma using molecular markers that are overexpressed in melanoma cells. The invention provides kits for diagnosis and prognosis. Also provided are methods to identify compounds that are useful for the treatment or prevention of melanoma and melanoma progression.
US08492101B2	Chemiluminescent enzyme assay method and apparatus A chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay method for quantifying antigen or antibody using 1,1′-oxalyldiimidazole (ODI) derivative or 1,1′-oxalyldisodium benzoate (ODB) derivative chemiluminescence (CL) detection was developed. Also, various enzymes were quantified using ODI derivative or DOB derivative CL detection. Fluorescent compound formed from a substrate (non-fluorescent compound) through the enzyme assay methods emitted CL when the fluorescent compound received energy from high-energy intermediate formed in ODI derivative or ODB derivative CL reaction.
US08492093B2	Method for the identification and quantification of microorganisms useful in biomining processes The present invention discloses a method to identify and quantify environmental microorganisms useful in biomining processes. These microorganisms are basically 10, belonging to Bacteria: Acidiphilium sp., Leptospirillum sp., Sulfobacillus sp., Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans; and Archaea: Acidianus sp., Ferroplasma sp., Metallosphaera sp., Sulfolobus sp. and Thermoplasma sp.The method comprises performing a PCR with specific primers designed in our laboratories for different taxons SEQ ID No. 4 to SEQ ID No.: 407. With qPCR results and other data obtained from the analyzed sample, the microorganism concentration of each analyzed taxon present in the sample is calculated using a mathematical formula.
US08492092B2	Assay for Chlamydia trachomatis by amplification and detection of Chlamydia trachomatis PMPA gene A region of the Chlamydia trachomatis pmpA gene has been identified which is useful for performing amplification assays to determine specifically whether C. trachomatis is present in the sample being tested. Oligonucleotides useful for performing thermal Strand Displacement Assay (tSDA) reactions on this gene are disclosed. The disclosed oligonucleotides can be used in an assay which is specific for multiple strains of C. trachomatis and which does not show cross reactivity with the genomes of other microorganisms or with human DNA.
US08492082B2	Method for obtaining oligonucleotide aptamers and uses thereof The present invention relates to a method for obtaining nucleic acid aptamers that bind to cancer cell-surface epitopes, to the aptamers generated using this method and their use for therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic purposes.
US08492080B2	Embryo culture media containing thyroid hormone The disclosure relates to the use of culture media containing thyroid hormones or analogs thereof, and includes methods and uses thereof for embryo culture, embryo production, embryo maturation, improved survival of embryos and improved viability of embryos post cryopreservation.
US08492078B2	Patterning process A pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having an optionally acid labile group-substituted naphthol group, an acid generator, and an organic solvent onto a substrate, baking to form a resist film, exposing the resist film to high-energy radiation, baking, and developing the exposed film with an organic solvent developer to form a negative pattern wherein the unexposed region of film is dissolved and the exposed region of film is not dissolved. In the process of image formation via positive/negative reversal by organic solvent development, the resist film has a high dissolution contrast and controlled acid diffusion. By subjecting the resist film to exposure through a mask having a lattice-like pattern and organic solvent development, a fine hole pattern can be formed at a high precision of dimensional control.
US08492077B2	Method for providing a conductive material structure on a carrier An exemplary method for providing a conductive material structure on a carrier generally includes applying a photo sensitive material on the carrier and applying a mask on the photo sensitive material. The mask defines a conductive material structure to be formed on the carrier. The method also includes irradiating the defined structure on the carrier in order to prepare for metallization, and metalizing the defined structure for forming the conductive material structure.
US08492073B2	Method for thermal development with a conformable support The present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming a printing form from a photosensitive element to form a relief pattern. The method and apparatus thermally develop the photosensitive element by heating a composition layer of the element to cause a portion of the layer to liquefy and providing a development medium to the element to remove the liquefied composition. A conformable layer is disposed between the photosensitive element and a base support, which improves the compressibility and the contact between the photosensitive element and the development medium. The method and apparatus improve the efficiency of the removal of liquefied portions from the photosensitive element and the uniformity of the relief pattern formed.
US08492071B2	Curable composition, color filter and process for production thereof, and solid-state imaging device A curable composition containing (A) a polymerizable compound having an alkyleneoxy group having two or more carbon atoms, (B) a polymerizable compound lacking an alkyleneoxy group having two or more carbon atoms, (C) an i-line absorber, (D) a photopolymerization initiator, (E) an alkali-soluble resin, and (F) a pigment, wherein a mass ratio [(A)/((A)+(B))] is from 0.5 to 0.9, and an i-line transmittance obtainable when the curable composition is formed into a coating film having a thickness of 0.7 μm, is 10% or less. The curable composition of the invention has enhanced adhesiveness upon forming a micro pattern, and can reduce development residues in unexposed non-cured areas. The curable composition of the invention is suitable for the use in color filters.
US08492067B2	Positive lift-off resist composition and patterning process A positive lift-off resist composition is provided comprising (A) an alkali-soluble novolac resin, (B) a quinonediazidosulfonate photosensitive agent, (C) an alkali-soluble cellulose resin, and (D) an aromatic hydroxy compound having a formula weight of 180-800. The composition has shelf stability, high sensitivity, and a film retention after development of at least 95% and is used to form a lift-off resist pattern of fully undercut profile.
US08492066B2	Toner compositions and processes Processes for producing toners are provided. The processes include emulsion aggregation processes, whereby a reactive coalescent is utilized in the coalescence step to coalesce aggregated particles, thereby forming toner particles. The resulting toners may be highly pigmented, and may possess low melt characteristics.
US08492058B2	Photolithography method including technique of determining distribution of energy of exposure light passing through slit of exposure apparatus The energy distribution of exposure light directed passing through the slit of an exposure apparatus is determined. A photoresist layer on a substrate is exposed over a plurality of shots while changing the intensity of the exposure light for each shot. Then the photoresist layer is developed to form a sample photoresist layer. An image of the developed sample photoresist layer is analyzed for color intensity. Values of the color intensity across a selected one of the shots are correlated with values of the intensity of the exposure light to produce an energy distribution of the exposure light along the length of the slit. The energy distribution is used to change the slit so that a more desirable energy distribution may be realized when the slit is used in a process of manufacturing a semiconductor device.
US08492055B2	Method and system for fracturing a pattern using lithography with multiple exposure passes In the field of semiconductor production using charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed. Base dosages for a plurality of exposure passes are set and a multiplicity of shots for the plurality of exposure passes is exposed. The multiplicity of shots comprises two groups: a first group of shots for at least two exposures passes, wherein the union of shots for each exposure pass covers the same area, and where shots within an exposure pass are disjoint; and a second group of shots, where each shot in the second group of shots overlaps a shot in the first group of shots. Each shot in the second group is in one of the plurality of exposure passes. A method for forming a set of patterns on a surface is also disclosed.
US08492054B2	Mechanisms for patterning fine features The embodiments described provide mechanisms for patterning features for advanced technology nodes with extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) tools. One or more EUV pre-masks are generated by using a mask writer to form an EUV mask with an EUV scanner. The wafers are then patterned by using the EUV mask. The demagnification factor of the EUV scanner(s) used in preparing the EUV mask by exposing the EUV pre-mask(s) enable the wafers prepared by such mechanisms to meet the requirements for the advanced technology nodes.
US08492051B2	Integrated valve system for fuel cell stack The present invention provides a novel integrated valve system for a fuel cell stack, in which an air shut-off valve for preventing the inflow of air when a fuel cell shuts down and a dry gas purge valve for improving cold startability are coaxially coupled to each other so that the air shut-off valve and the dry gas purge valve simultaneously open or close.
US08492049B2	Anion exchange polymer electrolytes Solid anion exchange polymer electrolytes and compositions comprising chemical compounds comprising a polymeric core, a spacer A, and a guanidine base, wherein said chemical compound is uniformly dispersed in a suitable solvent and has the structure: wherein: i) A is a spacer having the structure O, S, SO2, —NH—, —N(CH2)n, wherein n=1-10, —(CH2)n—CH3—, wherein n=1-10, SO2-Ph, CO-Ph, wherein R5, R6, R7 and R8 each are independently —H, —NH2, F, Cl, Br, CN, or a C1-C6 alkyl group, or any combination of thereof; ii) R9, R10, R11, R12, or R13 each independently are —H, —CH3, —NH2, —NO, —CHnCH3 where n=1-6, HC═O—, NH2C═O—, —CHnCOOH where n=1-6, —(CH2)n—C(NH2)—COOH where n=1-6, —CH—(COOH)—CH2—COOH, —CH2—CH(O—CH2CH3)2, —(C═S)—NH2, —(C═NH)—N—(CH2)nCH3, where n=0-6, —NH—(C═S)—SH, —CH2—(C═O)—O—C(CH3)3, —O—(CH2)n—CH—(NH2)—COOH, where n=1-6, —(CH2)n—CH═CH wherein n=1-6, —(CH2)n—CH—CN wherein n=1-6, an aromatic group such as a phenyl, benzyl, phenoxy, methylbenzyl, nitrogen-substituted benzyl or phenyl groups, a halide, or halide-substituted methyl groups; and iii) wherein the composition is suitable for use in a membrane electrode assembly.
US08492048B2	Fuel cells A redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a catholyte solution comprising a modified ferrocene species being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode.
US08492047B2	Hydrogen supply system for fuel cell and method for controlling the same The present invention provides a method for controlling a hydrogen supply system for a fuel cell, the method comprising: a hydrogen filling step in which high pressure hydrogen is supplied to a high pressure line connecting first to Nth hydrogen tanks to be filled in the first to Nth hydrogen tanks; a hydrogen supply step in which only hydrogen in the first hydrogen tank provided adjacent to a fuel cell stack is supplied to the fuel cell stack during driving of a vehicle; and a hydrogen transfer step in which hydrogen is transferred from the second to Nth hydrogen tanks to the first hydrogen tank during parking or stopping of the vehicle.
US08492044B2	Systems and methods for starting and operating fuel cell systems in subfreezing temperatures Systems and methods for initiating use of, or starting up, fuel cell stacks in subfreezing temperatures. The fuel cell stacks include a thermal management system that is adapted to deliver a liquid heat exchange fluid into thermal communication with a fuel cell stack, such as to heat the stack during startup of the stack when the stack is at a subfreezing temperature or operated in a subfreezing environment. In some embodiments, the thermal management system includes a heat exchange circuit that is configured to provide delivery of the liquid heat exchange fluid to the fuel cell stack even when the conduits are at a subfreezing temperature. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system is configured to deliver liquid heat exchange fluid from the fuel cell stack and heat exchange circuit when the thermal management system is not being utilized.
US08492041B2	Solid oxide fuel cell Provides a solid oxide fuel cell with which product life can be extended while a practical output power is maintained. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell, having a fuel cell module (2), a fuel supply device (38), an oxidant gas supply device (45), and a controller (110) for controlling the fuel supply amount; whereby the controller is furnished with a degradation determining circuit (110a) for determining degradation in a fuel cell module, and with a fuel correction circuit (110b) for correcting operating conditions based on a degradation determination; the fuel correction circuit can execute an increasing correction mode for increasing the fuel supply amount supplied to the fuel cell module so that rated output power is maintained, or can execute a decreasing correction mode for reducing rated output voltage so that the fuel supply amount is reduced; there is also a mode selection device (110c) for selecting correction modes.
US08492039B2	Fuel cell system and method of controlling the same A fuel cell system and a control method thereof are capable of preventing anode flooding due to a temperature difference between a stack and reformate upon starting a fuel cell system. The method of controlling a fuel cell system including steps of detecting a temperature of a fuel cell stack, detecting a temperature of reformate that is generated in a fuel reformer and then is supplied to the fuel cell stack through a heat exchanger, and setting the temperature of the reformate to be lower than the temperature of the fuel cell stack during a starting time of the fuel cell system.
US08492036B2	Electrochemical device comprising aliphatic nitrile compound The present invention provides a cathode having a protection layer formed by a complex between the surface of a cathode active material and an aliphatic nitrile compound, as well as an electrochemical device comprising the cathode. Also, the present invention provides an electrochemical device comprising: (1) a cathode having a protection layer formed by a complex between the surface of a cathode active material and an aliphatic nitrile compound; (2) an anode having a passivation layer formed by a compound selected from the group consisting of vinylene carbonate, its derivative and an ether compound; and (3) an electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt and a solvent.
US08492034B2	Electrolyte and battery A battery using an electrolyte with which favorable ion conductivity is able to be secured at low temperature is provided. A solid electrolyte is provided between a cathode in which a cathode active material layer is formed on a cathode current collector and an anode in which an anode active material layer is formed on an anode current collector. The electrolyte contains carbon cluster such as fullerene and an electrolyte salt such as a lithium salt. Thereby, compared to an electrolyte composed of a polymer compound such as polyethylene oxide and a lithium salt, lowering of ion conductivity is inhibited at low temperature.
US08492033B2	Fast cure gel polymer electrolytes Fast-cure gel polymer electrolytes are prepared by trapping an oligo(alkylene glycol)siloxane or silane in a three dimensional polymer matrix. An ion-conducting phase of the electrolyte contains a siloxane or silane compound and a lithium salt. Such siloxanes or silanes include a silicon or silicon oxide group having four or less substituents that is an oligo(alkylene glycol), or cyclic carbonate moiety.
US08492028B2	Positive electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte lithium ion battery and battery using the same A positive electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte lithium ion battery (31, 41) of the present invention has an oxide (11) containing lithium and nickel, and a lithium compound (13) which is deposited on a surface of the oxide (11) and covers nickel present on the surface of the oxide (11). By this structure, it is possible to suppress decomposition of an electrolysis solution as much as possible and drastically reduce swelling of the batteries (31, 41).
US08492027B2	Lithium secondary battery and anode therefor The present invention provides an anode of a lithium secondary battery comprising a current collector layer and an active material layer laminated on the current collector layer, wherein the current collector layer has a laminar structure without an opening, the active material layer has a network structure with an opening, and the shape of the opening in a planar view is a substantially regular polygon of pentagon or above and/or a substantial circle. The anode of the present invention can achieve charge-discharge-cycle property superior to that of the prior art.
US08492025B2	Pouch for battery and pouch type secondary battery A pouch for battery and a pouch type secondary battery, and more particularly, to a pouch for a battery having a space for containing an electrode assembly, the space being previously formed in a vessel form, and a pouch type secondary battery using the same. The pouch of the battery includes a vessel type bottom having a bottom surface and lateral surfaces; and a cover type top for covering an upper opening of the vessel type bottom, wherein a chamfer or step structure is formed at some of the adjoining portions of the bottom surface and the lateral surface, and the chamfer or step structure is viewed in cross section cut off along a plane which is perpendicularly to the bottom surface and approximately parallel to one surface of lateral surfaces. And the electrode assembly is contained by the pouch of battery to constitute a pouch type secondary battery according to the present invention.
US08492022B2	Rechargeable battery with buffer sheet between electrode assembly and battery case A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly in a battery case, and a buffer sheet between the electrode assembly and the battery case, the buffer sheet contacting the electrode assembly and the battery case.
US08492019B2	Extruded thermal fin for temperature control of battery cells A thermal management system for a battery pack includes a plurality of main bodies disposed in a stack, an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit in fluid communication with the plurality of main bodies, and a retention panel coupled to the plurality of main bodies. The main bodies include a thermal fin and conduit and are formed using an extrusion process, which minimizes a weight of the thermal fin and heat sink while minimizing a cost of the thermal management system.
US08492015B2	Battery fuse terminal cover with latch Disclosed herein are embodiments of a battery assembly and a cover for a battery fuse terminal. One embodiment of a battery fuse terminal cover comprises a base portion having a first end and a first hinge end opposite the first end, a movable portion having a second end and a second hinge end opposite the second end and a first hinge located between the first hinge end of the base portion and the second hinge end of the movable portion. The movable portion is configured to rotate relative to the base portion via the first hinge between a concealing position and an exposing position. A cover securing member is located on the base portion and configured to secure the cover to the battery fuse terminal.
US08492013B2	Protection circuit board for secondary battery and secondary battery using the same A protection circuit board for a secondary battery is constructed with an electrically insulating substrate, a printed circuit board pattern formed on the electrically insulating substrate, a protection circuit part electrically connected to the printed circuit board pattern, a charge-and-discharge terminal formed on the electrically insulating substrate and electrically connected to the printed circuit board pattern and the protection circuit part, and a test terminal formed on the electrically insulating substrate and electrically connected to the printed circuit board pattern and the protection circuit part. The test terminal is constructed with an electroless plated layer formed on the test terminal.
US08492007B2	Metal complex and organic electroluminescent device A metal complex which has a metal complex structure showing light emission from triplet excited state, and has a monovalent group derived from carbazole, and a light-emitting device using said metal complex.
US08492006B2	Germanium-containing red emitter materials for organic light emitting diode Organometallic compounds comprising a germanium-containing substituent are provided. The compounds may be used in organic light emitting devices to provide improved device efficiency, line shape and lifetime. In particular, the compounds comprise a phenylquinoline or phenylisoquinoline ligand having a germanium-containing substituent on the quinoline or isoquinoline portion of the ligand. These compounds may be advantageously used as red emitters in the emissive layer of organic light emitting devices.
US08492002B2	Titanium-based alloy An alloy having from about 5 to about 15 wt % Ta, from 0 to about 5 wt % Nb, from about 0.5 to about 15 wt % Zr, and the balance Ti is disclosed. The alloy is particularly intended for medical devices, such as implants for the body.
US08492001B2	Self-stratifying coating A self-stratifying coating composition is provided. The self-stratifying coating can include a base layer having a telechelic resin with reactive end groups and an alkoxide oligomer. In addition, a top layer having an acrylate and/or methacrylate such as a fluorinated acrylate, a fluorinated methacrylate, a fluorinated hydrocarbon copolymerized with an acrylate, a fluorinated hydrocarbon copolymerized with a methacrylate and combinations thereof, and a crosslinking agent can be included. In addition, the base layer and the top layer can have an interfacial surface tension therebetween that is within a range of about 15 to 60 mJ/cm2.
US08492000B2	Vulcanized rubber laminate Disclosed is a vulcanized rubber laminate in which both an unvulcanized epichlorohydrin-based rubber composition layer containing a specific polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compound and a specific vulcanizing agent and an unvulcanized fluororubber composition layer containing a specific vulcanizing agent are heated and bonded, whereby, both rubber layers are firmly bonded. A vulcanized rubber laminate in which (A) an unvulcanized epichlorohydrin-based rubber composition layer and (B) an unvulcanized fluororubber composition layer are heated and bonded, wherein the unvulcanized epichlorohydrin-based rubber composition (A) contains: (1) a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate compound having two or more (meth) acryloyl groups in the molecule, and (2) at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a triazine-based vulcanizing agent, a thiourea-based vulcanizing agent, a quinoxaline-based vulcanizing agent and a bisphenol-based vulcanizing agent, and the unvulcanized fluororubber composition (B) contains an organic peroxide-based vulcanizing agent.
US08491997B2	Conductive wire comprising a polysiloxane/polyimide copolymer blend Disclosed herein are polysiloxane/polyimide block copolymer blends and the application of these blends in conductive wires.
US08491996B2	Coated tool The invention concerns a cutting tool having a base body and a single-layer or multi-layer coating applied thereto. To provide cutting tools which are improved over the state of the art it is proposed according to the invention that the coating includes at least one two-phase or multi-phase layer which contains at least two different phases of metal oxide, wherein the at least one two-phase or multi-phase layer is electrically conductive.
US08491989B2	Coating system, coated workpiece and method for manufacturing the same The coating system comprises: at least one layer of type A, a layer of type A substantially consisting of (AlyCr1-y)X, wherein X depicts one of the group consisting of N, CN, BN, NO, CNO, CBN, BNO and CNBO, y describing the stoichiometric composition of the metallic phase fraction; and at least one layer of type B, a layer of type B substantially consisting of (AluCr1-u-v-wSivMew)X, wherein X depicts one of the group consisting of N, CN, BN, NO, CNO, CBN, BNO or CNBO, and wherein Me depicts one of the group consisting of W, Nb, Mo and Ta or a mixture of two or more of the constituents of that group, u, v and w describing the stoichiometric composition of the metallic phase fraction. A thickness ratio of said layer of type A to said layer of type B is higher than 1. The workpiece comprises such a coating system. Through this, an excellent wear-protection is provided, and the coating system and workpieces can be used for a broad range of different applications. The coating system can be deposited very efficiently in a PVD process using two types of targets, wherein targets of one type are active during depositing a layer of type A and during depositing a layer of type B.
US08491986B2	Panel module and manufacturing method thereof A panel module is provided, including a first substrate, a second substrate, a first optical glue, and a second optical glue. The first and second optical glues are disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the first optical glue protrudes from the first substrate, and the second optical glue adheres the first substrate to the second substrate. Specifically, the viscosity of the second optical glue is smaller than the first optical glue before solidification.
US08491985B2	Coating compositions for roofing granules, dark colored roofing granules with increased solar heat reflectance, solar heat-reflective shingles, and process for producing the same Dark colored roofing granules include an inert base particle coated with a composition including a metal silicate, a non-clay latent heat reactant, and a dark colored but solar reflective prigment.
US08491975B2	Glossy medium for inkjet printing An inkjet print medium with a glossy ink-receiving surface, which includes a substrate, an undercoat layer containing acrylic-polyurethane hybrid polymer and polyoxazoline; and at least one ink-receiving layer containing inorganic pigment particles and a binder, wherein the undercoat is formed between the substrate and the at least one ink-receiving layer.
US08491968B2	Process for production of functional film A process for production of a functional film comprises a coating liquid preparation step (12) of preparing a coating liquid; an application step (14) of applying a monolayer of the prepared coating liquid onto a substrate (18); and a drying step (16) of drying the applied coated layer. At the coating liquid preparation step (12), a plurality of solute materials are contained in at least one solvent; and when D11 is a main diffusion coefficient of a solute material A having functionality of the plurality of solute materials A and B and D22 is a main diffusion coefficient of the other solute material B, the other solute material B is selected so that an inequality A D11
US08491967B2	In-situ chamber treatment and deposition process Embodiments of the invention provide a method for treating the inner surfaces of a processing chamber and depositing a material on a during a vapor deposition process, such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In one embodiment, the inner surfaces of the processing chamber and the substrate may be exposed to a reagent, such as a hydrogenated ligand compound during a pretreatment process. The hydrogenated ligand compound may be the same ligand as a free ligand formed from the metal-organic precursor used during the subsequent deposition process. The free ligand is usually formed by hydrogenation or thermolysis during the deposition process. In one example, the processing chamber and substrate are exposed to an alkylamine compound (e.g., dimethylamine) during the pretreatment process prior to conducting the vapor deposition process which utilizes a metal-organic chemical precursor having alkylamino ligands, such as pentakis(dimethylamino) tantalum (PDMAT).
US08491961B2	Protective element and method for the production thereof A method for producing a protective element including the following steps is provided: mixing an aqueous, curable alkali silicate solution with silicon dioxide nanoparticles to form a filler having a first water content; performing thin-film evaporation of part of the water of the filler until the filler has a second water content that is less than the first water content, wherein the filler is flowable at the second water content; pouring the filler having the second water content into an intermediate space between two transparent substrate elements; and curing the filling mass in the intermediate space between the substrate elements while maintaining the second water content.
US08491960B2	Method for producing raised print using dimensional ink and thermographic powder A method for producing a printed product with raised print includes receiving a prepress format document containing a plurality of flat ink color separations and at least one raised print color separation, printing onto a substrate the flat ink color separations using flat ink and the at least one raised print color separation using dimensional ink, allowing the flat and dimensional ink to dry, heating the inked substrate to a temperature that causes the applied dimensional ink to become sticky, applying thermographic powder to the heated inked substrate such that the thermographic powder sticks to the sticky dimensional ink, removing the thermographic powder from regions of the substrate where the dimensional ink is not applied, reheating the sheet to melt the thermographic powder, and cooling the sheet to result in a print product having both flat and raised printed content.
US08491959B2	Methods of rejuvenating sputtering targets In various embodiments, a sputtering target initially formed by ingot metallurgy or powder metallurgy and comprising a sputtering-target material is provided, the sputtering-target material (i) comprising a refractory metal, (ii) defining a recessed furrow therein, and (iii) having a first grain size and a first crystalline microstructure. A powder is spray-deposited within the furrow to form a layer therein, the layer (i) comprising the metal, (ii) having a second grain size finer than the first grain size, and (iii) having a second crystalline microstructure more random than the first crystalline microstructure. Spray-depositing the powder within the furrow forms a distinct boundary line between the layer and the sputtering-target material.
US08491958B2	Avoidance of non-specific binding on an acoustic wave biosensor using linker and diluent molecules for device surface modification An acoustic wave biosensor comprising a surface of a mixed self-assembling monolayer for receiving a probe-biomolecule is described herein. The biosensor surface may comprise a piezoelectric quartz crystal,—for detection purposes with the electromagnetic piezoelectric acoustic sensor (EMPAS)—upon which a mixed self-assembling monolayer is formed, which includes at least one linker, such as 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl-13-trichlorosilyl-tridecanoate (TTTA); its oligoethylene glycol (OEG) analog OEGylated TTTA (OEG-TTTA); S-(2-(2-(2-(3-trichlorosilyl-propyloxy)-ethoxy)-ethoxy)-ethyl)-benzenethiosulfonate (OEG-TUBTS). Linker/diluent systems for attaching a functionalizing entity to the surface of a biosensor are described, as well as methods for preparing a biosensor surface with an oligoethylene glycol linker.
US08491955B2	Method of manufacturing electronic apparatus including plastic substrate, electronic apparatus manufactured using the method, and apparatus for use in the method A method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus including a plastic substrate, which can facilitate in separating the electronic apparatus including the plastic substrate from a stage, an electronic apparatus manufactured using the method, and an apparatus including the stage for use in the method. The method includes: preparing a stage on which a plurality of island-shaped separation lubricators are arranged; disposing the plastic substrate on the stage; forming a device on the plastic substrate; and separating the plastic substrate from the stage.
US08491954B2	Method of producing not-hardened rice cake and rice cake produced by using the same A method of producing a rice cake that becomes not hardened for a long time period, a rice cake produced by using the method, and a processed food produced by processing the rice cake are provided. The method includes: (a) immersing grains in water and removing the water therefrom; (b) grinding the grains from which water is removed, adding water thereto, and then grinding the grains to which water is added; (c) steaming the ground grains; and (d) cooling the steamed grains, adding flour thereto, and then punching the resultant product. The rice cake has a long storage time and is suitable for a long-term distribution. The rice cake preserves its soft texture for a long time period and is thus appropriate for consumers' acceptability.
US08491953B2	Food supplement containing fish oil A food supplement containing fish oil is disclosed having a stable fish oil emulsion for production of a stable, healthy and user-friendly product.
US08491952B2	Red pepper sauce and method of preparation thereof A red chili sauce formulation which does not contain fried roux is prepared from other traditional ingredients and rather than fried roux, comprises malted barley flour.
US08491951B2	Cooking oil antioxidant composition, method of preparation and use Frying processes utilizing cooking oil at elevated temperatures can cause various degradation effects in the oil including oxidation, hydrolysis and/or polymerization. In the absence of additives to protect the oil, the nutritional profile and cooking performance of degraded oil diminishes the quality of food cooked therein. The disclosed methods and compositions provide beneficial and cost effective improvements in the cooking performance of oil used at elevated temperatures, for example, in food frying equipment.
US08491950B2	Cat treat A pet treat having a sugar-based edible portion including a palatant material and a support portion. Incorporation of starch provides a hard-candy texture for the edible portion. The pet treat may be formed as a lollipop, a toy, or a lozenge using either a batch process or a continuous process. Features to interest a pet include a resilient mount, or a rotatable mount. An adhesive mount can attach the support to a variety of surfaces. A replaceable cover and rejuvenant container may be used.
US08491948B2	Capsule for the preparation of a beverage Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, filtering means delimiting at least one filtering side of the enclosure, beverage flow guiding means for guiding the beverage to a beverage outlet of the capsule, a shell and a protective cover that is attached to the shell in order to form a gas tight container for the beverage ingredients. The capsule further comprises an overflow wall that is positioned in the path of the brewed liquid after the filtering means and comprises at least one overflow aperture. The capsule further comprises opening means comprising an opening element configured to open the gas-tight container in order to create the beverage outlet. The beverage flow guiding means and the opening element are integrally housed in the gas-tight container.
US08491938B2	Potent inhibitory effect of zinc in combination with sulforaphane on cancer cell growth This invention relates to compositions comprising zinc and sulforaphane which can be used in the treatment or prevention of cancer. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing cancer, including prostate cancer, which comprises the administration of zinc and sulforaphane to a patient in need thereof.
US08491934B2	Stabilised prostaglandin composition A pharmaceutical delivery device, such as a suppository or pessary, comprises a synthetic prostaglandin PGE1 analogue (e.g. misoprostol) in a solid polyurethane hydrogel. The polyurethane is either linear or cross-linked.
US08491933B2	Pharmaceutical compositions of semi-ordered drugs and polymers A solid composition of a low-solubility drug and a concentration-enhancing polymer has a portion of the drug in a semi-ordered state.
US08491932B2	Compositions for the oral delivery of corticosteroids An oral drug delivery composition includes a sustained release component which includes a corticosteroid drug and which is contained within a capsule that has been treated so that the sustained release component is predominately released from the capsule in the intestine following oral administration. A drug delivery composition for delivering a corticosteroid drug to the intestine also includes: (a) a sustained release component comprising a corticosteroid drug, an alkali-containing ethylcellulose material and an acid; and (b) a delayed release component which substantially prevents release of the sustained release component until the composition reaches the intestine following oral administration. The compositions of the invention are useful for treating inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and for treating glomerulonephritis.
US08491930B2	Pharmaceutical formulation containing ibuprofen and codeine The invention consists of a new formulation of ibuprofen and codeine in the form of a tablet, which comprises L-leucine in a concentration ranging between 4%-15% as a lubricant, in order to prevent the formulation mixture from adhering to the punches and to other elements of the compression machine during the compression process. The new formulation additionally comprises talc (0.5%-5.0%) and silicified microcrystalline cellulose (30%-80%). The formulation is preferably arranged in the form of a core that comprises the active principles and, amongst others, the L-leucine, part of the talc and the silicified microcrystalline cellulose; this core is coated with a composition that contains a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate. The tablets of the invention do not exhibit flaking problems, have an adequate hardness with a convenient attrition to allow for subsequent coating, offer disintegration values of less than 5 minutes, with dissolution values for both active principles in accordance with those specified for rapid-release tablets.
US08491919B2	Prebiotic compositions for use with probiotics to increase probiotic growth rate and activity Naturally occurring lecithins and/or oleic acid stimulate the growth and lactic acid producing activity of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species of probiotic bacteria, and replace polysorbate 80 for those products. They can be used in naturally occurring form, or where they are to be combined with probiotics in a carrier, or they can be treated to yield a stable powdered form of these naturally oily compounds. They can be sold as combined prebiotic/probiotic formulations in the same carrier, or sold as separate dietary supplements, e.g., in capsule or tablet form, to be used with the probiotic formulation as desired.
US08491918B2	Polypeptides from Neisseria meningitidis Various specific meningococcal proteins are disclosed. The invention provides related polypeptides, nucleic acids, antibodies and methods. These can all be used in medicine for treating or preventing disease and/or infection caused by meningococcus, such as bacterial meningitis.
US08491917B1	Treatment of migraine headache with diffusion of toxin in non-muscle related areas of the head A method for treating a patient with migraine headache in accordance with the present invention generally includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a Botulinum toxin in a pharmaceutically safe form with the administration being on the trigeminal cervical system, for enabling axonal transport of the neurotoxin from distal to central sites. More specifically, the administration includes extramuscular injection of the neurotoxin over the aponeurotic fascia of the scalp for enabling the neurotoxin to diffuse into distal sensory nerves, in order to enable concentration over the occipital-parietal-frontal head region.
US08491915B2	Heat treated bacterins, and emulsion vaccines prepared from such heat treated bacterins Heat treated bacterins, a method of producing heat treated bacterins, and emulsion vaccines prepared from such heat treated bacterins are disclosed.
US08491914B2	Dock-and-lock (DNL) complexes for delivery of interference RNA Described herein are compositions and methods of use of targeted delivery complexes for delivery of siRNA to a disease-associated cell, tissue or pathogen. The targeted delivery complex comprises a targeting molecule, such as an antibody or fragment thereof, conjugated to one or more siRNA carriers. In preferred embodiments the siRNA carrier is a dendrimer or protamine and the targeting molecule is an anti-cancer antibody, such as hRS7. More preferably, the antibody or fragment is rapidly internalized into the target cell to facilitate uptake of the siRNA. Most preferably, the targeted delivery complex is made by the DNL technique. The compositions and methods are of use to treat a variety of disease states, such as cancer, autoimmune disease, immune dysfunction, cardiac disease, neurologic disease, inflammatory disease or infectious disease.
US08491912B2	Methods of treating ocular and other diseases with Syn-134R polypeptide Disclosed herein TPV1 is a method of treating ocular and systemic conditions by administering IL-10 and TPV134R polypeptides.
US08491909B2	Methods and compositions for dosing of allergens The present invention comprises methods and compositions for immunotherapy. An aspect of the invention comprises administration of one or more allergens in compositions via oral and sublingual routes. Allergen compositions are administered in dosing intervals wherein the increase in the one or more allergens administered to the patient are provided in increasing volumes of a single concentration of at least one allergen.
US08491908B2	Composite particle, contrast agent for photoacoustic imaging, and method for producing the composite particle The present invention provides a composite particle having a high molar absorption coefficient for detection with higher detection sensitivity in photoacoustic imaging. In the present invention, a composite particle having a particle, a single-chain antibody which includes an antigen recognition region and a region other than the antigen recognition region and which is conjugated with the particle, and an organic dye conjugated with the single-chain antibody, in which the region other than the antigen recognition region of the single-chain antibody has thiol group, and a functional group of the particle is bound to the thiol group, is provided.
US08491902B2	Medicament comprising recombinant antibody against chemokine receptor CCR4 A medicament having a higher therapeutic effect than that provided by administration of a recombinant antibody against human CC chemokine receptor 4 or an antibody fragment thereof or an agent alone is provided.
US08491900B2	Antibodies to signal transduction protein TAB2 A novel signal transducer TAB2 which acts as an adapter molecule of TRAF6 and TAK1 and mediates the activation of TAK1 in the signal transduction of IL-1 was isolated. TAB2 induced the activation of NF-κB and JNK by IL-1. The signal transduction by IL-1 was inhibited by inhibiting the signal transduction of TAB2 with the use of a dominant negative mutant of TAB2. A compound inhibiting the signal transduction in TAB2 is useful as an anti-inflammatory drug.
US08491896B2	Anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies Described herein are compositions and methods of use of anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies or fragments thereof, such as murine, chimeric, humanized or human PAM4 antibodies. The subject antibodies show a number of novel and useful therapeutic characteristics, such as binding with high specificity to pancreatic and other cancers, but not to normal or benign pancreatic tissues and binding to a high percentage of early stage pancreatic cancers. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies bind to pancreatic cancer mucins. The antibodies and fragments are of use for the detection, diagnosis and/or treatment of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer. The antibodies, such as PAM4 antibodies, bind to a PAM4 antigen that shows unique cell and tissue distributions compared with other known antibodies such as CA19.9, DUPAN2, SPAN1, Nd2, B72.3, and Lea and Le(y) antibodies that bind to the Lewis antigens.
US08491895B2	Methods of treating cancer with human monoclonal antibodies to CTLA-4 In accordance with the present invention, there are provided fully human monoclonal antibodies against human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Nucleotide sequences encoding and amino acid sequences comprising heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the complementarity determining regions (CDRs), specifically from within FR1 and/or CDR1 through CDR3 and/or within FR4, are provided. Further provided are antibodies having similar binding properties and antibodies (or other antagonists) having similar functionality as antibodies disclosed herein.
US08491892B2	Activated carbon for medical use The invention relates to the use of a particulate active carbon, in particular in the form of active carbon particles, preferably active carbon beads, for the field of medicine and/or for the production of a medicament, wherein the active carbon employed has a large micropore volume content, based on the total pore volume of the active carbon. A microporous active carbon of this type if particularly suitable for medicinal use.
US08491887B2	Anticancer therapy by transplanting vascular endothelial progenitor cells An anticancer therapy using autologous cells or the like, which induces the regression of cancer or has favorable drug delivery effects and brings about reduction or withdrawal of a hypoxic region(s) in tumor is provided. Transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells, via intravenously or other methods leads to tumor growth inhibition, an increase of the vascular density with an enlargement of the vascular diameter, and reduction of a hypoxic region(s) in the tumor. Allogeneic transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells may be achieved to secure the cells for the therapy, however, autologous transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells from cancer patients would be desirable to evade rejection. When autologous cells are used, mononuclear cells are separated from the peripheral blood or bone marrow of the patient and cultured using an endothelial differentiation medium containing cytokines such as VEGF to obtain adherent cells, which can then be collected and used as endothelial progenitor cells.
US08491886B2	Viruses for the treatment of cellular proliferative disorders Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by administering virus to proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway are disclosed. The virus is administered so that it ultimately directly contacts proliferating cells having an activated Ras-pathway. Proliferative disorders include but are not limited to neoplasms. The virus is selected from modified adenovirus, modified HSV, modified vaccinia virus and modified parapoxvirus orf virus. Also disclosed are methods for treating cell proliferative disorders by further administering an immunosuppressive agent.
US08491885B2	Method for promoting the self-renewal of adult stem cells using mesenchymal stromal cells The present invention relates to a composition for promoting the self-renewal of adult stem cells, comprising β-catenin or notch ligand-overexpressed mesenchymal stromal cells. Further, the present invention relates to a method for promoting the self-renewal of adult stem cells by co-culturing adult stem cells with the mesenchymal stromal cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to β-catenin or notch ligand-overexpressed mesenchymal stromal cells for promoting the self-renewal of adult stem cells.
US08491882B2	Methods for reducing the risk of an unsuccessful pregnancy in a subject having an immune system abberation Methods and kits for preventing or reducing the likelihood of implantation failure or miscarriage in a recipient of artificial insemination are provided. The methods include administering into a recipient of artificial insemination in need of such treatment an effective amount of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).
US08491879B2	Ammonium-polyurethane- and/or polycarbonate compounds The invention relates to novel compounds, in particular ammonium-polyurethane and/or polycarbonate compounds, in particular ammonium-polyurethane-polydiorganosiloxane and/or polycarbonate-polydiorganosiloxane compounds, methods for their production as well as their use.
US08491872B2	Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and uses thereof Cinnamic acid-based oligomers and therapeutic uses thereof are provided. The oligomers are used as anti-inflammation agents, inhibitors of elastase and anti-oxidants, and in some cases (e.g. the treatment of lung disorders such as lung cancer) all three activities are simultaneously beneficial. Subsets of the oligomers (e.g. β-O4 and β-5 trimers and tetramers) are used as anticoagulants.
US08491869B2	Imaging agents for detecting neurological disorders Imaging agents of formula (I) and methods for detecting neurological disorders comprising administering ti a patient in need compounds of formula (I) capable of binding to tau proteins and β-amyloid peptides are presented herein. The invention also relates to methods of imaging Aβ and tau aggregates comprising introducing a detectable quantity of pharmaceutical formulation comprising a radiolabeled compound of formula (I) and detecting the labeled compound associated with amyloid deposits and/or tau proteins in a patient. These methods and compositions enable preclinical diagnosis and monitoring progression of AD and other neurological disorders.
US08491868B2	Ligands for imaging cardiac innervation Novel compounds that find use as imaging agents within nuclear medicine applications (PET imaging) for imaging of cardiac innervation are disclosed. These PET based radiotracers may exhibit increased stability, decreased NE release (thereby reducing side effects), improved quantitative data, and/or high affinity for VMAT over prior radiotracers. Methods of using the compounds to image cardiac innervation are also provided. In some instances the compounds are developed by derivatizing certain compounds with 18F in a variety of positions: aryl, alkyl, a keto, benzylic, beta-alkylethers, gamma-propylalkylethers and beta-proplylalkylethers. Alternatively or additionally, a methyl group a is added to the amine, and/or the catechol functionality is either eliminated or masked as a way of making these compounds more stable.
US08491865B2	Nanostructured sorbent materials for capturing environmental mercury vapor The present invention is a method and material for using a sorbent material to capture and stabilize mercury. The method for using sorbent material to capture and stabilize mercury contains the following steps. First, the sorbent material is provided. The sorbent material, in one embodiment, is nano-particles. In a preferred embodiment, the nano-particles are unstabilized nano-Se. Next, the sorbent material is exposed to mercury in an environment. As a result, the sorbent material captures and stabilizes mercury from the environment. In the preferred embodiment, the environment is an indoor space in which a fluorescent has broken.
US08491864B2	Manufacture of high-strength, low-salt sodium hypochlorite bleach A method for continuous manufacture of higher-strength, lower-salt, aqueous sodium hypochlorite bleach from lower-strength aqueous sodium hypochlorite bleach that has some sodium hydroxide and that is essentially free of sodium chloride (salt) crystals, aqueous sodium hydroxide solution having a concentration by weight within a range from about 45% to about 51%, chlorine in gas and/or liquid phase that may or may not include inerts, and a recycle solution. Slurry is withdrawn from the tank at a level below where the lower-strength bleach, the sodium hydroxide solution, the chlorine, and the recycle solution begin to mix with slurry already in the tank. A first portion of the slurry is withdrawn and used as the recycle solution. A second portion of the slurry is withdrawn and processed to separate substantially all salt crystals from residual liquid that is recovered as the higher-strength lower-salt, aqueous sodium hypochlorite bleach.
US08491863B2	Method for making carbon nanotube array A method for forming a carbon nanotube array is related. A substrate with a catalyst layer on a surface of the substrate is provided and placed into a reaction device. At least two kinds of carbon source gases including different kinds of single carbon isotope are introduced into the reaction device at the same time. The reaction device is heated to different reaction temperatures to react the carbon source gases under different temperatures to grow a carbon nanotube array on a surface of the catalyst layer.
US08491861B2	Synthetic process for preparation of high surface area electroactive compounds for battery applications A process is disclosed for the preparation of electroactive cathode compounds useful in lithium-ion batteries, comprising exothermic mixing of low-cost precursors and calcination under appropriate conditions. The exothermic step may be a spontaneous flameless combustion reaction. The disclosed process can be used to prepare any lithium metal phosphate or lithium mixed metal phosphate as a high surface area single phase compound.
US08491857B1	Processes and apparatus for small-scale in situ biodiesel production Processes and apparatus produce economically feasible biodiesel without subsidies. Toward that end, integrated small plants process materials containing lipids with anhydrous bioethanol as solvent and reactant, and sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide mainly as catalysts to produce up to 3 million gallons of biodiesel per plant per year. The product is predominantly fatty acids ethyl esters (FAEE) and a chemically-enhanced organic fertilizer as byproduct. The raw material may include a wide variety of non-edible solid matter that contains lipids, which normally have from 0.5% to 80% by weight of free fatty acids in total oils. Multiple apparatus makes this process feasible. In addition to not competing with food production, since they supply fertilizer for small scale farmers, the processes and apparatus allow sustainable liquid fuel production.
US08491853B2	Substrate and device for bioassay and method for making the substrate A substrate for bioassay comprises a substrate and a group of reaction regions serving as a field where interaction between substances proceeds and formed in the substrate, and a group of information pits used to obtain positional information of individual reaction regions and/or substance information used in the reaction regions. The group of reaction regions and the group of information pits are not formed in the same substrate surface. A bioassay apparatus using the substrate and a method for making the substrate are also provided.
US08491851B2	System and method for enabling and disabling a portable assay reader device A detection system in a portable assay reader device is enabled or activated after a user applies a manual force to a portion of the reader device, to an object supporting the assay test strip, or to the assay test strip itself. The movement moves a switch from an open state to a closed state. The closed state enables a detection system to monitor one or more test regions in the assay test strip for a reaction. The detection system can include one or more imagers, one or more electrical detectors, one or more magnetic detectors, or one or more optical detectors that monitor the one or more test regions for applicable visible, electrical, magnetic, or optical reactions, respectively. The one or more imagers or detectors transmit data to a processing device to determine the results of a test.
US08491850B2	Diagnostic test reader with locking mechanism A diagnostic test reader includes an assay interface, a locking mechanism, and a test unit. The assay interface is configured to receive a diagnostic assay. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the diagnostic assay within the assay interface in response to one of the diagnostic assay and the diagnostic test reader being given a first push in a first direction toward the other of the diagnostic assay and the diagnostic test reader. The locking mechanism is also configured to unlock the diagnostic assay within the assay interface in response to the one of the diagnostic assay and the diagnostic test reader being given a second push in the first direction. The test unit is configured to analyze the diagnostic assay.
US08491844B2	Scrubbing a gas containing nitrogen oxides The invention relates to a method for removing nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx with x>1) from a gas stream, implementing a device including a catalytic bed for converting a portion at least a part of the NO into NOx with x>1, and a unit for reducing the NOx with x>1, and in which the gas stream is placed into contact with the catalytic bed before entering the unit for reducing the NOx with x>1.
US08491837B2	Ni-based brazing composition, braze repair method, and braze-repair structure A Ni-based brazing composition at least containing, in mass %, 1.0% or more and 1.3% or less of B, 4.0% or more and 6.0% or less of Si, and the balance consisting of Ni and unavoidable impurities, wherein the brazing composition forms wherein the brazing composition forms dispersed phase containing B or Si in a metal texture after the brazing, and a maximum length of the dispersed phase is 30 μm or less.
US08491836B2	Method and furnace for melting steel scrap A melting furnace for smelting scrap includes a heating device extending through a wall of the furnace in order to supply melting energy, wherein the heating device including a tubular body, which encloses a flow channel. Further, the furnace includes a heating zone formed by a longitudinal section of the tubular body configured as an electrodeless plasma torch including an inductive heating coil which encloses the flow channel coaxially. An injection pipe is disposed in a central manner in the flow channel extending up or into to the heating zone, wherein the injection pipe is enclosed by a gas guiding pipe coaxially and at a radial distance. An annular channel is arranged between the injection pipe and the wall of the flow channel for supplying a cooling gas.
US08491832B2	Apparatus and method for forming a container having a receptacle and an integral cap and product formed thereby An apparatus for forming a container generally comprises a first mold part having an injection mold portion and a blow mold portion and a second mold part having a core pin. The core pin is configured to cooperate with the injection mold portion in a first position to define an injection mold cavity for forming a preform and an integral cap. The core pin is also configured to cooperate with the blow mold portion in a second position to define a blow mold cavity for forming a receptacle from the preform. The cap may be closed at the blow mold portion to seal the receptacle. One or more threads may be formed on a neck of the container.
US08491825B2	Process of making natural tourmaline fiber and filter The present invention provides to a method of producing fiber from tourmaline anion fiber; of which, polypropylene or polyethylene chip, TPE and submicrometer tourmaline particle are prepared and then rolled into submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate through granulation by double screw; then, take submicrometer tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene chip, of which the content of tourmaline agglomerate accounts for 1˜10% of gross weight, and TPE for 1˜40% of gross weight; tourmaline agglomerate and polypropylene or polyethylene are melted into composite fiber or filter material via spinning, such that the fiber or filter material can yield anion and present outstanding gas permeability and mechanical property.
US08491823B2	Process for producing water-resistant polarizing film To obtain a water-resistant polarizing film free from deterioration in dichroic ratio caused by water-resistant treatment, it is critical that adjacent sulfonic acid groups or sulfonate groups in the organic dyes to be used for the polarizing film are spaced at moderate intervals. In a process for producing a water-resistant polarizing film of the present invention, the polarizing film before water-resistant treatment includes an organic dye which comprises an azo compound 20 represented by the following general formula (1) or (2)
US08491822B2	Tin oxide particles and process for producing the same A tin oxide particle having at least two diffraction peaks at 2θ (deg) of 9±1° and 28±1° in XRD measurement by Cu/Kα radiation. The tin oxide particle preferably shows diffraction peaks at 2θ (deg) of 19±1°, 48±1°, and 59±1°. The tin oxide particle preferably has electroconductivity. The tin oxide particle is preferably produced by mixing an aqueous solution containing tin (II) and a hydroxyl-containing organic compound in a heated condition with an alkali.
US08491821B2	Compositions comprising propylene-olefin-copolymer waxes and carbon nanotubes The invention relates to compositions comprising certain propylene-olefin-copolymer waxes, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the compositions being in the form of masterbatches, compounds or conductive polymers, and their use for producing conductive polymers and articles made of conductive polymers.
US08491820B2	Process for growing an electron injection layer to improve the efficiency of organic light emitting diodes An organic light emitting functional device with organic electron injection layer to improve the injection of electrons from the cathode in an organic light emitting diode. In particular, the device relates to the use of electron transport layer 4,7-di phenyl-1,10 phenanthroline (herein after called as BPhen) and another organic semiconductor Tetracyano quino dimethane (herein after called as TCNQ) and optimizing the thickness and doping percentage of the composition in an organic light emitting device. The main use of the composed injection layer is to balance the injection of holes from the anode side and the injection of electrons from cathode side and thus increase the efficiency of Organic light emitting diodes.
US08491819B2	High work-function and high conductivity compositions of electrically conducting polymers Provided are compositions having high conductivity and high work-function. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion or solution of an electrically conducting polymer and a perfluorinated polymeric acid. The conductive polymers may be made from conjugated monomers or comonomers and a non-fluorinated polymeric acid, and the perfluorinated polymeric acides may be derived from perfluoroolefins having perfluoro-ether-sulfonic acid side chains. Devices embodying such compositions are also provided.
US08491816B2	Semiconductor light emitting device, backlight, color image display device and phosphor to be used for them To provide a semiconductor light emitting device which is capable of accomplishing a broad color reproducibility for an entire image without losing brightness of the entire image.A light source provided on a backlight for a color image display device has a semiconductor light emitting device comprising a solid light emitting device to emit light in a blue or deep blue region or in an ultraviolet region and phosphors, in combination. The phosphors comprise a green emitting phosphor and a red emitting phosphor. The green emitting phosphor and the red emitting phosphor are ones, of which the rate of change of the emission peak intensity at 100° C. to the emission intensity at 25° C., when the wavelength of the excitation light is 400 nm or 455 nm, is at most 40%.
US08491815B1	Omnino nanocomposite crosslinked networks Disclosed are bulk, crosslinked nanocomposite networks that do not require a host polymer in the matrix. Bulk nanocomposites can be formed via derivatization of nanoparticles with functional ligands that directly or indirectly crosslink with one another or with nanostructures of the network to form a highly crosslinked network. Disclosed bulk nanocomposites can contain nanoscale materials at extremely high loading levels. Nanostructures incorporated in the networks can include optically active materials such as inorganic nanostructures doped with optically active rare earth ions.
US08491806B2	Chemical-mechanical polishing formulation and methods of use The invention is directed to a chemical-mechanical polishing formulation that includes: an abrasive particulate component; iodic acid; and water. The invention is also directed to a method for polishing a metal-containing substrate, the method including the steps of polishing the metal-containing substrate with a polishing pad at a suitable polishing pressure while the metal-containing substrate is in contact with the above polishing formulation.
US08491804B2	Substrate processing method A method of processing a substrate having a processing target layer and an organic film serving as a mask layer includes a mineralizing process of mineralizing the organic film. The mineralizing process includes an adsorption process for allowing a silicon-containing gas to be adsorbed onto a surface of the organic film; and an oxidation process for oxidizing the adsorbed silicon-containing gas to be converted into a silicon oxide film. A monovalent aminosilane is employed as the silicon-containing gas.
US08491803B2	Method of hydrophobizing and patterning frontside surface of integrated circuit A method of hydrophobizing a frontside surface of an integrated circuit. The method includes the steps of: (a) depositing a hydrophobic polymeric layer onto the frontside surface; (b) depositing a protective metal film onto the hydrophobic polymeric layer; (c) depositing a sacrificial material onto the metal film; (d) patterning the sacrificial material; (e) etching through the metal film, the hydrophobic polymeric layer and the frontside surface; (f) performing MEMS processing steps on a backside of the integrated circuit; (g) subjecting the integrated circuit to an oxidizing plasma, wherein the metal film protects the hydrophobic polymeric layer from the oxidizing plasma; and (h) removing the protective metal film to provide an integrated circuit having a relatively hydrophobic patterned frontside surface.
US08491801B1	Method and system for providing an NFT using a sacrificial NFT structure A method and system provides a near-field transducer (NFT) for an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducer. The method and system include forming a sacrificial NFT structure having a shape a location corresponding to the NFT. A dielectric layer is deposited. A portion of the dielectric layer resides on the sacrificial NFT structure. At least this portion of the dielectric layer on the sacrificial structure is removed. The sacrificial NFT structure is removed, exposing an NFT trench in the dielectric layer. At least one conductive layer for the NFT is deposited. A first portion of the conductive layer(s) reside in the NFT trench. A second portion of the conductive layer(s) external to the NFT trench is removed to form the NFT.
US08491800B1	Manufacturing of hard masks for patterning magnetic media Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for designing and manufacturing hard masks used in the creation of patterned magnetic media and, more particularly, patterned magnetic recording media used in hard disk drives (e.g., bit patterned media (BPM)). In some embodiments, the hard mask incorporates at least one layer of Ta (tantalum) and at least one layer of C (carbon) and is used during ion implantation of a pattern onto magnetic media. The hard mask can be fabricated with a high aspect ratio to achieve small feature sizes while maintaining its effectiveness as a mask, is robust enough to withstand the ion implantation process, and can be removed after the ion implantation process with minimal damage to the magnetic media.
US08491798B2	Eliminating hydrogen sulfide from liquid ammonia Processes for selectively eliminating hydrogen sulfide from liquid ammonia, either anhydrous or aqueous, are described herein. The processes generally include contacting a first liquid stream, anhydrous or aqueous, comprising ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, with a solution comprising sulfur dioxide to convert the hydrogen sulfide to thiosulfate.
US08491796B2	Treatment of solid-stabilized emulsions An emulsion treating unit and process. A subcooled boiling zone in the unit comprises a heat transfer surface to contact an emulsion at a temperature in excess of the saturation temperature of an aqueous phase in the emulsion, wherein the boiling zone is atmospherically vented. The unit also provides means for recovering an oil-rich layer from adjacent a vapor-liquid interface; and means for recovering an aqueous-rich layer from below the oil-rich layer. The process provides operation of the treating unit to heat an emulsion in the subcooled boiling zone, wherein the boiling zone is atmospherically vented, recovering an oil-rich layer and recovering an aqueous-rich layer from below the oil-rich layer. In one embodiment the boiling zone comprises a heat transfer surface having a temperature in excess of the saturation temperature of the aqueous-rich layer, wherein the vapor-liquid interface is subcooled with respect to the saturation temperature of the aqueous layer.
US08491794B2	Process for enhanced total organic carbon removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance A system and process for enhancing total organic carbon (“TOC”) removal from raw, untreated water while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art water filtration systems by controlling the pH level of the water, prior to the water being directed through said membrane filter, so that the particulate charge of the water aligns with the electromagnetic surface charge of membrane filter. Maintaining the particulate charge of the water within an optimum charge window for the particular membrane filter enhances the membrane filter's performance by decreasing the fouling rate of the membrane filter.
US08491788B2	Process for enhanced total organic carbon removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance One embodiment of a method to system for enhancing TOC removal while maintaining membrane filter performance is the implementation of a dual pH control system. This embodiment will enhance the ability to maximize TOC removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. By adjusting pH, dosing a chemical coagulant and incorporating liquid-solids separation, a considerably higher degree of TOC removal is possible. By adjusting pH again after liquid-solids separation this embodiment can drastically increase the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration/ultrafiltration system.Thus pH control for soluble organic removal is critical. This pH level however may not be the ideal set point for minimizing membrane fouling which is the basis for this embodiment. An example: the pH set point for optimum soluble organic removal is designated to be 5.5. However, the optimum pH set point for optimum membrane performance is 7.0. This embodiment will show the reader that a two stage approach can accomplish the desired result. Stage 1 involves coagulant dosing, pH control, mixing and liquid-solids separation followed by Stage two which involves pH control, mixing and membrane filtration.
US08491784B2	Process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The catalyst is prepared by mixing a first salt and a second salt in an aqueous mixture under anaerobic conditions at a temperature of from 15° C. to 150° C., where the first salt comprises a cationic component in any non-zero oxidation state selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ag, Co, Mn, Ru, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Dy, Ni, Zn, Bi, Sn, Pb, and Sb, and where the second salt comprises an anionic component selected from the group consisting of MoS42−, WS42−, SnS44−, and SbS43.
US08491783B2	Process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and a catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product, where hydrogen sulfide is provided at a mole ratio relative to hydrogen of at least 0.5:9.5. The catalyst is comprised of a bimetallic tetrathiometallate material comprised of a first metal and a second metal, where the first metal is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, Bi, Ag, Mn, Zn, Sn, Ru, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Dy, Ph, and Sb and the second metal is Mo, W, V, Sn, and Sb.
US08491782B2	Process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feed is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feed comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a hydrocarbon-containing product. The catalyst is comprised of a material comprised of a first metal and a second metal, where the first metal is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, Bi, Ag, Mn, Zn, Sn, Ru, La, Pr, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu, Dy, Pb, and Sb and the second metal is Mo, W, Sn, and Sb, wherein the material is comprised of at least three linked chain elements, the chain elements comprising a first chain element including the first metal and having a structure according to formula (I) and a second chain element including the second metal and having a structure according to formula (II) where M1 is the first metal where M2 is the second metal where the material contains at least one first chain element and at least one second chain element and where chain elements in the material are linked by bonds between the two sulfur atoms of a chain element and the metal of an adjacent chain.
US08491780B2	Hydroprocessing of biocomponent feedstocks with FCC off-gas A biocomponent feedstock can be hydroprocessed using an FCC off-gas as a hydrogen source. A relatively low cost catalyst, such as a water gas shift catalyst and/or spent hydrotreating catalyst, can be used as a hydrogenation catalyst for the process. The hydroprocessing can allow for olefin saturation and/or deoxygenation of the biocomponent feed by using a relatively low value refinery stream.
US08491778B2	High shear hydrogenation of wax and oil mixtures Embodiments disclosed herein describe method of producing hydrogenated products, the method that includes providing a wax and an oil; processing the wax and the oil with a gas under high shear conditions to form a high shear product; and hydrogenating the high shear product to produce hydrogenated products. The wax may be a petroleum wax comprising alkane hydrocarbons with formula CnH2n+2, wherein n=20-40.
US08491774B2	Whisker free tin plated layer Tin and tin alloy deposits which are substantially free of certain crystal planes or equivalents thereof inhibit or prevent whisker formation. The tin or tin alloy deposits which are free of these crystal planes and inhibit or prevent whisker formation may be deposited by electroplating. Tin alloys include tin/copper, tin/nickel, tin/silver, tin/bismuth, tin/zinc and tin/antimony. The tin and tin alloy baths used to deposit the tin and tin alloys may be acidic or alkaline.
US08491773B2	Method of replenishing indium ions in indium electroplating compositions Methods of replenishing indium ions in indium electroplating compositions are disclosed. Indium ions are replenished during electroplating using indium salts of certain weak acids. The method may be used with soluble and insoluble anodes.
US08491766B2	Gas sensor for determining hydrogen or hydrogen compounds The invention at hand concerns a novel class of gas sensors, in particular for hydrogen or hydrogen-containing fluids (gases or liquids), such as hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphides or more complex gas mixtures or gas compositions which contain hydrogen or hydrogen compounds.
US08491765B2	Diamond microelectrodes A microlectrode comprising a diamond layer formed from electrically non-conducting diamond and containing one or more pins or projections of electrically conducting diamond extending at least partially through the layer of non-conducting diamond presenting areas of electrically conducting diamond.
US08491763B2	Oxygen recovery system and method for recovering oxygen in an electrochemical cell An oxygen recovery system configured to recover evolved oxygen from a regenerative electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes an oxygen reduction cathode, a fuel electrode configured to be a fuel anode when the cell is operated to generate electricity and a cathode for reducing fuel thereon when the cell is operated to regenerate the fuel, and an oxygen evolution anode that is configured to evolve oxygen from an electrolyte solution when the cell is operated to regenerate the fuel. The oxygen recovery system includes an oxygen separator located downstream of the oxygen evolution anode in a recharge direction of flow. The oxygen separator is configured to separate the evolved oxygen from the electrolyte solution. An oxygen recovery path is disposed between the oxygen separator and the oxygen reduction cathode. The oxygen recovery path is configured to direct the evolved oxygen separated from the electrolyte solution to the oxygen reduction cathode.
US08491759B2	RF impedance matching network with secondary frequency and sub-harmonic variant Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a matching network for physical vapor deposition. The matching network may include a first RF generator coupled to a deposition chamber target through a first impedance matching network having a first tuning circuit. The first RF generator may be configured to introduce a first AC signal to the deposition chamber target. The matching network may also include a second RF generator coupled to a deposition chamber pedestal through a second impedance matching network. The second RF generator may be configured to introduce a second AC signal to the deposition chamber pedestal. The first tuning circuit may be configured to modify an effect of the second AC signal on plasma formed between the deposition chamber target and the deposition chamber pedestal.
US08491756B2	Device for determining the water content of a target A device is provided for determining the water content of a target (1), the device having at least one source of target radiation (2), at least one source of reference radiation (4) directed to a target surface (10), and at least one detecting element (3) for measuring the intensity of radiation reflected back by the target surface. During use the at least one source of target radiation (2), the at least one source of reference radiation (4), and the at least one detecting element (3) are arranged immediately opposite the target surface (10). A pressurizing device using air or gas is provided, by which an artificial movement of the air or gas atmosphere can be created in the area of the optical paths between the at least one source of target radiation (2) and the target surface (10), and/or between the at least one source of reference radiation (4) and the target surface (10), and/or between the target surface (10) and the at least one detecting element (3).
US08491755B2	Method for manufacturing paper and board The use of filler for the manufacture of paper and board products the air permeability of which does not substantially change as a function of the amount of filler, the filler being at least in part made up of cellulose or lignocellulose fibrils on which there have been deposited light-scattering material particles the proportion of which is 67-85%, preferably approx. 70-82%, of the weight of the filler.
US08491754B2	Web, stampable sheet and stampable sheet expanded product as well as method of producing the same There is disclosed an expansion molded product, and a web and stampable sheet suitable for use in the production thereof as well as a method of producing the same. A disclosed method of producing a web, stampable sheet and expansion molded product of a stampable sheet comprises uniformly dispersing reinforcing fibers, thermoplastic resin and thermal expandable particles in an aqueous medium containing a surfactant with fine foams to prepare a foamy solution, filtering the foamy solution to form a web, heating pressing and cooling the web to form a stampable sheet, heating the stampable sheet to expand the thermal expandable particles, and shaping and cooling the stampable sheet, wherein the expanded thermal expandable particles are eccentrically located toward one-side surface of the expansion molded product of the stampable sheet by removing foams by suction during the filtering and eccentrically locating the thermal expandable particles toward one-side surface of the web.
US08491746B2	Method to apply multiple coatings to a fiber web A method for applying multiple polymeric coatings onto a fibrous substrate. More particularly, a method for applying multiple polymeric coatings onto fibrous substrates without regard to chemical or physical incompatibilities of the polymeric coating materials. A first polymeric material is applied onto at least one fibrous substrate, and a second polymeric material is applied onto a support. The fibrous substrate and support are joined, contacting the first polymeric material with the second polymeric material, followed by separating the support from the fibrous substrate, such that at least a portion of the second polymeric material remains on the first polymeric material on the fibrous substrate.
US08491742B2	Method for embossing an absorbent article using a segmented anvil A method for embossing an absorbent article using a segmented anvil and attaching a release paper to a backsheet having depressed regions.
US08491739B2	Implementing interleaved-dielectric joining of multi-layer laminates A method and apparatus are provided for implementing interleaved-dielectric joining of multi-layer laminates. First and second multi-layer laminates are provided, each having with a laminated portion and an unlaminated portion. The first and second multi-layer laminates are joined together at the unlaminated portions by interleaving a plurality of dielectric layers of the first and second multi-layer laminates. Respective conductors carried by adjacent dielectric layers are connected. The interleaved unlaminated portions are laminated together with heat and pressure, to create a larger laminate of the joined first and second multi-layer laminates.
US08491729B2	Cross linking thin organic coating resins to substrates through polyfunctional bridging molecules Disclosed is a method for providing an anti-corrosion protective coating to a metal substrate that uses a coating composition comprising a resin and a polyfunctional bridging molecule to both bind to the resin and to chelate the bound polymeric resin directly to the metal substrate. One category of polyfunctional bridging molecules preferably includes at least one amine function to bind to a resin and at least one carboxylate, thiol, silane, phenolate, acetoacetonate, imine, phosphate, or phosphonate function to chelate to a metal substrate. It is theorized that the amine function can bind to certain pendent chains in coating resins through a Michael addition reaction while the carboxylate, thiol, silane, phenolate, acetoacetonate, imine, phosphate, or phosphonate functions chelate to the metal substrate. These polyfunctional bridging molecules provide an organic binding of the resin to the metal substrates.
US08491727B2	Apparatus device for removing scale in a borehole installation There is described an apparatus device for mechanically loosening scale inside a pipe arranged to convey hydrocarbon fluids from a production zone in a well, in which an actuator arranged in a housing includes an axially movable stem which extends through at least part of the housing and is provided with at least one cam, at least one cutting means is arranged radially movable in a recess in the housing, the cam bearing, by the axial movement of the actuator towards a first extreme position, against the cutting means, applying to it a push force directed radially outwards. There is also described a method of mechanically loosening scale inside a pipe arranged to convey hydrocarbon fluids from a production zone by using the apparatus.
US08491724B2	Dishwasher control for dealing with large amounts of food residues by variable wash programs A method is provided enabling a dishwasher to be operated with variable wash programs, wherein the filter systems of the dishwasher do not become overloaded with protruding wash residues in the rinsing fluid. The method makes it possible to vary the pressure used to convey the rinsing fluid from the circulating pump to the at least one spray device. The advantage thereof is that protruding wash residues in the rinsing liquid can be reduced or flattened in order to prevent the filter systems in the dishwasher from becoming overloaded so that the cleaning effects of the filter system can remain functional.
US08491722B2	Pipeline pigs A method of monitoring a tube or pipeline, wherein an IP comprising an electronics module arrangement, is driven along the interior of the tube or pipeline by fluid pressure, wherein the IP transmits monitoring signals through the fluid that provides the pressure to the wall of the tube or pipeline, receives signals returned from the wall, analyzes the returned signals and stores data relating to the condition of the wall of the pipeline.
US08491717B2	Multivariate management of entrained air and rheology in cementitious mixes The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring and adjusting both air content and rheology (e.g., slump, slump flow) properties of a hydratable concrete mix contained within a concrete mixer. The system simultaneously tracks dosage of both rheology-modifying admixture (e.g., polycarboxylate polymer cement dispersant) and air control agent or “ACA” (e.g., air entraining agent) by reference to at least four nominal dose response (“NDR”) curves or profiles, which at least four NDR profiles are based on the respective behaviors of each of the ACA and rheology-modifying agent on air content and rheology.
US08491714B2	Ink composition An ink composition contains a water-soluble copper compound and an anthrapyridone dye represented by the following formula: wherein M1 represents a hydrogen atom, NH4, or Na; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substitutable alkyl group, a substitutable aryl group, or a substitutable benzoyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a substitutable alkyl group; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substitutable alkyl group; R4 represents a hydrogen atom, NH4 which may be substituted, or a substitutable sulfo group; and R5 represents an acyl group or a group represented by the following formula: where X and Y independently represent a chlorine atom, hydroxy group, amino group, monoethanolamino group, diethanolamino group, morpholino group, anilino group, or phenol group in which hydrogen atoms may be substituted by one or more substituents.
US08491713B2	Solution and process for increasing the solderability and corrosion resistance of a metal or metal alloy surface Described is a new a solution comprising a phosphorous compound and optionally a solderability-enhancing compound and its use in a process for increasing the solderability and corrosion resistance of a metal or metal alloy surface.
US08491710B2	Method and system for improved-efficiency air-conditioning Systems and methods for circulating air in an enclosed environment are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes an inlet to receive air from outside of the enclosed environment and an air handling unit coupled to the inlet and also configured to receive circulated air from the enclosed environment. The air handling unit can be configured to affect a temperature of at least one of the received outside air and the received circulated air. Based on the received outside air and the received circulated air, the air handling unit can be further configured to generate air for supplying to the enclosed environment.
US08491709B2	Active oxygen generating device, humidifier, and air purification system with humidifier To provide a small active oxygen generating device capable of efficiently continuously generating active oxygen while supplying oxygen in the air. In the active oxygen generating device in which water is made to exist between an anode and a cathode composed of a base material containing a conductive polymer and by turning on electricity between the anode and the cathode, the conductive polymer deoxidizes the oxygen dissolved in the water to generate active oxygen, the cathode is rotatably installed about a conductive horizontal axis with part of the surface being projected over the surface of the water.
US08491708B2	Nozzle arrangements and method for cleaning filter elements A method of cleaning a filter element includes directing a jet of pressurized gas from a nozzle onto a filter element, with the jet having a non-round cross-sectional shape that is a same general cross-sectional shape as the opening in a tube sheet holding the filter element. The nozzle has a channel for the pressurized gas that is obstruction-free.
US08491707B2	Fluid storage tank configured to remove entrained air from fluid A fluid storage tank including an entrained air removal mechanism is provided. The entrained air removal mechanism assists in consolidating small air bubbles entrained within the fluid into larger bubbles such that the air bubbles have sufficient buoyancy to escape the fluid flow. The entrained air removal mechanism may be in the form of a plurality of saw toothed slots communicating different chambers within the fluid storage tank. The fluid storage tank can also be configured to direct fluid flow towards the sidewalls of the fluid storage tank as the fluid transitions from one chamber to another to promote heat transfer out of the fluid storage tank and to avoid the fluid within the tank acting as a thermal insulator.
US08491704B2	Six bed pressure swing adsorption process operating in normal and turndown modes The present invention relates to a six bed pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system utilizing new and advanced cycles to obtain enhanced hydrogen recovery from a hydrogen containing feed gas (i.e., synthesis gas). In one such cycle each of the six beds has four pressure equalization steps, and at least one of the beds is receiving and processing said feed gas to obtain a hydrogen product gas (i.e., a 6-1-4 cycle).
US08491701B2	Methods and systems for leaching a metal-bearing ore for the recovery of a metal value A system and method for recovering a metal value from a metal-bearing ore material are provided. A metal-bearing ore can be mixed with certain substances and to form an agglomerated ore. In an intermediate state, between agglomeration and heap formation, bacteria can be added to the metal-bearing ore material to produce an augmented ore. The augmented ore can then be formed into a heap.
US08491699B2	Method for preparing silver nanoparticles by employing ethanolamine The present invention provides a method for producing silver nanoparticles by employing ethanolamine. The method of this invention can be easily operated and no organic solvent is required. Ethanolamine first reacts with a mixture of poly(oxyalkylene)-amine/epoxy or copolymers of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (abbreviated as SMA) to generate polymeric polymers. The polymeric polymers then reduce silver ions to silver atoms which are dispersed in the form of silver nanoparticles. Functional groups of the polymeric polymers can chelate with silver ions and be stably compatible with water or organic solvents, whereby the silver nanoparticles can be stably dispersed without aggregation and the produced silver nanoparticles.
US08491697B2	Method for producing electrocatalyst [Problem]To provide a method for producing an electrocatalyst having no compositional scatter, wherein nano-level alloy catalyst molecules with an ordered particle size are supported in a highly dispersed state. [Means of Solution]The method includes the steps of preparing a reverse micelle solution by mixing two or more catalyst precursors selected from among metal salts and/or metal complexes, a solvent having hydrophilic groups and a non-aqueous solvent, forming alloy particles in the reverse micelle by adding a non-aqueous solution having a reducing action to the reverse micelle and heating, and supporting the alloy particles on a carrier.
US08491694B2	Efficient phosphate group fertilizers An efficient phosphate fertilizer composition is provided, comprising organic material such as lignite treated with ammonia and phosphoric acid in various proportions to derive direct phosphate fertilizer or ammoniated phosphate.
US08491692B2	Dispersable potash granule A water-dispersible particle is provided that includes organic origin potash in an amount ranging from 5% to 99.9% by weight of the total dry weight of the particle. A binder component is present in an amount from 1% to 95% by weight. The organic origin potash and the binder component on that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces.A process for making a water-dispersible particle includes mechanical aggregation of the potash into a pellet. A binder component is present in the particle in an amount ranging from 1% to 95% by weight. The potash and the binder component are present in a form such that contact with water causes particle dispersion into more than 100 pieces. The pellet is then dried and ready to be applied.
US08491687B1	Hydraulic fracturing truck sand baghouse A frac truck is provided for the portable metering and dispensing of sand into a fractionation fluid system. Hopper vessels for powder, sand or other aggregate have a discharge vent for releasing air that is displaced during the filling of the hoppers. Venting is required to prevent over pressurization; conventionally, this vented gas entrains a significant amount of solids that would subsequently be released into the atmosphere. A dust collector is mounted for receiving the vented air displaced when powdered material is loaded into the hoppers. The dust collector is connected through a vent tube communicating between the hoppers and the dust collector. Air vented from the hoppers is drawn though the dust collector and past and through a filter media, where clean air is discharged and solids collected. A low profile rotary airlock is used to discharge solids from the bottom of the dust collector.
US08491686B2	Cyclonic dust collector with clamp-raised dust barrel A dust collector arrangement has a dust separator supported on a frame, with a lid for the dust collection barrel is mounted onto the frame below it. The lid is supported at a fixed elevation above the surface of the shop floor to create a space or clearance between the rim of the dust collection barrel and the lid. The barrel is supported on casters, and can be rolled into place under the rim, and can be rolled out for emptying. Over-center latches positioned at intervals around the upper part of the barrel side wall, engage corresponding structure on the lid. These pull the barrel upwards against the lid and with the barrel casters lifted off the floor surface. The latch members release to lower the barrel for emptying.
US08491681B2	Abrasive products including active fillers An abrasive product comprises an abrasive component and a bond component. In one embodiment, the bond component includes a binder and a filler component that includes a cryolite and at least one member selected from the group consisting of sodium oxalate (Na2C2O4), sodium borate (Na2B4O7.10H2O), sodium polyphosphate, opal glass, a hexafluoroferrate, and a hexafluorozirconate. In another embodiment, the bond component includes a binder and a filler component that includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a hexafluoroferrate, and a hexafluorozirconate. Alternatively, an abrasive product comprises an abrasive component and a filler component that includes at least one member selected from the group a hexafluoroferrate and a hexafluorozirconate. The abrasive component includes at least one of abrasive particles and agglomerates of abrasive particles.
US08491680B2	Gasification process A gasifier waste stream from a gasification process is directed to a solids separator. A portion of the suspended solids in the waste stream is removed in the solids separator, producing slag and fly ash and a grey water effluent. The grey water effluent is directed to one or more ceramic membranes which remove at least portions of the remaining suspended solids in the grey water. Permeate from the ceramic membrane is directed to an evaporator located downstream from the ceramic membrane for further concentration. Placing the ceramic membrane upstream from the evaporator reduces fouling and plugging in the evaporator that would otherwise occur due to the suspended solids in the grey water.
US08491678B1	Active gas flow heat exchanger and its associated method of operation A system and method of recovering some of the latent heat of vaporization in a system having a heated environment that adds heat to liquid material and converts the liquid material into gaseous material. The latent heat of vaporization is partially recovered using a unique heat exchanger. The heat exchanger preheats the liquid material entering the heated environment with heat energy from the gaseous material exiting the heated environment. The heat exchanger has a gas flow path. A volume of a gas medium fills the gas flow path. A pump causes the gas medium to flow through the gas flow path at a predetermined mass flow rate. The gas medium and its flow rate are selected to ensure that the specific heat of the gas medium surpasses that of the gaseous material exiting the heated environment.
US08491677B2	Pelletization and calcination of green coke A method of calcining green petroleum coke which includes separating the green coke having a particle size of between 0.1 mm and 50 mm into undersized and oversized fractions, pelletizing the undersized fraction with a binder to form pelletized coke, combining the oversized fraction and the pelletized coke to form a feed mixture, and calcining the feed mixture to form calcined coke. The method includes the addition of a pulverization step wherein all the green coke is pulverized before pelletization and the pellets are then calcined to produce a pelletized calcined coke product.
US08491671B2	Mixture of dispersing agents The present invention relates to a mixture of at least two different dispersing agents, an aqueous dispersion containing a UV absorber selected from benzotriazoles, benzotriazines and benzophenones and a mixture of at least two different dispersing agents and a method for reducing the differential pressure in the static dyeing process.
US08491669B2	Cationic 4-aminopyridine, dye composition comprising a cationic 4-aminopyridine, processes therefor and uses thereof The present invention relates to a cationic aminopyridine of general formula (I), acid-addition salts thereof and solvates thereof: in which: R1 is a linear or branched, saturated C1-C20 alkyl radical, substituted and/or interrupted with a cationic radical. The present invention is also directed towards a process for synthesizing this cationic aminopyridine, compositions, uses, hair dyeing processes and devices using this cationic aminopyridine.
US08491667B2	Modular prosthesis system A modular prosthesis system that can be inexpensively manufactured using modern technology and advanced polymer materials. The modular prosthesis system will be immediately fit on the residual limb and aligned for optimal gait without specialized tools or labs, alleviating the many steps involved with conventional labor-intensive and costly prosthesis construction. The modular prosthesis system also accommodates the changing in size and shape of the limb, eliminating the need for multiple prostheses and adjustments to an existing prosthesis during the lifetime of an amputee.
US08491663B2	Prosthesis for part of a joint, with an anti-twist element The invention relates to a joint part prosthesis, particularly for a finger joint, consisting of either a proximal or a distal component, as well as a shaft that extends away from this component, to be mounted in a bone, which shaft is configured with a fin-like anti-twist device. According to the invention, it is provided that as an anti-twist device (7), at least two anti-twist elements (8) are disposed on the mantle surface (6) of the shaft (4), with rotation symmetry, and extend radially away from this mantle surface (6) and in the longitudinal direction of the shaft (4), whereby the distance of the anti-twist elements (8) from the mantle surface (6) decreases slightly in the direction toward the free end (5) of the shaft (4).
US08491661B2	Knee joint prosthesis A knee joint endoprosthesis is provided with a simplified construction. The knee joint endoprosthesis consists of a femur component and a tibia component which comprise cooperating joint surfaces that are in contact with one another. A rotation guide arrangement is provided for forcing the femur component and the tibia component to rotate relative to each other about a medial center of rotation upon a flexure of the knee joint endoprosthesis. The rotation guide arrangement comprises a first guide element having a first guidance surface and a second guide element having a second guidance surface which cooperates with the first guidance surface. The tibia component comprises the first guide element and the femur component comprises the second guide element. The first guidance surface defines a first radius of curvature and the second guidance surface defines a second radius of curvature. The first and second radii of curvature are identical.
US08491658B1	Interbody fusion implant and related methods An implant for performing interbody fusion within a human spine, inserters for such an implant, and associated methodology. The implant is preferably formed in situ from at least two separate but lockable members (a base member and a closure member). The base member may be implanted into an interbody space first, after which the end plates may be finally prepared and the base member packed with fusion promoting substances before engaging and locking the closure member. The closure member provides structural support for the adjacent vertebral bodies (along with the base member) and may be selected after implantation of the base member having a specific length, width, height, taper, etc. . . . to ensure an optimal sizing of the implant for desired restoration of disc height, coronal taper, sagittal taper, etc. . . . .
US08491657B2	Expanding cage for vertebral surgery The disclosure relates to an expanding device intended to be implanted between the vertebral end-plates of two adjacent vertebrae, in particular for a stabilization operation for intervertebral fusion. The inventive device comprises: a cage forming a peripheral part that surrounds a central cavity, said peripheral part being formed by a leading edge and a thicker manipulation edge which are connected by two lateral edges provided with lateral housings; and a retractor received in the lateral housings, which can be moved between an insertion position, in which it is located close to the manipulation edge, and a locking position, in which it is located at the leading edge, increasing the height of same. The invention is characterized in that the retractor is provided with abutment means designed to maintain the retractor in the locking position and to oppose the release of the retractor from the cage.
US08491656B2	Arthrodesis of vertebral bodies Spinal arthrodesis is accomplished by implanting an intervertebral spacer made of a biocompatible material that promotes tissue ingrowth and bony fusion. The spacer is implanted into a graft bed formed between adjacent vertebral bodies. The spacer includes a body portion having anterior and posterior end faces. Opposed flanges project outwardly from the body portion at axial locations adjacent the anterior and posterior end faces. The flanges taper radially outwardly to an outer edge that is sharp enough to penetrate vertebral end plates. After a graft bed has been formed, and after the vertebral bodies have been distracted, the spacer is inserted into the graft bed and positioned such that the flanges are adjacent the vertebral end plates. Upon release of the distraction, the vertebral bodies will move toward each other and the flanges will be pressed into the end plates. The effect of the pressing action is to secure the spacer tightly in place within the graft bed such that migration of the spacer is prevented.
US08491652B2	Apparatus and method for sequentially anchoring multiple graft ligaments in a bone tunnel An apparatus for anchoring at least two graft ligaments within a longitudinal bone tunnel includes a longitudinal sleeve having at least two radially spaced ligament-contacting surfaces located in lateral opposition to a sleeve inner lumen. The sleeve is configured for at least partial insertion into the bone tunnel with each graft ligament positioned laterally adjacent a different ligament-contacting surface. The graft ligaments are at least partially located between the bone tunnel and the sleeve. An actuating member has longitudinally separated proximal and distal actuating member ends. An asymmetrically offset profile is defined by at least one of the sleeve and the actuating member. The asymmetrically offset profile has a plurality of longitudinally spaced engagement thresholds. The actuating member is inserted longitudinally into the sleeve to cause frictional engagement of each graft ligament with both the bone tunnel and at least one ligament-contacting surface. The frictional engagement of each graft ligament is temporally spaced apart from the frictional engagement of at least one other graft ligament. The temporal spacing is provided by the plurality of engagement thresholds. A method of anchoring at least two longitudinally extending graft ligaments within a bone tunnel is also provided.
US08491651B2	Intraocular lenses with interlenticular opacification resistance The present invention is directed to an intraocular lens, an intraocular lens system and a method of producing and/or implanting the lens or system in an eye wherein at least one intraocular lens includes a coating that aids in resisting interlenticular opacification (ILO). The material of the coating is preferably hydrophilic or super-hydrophobic.
US08491643B2	Anterior bone plate system and method of use An anterior bone plate system is provided that promotes osseous fusion and allows subsidence while restricting extension. The bone plate system requires a minimum number of screws for securing the plate onto bone, thus reducing the amount of osseous tissue damage incurred by the bone structures to which they are attached. The system is also simple to use and provides for independent screw placement while incurring minimal soft tissue damage from lateral retraction. A method for implementing the system is also provided.
US08491642B2	Spinal transverse connector Disclosed is a spinal transconnector device for coupling longitudinal spinal rods on either side of the mid-sagittal plane. The device includes two interconnected rod engagement elements, a first rod engagement elements having a vaulted surface adapted to secure to a first longitudinal spinal rod via an interference fit comprising compression of the first longitudinal spinal rod against the generally vaulted surface; and an interference pin that advances into a bore of the first rod engagement element forming an interference fit between the interference pin and the rod engagement element. The interference fit can be associated with elastic deformation of the first rod engagement element occurring as a consequence of the interference pin being advanced through the bore in the engagement element and contacting a surface of the first longitudinal spinal rod.
US08491638B2	Dynamic spine stabilizers Treatment of spinal irregularities, including, in one or more embodiments, dynamic spine stabilizers and systems that can be used to stabilize one or more motion segments in a patient's spine. Spine stabilization systems may comprise a first bone fastener configured to attach the spine stabilization system to a first vertebra. Spine stabilization systems further may comprise a second bone fastener configured to attach the spine stabilization system to a second vertebra. Spine stabilization systems further may comprise a dynamic spine stabilizer configured to connect the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener with at least some relative movement between the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener.
US08491636B2	Method and apparatus for inflating and deflating balloon catheters A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.
US08491633B2	Intervertebral spacer for cervical vertebrae Intervertebral spacer to be placed between two adjacent, upper and lower cervical vertebrae, the spacer comprising a spacer body and retention member for retaining the spacer body in position against said vertebrae. The retention member includes a strap and fastener member that are removable and self-blocking, enabling the ends of the strap to be secured to the spacer body. The spacer body including: a spacer part having two opposite ends, a portion of the first end configured to be inserted between the vertebrae; and top and bottom flanges connected via their bases to the second end of the spacer part and extending on either side thereof, each flange presenting an anterior face facing towards the spacer part and configured to bear against the posterior portion of the lamina of the upper or lower vertebra, respectively.
US08491632B2	Method and apparatus for soft tissue fixation An anchor assembly for retaining a graft in an anatomy. The anchor assembly includes an anchor body, a flexible connector, and a graft holding member. The anchor body includes a first connector bore defined by the anchor body. The flexible connector extends through the first connector bore. The graft holding member is attached to the flexible connector and is configured to hold the graft.
US08491631B2	Tissue tack A tissue fixation device includes a tack having at least two flexible arms on a first end of said anchor. A deployment device for deploying a tissue fixation device, wherein the deployment device is a deployment gun.
US08491630B2	Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods An implant for filling a cavity created by an excisional procedure includes first and second portions. The first portion may include a first collagenous matrix that defines a first selected crosslinking density and the second portion may include a second collagenous matrix that defines a second selected cross-linking density that is different than the first cross-linking density. The first and second cross-linking densities may be selected so as to cause the first and second portions to swell in such a manner that the implant swells into a size and a shape that is similar to the predetermined size and shape of the cavity when the implant is implanted. An aqueous solution may be added to the cavity if the cavity is not sufficiently aqueous to cause the implant to swell.
US08491629B2	Vascular hole closure delivery device A surgical delivery instrument for delivering a vascular hole closure device having first and second flexible members and a first and second engagement members extending from the respective flexible member. The delivery instrument includes a housing having first and second longitudinally extending openings and first and second projecting surfaces, the first projecting surface extending into the first opening for engagement by the first engagement member and the second projecting surface extending into the second opening for engagement by the second engagement member. The first engagement member is held by the first projecting surface until a predetermined force is applied to the first engagement member during placement of the closure device at a target site.
US08491627B2	Coupling system useful in the placement of implants A coupling system is disposed at the distal end of an interventional delivery system for coupling to an implant. The coupling device has a first and second prong connected at one end. The other end of the prongs open or close to release or trap an object, e.g., a bead tethered from an implant. A slot at the distal end of the coupling device allows extra degrees of flexibility for the coupling device.
US08491625B2	Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure An endoscopic forceps is provided. The endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. A rotatable sheath operably couples to the shaft and includes a camming member. A drive assembly includes a drive rod that operably couples to the rotatable sheath. An end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft has a pair of first and second jaw members. One of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member. Actuation of the drive assembly causes the drive rod to rotate within the shaft and rotate the rotatable sheath such that the movable jaw member moves from an initial position to a subsequent position.
US08491623B2	Atraumatic occlusion balloons and skirts, and methods of use thereof One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer.
US08491617B2	Low profile cutting assembly with a return spring The present disclosure relates to a forceps that includes a housing, a cutting assembly, and an actuator. The housing has a shaft attached thereto that extends therefrom and is configured to support a pair of jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable to grasp tissue therebetween. The cutting assembly includes a spring element that has proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of the spring element is fixed to a boss disposed within the housing and the distal end of the spring element includes a cutting edge. The spring element is coiled at a proximal end thereof to create a spring bias against the boss. The actuator is operably coupled to the spring element and is configured to selectively advance the cutting edge of the spring element into the jaw members against the spring bias to sever tissue disposed therebetween.
US08491616B2	System and method for corneal astigmatic axis marking The present invention includes a corneal marker having an adjustable element providing for orientation of the marker to the astigmatic axis of a patient's eye under examination, a handle secured to the corneal marker and a stem secured to and extending below the handle. The stem is weighted to facilitate alignment of the corneal marker to the corneal surface of the patient's eye under examination during corrective eye surgery according to the corneal light reflex from the eye in response to an illumination source.
US08491615B2	Cutting balloon catheter A medical balloon catheter including a catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon secured to a distal portion of the catheter shaft. One or more cutting blades are secured to the inflatable balloon by a first polymeric adhesive material forming a mounting pad encasing a base portion of the cutting blade therein, and a second polymeric adhesive material adhesively bonding the mounting pad to a surface of the balloon. The first polymeric adhesive material has a first ductility and the second polymeric adhesive material has a second ductility greater than the first ductility.
US08491608B2	Endoscopic surgical clip applier with clip retention An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is provided and includes a handle assembly; a shaft assembly including a housing extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the shaft assembly; a jaw mounted adjacent a distal end portion of the shaft assembly, the jaw being movable between an open spaced-apart condition and a closed approximated condition; and a pusher bar reciprocally disposed within the housing of the shaft assembly and being detachably connectable to the housing of the shaft assembly, the pusher bar being configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the jaws during distal movement and remain connected to the housing of the shaft assembly and in a distally advanced position during an approximation of the jaws.
US08491606B2	Median lobe retraction apparatus and method A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for comprising, distracting and/or retracting the lobes of a prostate.
US08491602B2	Single-phase surgical procedure for creating a pneumostoma to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease A single-phase surgical procedure is disclosed for creating a pneumostoma to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In a single-phase technique the pleurodesis is formed at the same time as the pneumostoma and does not require a separate step. The thoracic cavity is accessed to visualize the lung, the pneumostomy catheter is inserted into the lung and then the lung is secured to the channel through the chest wall creating a sealed anastomosis which matures into a pleurodesis after the procedure.
US08491597B2	Surgical positioners Surgical positioners may include platforms, surgical item positioners and/or surgical references as well as methods for using stabilizer platforms, surgical item positioners and/or surgical references. Stabilizer platforms may include low profile platforms rigidly mounted to portions of an individual's anatomy. Various items may be secured and/or stabilized by the stabilizer platform, including support platforms as well as surgical references. Support platforms may stabilize and assist surgeons in using, navigating, aligning and positioning surgical items. Surgical references may include modular fiducial systems that may be secured to stabilizer platforms, support platforms, surgical items and/or directly to portions of an individual's anatomy.
US08491592B2	Device for the application of bone substitute material An application device for bone substitute material is disclosed. A cylinder contains a piston rod having an elastically deformable piston. The cylinder is closed via an attachment, through which a wetting liquid phase can be inserted via an injection opening. After a period of time, the wetted bone substitute material is compressed, with excess liquid phase being pressed out through drainage openings. Thereafter, the attachment can be removed and if applicable discharging takes place through a curved discharge nozzle, with the piston being able to adapt itself to the curvature with the benefit of total emptying of the device.
US08491589B2	Dynamic knee balancer with pressure sensing A device for performing a surgical procedure on a knee includes an adjustable femoral portion, a tibial portion and at least one sensor coupled with the femoral and/or tibial portions to sense pressure exerted by the femoral and tibial portions against one another. The femoral portion is adapted for removably coupling with a distal end of a femur to adjust tension in soft tissue adjacent the knee and has at least one positioning feature adapted to move relative to the distal end of the femur as the femoral portion is adjusted, thus helping position a femoral prosthetic on the distal end of the femur. The sensor(s) may be adapted to sense pressure at medial and lateral sides of the knee, and relative pressures may be displayed as data on a visual display. Adjustments to the femoral member may be made to balance pressure at flexion and extension of the knee.
US08491585B2	Methods and systems for minimally invasive lateral decompression A system for laterally decompressing one or more spinal nerves comprises an access sheath, a tool guide, and a bone removal tool. The access sheath is percutaneously placed adjacent a facet joint using needle dilation or a small incision. The tool guide is then placed through the access sheath adjacent an anterior surface of the superior articular process of the facet joint. The bone removal tool is advanced over the guide track to remove bone from the anterior surface. Optionally, after bone removal has been completed, the cutting tool may be advanced through the access sheath in order to partially cut the ligamentum flavum to further relieve compression of the spinal nerve(s).
US08491583B2	Intramedullary medical device and methods of use and manufacture Intramedullary medical devices (e.g., intramedullary nails) and methods for their use and manufacture are described herein. The intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide sustained compressive forces across a bone fusion site despite bone resorption processes. Through various embodiments, the intramedullary medical devices described herein may provide non-linear force curves relative to displacement. Intramedullary medical devices are described with multiple elements made of different materials. Examples of intramedullary medical devices are described with shape memory alloys.
US08491582B2	Bone compression and distraction system A bone compression and distraction system which has an apparatus and a plurality of pins. The apparatus includes a body, a worm screw and a pair of pin attachment members. The worm screw is placed in the body and the pin attachment members are coupled to the worm screw, and constrained from rotation relative to the worm screw, wherein the worm screw has opposing threads extending away from a central region. Upon rotation of the worm screw, the pin attachment members travel in opposite directions, either toward each other or away from each other to either decrease or increase the spacing therebetween. A pin may be coupled to each of the pin attachment members.
US08491579B2	Electrosurgical devices with choke shorted to biological tissue A device for directing energy to tissue includes a feedline and a radiating portion electrically coupled to the feedline. The radiating portion includes a distal radiating section and a proximal radiating section. The feedline includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a first dielectric material disposed therebetween. The device also includes a choke disposed around at least a portion of the feedline. The choke includes a second dielectric material disposed around at least a portion of the outer conductor, wherein the second dielectric material includes at least one opening defined therein, and an electrically-conductive member disposed in the at least one opening electrically coupled to the outer conductor, wherein the electrically-conductive member is configured to contact tissue.
US08491574B2	Polarization and temperature insensitive surgical instrument force transducer A force sensor apparatus, operatively mounted in a surgical instrument includes the force transducer. The force transducer includes a transducer body having a coefficient of thermal expansion, and at least one optic fiber, fixedly attached to the transducer body, including a Bragg grating; and having a coefficient of thermal expansion matched to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the transducer body to mitigate polarization and calibration drift effects on the force transducer. The transducer body comprises a metal transducer body, and the metal transducer body is selected from a group of metal bodies including an aluminum alloy transducer body, a stainless steel alloy transducer body, a maraging steel alloy transducer body, and a titanium alloy transducer body. The at least one optic fiber comprises an optic fiber having a negative thermo-optic coefficient, such as a phosphate glass optic fiber reducing the thermal sensitivity of the transducer.
US08491568B2	Coupling arrangement for a telescopic device The invention concerns a telescopic device (1) comprising a first tubular element (3) and an extension member (2) displaceably arranged in an axial direction within the first tubular element (3), wherein a coupling member (16) is provided relatively displaceable to the extension member (2), between at least,—a first axial position wherein the extension member is displaceable within the first tubular element, and—a second axial position wherein the coupling member (16) engages between the extension member (2) and the first tubular element (3) limiting displacement in at least one longitudinal direction, where the coupling member (16) engages the interior of the first tubular element (3).
US08491564B2	Systems and methods for preparing autologous fibrin glue The invention provides a system for preparing an autologous solid-fibrin web suitable for regenerating tissue in a living organism. The system includes a sealed primary container containing a separation medium and a low-density high-viscosity liquid. The separation medium is capable of separating red blood cells from plasma when the container contains blood and is centrifuged, and the primary container has a first pressure. The system further includes a sealed secondary container containing a calcium-coagulation activator. The secondary container has a second pressure that is less than the first pressure. The system also includes a transfer device having a cannula with a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are adapted to puncture the sealed primary and secondary containers in order to provide fluid communication between the first and second containers.
US08491552B2	External catheter with antiseptic agent An external catheter device is disclosed which prevents infection arising from bacterial and/or yeast growth within the external catheter. To achieve such result, the external catheter device is coated with an antiseptic agent that is able to effectively kill and prevent the growth of bacteria and yeast. Additionally, the external catheter device may have an adhesive agent coating on its inner surface to prevent the condom from shifting while on the patient's penis.
US08491549B2	Ophthalmic microsurgical system An ophthalmic microsurgical system is described for treatment of eye diseases, such as glaucoma, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. The microsurgical system includes a thin walled outer sheath microcannula 1 slidably disposed about an inner member 4, which extends slightly beyond the distal end of the microcannula 1. The inner member 4 may be straight or curved and may optionally include a surgical instrument and/or a sensor or signaling beacon. The microsurgical system is used in a surgical procedure for opening Schlemm's Canal to provide drainage of aqueous fluid in order to relieve excess intraocular pressure that results from glaucoma and other diseases of the eye.
US08491548B2	Liquid streaming devices and method of using such devices for treating wounds A liquid streaming device and method of using same for treating a wound includes a body having a lower surface for application to skin region around the wound to be treated and to conform to the contour of the skin region, and an upper surface facing outwardly when the body is applied to the skin region; a recess formed in the lower surface of the body and configured to enclose the wound when the body is applied to the skin region, and to define a chamber closed on one side by the skin region and the wound, and on the opposite side by the body; an inlet in the body on one side of the recess for introducing a treating liquid into an inlet side of the chamber; and an outlet in the body on another side of the recess for outletting the treating liquid from an outlet side of the chamber.
US08491543B2	Automatic safety occluder An automatic safety occluder provides an occluder for an infusion set that is biased in a closed position until an electrical signal is received that causes the occluder to open. Should the occluder fail to be installed correctly, or if power is removed, the occluder will return to its biased closed position, preventing free flow. The occluder may also be placed in an integrated unit such that the automatic safety occluder may attach to the tubing as a unit.
US08491541B2	Ball-valve actuation mechanism A valve assembly for use with a catheter assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing defining a longitudinal axis and adapted for fluid engagement with a catheter assembly. The valve housing has an internal passageway for flow of fluids relative to the catheter assembly. A valve member is at least partially disposed within the valve housing and defines a valve passage. The valve member is adapted for movement within the valve housing between an open position wherein the valve passage is in general alignment with the internal passageway of the valve housing to permit flow of fluids through the valve housing, and a closed position to substantially occlude the internal passageway of the valve housing. An actuation mechanism is selectively movable in a general longitudinal direction to cause corresponding movement of the valve member between the open position and the closed position.
US08491538B2	Injection device comprising several coupling mechanisms An injection device including a drive unit, a delivery unit, a dosing unit, a trigger for triggering an injection, a first coupling mechanism between the drive unit and the delivery unit, and a second coupling mechanism between the dosing unit and the drive unit, wherein the drive unit is tensioned by a rotation of the dosing unit and when the drive unit is tensioned the first coupling mechanism is disengaged and the second coupling mechanism is engaged, and wherein when an injection is triggered first the first coupling mechanism is engaged and then the second coupling mechanism is disengaged. In some embodiments, the device may include a third coupling mechanism which only releases the delivery unit after the engagement and disengagement which follow a triggering.
US08491536B2	Medicament delivery device A dose setting mechanism for a medicament delivery device is presented having a pinion mounted to a locking member where the axis of rotation of the pinion is offset and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing containing the dose setting components. Primary and secondary dose members are engaged with the pinion to indicate a set dose of medicament.
US08491535B2	Safety pen needle assembly In one aspect, a safety pen needle assembly is provided which includes a hub, a needle fixed to the hub, and a shield formed to at least partially telescope over the hub. Thread elements permit relative rotation between the hub and the shield. Initially, the elements are in threaded engagement with the shield being positioned relative to the hub with a distal end of the shield sidewall being located distally of a distal end of the needle. Also, in the initial state, the shield and the hub are configured with a rotation-resistance arrangement which inhibits relative rotation between the hub and the shield. The rotation-resistance arrangement is surmountable to allow relative rotation between the hub and the shield with an at least threshold amount of torque being applied, the threshold amount of torque being greater than required to mount the pen needle assembly onto an injector body.
US08491533B2	Trocar assembly A trocar sleeve assembly including a cannula connected to a housing assembly to define a working channel, wherein the housing assembly includes a housing that defines an opening in fluid communication with the working channel, a sleeve slidably received over the housing to define an annular region between the sleeve and the housing, a first sealing member forming a first seal between the sleeve and the housing, and a second sealing member forming a second seal between the sleeve and the housing, the second sealing member being axially spaced from the first sealing member to define a chamber in the annular region, and an insufflation port in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the sleeve is slidable relative to the housing between a first position, wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with the opening, and a second position, wherein the chamber is fluidly decoupled from the opening.
US08491532B2	Trocar assembly with radially moveable housing A surgical access assembly includes a cannula, a housing mounted to the cannula, and a seal disposed within the cannula. The cannula is adapted for insertion through tissue to permit access to an underlying tissue site. The cannula defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal passageway for passage of a surgical object for positioning with respect to the tissue site. The housing is adapted for movement relative to the cannula in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The seal has a passage for reception of the surgical object in substantial sealed relation therewith. The access assembly may further include a support member mounted to the cannula. The support member adapted to maintain a predetermined distance between the housing and the tissue. The support member may be securely affixed to, or selectively positionable along, the cannula with respect to the longitudinal axis.
US08491530B2	Autoinjector with trigger positionable in active position by movement of a safety shield and indication of the active position The invention relates to an automatic injection device (1) for a product contained in a container (50), comprising: a housing (8, 19) receiving the container (50), the container being movable between an initial position and an insertion position, triggering means (23) for initiating the movement of said container (50) from its initial position to its insertion position, said triggering means (23) being in one of a passive state, in which application of a force on said triggering means does not initiate movement of said container (50), and an active state, in which application of said force on said triggering means does initiate said movement, and a safety shield (10) movable with respect to said housing (8, 19) between a first position and a second position, movement of said safety shield (10) from its first position to its second position placing said triggering means (23) in its active state, characterized in that said device comprises: an indicator (19c, 13) that provides an indication to a user of the device (1) that the safety shield (10) has reached its second position.
US08491528B2	Critical alignment of fluidics cassettes Devices, systems, and methods interface a cassette with an eye treatment system console to provide coupling between the console and an eye treatment probe. The console may receive the cassette using a driven axial translation linkage that inhibits rotation of the cassette. The cassette may facilitate accurately positioning of a pressure sensor relative to a the console by allowing sliding movement between the sensor and a cassette body. Multiple peristaltic drives may be mounted to the console so that their rotors rotate about a common axis. An integrated mount structure may support and/or position components of the console which will interface with cassette, and an axially compressible vacuum connector of the console seal to a tapered vacuum coupler of the cassette.
US08491527B2	Safety needle with positive flush A needle assembly including a positive flush mechanism for use with a vascular access port. The needle assembly is configured to supply fluid to the port and to provide a positive flush to overcome negative pressures in the port that can potentially occur during withdrawal of the needle from the port.
US08491523B2	Methods of conducting thrombectomy procedures and deploying a thrombectomy catheter Methods of conducting thrombectomy procedures and deploying a thrombectomy catheter are disclosed. A thrombectomy procedure is conducted with a thrombectomy catheter deployment system. A drive unit configured to operate an infusion pump is provided. The drive unit is operable according to one or more operating modes. A preconnected and consolidated pump and catheter assembly configured for loading in the drive unit is also provided. The assembly is separate from the drive unit prior to loading. The infusion pump and a catheter of the assembly are in communication prior to loading. The assembly provides one or more digital instructions to the drive unit. The drive unit is operable according to the one or more operating modes referenced by the one or more digital instructions. The assembly is loaded into the drive unit, and the drive unit is engaged to the infusion pump for operation of the infusion pump.
US08491522B2	Computer controlled electric syringe A computer controlled electric syringe includes: a piston unit including a piston being configured to press and move a rubber plug of a cartridge by a second end to discharge a medicinal solution from a cartridge through an injection needle; a ball screw having a screw shaft and a nut portion that is screwed into the screw shaft, the screw shaft being loosely inserted into the hollow portion of the piston through the opening, the nut portion being coupled to the piston; a screw shaft supporting portion rotatably supporting the screw shaft of the ball screw; a rotation preventing portion configured to prevent the nut portion of the ball screw from being rotated; and a piston supporting portion supporting the piston to be movable in an axial direction of the screw shaft along with the nut portion by the rotation of the screw shaft.
US08491518B2	Diaphragm pressure pod for medical fluids A tubular medical fluid flow set comprises a pressure sensing chamber connected in flow-through relation to fluid flow tubing of the set. The pressure sensing chamber defines a movable, flexible, impermeable diaphragm dividing the chamber into two separate compartments. The fluid flow tubing communicates with one of the compartments and is isolated from the other of the compartments. A port is carried on the chamber, the port having a seal therein, and communicating with the other of the compartments. Thus, the other of the compartments is hermetically sealed until the port is opened for connection with a pressure measuring device, to keep the flexible diaphragm in a desired, initial position prior to opening of the seal.
US08491515B2	Prosthetic sleeve The invention is a sleeve for application to a human extremity. The sleeve has a tubular structure with distal and proximal openings, a pre-flexed section between the openings, and distal and proximal contact zones on opposing sides of the pre-flexed section. At least the distal contact zone extends from the pre-flexed section in a conically tapering manner. A distal end zone is disposed between the distal contact zone and the distal end. The distal end zone may also be conically tapered toward the distal end, and in one embodiment has a different degree of taper that the distal contact zone.
US08491513B2	Apparatus and methods for preventing and/or healing pressure ulcers Protective devices, to protect a body part having a bony portion with a soft tissue layer between the bony portion and an outer skin layer, have an inner surface which conforms to the body part to be protected and are applied to the body part to reduce pressure exhibited at the interface between the bony portion and the soft tissue layer, across the soft tissue and outer skin layers and at the interface between the outer skin layer and a support surface. The protective devices may be made of any material suitable for distributing the weight of the body part over an extended area and volume so as to decrease the pressure about the bony portion.
US08491511B2	Orthotic joint having two function means for forming a resilient dorsal abutment and a resilient plantar abutment The invention relates to an orthotic joint, in particular ankle joint for a leg orthosis, comprising a joint part with a splint mounting and a stirrup which is connected to the joint part to be pivotable about an axis A and has a dorsal and a plantar abutment surface wherein on both sides of the axis A, on the joint part is formed a channel, in which one function means, each, for forming a dorsal or plantar abutment for the stirrup or its abutment surfaces is arranged, which is characterized in that each function means comprises a cup spring arrangement.
US08491505B2	Eyes-massage device An eyes-massage device includes a head strap and a hot or cold eyes-compressing mechanism mounted on the head strap. The hot or cold eyes-compressing mechanism includes a compressing bag, a transmitter, and a semiconductor. The compressing bag has a connecting hole defined therein for receiving the transmitter. The semiconductor is mounted on the transmitter. The compressing bag is heated or cooled by the semiconductor to control a temperature of the compressing bag for adapting to provide a heat or cool compressing effect on eyes.
US08491503B2	Intrauterine pressure catheter interface cable system An interface cable system for providing electrical interconnection between an intrauterine pressure catheter system and a monitoring system is provided. The interface cable system includes a first connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between the interface cable system and the intrauterine pressure catheter system and a second connector configured to provide electrical interconnection between the interface cable system and the monitoring system. The interface cable system also includes a plurality of conductors extending between said first connector and said second connector and a switching element for configuring the interface cable system to provide, upon operation of the switching element, a time period in which a zeroing operation of the intrauterine pressure catheter system may be performed. The interface cable system also includes an indicator for indicating that the switching element has been operated, thereby indicating that the zeroing operation may be performed during the time period.
US08491501B2	Fluid handling cassette A fluid handling module that is removably engageable with a bodily fluid analyzer is provided. The module may comprise a fluid handling element, and a fluid component separator that is accessible via the fluid handling element and configured to separate at least one component of a bodily fluid transported to the fluid component separator. The fluid handling element may have at least one control element interface.
US08491499B2	Biological fluid sampling and pretreating system and a method thereof Provided is a system for sampling and pretreating biological fluid. It comprises: a piercing unit having at a lower portion a capillary tip which is to be inserted into skin to a predetermined depth to take biological fluid therethrough; a dropper, connected to an upper portion of the piercing unit, having an injection tube at an upper portion thereof, the injection tube communicating with the capillary tip; and a reagent container, designed to accommodate the piercing unit therein in an airtight manner so as to seal an outer circumference of the piercing unit, functioning to contain a reagent for treating the biological fluid of the capillary tip of the piercing unit. The system allows even a novice to sample and pretreat biological fluid with high accuracy without the use of expensive precision devices. The system employs fewer expendable supplies, thus providing higher convenience for the user.
US08491497B2	Method and apparatus for morcellating tissue An apparatus for morcellating tissue specimens comprises a housing and a cutting member. The cutting member is operable to cut tissue specimens into morcellated or minced tissue pieces. The cutting member may include one or more screens. One of the screens may be rotatable or capable of reciprocating relative to the housing. One screen may cooperate with another screen to provide shearing of the tissue specimens. The cutting member may include a plurality of discs that are rotatable relative to the housing. The discs may include inwardly directed notches formed in their outer perimeter, with the notches cooperating with an interior wall of the housing to cut tissue specimens. The discs may include perimeters having ovular or elliptical shapes that cooperate with a cylindrical interior wall of the housing to cut tissue specimens. The apparatus may be a stand-alone apparatus or may be incorporated into a tissue harvesting apparatus.
US08491496B2	Biopsy device with sample storage A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining and storing multiple tissue samples. The device permits the tissue samples to be stored in an end to end configuration. The device can include a sample tube having a sample lumen and a generally parallel vacuum lumen. A movable member, such as rod, can be advanced to uncover a predetermined number of fluid passageways between the sample lumen and the vacuum lumen as each sample is severed.
US08491494B2	Disposable hand-held device for collection of exhaled breath condensate A breath condensate collection apparatus comprising a central chamber, a breath input assembly, a plunger assembly and a breath condensate collection port. The central chamber has inner and outer side walls with a coolant material sealed in between. The breath input assembly is disposed on the side of the central chamber in fluid communication with the chamber interior. The plunger assembly has a piston, slidably disposed in the chamber, and a handle extending from a first end of the chamber. The collection port is disposed at the second end of the central chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the chamber. Obstructive structures may be arranged in the chamber interior for increasing the surface area on which condensate may form. The apparatus may also include an outlet assembly that may be removed and replaced with a sampling well into which the condensate may be washed with a buffer solution.
US08491491B2	Respiration measurements and dosimetry control in inhalation testing systems Inhalation measurement systems and methods enable, during inhalant exposure, substantially real-time respiratory measurements of a test subject using techniques that obtain measurements of respiration directly from that test subject, instead of from inhalation chamber parameter measurements. Direct test subject respiratory measurements may be, by way of example only, impedance measurements. These respiratory measurements taken directly from the test subject may be transmitted, wirelessly for example, for processing during the course of the test to a processing system to determine a cumulative volume of inhalant inspired by the test subject. From that, a cumulative amount of inhalant (or dose) inspired by the test subject may be determined during the course of the inhalation compound test. In addition, a calibration procedure may be performed before the inhalant exposure to provide correlation needed to translate chest and/or abdominal wall expansion measurements, made during the test, into lung volume measurements.
US08491490B2	Method and apparatus of analyzing respiratory signals corresponding to changes in subject's loads applied to bed An analyzing apparatus comprises a first counter part and a second counter part. The first counter part determines a significant respiratory disorder pattern based on the average of multiple amplitudes included in a respiratory signal, and counts the number of respiratory disorders. The second counter part that determines, when the number of respiratory disorders per unit time counted by the first counter part is greater than a predetermined number, a significant respiratory disorder pattern by the values of individual amplitudes included in the respiratory signal, and again counts the number of respiratory disorders. A more accurate apnea hypopnea index is obtained for serious patients, and accuracy as PSG screening examination can be increased.
US08491489B2	System, medium, and method to conduce a user's breathing A system, medium, and method conducing a user's breathing, in which a sound generated during a user's exhale and/or an ambient temperature change occurring during the exhale is sensed to measure a respiratory waveform of the user. Respiratory information of the user may then be produced from the respiratory waveform, and when the respiratory information of the user is different from normal respiratory information of the user, breathing information according to the normal respiratory information may be provided to the user so the user can use the same to modify their breathing.
US08491488B1	Method and system for identifying cardiopulmonary findings by using a heart and lung sounds builder A system is provided for creating a sound profile that matches sounds produced by a patient during a physical examination, such as a cardiac or pulmonary examination. A user selects multiple sounds from a library and combines them to form the profile which may then be modified by the addition of further sounds, adjustments to their relative timing, duration, loudness, and so forth. The refinement continues iteratively, and after each change the profile is provided by the system to the user, for example, as a phonocardiogram for comparison against the sounds observed during the examination.
US08491487B2	Detection of parameters in cardiac output related waveforms Methods for detecting parameters in cardiac output related waveforms are described. The methods include methods for detecting individual heart beat cycles in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting an error in an assigned starting point for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, methods for detecting a dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform, and methods for detecting an error in an assigned dichrotic notch for an individual heart beat cycle in a cardiac output related waveform. The identification of these parameters is important for a clinician as these parameters form the basis for the calculation of many other cardiac output related parameters.
US08491486B2	Assessing a subject's circulatory system An apparatus including an input interface configured to provide signals from at least two sensors for at least two postures including: signals, dependent upon blood presence, from a first sensor when a subject is in a first posture; signals, dependent upon blood presence, from the first sensor when the subject is in a second posture; signals, dependent upon blood presence, from a second sensor when the subject is in the first posture; and signals, dependent upon blood presence, from the second sensor when the subject is in the second posture; and processing circuitry configured to determine and output a metric by combining, according to predefined calibration data the provided signals.
US08491483B2	Contrast agent imaging with agent specific ultrasound detection Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence. Using cubic fundamental sensitive techniques with other motion estimation techniques, such as two-dimensional velocity estimation or speckle tracking, may operate better than using other contrast agent detection techniques because of substantially reduced clutter.
US08491480B2	3D ultrasound system and method for operating 3D ultrasound system A 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system and a method for operating a 3D ultrasound system are provided. A 3D ultrasound system includes an extractor, a processor, and a controller. The extractor scans an image of an object in a human body, and extracts a region of interest (ROI) image in an inputted ROI with respect to a selected image. The processor detects edges from a plurality of side images of the object with respect to the ROI image. The controller measures the thickness of the image using the detected edges.
US08491477B2	Ultrasonic estimation of strain induced by in vivo compression An in vivo source of compression is used to cause a bodily structure of interest to expand and contract. Ultrasound signals are incident and their echoes are processed by a strain processor. Resulting strain images are freed from noise caused by external sources of compression. A tissue stiffness index is calculated to obtain quantitative measure of stiffness.
US08491473B2	Medical procedure mat and draping system A medical procedure mat for supporting a patient. A mat having a cushioned substrate and one or more physiological monitoring lines, the physiological monitoring lines having guided portions along the outer edge of the cushioned substrate, and flexible portions operatively coupled to the guided portions, the flexible portions being adapted to extend toward the patient. A draping system for use during medical procedures, including a top and/or bottom drape. A bottom drape including an absorbent material and/or a privacy shield. A top drape including a workbench surface. A mat and draping system in which a bottom and top drape mate to each other and/or to the mat. A draping system providing openings or holes to allow passage of one or more physiological monitoring lines when used in conjunction with the mat.
US08491472B2	Methods and systems for submucosal implantation of a device for diagnosis and treatment with a therapeutic agent Instruments, systems, implants, and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include a safe access needle injection instrument, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, and a mucosal resection device. A submucosal implant device for diagnosing and treating disorders of the body may be implanted. A passive submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery depot in which a therapeutic agent within the depot elutes from the depot according to a predetermined elution profile. An active submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery device that incorporates a self-contained diagnostic system to determine the appropriate delivery time and dosage of a therapeutic agent to be administered.
US08491469B2	Biological measurement apparatus, biological observation apparatus and operation method for biological measurement apparatus A biological measurement apparatus includes: an endoscope including a treatment instrument insertion channel provided inside an insertion portion; a pump that delivers water into the treatment instrument insertion channel; an optical system, etc., that guide light from a light source that emits light in a predetermined wavelength band into the water delivered into the treatment instrument insertion channel; and a spectroscope that detects return light resulting from the light passing through the water, falling on and being reflected by an object and returning while passing through the water when the water is delivered from the pump.
US08491468B2	Suction syringe and endoscope apparatus A tubular body has a vent hole VA and a suction opening. The piston body is in a state in which the inside of the tubular body in an enclosed space is divided into a front chamber and a rear chamber. The piston body includes piston portion which reciprocate in a position on its front end side from the suction opening, a shaft portion which supports this piston portion on its front end side and whose external diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the tubular body and a pressing portion provided on a rear end side of this shaft portion. A vent passage is formed in the shaft portion so as to couple a vent hole VB of this pressing portion and a vent hole VC on its front end side of the shaft portion. Further, a spring is provided to return the pressed pressing portion to its original position.
US08491465B2	Guide tube, guide tube apparatus, endoscope system, and method for self-propelling guide tube A guide tube includes a tube; a ciliary portion composed of many cilia inclined in a longitudinal direction of the tube, provided in an outer peripheral portion of the tube; and a bag as a press mechanism for pressing an insertion portion of an endoscope inserted inside the tube.
US08491460B1	Method and apparatus for treating vaginal prolapse A method and apparatus for restoring a prolapsed vagina within a patient pelvic cavity without insertion through the vaginal cavity and without attachment to the sacrum. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubular mesh grafts for insertion through a non-vaginal laparoscopic port wherein each tubular mesh graft has an internal end and an external end and installed surgical suture woven into the external end; and further wherein the internal end is attached to a vaginal apex and a surgical button for each tubular mesh graft, that is adapted to slide on installed surgical suture from a location external to the patient's body using one of a plurality of non-vaginal groin passageways until each surgical button can be secured adjacent the external end of each tubular mesh graft leaving the tubular mesh graft within the patient pelvic cavity supporting the prolapsed vagina.
US08491458B2	Medical device to deliver pelvic floor implant An apparatus includes a support member, a strap extending from the support member, and a sleeve releasably disposed over at least a portion of the strap. The support member is configured to support a portion of a body of a patient. The strap is configured to be inserted through at least a portion of a tissue of the patient. The sleeve is releasably coupled to the strap by a releasable joint. The sleeve is configured to be removed from the strap when at least a portion of the strap is disposed within the tissue of the patient.
US08491456B2	Method and apparatus providing a symbol sequence to a user, and wearable infrastructure providing the symbol sequence to the body A wearable infrastructure is used with a music/multimedia player to acoustically provide at last one symbol sequence to at least one biologically active zone on the user wearing the wearable infrastructure. The invention includes the symbol coding sequence as a program system comprising program steps residing in a memory accessibly coupled to a computer within the music/multimedia player, directing the music/multimedia player to deliver the symbol sequence to at least one of the possibly multiple transponders. The program steps are often coded in an intermediate language interpreted by the computer.
US08491454B2	Spinning force apparatus A spinning force system and methods of operation are provided for measuring a characteristic of a sample. The system includes a detection module having a light source for illuminating the sample and an objective being aligned to the light source to define a light path for producing an image of the sample. A rotor is mechanically coupled to the detection module and configured to rotate the light path for applying a force to the sample. The force may include a centrifugal force and other forms of force (such as a viscous drag force) resulted from the rotation. In some examples, the force is applied in a direction that is not parallel to a surface of the sample.
US08491453B2	Cushioning product and method and apparatus for making same The invention relates to a crumpled paper tube for use as a cushion in packing items, and to a method and apparatus for producing the same.
US08491450B2	Rotary, adjustable body exercise equipment Provision of bodily exercise equipment, including providing an upright frame and an assembly rotatable about a primary transverse axis while supported by the frame, the assembly including a body support platform, a leg support spaced from the platform, a linearly adjustable element to linearly adjust the position of the leg support, an angularly adjustable element or elements to angularly adjust the position of the leg support about a second transverse axis relative to the platform. The space between the platform and the leg support allows the standing user to position his body adjacent the platform and to position his legs adjacent the leg support.
US08491447B1	Hand exercising glove device The hand exercising glove device is a glove having a back side spaced apart from a palm side, a quintet of digits extended from the back side and the palm side, each digit comprising an open end disposed at an existing fingertip of a user, a pad disposed within the back side atop each base knuckle of a user, a wrist section extended from the back side and the palm side, an adjustable retaining strap encircling the wrist section, a digit reinforcement encircling each digit back side adjacent to each open end, a back side reinforcement embedded within the back side adjacent to the wrist section, a hook disposed on each digit reinforcement, a plurality of spaced apart hooks disposed on the back side reinforcement, and an elastic tensioned strand connecting each back side reinforcement hook to one of each of the digit hooks, the tensioned strands disposed over four of the pads.
US08491445B2	Automatic clutch control apparatus The clutch control apparatus includes a first reference value setting portion for setting a first engagement amount reference value of the first and the second clutches and to obtain a target transmitting torque by calculating a target inertia torque by multiplying a target rotation speed change rate of the engine at a speed change operation by an inertia of the engine and subtracting the target inertia torque from the current output torque of the engine to be the target transmitting torque of the first and the second clutches and a second reference value setting portion for setting a second engagement amount reference value by correcting the first engagement amount reference value based on the vehicle speed and the turning radius.
US08491442B2	Control apparatus and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle A hybrid vehicle is taught herein in which a clutch is disposed between an engine and a motor/generator and disengagement of the clutch is controlled in a coasting drive while dragging the engine. A drive controller engages the clutch so that the vehicle coasts while dragging the engine at a time of coasting deceleration. While coasting, when the stepped transmission of the hybrid vehicle downshifts, the clutch is disengaged during the downshift.
US08491439B2	Selectively controlled rocker one-way clutch An overrunning clutch assembly includes a first ring having pockets spaced mutually about an axis, rockers each located in a pocket, springs each urging a rocker to pivot in a respective pocket, and first notches arranged around the axis. A second ring includes second pockets spaced mutually about the axis, second rockers each located in a second pocket such that at least one second rocker is engageable with a notch, second springs each urging a second rocker toward engagement with a notch, and second notches around the axis, at least one rocker being engageable with at least one second notch. A control member moves about the axis alternately to prevent the first rockers from engaging the second notches and to permit the first rockers to engage the second notches.
US08491438B2	Power train for hybrid vehicle An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a power train for a hybrid vehicle can achieve three or more fixed gear ratio modes where a vehicle is driven at a fixed gear ratio, such as shift stages of common transmission, only by the driving force of an engine without driving a motor generator, as well as an electric vehicle mode, which is the basic drive modes of a hybrid vehicle, and two or more power division modes including an input division mode and a composite mode, thereby driving the vehicle with high efficiency in accordance with traveling conditions of the vehicle and improving fuel efficiency.
US08491436B2	Uninterruptible oil supply in planetary system A planetary carrier includes a journal bearing for supporting a planetary gear. The journal bearing receives lubricant to produce a lubricant film to support gear loads. A torque frame is attached to the carrier housing to transmit torque and to prevent twisting of the carrier housing. The torque frame includes several lubricant communication passages to provide lubricant to each of the separate journal bearings. Each of the lubricant communication passages includes an accumulator for storing lubricant during normal operation. The accumulator stores a desired amount of lubricant to provide lubricant to the adjacent journal bearing for the interim period between primary system stoppage and reestablishment of lubricant flow by a secondary system.
US08491430B1	Roller chain assembly A roller chain assembly includes an attachment chain having links that carry bent leg plates extending over a frame. The leg plates each carry a number of roller pins supporting the plate against the frame at predetermined, multiple points on the plate. The chain links have connecting pins extending outwardly from the chain links that are received in grooves formed in the frame.
US08491429B2	Combined chain ring protector and chain guide A combined chain guide and chain ring protector for a bicycle for off-road use having a lower bracket sleeve, a chain ring around which a drive chain extends and a chain ring outer radius. The protector includes a mounting bracket secured at the lower bracket sleeve and a guard mounted thereto. An outer edge of the guard extends beyond the outer radius of the chain ring, thereby protecting a portion of the chain ring from inadvertent impacts. The chain guide extends from the mounting bracket along a path of the drive chain, and preferably includes an upper guide having an inner barrier positioned inboard of the bicycle chain an outer barrier positioned outboard of the inner barrier and an upper barrier positioned above the bicycle chain for preventing the chain from derailing from the chain ring in an upward direction.
US08491426B2	Transmission with convex pulley sheaves and a drive belt A continuously variable transmission for motor vehicles is provided with a driving pulley (1) and with a driven pulley (2) around which is arranged a drive belt (3) which, at least when the transmission is operating, is clamped between two substantially conical pulley sheaves (4, 5) of the two pulleys (1, 2). The cone surface (10) of the pulley sheaves (4, 5) of the driving pulley (1) in a cross-section including the central pulley axis (9) is provided with a convex curvature having a radius of curvature (R10) that decreases in radially outward direction and the cone surface (10) of the pulley sheaves (4, 5) of the driven pulley (2) in a cross-section including the central pulley axis (9) is provided with a convex curvature having a radius of curvature (R10) that increases in radially outward direction.
US08491425B2	Transparent play ball containing shapes which temporarily stick to interior wall of ball A transparent polyurethane ball contains polyvinylchloride decorative shapes which cling temporarily to the interior surface of the ball.
US08491424B2	Folding assembly of table tennis table The present invention relates to a folding assembly of a table tennis table formed by a tabletop and inner and outer support stands, and mainly using a buckle mechanism to fold the tabletop and the inner and outer support stands in an upright position to facilitate the packaging, transportation, storage and moving of the table tennis table. The buckle mechanism includes a lever, two positioning covers, two buckle plates and two torsion springs, and the lever is provided for snapping a protruding pellet into a buckle notch of the buckle plate to achieve the effect of fixing and releasing the buckle between the tabletop and the outer support stand.
US08491422B2	Swing exercising apparatus A swing exercising apparatus which can be used for improving a swing movement performed when practicing a sport or for other exercising purposes. The swing exercising apparatus comprises: a handle portion for grasping by the user; an elongated member having a distal end; a movable weight component for moving along the elongated member between a first position and a second position when the user swings the swing exercising apparatus, the movable weight component being closer to the distal end in the second position than in the first position; and a biasing mechanism comprising at least one elastic element for exerting a force biasing the movable weight component towards the first position when the movable weight component is located away from the first position along the elongated member. The biasing mechanism may comprise an attachment portion to attach the at least one elastic element, the attachment portion allowing the user to detach any of the at least one elastic element to adjust the force. The swing exercising apparatus may comprise a return mechanism comprising at least one elastic element for exerting a second force contributing to return the movable weight component towards the first position when the movable weight component compresses the at least one elastic element of the return mechanism.
US08491418B2	Multi-color golf ball The present invention is directed to a golf ball possessing an overall unique and perceptively pleasing multi-color appearance and being constructed of at least two layers wherein each layer has at least two discrete color regions which contribute substantially to the golf ball's overall color appearance, the inner and outer layers being strategically positioned and aligned in relation to each other to create the overall golf ball color appearance. A resulting unique overall golf ball multiple color appearance is achieved by the positioning and aligning one layer about another.
US08491417B2	Golf ball Golf ball 2 has spherical main body 4, mark layer 6 and paint layer 8. The main body 4 has spherical core 10, and cover 12 provided to cover this core 10. The cover 12 does not include titanium oxide. The cover 12 includes a fluorescent colorant. The main body 4 has a chroma saturation of equal to or greater than 25. The paint layer 8 is constituted with a resin composition. This resin composition includes composite particles. The composite particle has a nucleus, and a coat layer provided to coat this nucleus. The nucleus is constituted with mica, while the coat layer is constituted with titanium oxide. The amount of the composite particles is 2 parts by weight or greater and 30 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the paint layer 8.
US08491416B1	Golf club head A golf club (40) having a club head (42) with a face component (60), an aft body (61), and a sound modifying sole and crown design is disclosed herein. The face component, which may be composed of a metal material, (60) has a striking area portion (72) and a return portion (74). The aft-body (61), which may be composed of a non-metal material such as composite or thermoplastic material, is composed of a crown portion (62) and a sole portion (64). The sound modifying design, which may include deep pockets or pillars extending from the sole portion (64) to the crown portion (62), alters the sound of the golf club head (42) when it impacts a golf ball.
US08491414B2	Wedge type golf club head A wedge type golf club head is disclosed herein where the wedge type golf club head has enhanced performance characteristics such as improved backspin, ball speed, and launch angle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a wedge type golf club head having an adjustable center of gravity, where the center of gravity may be adjusted based on different backing profiles that comprises at least one hollow chamber.
US08491412B2	Multi-material golf club head A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes.
US08491408B2	Golf club shaft An adjustable length golf club shaft having a grip portion with an end point is disclosed. A locking element is located within the grip portion and a lower shaft having an inner surface that is in frictional contact with the locking element is also disclosed. The locking element is configured to engage the inner surface of the lower shaft. A total length of the golf club shaft is adjustable by a distance of at least one inch and a total weight of the golf club shaft in a weight zone is less than 110 g. The weight zone is defined as a region of the golf club shaft extending from the end point of the grip portion up to 11″ along a central axis of the golf club shaft toward a tip portion of the shaft.
US08491405B2	Modular golf club The present invention is directed to a modular golf club. In particular, a golf club includes a plurality of components that are removably coupled so that the physical attributes of the golf club head may be tuned. The inventive golf club head includes a body member and at least one of a removable sole member and a removable face member.
US08491403B2	Amusement ride system An amusement ride system combines about six or more different ride elements from different types of amusement rides available to the public today into a single design. The amusement ride system may bring customers back time and time again for a new ride experience on the same ride design. This may allow amusement ride operators to provide varying ride experiences without requiring a completely different ride, thus saving cost and space. The amusement ride system may include a plurality of pods adapted to house riders. The pods may be adapted to move up and down, spin about a central tower, and spin and swivel about the pod's axes.
US08491401B2	Infant swing with seat locking mechanism An infant support structure includes a frame, a seat portion rotatably coupled to the frame so that the seat portion is movably coupled to the frame, an engagement member coupled to the seat portion, and a lock bar pivotally coupled to the lower portion of the frame, the lock bar movable between a first position disengaged from the engagement member thereby permitting swinging motion of the seat portion, and a second position engaging the engagement member and inhibiting swinging motion of the seat portion.
US08491395B2	Game-based incentives for location-based actions In a method and system of providing in-game assets for location-based actions, an indication of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is received. A virtual item is provided based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game, the virtual item being usable within the computer-implemented game.
US08491392B2	Gaming system and method having promotions based on player selected gaming environment preferences A gaming system and method including a tracking system or a player tracking system and plurality of gaming machines. The gaming machines include at least one display device and a plurality of player preferences selections. These player preference selections enable a player to choose one or more elements of the background or an entertainment setting of the gaming machine while they are playing a game at the gaming machine. The gaming machine enables the player to enter identification information at the gaming machine and choose at least one preference. The gaming machine tracks all of the preference selections made by the player. Upon meeting certain promotional criteria, the gaming machine determines a promotion to provide the player based on the preferences of that player. That is, the player does not directly select any promotions. The gaming system determines personalized promotions for the player based on the preference selections made by that player.
US08491388B2	Game system and game controller A controller includes at least one vibrator and a vibration control unit which converts an operation input signal which is input to a predetermined operation button into a vibration control signal so as to be supplied to a vibrator. A motion sensor in a sensor unit detects vibration caused by the drive of the vibrator. Sensor output signal value obtained as a result of the detection by the sensor unit is transmitted from a wireless communication module to a game device. A game device achieves a function of automatically firing in succession in a game, based on the sensor output signal value.
US08491387B2	Apparatus and method for classifying groups of users An apparatus and method to group users based on bio-information of the users. A two-dimensional bio-information space is generated from first and second dimensions which represent, respectively, first and second characteristics of the bio-information of the users. The users are arranged in the bio-information space based on the bio-information, and users are grouped based on the arrangement of the users in the bio-information space. Continuously acquired bio-information is used to re-group users.
US08491386B2	Systems and methods for remotely mixing multiple audio signals Methods and Systems for providing multiple audio streams, such as a Game Audio stream and Network Chat audio stream, to a headset of a user of a game console are described. The methods and systems include receiving, by a game console controller in communication with a game console and a portable audio mixing module, Network Chat from a game console; receiving, by a portable audio mixing module in communication with a game console controller, Network Chat; receiving, by a base station in communication with the game console and the portable audio mixing module, the Game Audio; receiving, by the portable audio mixing module, the Game Audio; mixing, by the portable audio mixing module, the Network Chat and Game Audio to produce a blended audio output stream; and transmitting, by the portable audio mixing module, the blended audio output stream to a headset in communication with the portable audio mixing module.
US08491384B2	Multi-user discovery In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for enhancing full-app content playing on a first device, the method comprising: receiving a first selection of a first item from a first micro-app; receiving a second selection of a second item from a second micro-app, wherein the second micro-app is different than the first micro-app and the second selection is in a different format than the first selection; retrieving item context information regarding the first item; retrieving item context information regarding the second item; issuing a query to a micro-app partner based upon both the item context information regarding the first item and the item context information regarding the second item; receiving results from the micro-app partner; and causing at least a portion of the results to be displayed or played.
US08491383B2	Storage medium, game apparatus, game system and game controlling method A game apparatus includes a first LCD and a second LCD, and game screens are displayed on the two LCDs. On the lower screen displayed on the second LCD, a first player object is moved according to a touch operation. In response thereto, on the upper screen displayed on the first LCD, the second player object is moved to be in symmetric relation to the first player object with respect to a point. Furthermore, when an upward flipping operation is performed, the two objects are interchanged. Thereupon, the second player object is moved in accordance with a touch operation, and according thereto, the first player object is moved so as to be a symmetric relation to the second player object with respect to a point.
US08491381B2	Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing a multiple player, multiple game bonusing environment A gaming system and method for exchanging one or more triggered individual bonus games for one or more current plays of a community game or one or more future plays of a community game. If an individual bonus game is triggered in association with an individual gaming device, the gaming system enables the player to: (i) play the triggered individual bonus game, (ii) skip the individual bonus game and play or participate in a community or group game, or (iii) skip the individual bonus game and save an entry to play or participate in a future community or group game. In these embodiments, the gaming system determines one or more features or attributes of the available community game (which the player may play or defer play of) based, at least in part, on which of a plurality of different individual bonus games are triggered.
US08491378B1	Real time parimutuel wagering system and method A wagering server system provides pari-mutuel wagering on a large number of entrants. The wagering server system has a wagering application which is configured for administration of pari-mutuel wagering. The application has a first tournament object which is configured to initialize into at least one first tournament component. The first tournament component represents in one embodiment a real world contested event which may have a large number of entrants. A sensory application interoperates with sensors located at the event. The sensors generate readable data digital signals when interoperating with readable data components. The wagering application also has a game play component which is configured to receive readable data digital signals, where real-time wagering may occur on the first real world contested event.
US08491372B2	Systems, methods and apparatus for facilitating multi-round lottery play Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for facilitating play of multi-round lottery games. In one embodiment, a player may be allowed to change one or more of various aspects of a wager in a multi-round lottery game.
US08491369B2	Method and apparatus for playing a skill game A skill game rewards a player after a round of play only upon the entry of a “correct play” that is based on the rules of the game being played. A “correct play” is determined under the rules of the particular game being played and is one that gives the player a better chance to obtain the outcome desired by the player. In some games, the “correct play” is defined mathematically. In other games, the “correct play” is determined by knowing the rules of the game being played. A combination of both methods is typical. The execution by the player of a correct play is a skill. If the player enters the correct play, the player is rewarded. The reward may be to continue the play of the game and to reward a prize to the player based on the outcome of the game.
US08491366B2	Bets regarding ranges of times at intermediate points in a race A system for betting on fractional times comprises a memory coupled to a processor. The memory stores a first betting option comprising a bet that a particular participant in a race will finish a predetermined length of the race in a first range of fractional times. The memory further stores a second betting option comprising a bet that the particular participant in the race will finish the predetermined length of the race in a second range of fractional times. The processor receives a plurality of bets on at least one of the first betting option and the second betting option and determines an actual time for the particular participant to finish the predetermined length of the race. The processor then determines which of the plurality of bets are winning bets based at least in part upon the determination of the actual time and the corresponding betting options.
US08491362B2	Method and device for deboning bone-in leg In an automated deboning device for deboning a bone-in leg of livestock carcass, a clamp unit 12 suspending the work w includes a servomotor 104, a threaded shaft 106 connected to an output shaft of the servomotor 104 and a lifting and lowering block 108 threadably mounted on the threaded shaft 106. A lifting and lowering roller 92 mounted on a lifting and lowering shaft 70 travels in a traveling path 94 to lower and transfer the work w to a next work station. By bring a swinging roller 84 mounted on the lifting and lowering shaft 70 in contact with the cam plate 170, 180, 182, the lifting and lowering shaft 70 is rotated by a setting angle so that the work w faces round cutter blades 22, 64. Thus, the pathway of the round cutter blades 22, 64 can be approximately straight, thereby simplifying and reducing the cost of the moving mechanism.
US08491358B2	Thin film brazing of superabrasive tools Methods for orienting superabrasive particles in a superabrasive tool are provided. In one aspect, for example, a method for orienting superabrasive particles in a tool is provided. Such a method can include providing a plurality of superabrasive particles having a preselected average size, preselecting a thickness for an amorphous braze layer to be applied to a substrate, wherein the thickness is based on the average size of the plurality of superabrasive particles, and applying an amorphous braze layer to the substrate at the preselected thickness. The method can further include dispersing the plurality of superabrasive particles onto the amorphous braze layer, and melting the amorphous braze layer to cause the plurality of superabrasive particles to rotate and sink into the amorphous braze layer, wherein the thickness of the amorphous braze layer is such that the rotation and sinking of the plurality of superabrasive particles is halted by the substrate in an attitude whereby substantially all working ends of the plurality of superabrasive particles are sharp portions. The amorphous braze layer can then be cooled to fix the plurality of superabrasive particles into the tool.
US08491357B2	Method and apparatus for machining crankshafts A crankshaft is machined by first securing it in first and second radially displaceable grippers of first and second holders rotatable about a common grinding axis and orienting the workpiece axis coaxial with the grinding axis. Then the crankshaft is released from the first gripper, and the second holder is rotated to align the first crankpin radially with the grinding axis. Subsequently the crankshaft is regripped by the first gripper and released by the second gripper and the second holder is rotated relative to the crankshaft until the second holder is aligned with its displacement direction lying in a common plane with the grinding axis and the displacement direction of the first gripper. Finally, both the grippers are shifted parallel to each other in their displacement directions to center the first crankpin on the grinding axis, and the crankshaft is about the grinding axis while machining the first crankpin.
US08491355B2	Fluid/abrasive jet cutting arrangement A high pressure cutting arrangement is formed by combining a liquid stream, such as water, and a slurry stream, the slurry comprising abrasive particles suspended in a liquid. Energy is supplied to the liquid stream by a first energising means, such as a constant pressure pump. Energy is supplied to the slurry stream by a second energising means, such as by a piston powered by a constant volume pump. The liquid stream and the slurry stream are combined in a cutting tool, in which the supplied energy is converted to kinetic energy to produce a combined liquid and abrasive stream at high velocity.
US08491349B2	Adjustable paddle for watercrafts This disclosure is directed to a paddle for a watercraft having an adjustable shaft with upper and lower telescoping shaft portions. A lever in the palm grip applies tension to a cable to compress a plug at the end of the upper shaft portion to frictionally engage the lower shaft portion.
US08491344B2	Connector A connector (10) has a housing (11) with a cavity (13) and a terminal fitting (30) accommodated inside the cavity (13). A locking strip (37B) projects out on the terminal fitting (30). An inner surface of the cavity (13) has an erroneous insertion prevention part (22A) that engages the locking strip (37B) when the terminal fitting (30) is inserted into the cavity (13) in a posture erroneous in an orientation about an axis thereof, thus preventing erroneous insertion of the terminal fitting (30) into the cavity (13).
US08491339B2	Card adapter A card adapter (10) is configured to receive a first card (20) and to be inserted into a card connector (1) into which a second card may be mated. The card adapter includes a housing having first (120) and second (110) intermateable insulative plate members and a circuit member (130) arranged in the housing. The circuit member includes a plurality of adapter side contact pads (136), each being configured to contact a terminal of the card connector, and a plurality of conductive leads (133), each lead extending between one of the adapter side contact pads and a termination end (134, 135). A plurality of connection terminals (150) are provided with each being interconnected to one of the termination ends of the conductive leads and configured to engage a contact pad (251) of the first card. The first plate member may include a plurality of deformable projections (127) configured to engage a first surface of the circuit member and press the circuit member against the second plate member. The circuit member may have a plurality of through-holes with the terminals having solder tails that extend into the through holes.
US08491338B1	Battery connector A battery connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of contact terminals, conductive terminals and elastic elements which are disposed to the insulating housing. Each elastic element is restricted between the contact terminal and the conductive terminal. The insulating housing defines a plurality of terminal cavities and two inserting slots. Each contact terminal has two resisting arms slidably located in the inserting slots. Each resisting arm protrudes downward to form an abutting arm located in the terminal cavity. Each conductive terminal has two connecting slices inserted in the inserting slots, and a holding slice stretching in the terminal cavity. An electrical connection is realized between the contact terminal and the corresponding conductive terminal by means of the resisting arms electrically abutting against the corresponding connecting slices and the abutting arms electrically clamping the holding slice therebetween under the bias of the connecting slices acting on the resisting arms.
US08491336B2	Waterproof electrical connector and system In one possible embodiment, a waterproof connector is provided having pins secured to a bendable board. The bendable board and a portion of each of the pins are encased in a compressible material capable of providing a biasing force on the plurality of pins upon mating with a mating surface. The compressible material also provides a deformable sealing surface for mating with the mating surface.
US08491335B2	Waterproof connector There is provided a waterproof connector in which swing of electric wires inside a rear holder can be prevented, and insertion of the rear holder into a connector body can be easily performed with a small force. The waterproof connector includes a connector body 2 having a terminal containing room 21 in which a terminal metal fitting 9 of an electric wire 7 is contained, a waterproof plug 3 which is fitted to the electric wire 7 at a wire withdrawing side 23 of the connector body 2 and assembled to the wire withdrawing side 23 of the connector body 2, and a rear holder 5 which is mounted on the wire withdrawing side 23 of the connector body 2 thereby to prevent drop of the waterproof plug 3 from the connector body 2. The rear holder includes a pair of half bodies which are separated as a first holder body 51 and a second holder body 52, wire containing recesses 53, 54 which contain respective semi-circular portions of the electric wire are respectively formed in the first holder body 51 and the second holder body 52, and the first holder body 51 and the second holder body 52 are individually mounted on the wire withdrawing side 23 of the connector body 2 to be combined together.
US08491334B2	Connector with deformable compression sleeve A connector for a coaxial cable that includes a connector body and a deformable sleeve. The deformable sleeve and the connector body have cooperative structure for engaging the deformable sleeve with the receiving end of the connector body for securing a cable in the connector body. The deformable sleeve has a front section connected to a rear section by a web. The deformable sleeve is movable from a first position, wherein the front end of the deformable sleeve is separably attached to the receiving end of the connector, to a second position, wherein the cable is compressively secured in the connector body. The web stretches and/or breaks when the deformable sleeve moves into the second position.
US08491332B1	Slim C5/C6 coupler Embodiments relate to a C5/C6 coupler having a substantially equivalent shape and size as a C7/C8 coupler. Embodiments relate to a power supply cord that provides an earth connection to the cord. Still more particularly, embodiments relate to a slim inlet that provides a make-first-and-break-last earth connection and prevents incompatible cords, different type of connectors, from being connected to the slim inlet.
US08491330B2	Portable universal serial bus (USB) cable keychain assembly with carabiner clip A cable assembly for connecting a portable electronic device to a host device includes an upstream connector section comprising a upstream connector housing, an upstream connector secured to the upstream connector housing, and a downstream connector section comprising a downstream connector housing, a first downstream connector secured to the downstream connector housing, and a second downstream connector secured to the downstream connector housing. The cable assembly further includes a main body section having an attachment mechanism comprising a through hole formed in the main body, the through hole including on one side a carabiner clip comprising a spring-loaded hinged inwardly movable outer portion completing the through hole.
US08491326B2	Electrical connection box There is provided a downsized electrical connection box in which the reliability of the mechanical connection between blocks provided in the electrical connection box is improved. The electrical connection box 1 includes a plurality of electric components, a first block 3 mounted with the electric components and a second block mounted with the electric components. The first block 3 includes a tubular-shaped first member 32, 33 projecting towards the second block 5. The second block 5 includes a second member 52, 53 arranged to be slidably inserted into the first member. The first and the second blocks 3, 5 are coupled to each other by slidably inserting the second member 52, 53 into the first member 32, 33. At least one electric component 8 of the plurality of electric components is received inside the first and the second members 32, 52, 33, 53.
US08491325B2	Connector and electronic device thereof A connector includes a first body, and a second body movably disposed on the first body. The first body includes a first plate, and a second plate connected to the first plate. The second body is located between the first plate and the second plate for clamping a reversible cable with the first body. The connector further includes a first connecting terminal disposed on the first body for contacting a first transmission terminal of the reversible cable, a second connecting terminal disposed on the second body for contacting a second transmission terminal of the reversible cable, and a buckling structure. The buckling structure includes a first buckling portion disposed on the first body, and a second buckling portion disposed on the second body. The second buckling portion is clamped with the first buckling portion in a loose fit manner.
US08491321B2	Plug-in connector for DC wiring An objective is to produce the plug-in-connector for DC-wiring with safety by preventing degradation of contact points by shortening of period when arc is caused due to detaching and attaching the plug. An electrical outlet comprises an inversion-spring electrically connected to the plug's blade inserted from the insertion-hole. Both the ends of the inversion-spring are fixed to the inversion-spring's body, whereby the inversion-spring's intermediate-portion is moved between the contact position of making an elastically contact with the blade and the non-contact position of making a space having a predetermined distance or more for cutting the arc. The blade pushes the intermediate-portion to move it to the non-contact position by twisting the plug having a contact condition between the intermediate-portion and the blade. The intermediate-portion is inverted to have an elastic contact to the blade by pushing the push button to move the intermediate-portion, with non-contact position, by the driving member.
US08491318B2	Thin socket A thin socket allowing reception of a power source through a power source input interface, said thin socket comprising a first case, a second case, a plurality of metal clamping parts and a movable part. The second case and the first case conjunctively form a first accommodating space and the movable part is movably embedded into the first accommodating space or protrudes out of the first accommodating space. The first case has a plurality of holes used for insertion of a plurality of conductive terminals in a plug. The second case has an opening whose position on the second case corresponds to the positions of the plurality of holes on the first case. The movable part movably passes through the opening on the second case and has a second accommodating space.
US08491314B2	Connecting tab and secondary battery having the same A connecting tab connected between an electrode terminal of a cap plate and an electrode terminal of a protection circuit module (PCM) in a secondary battery. The connecting tab includes a PCM mounting portion, a bent portion and a terminal connecting portion. The PCM mounting portion is connected to the electrode terminal of the PCM. The bent portion is extended from the PCM mounting portion and makes a predetermined angle with the PCM mounting portion, and has at least one cut-away portion formed therein. The terminal connecting portion is formed bent portion on the same plane with the bent portion, and extended in a lateral direction from an upper portion of the bent portion. Accordingly, an electrical connection between a secondary battery cell and the PCM can be performed only through a simple process by using the connecting tab provided with the bent portion.
US08491313B2	Mezzanine connector A two-piece mezzanine connector for high speed, high density signals. One piece of the connector may have conductive elements with beam-shaped mating contacts. The beams may include openings to control mechanical properties while allowing edge to edge spacing between adjacent beams to be selected to provide desired electrical properties. The openings may be teardrop shaped, with a larger width at a distal end of the beams. Beams associated with signal conductors may have openings that are shaped differently from openings of beams associated with ground conductors. For a first connector piece, mating contact regions of signal conductors may be wider than mating contact regions of ground conductors. For a second connector piece adapted to mate with the first connector piece, mating contact regions of signal conductors may be narrower than mating contact regions of ground conductors. These contact shapes may provide float while maintaining a high contact density.
US08491303B2	Oral appliance activation devices and methods Oral appliance activation devices and methods which are used to facilitate the securement, adjustment, or removal of an oral appliance, e.g., a crown or bridge, from a reconfigurable abutment assembly are described. The adjustable abutment assembly may be secured to an anchoring implant bored into the bones within the mouth. The abutment assembly has a projecting abutment portion with one or more shape memory alloy elements extending along the projecting abutment portion. Energy may be applied to the elements via the activation devices directly over or adjacent to the oral appliance to actuate the elements and thereby either secure or loosen the oral appliance relative to the abutment.
US08491302B2	Dental implant A dental implant with a coarsely threaded portion suitable for nesting within the cortical bone, and a finely threaded portion suitable for nesting within the cancellous bone. A primary thread with a constant pitch and a constant major diameter, runs along both the finely threaded portion and the coarsely threaded portion, and has a large thread height in the coarsely threaded portion, and a small thread height in the finely threaded portion. At least one secondary thread, having the constant pitch and the small thread height, runs along the finely threaded portion at an offset from the primary thread.
US08491300B2	Ultrasonic dental tool having a light source An ultrasonic dental insert having at least one light source. A first transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations. A connecting body has a proximal end and a distal end having a tip attached thereto. The proximal end is attached to the first transducer so as to receive the ultrasonic vibrations therefrom and to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations toward the tip attached to the distal end. A second transducer is disposed substantially proximate to the connecting body for generating a voltage signal in response to movement of a portion of the connecting body according to the ultrasonic vibrations. A magnetic material including a source of a magnetic field is present in close proximity to the insert. At least one light source substantially proximate to the tip is connected to and receives the voltage signal from the second transducer to generate light. The ultrasonic dental insert may be inserted into a handpiece for providing electromagnetic energy to the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic vibrations.
US08491299B2	Seal hardening furnace of liquid crystal display device having rack bar A seal hardening furnace is presented in which seal lines in a liquid crystal display panel are hardened. The seal hardening furnace includes a cassette having a rack bar structure. The rack bar structure has rack bars for supporting the substrate along one direction and rack bar supports at ends of the rack bars that support the rack bars. The rack bars have air discharge openings therein. An air injecting passage is connected to the rack bar supports. An air supply unit supplies air through the air injecting passage and through the discharge openings to support the substrate thereon.
US08491298B2	Apparatus for sealing a pharmaceutically acceptable hard shell capsule A method is disclosed for the sealing of hard shell capsules having coaxial body parts which overlap when telescopically joined. Also described is an apparatus to seal the capsules.The method comprises the steps of holding the capsule in a precise and upright position and injecting a known quantity of sealing fluid in the overlap of the body parts.An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sealing clamp (1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61) to hold the capsule in an upright position and means (5, 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65) to inject the sealing fluid in the overlap of the body parts.
US08491295B2	Die assembly and method of extruding cellular ceramic substrates with a skin An extrusion apparatus including a die and a mask are provided such that no slots feed directly into the longitudinal skin forming gap between the mask and the die. In a method of forming a die adapted to improve skin uniformity of extruded cellular ceramic substrates a slotted block of die material is provided including central slots adapted to form a cellular matrix of the substrate and peripheral slots located outwardly of the central slots designed to be covered by a skin former mask and adapted to extrude peripheral batch material. An arcuate skin former is cut corresponding to a target shrinkage so as to intersect the slotted block such that skin flow from tangent slots at 90 degree positions of the die is limited to the peripheral batch material.
US08491293B2	Magazine apparatus for the storage of blow moulds and methods of storing blow moulds A magazine apparatus including a plurality of receiving elements that are constructed and arranged to separately receive individual blow molds each having a plurality of parts and each configured to shape plastic-material pre-forms into plastic-material containers. The magazine apparatus being constructed and arranged to store a plurality of blow molds outside the working operational area of a blow molding machine.
US08491292B1	Aligning nanomaterial in a nanomaterial composite Processing a composite material includes combining a nanomaterial with a matrix to yield a composite material. The nanomaterial comprises nanotubes. An electric current is applied to the composite material to align and disperse the nanotubes in the matrix.
US08491290B2	Apparatus for producing non-symmetric multiple layer injection molded products A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity produces a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a variable thickness flow leader or may alternatively be a plurality of flow leaders having a flow path length that differs from the flow path length of an adjacent flow leader by no more than about 15%. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.
US08491288B2	Geroller hydraulic motor with anti-cogging structure A hydraulic motor receives pressurized fluid from a source controlled by a human operator to convert the energy in the hydraulic fluid to a rotational output to propel a drive wheel of a machine. The hydraulic motor includes an end cover, a manifold, a drive assembly, a wear plate, a housing, and an output assembly. The drive assembly includes a rotor with external teeth and a stator with internal teeth formed by rollers having end faces. The pressurized fluid from the source flows through the manifold to the drive assembly and causes rotational and orbital movement of the rotor relative to the stator. The rotational movement of the rotor is transmitted to the drive wheel by the output assembly. A first set of anti-cogging passages and a second set of anti-cogging passages communicate fluid pressure to the end faces in timed relationship to reduce cogging or detenting of the rotational output of the motor.
US08491283B2	Micropump A micropump including a tube unit and a control unit. The control unit has a plurality of fingers. A cam sequentially presses the plurality of fingers from an inlet side to an outlet side of the tube. A drive unit gives rotation force to the cam, a control circuit unit controls operation of the drive unit, and a device frame holds the plurality of fingers, the cam, the drive unit, and the control circuit unit. A reservoir communicates with an inlet port of the tube; and a power source supplies power to the control circuit unit, wherein the tube unit is detachably attached to the control unit substantially in the horizontal direction with respect to the rotation surface of the cam and attached to the inside of a space produced by the device frame.
US08491282B2	Pressure mitigating dielectric debris seal for a pothead interface A connector for connecting electrical power to a well pump motor has cable and motor connector portions that mate with each other in a connected position. The connector portions have insulating members, each of which has a number of passages and an end face. Electrical contact members are mounted in each of the passages. Contact members in the cable connector portion protrude past the end face of the insulating member. A debris seal insulates the electrical contact members in the cable connector and includes expansion slots so that when the material of the debris seal thermally expands, the expansion slots contract in response to the expansion without the debris seal impinging against either connector.
US08491281B2	Long life seal and alignment system for small cryocoolers In one embodiment, a compressor includes a motor assembly configured to compress a gas within a compression volume, the motor assembly including: a stationary coil assembly; a moving assembly having at least one magnet, and a gap located between the stationary coil assembly and the moving assembly; wherein the moving assembly is configured to reciprocate axially with respect to the stationary coil assembly when electrical current is applied to the stationary coil assembly, and to change the width of the gap between the stationary coil assembly and the moving assembly so as to provide magnetic axial stiffness against motion of the moving assembly. One or more embodiments may be used in a cryocooler assembly.
US08491279B2	Electric pump for hydrogen circulation An electric pump for supplying a hydrogen gas to a fuel cell includes a rotary shaft rotatably inserted through an electric motor, a transmitting member provided on one of an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and an inner peripheral surface of the electric motor so as to be rotatable therewith, and a groove formed in the other of the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft and the inner peripheral surface of the electric motor for the transmitting member to be inserted therein. The groove transmits a rotary torque of the electric motor to the rotary shaft by contacting an inner surface of the groove and the transmitting member and has an opening width along a rotary direction of the rotary shaft which is larger than the width of the transmitting member. The groove and the transmitting member produce an impact torque when the electric pump is started.
US08491278B2	Auxiliary braking device for wellhead having progressive cavity pump An auxiliary braking device can be used for wellhead applications having a progressive cavity pump. A housing of the device independently mounts on the pump's existing drive using a mounting member, and an adapter on the housing connects to a rotatable drive shaft of the pump. A hydraulic motor on the housing has a motor shaft mechanically coupled to the adapter by a plurality of gears or the like. A control valve couples to the hydraulic motor and operates to control communication of hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic motor, thereby controlling rotation of the rotatable shaft. A controller and electric sensors can operated the control valve in response to the sensed rotation of the shaft. Alternatively, mechanical mechanisms can operate the control valve in response to the rotation of the drive shaft.
US08491276B2	Pump A pump includes: a branch pipe extending from a pump body for branching a part of raw water introduced from outside through a raw water inlet; a first tank having an exhaust pipe of an engine accommodated therein, the raw water supplied via the branch pipe being evaporated by heat of the exhaust pipe; a second tank provided over the first tank and having the branch pipe accommodated therein, vapor produced by evaporation of the raw water in the first tank being condensed into water droplets in the second tank; and a communication pipe interconnecting the first and second tanks in communication with each other.
US08491271B2	Exhaust gas turbo-charger In an exhaust-gas turbocharger with a shaft axially arranged between a compressor wheel and a turbine wheel and connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the compressor wheel as well as to the turbine wheel, said shaft being rotationally mounted with a turbine-side shaft part in a turbine-side bearing, a connecting region with minimal heat conductivity is axially arranged or configured between the turbine-side shaft part and the turbine wheel in such a manner that the heat flow emanating from the turbine wheel is choked.
US08491269B2	Hydraulic machine including means for injecting a flow drawn from a main flow The invention relates to a machine through which a main flow (E) of water passes, including a turbine wheel (4), with at least a turbulent zone, reduced-pressure zone or cavitation zone (8, 10, 33) being formed close to said wheel. The wheel includes blades (6) disposed between a ceiling (28) and a belt (30). The machine also includes means for injecting a flow (E2) drawn from the main flow into the aforementioned zone (8, 10, 33) such as to alter the main flow (E) locally or increase the pressure in said zone (8, 10, 33). Said injection means inject the drawn flow (E2) from the ceiling (28) or from the belt (30) through holes (31, 32) provided in the ceiling (28) or belt (30).
US08491265B2	Rotor imbalance load limiting system and method Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting the load on a rotor support structure when a rotationally mounted rotor becomes imbalanced. The rotor is rotationally mounted within a plurality of circumferentially spaced variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles that at least engage the rotor and have hydraulic fluid disposed therein. Each of the variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles is fluidly connected to a substantially fixed volume hydraulic fluid receptacle that has hydraulic fluid disposed therein and is coupled to the rotor support structure. When the rotor becomes imbalanced, the hydraulic fluid is continuously moved between the variable volume hydraulic fluid receptacles and the substantially fixed volume hydraulic fluid receptacle.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10