最新美国发明专利第2013-08-06期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08501687B2	Receptor(SSTR2)-selective somatostatin antagonists SRIF peptide antagonists, which are selective for SSTR2 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors and which bind with high affinity to the cloned human receptor SSTR2 but do not activate the receptor, have many useful functions. Because they do not bind with significant affinity to SSTR1, SSTR3, SSTR4 or SSTR5, their administration avoids potential undesirable side effects. By incorporating radioiodine or the like in these SSTR2-selective SRIF antagonists, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided. Alternatively, for use in therapy, highly radioactive moieties can be N-terminally coupled, complexed or chelated thereto. Because they block the receptor function, they can be used therapeutically to block certain physiological effects which SSTR2 mediates.
US08501685B2	Process for preparing peptide products for promoting cholecystokinin secretion and use of the peptide products A process for producing a peptide product having cholecystokinin secretion promoting effect, said process comprising hydrolyzing soybean residues with one or more proteases so that the peptide product having cholecystokinin secretion promoting effect is obtained. Also disclosed is the composition containing the peptide product and the use thereof.
US08501684B2	Peptide toxin formulation Procedures are described which use solvents to increase the topical insecticidal activity of toxic insect peptides. These procedures comprise drying the peptides, if needed, followed by the addition of either: 1) a polar organic solvent, with or without water, to a dried peptide, or 2) the addition of polar aprotic solvent or other adjuvant to the dried peptide, followed by the addition of either: 1) a polar organic solvent, with or without water, (where a polar aprotic solvent is added first) or 2) a polar aprotic solvent or other adjuvant to the peptide polar organic solvent (where the polar organic solvent is added first), to the peptide formulation.
US08501679B2	Cyclic, cystein-free protein A protein selected from the amino acid sequence of the region valine Val(91) to glycine Gly(121) of the mature human tumor necrosis factor, or a portion thereof, with the proviso that the protein comprises at least the amino acid sequence of the region lysine Lys(98) to glutamic acid Glu(116), with the cysteine Cys(101) being replaced by a glycine and an amide bond being formed between the amino group of the side chain of the lysine Lys(98) and the carboxyl group of the side chain of the glutamic acid Glu(116), which activates epithelial ion channels and improves the lung function and which can be used for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of diseases associated with the lung function, such as oedemas.
US08501671B2	Grease composition and process for producing the same A process for producing a grease composition which is capable of homogeneously and surely dispersing a non-fluorine-based base oil blended with a thickening agent and a fluorine-based base oil blended with a thickening agent. A mixture of a non-fluorine-based base oil blended with a first thickening agent and a fluorine-based base oil blended with a second thickening agent that are not mutually compatible is homogeneously treated at a shear rate of 150 s−1 or higher to form a morphology structure in which one of the non-fluorine-based base oil and fluorine-based base oil is homogeneously dispersed in a particulate form having a mean particle diameter of not more than 25 μm in the other base oil.
US08501670B2	Well treatment fluid compositions and methods of use that include a delayed release percarbonate formulation A well treatment fluid and method of use includes water, at least one hydratable polymer, an optional crosslinking agent, and a delayed release percarbonate formulation effective to reduce initial viscosity of the fluid after a period of time. Also disclosed are processes for fracturing a subterranean formation.
US08501664B2	Process for treating a carrier, a process for preparing a catalyst, the catalyst, and use of the catalyst A process for treating a carrier, or a precursor thereof, to at least partly remove impurities comprising contacting the carrier, or the precursor thereof, with a treatment solution comprising a salt; a process for preparing a catalyst;the catalyst; a process for preparing an olefin oxide by reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of the catalyst; and a process for preparing a 1,2-diol, a 1,2-diol ether or an alkanolamine.
US08501663B2	Process for obtaining an adsorbent from a waste material and use of the adsorbent In the present, a procedure of obtaining adsorbent from a waste material and its use are disclosed. This invention provides a natural waste material, specifically avocado seed, its preparation and use for the filling of columns used in the elimination of contaminants present in wastewater. The particles have an irregular shape and variable size for filling columns of different diameter and length. The adsorbent has the sufficient hardness for avoiding a particle collapse. The material does not rot, is re-generable and ecological. In the present invention the preparation of the adsorbent, its pre-activation, carbonization and application to eliminate the color of textile wastewater is disclosed.The color elimination from textile wastewater, as well as decrease of salts, total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC), is carried out passing the textile wastewater through a column filled with the prepared adsorbent. In batch systems metals dissolved in water can be eliminated.
US08501661B2	Catalyst for converting exhaust gases A catalyst for purifying exhaust gases includes a substrate, and a catalytic layer. The catalytic layer includes a lower catalytic layer, a first upper catalytic layer, and a second upper catalytic layer. The lower catalytic layer being loaded with Pd and/or Pt is formed on the substrate. The first upper catalytic layer being loaded with Pd covers an upstream side of the lower catalytic layer, and exhibits a concentration of loaded Pd that falls in a range of from 4.5 to 12% by mass when the entirety of the first upper catalytic layer is taken as 100% by mass. The second upper catalytic layer being loaded with Rh covers a downstream side of the lower catalytic layer.
US08501659B2	Processes for the preparation of arylamine compounds A process for the preparation of N-arylamine compounds, the process including: reacting a compound having an amino group with an acylating compound in the presence of a base and a transition metal catalyst under reaction conditions effective to form an N-arylamine compound; wherein the transition metal catalyst comprises a complex of a Group 8-10 metal and at least one chelating ligand comprising (R)-(−)-1-[(S)-2-dicyclohexylphosphino]-ferrocenyl]ethyldi-t-butylphosphine.
US08501657B2	Catalyst for desulfurization and deodorization of gasoline and method for preparation of the same and use thereof A catalyst for the desulfurization and deodorization of gasoline, which is expressed by the formula: QlBmHn[AxMyOz](1+m+n)−, where: Q denotes a quaternary ammonium cation consisting of R1R2R3R4N+, in which R1, R2, R3, and R4 each denotes independently a C1 to C20 saturated alkyl group, respectively, provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3, and R4 denotes a C4 to C20 saturated alkyl group; B denotes a metal cation of Na+ or/and K+; H denotes a hydrogen atom; A denotes a central atom of B, P, As, Si or Al; M denotes a coordinated atom of W or Mo; O denotes an oxygen atom; 1≦l≦10, 0≦m≦3, 0≦n≦3, l+m+n≦14, x=1 or 2, 9≦y≦18, 34≦z≦62, and l, m, n, y and z all are integers. A method of the desulfurization and deodorization of gasoline by using the catalyst comprises the steps of: mixing the catalyst and an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, and then adding the gasoline to react them with stirring under conditions of 25 to 90° C. and 0.1 to 1 MPa for 10 to 180 min. An odorless gasoline can be obtained through settlement or centrifugation, and the catalyst is recovered.
US08501656B2	Catalysts for ring-closing metathesis A catalyst composition is provided, which may be used for ring closing metathesis. In the composition, a catalyst is immobilized on a siliceous mesocellular foam support. A suitable catalyst for use in the composition is a Grubbs-type catalyst or a Hoveyda-Grubbs-type catalyst.
US08501655B2	Catalyst activators, processes for making same, and use thereof in catalysts and polymerization of olefins Compositions useful for activating catalysts for olefin polymerization are provided. The compositions are derived from at least carrier having at least two hydrogen bonded hydroxyl groups, organoaluminum compound, Lewis base, and Bronsted acid, wherein the Lewis base and the Bronsted acid form at least one ionic Bronsted acid.
US08501647B2	High strength and high elongation wipes The present invention provides high strength nonwoven wipe materials and the process of making the materials. The high strength nonwoven wipe materials contain cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, or mixtures thereof, with bicomponent fibers and optionally, a binder. The present invention provides a high strength, high elongation, reduced stiffness nonwoven wipe material with superior tensile strength.
US08501645B2	Enhanced filamentous silicone products and processes Filamentous bodies which are longitudinally extended and other film-like constructions are made by combining liquid silicone-containing precursors with air and extruding them. Distinct types or grades of fibers, strands, and other film-like constructions are produced which have a multiplicity of useful applications and indications for use owing to their inherent memory, compactability, tensile strength and density. Processes for making the novel enhanced filamentous bodies and products by the same can be optimized for uses ranging from safe and effective (“leak-free”) prosthetics to cushions, inserts, membranes, in a plurality of fields from consumer electronics to medical devices, and athletic or orthopedic shoe inserts.
US08501638B1	Laser annealing scanning methods with reduced annealing non-uniformities Laser annealing scanning methods that result in reduced annealing non-uniformities in semiconductor device structures under fabrication are disclosed. The methods include defining a length of an annealing laser beam such that the tails of the laser beam resided only within scribe lines that separate the semiconductor device structures. The annealing laser beam tails from adjacent scan path segments can overlap or not overlap within the scribe lines. The cross-scan length of the annealing laser beam can be selected to simultaneously scan more than one semiconductor device structure, as long as annealing laser beam is configured such that the tails do not fall within a semiconductor device structure.
US08501633B2	Forming substrate structure by filling recesses with deposition material A substrate structure is produced by forming a first material layer on a substrate having a recess, removing the first material layer from the portion of the substrate except for the recess using a second material that reacts with the first material, and forming a deposition film from the first material layer using a third material that reacts with the first material. A method of manufacturing a device may include the method of forming a substrate structure.
US08501631B2	Plasma processing system control based on RF voltage A method for controlling a plasma processing system using wafer bias information derived from RF voltage information is proposed. The RF voltage is processed via an analog or digital methodology to obtain peak voltage information at least for each of the fundamental frequencies and the broadband frequency. The peak voltage information is then employed to derive the wafer bias information to serve as a feedback or control signal to hardware/software of the plasma processing system.
US08501626B2	Methods for high temperature etching a high-K material gate structure Methods for etching high-k material at high temperatures are provided. In one embodiment, a method etching high-k material on a substrate may include providing a substrate having a high-k material layer disposed thereon into an etch chamber, forming a plasma from an etching gas mixture including at least a halogen containing gas into the etch chamber, maintaining a temperature of an interior surface of the etch chamber in excess of about 100 degree Celsius while etching the high-k material layer in the presence of the plasma, and maintaining a substrate temperature between about 100 degree Celsius and about 250 degrees Celsius while etching the high-k material layer in the presence of the plasma.
US08501624B2	Excited gas injection for ion implant control An ion source that utilizes exited and/or atomic gas injection is disclosed. In an ion beam application, the source gas can be used directly, as it is traditionally supplied. Alternatively or additionally, the source gas can be altered by passing it through a remote plasma source prior to being introduced to the ion source chamber. This can be used to create excited neutrals, heavy ions, metastable molecules or multiply charged ions. In another embodiment, multiple gasses are used, where one or more of the gasses are passed through a remote plasma generator. In certain embodiments, the gasses are combined in a single plasma generator before being supplied to the ion source chamber. In plasma immersion applications, plasma is injected into the process chamber through one or more additional gas injection locations. These injection locations allow the influx of additional plasma, produced by remote plasma sources external to the process chamber.
US08501623B2	Method of forming a semiconductor device having a metal silicide and alloy layers as electrode A semiconductor device includes an electrode having a metal silicide layer and a metal alloy layer, and a data storage element formed on the electrode. The metal silicide layer has a concave surface to correspond to a convex surface of the metal alloy layer such that the concave surface of the metal silicide layer and the convex surface of the metal alloy layer form a curved boundary.
US08501619B1	Methods for forming a plurality of contact holes in a microelectronic device A method including: forming a dielectric layer over a substrate of a microelectronic device; forming a photoresist layer over the dielectric layer; performing a first exposure of the photoresist layer to permit portions of the dielectric layer to be removed at a first plurality of locations; subsequent to performing the first exposure, performing a second exposure of the photoresist layer to permit portions of the dielectric layer to be removed at a second plurality of locations different from the first plurality of locations; removing the portions of the dielectric layer at each of i) the first plurality of locations and ii) the second plurality of locations; and etching the dielectric layer at each of i) the first plurality of locations and ii) the second plurality of locations to respectively form a contact hole at each of the i) the first plurality of locations and ii) the second plurality of locations.
US08501617B2	Semiconductor devices including a topmost metal layer with at least one opening and their methods of fabrication In one embodiment, a semiconductor device has a topmost or highest conductive layer with at least one opening. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a cell array region and an interlayer insulating layer covering the substrate having the cell array region. The topmost conductive layer is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer in the cell array region. The topmost conductive layer has at least one opening. A method of fabricating the semiconductor device is also provided. The openings penetrating the topmost metal layer help hydrogen atoms reach the interfaces of gate insulating layers of cell MOS transistors and/or peripheral MOS transistors during a metal alloy process, thereby improve a performance (production yield and/or refresh characteristics) of a memory device.
US08501615B2	Metal bump formation A system and method for forming metal bumps is provided. An embodiment comprises attaching conductive material to a carrier medium and then contacting the conductive material to conductive regions of a substrate. Portions of the conductive material are then bonded to the conductive regions using a bonding process to form conductive caps on the conductive regions, and residual conductive material and the carrier medium are removed. A reflow process is used to reflow the conductive caps into conductive bumps.
US08501614B1	Method for manufacturing fine-pitch bumps and structure thereof A method for manufacturing fine-pitch bumps comprises the steps of providing a silicon substrate; forming a titanium-containing metal layer on the silicon substrate, wherein the titanium-containing metal layer comprises a plurality of first zones and a plurality of second zones; forming a photoresist layer on the titanium-containing metal layer; patterning the photoresist layer to form a plurality of opening slots; forming a plurality of copper bumps at the opening slots, wherein each of the copper bumps comprises a first top surface and a ring surface; heating the photoresist layer to form a plurality of body portions and a plurality of removable portions; etching the photoresist layer; and removing the second zones to enable each of the first zones to form an under bump metallurgy layer having a bearing portion and an extending portion.
US08501611B2	Methods of forming integrated circuit devices having electrically conductive layers therein with partially nitridated sidewalls Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming an electrically conductive layer containing silicon on a substrate and forming a mask pattern on the electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive layer is selectively etched to define a first sidewall thereon, using the mask pattern as an etching mask. The first sidewall of the electrically conductive layer may be exposed to a nitrogen plasma to thereby form a first silicon nitride layer on the first sidewall. The electrically conductive layer is then selectively etched again to expose a second sidewall thereon that is free of the first silicon nitride layer. The mask pattern may be used again as an etching mask during this second step of selectively etching the electrically conductive layer.
US08501607B1	FinFET alignment structures using a double trench flow A method is provided for forming FinFETS with improved alignment features. Embodiments include forming on a Si substrate pillars of TEOS on poly-Si; conformally depositing a first TEOS liner over the entire substrate; etching the first TEOS liner and substrate through the pillars, forming first trenches; filling the first trenches and spaces between the pillars with an oxide; removing the TEOS from the pillars and the oxide therebetween; removing the poly-Si; conformally depositing a second TEOS liner over the entire Si substrate; etching the second TEOS liner and Si between the oxide, forming second trenches having a larger depth than the first trenches; filling the second trenches with oxide; removing the oxide and the first and second TEOS liners down to an upper surface of the Si substrate; and recessing the oxide below the upper surface of the Si substrate.
US08501603B2	Method for fabricating high voltage transistor A method for fabricating a high voltage transistor includes the following steps. Firstly, a substrate is provided. A first sacrificial oxide layer and a hard mask layer are sequentially formed over the substrate. The hard mask layer is removed, thereby exposing the first sacrificial oxide layer. Then, a second sacrificial oxide layer is formed on the first sacrificial oxide layer. Afterwards, an ion-implanting process is performed to introduce a dopant into the substrate through the second sacrificial oxide layer and the first sacrificial oxide layer, thereby producing a high voltage first-type field region of the high voltage transistor.
US08501601B2	Drive current increase in field effect transistors by asymmetric concentration profile of alloy species of a channel semiconductor alloy When forming sophisticated transistors, the channel region may be provided such that the gradient of the band gap energy of the channel material may result in superior charge carrier velocity. For example, a gradient in concentration of germanium, carbon and the like may be implemented along the channel length direction, thereby obtaining higher transistor performance.
US08501598B2	Semiconductor substrate, semiconductor device, and method of producing semiconductor substrate A semiconductor substrate which allows desired electrical characteristics to be more easily acquired, a semiconductor device of the same, and a method of producing the semiconductor substrate. The method of producing this semiconductor substrate is provided with: a first epitaxial layer forming step (S1) of forming a first epitaxial layer; a trench forming step (S2) of forming trenches in the first epitaxial layer; and epitaxial layer forming steps (S3, S4, S5) of forming epitaxial layers on the first epitaxial layer and inside the trenches, using a plurality of growth conditions including differing growth rates, so as to fill the trenches, and keeping the concentration of dopant taken into the epitaxial layers constant in the plurality of growth conditions.
US08501597B2	Method for fabricating group III-nitride semiconductor A method of fabricating a group III-nitride semiconductor includes the following steps of: forming a first patterned mask layer with a plurality of first openings deposited on an epitaxial substrate; epitaxially growing a group III-nitride semiconductor layer over the epitaxial substrate and covering at least part of the first patterned mask layer; etching the group III-nitride semiconductor layer to form a plurality of second openings, which are substantially at least partially aligned with the first openings; and epitaxially growing the group III-nitride semiconductor layer again.
US08501596B2	Method for fabricating a micro-electronic device equipped with semi-conductor zones on an insulator with a horizontal GE concentration gradient A manufacturing method of a microelectronic device including at least one semi-conductor zone which rests on a support and which exhibits a germanium concentration gradient in a direction parallel to the principal pane of the support.
US08501595B2	Thin film containing nanocrystal particles and method for preparing the same Disclosed herein is a thin film prepared using a mixture of nanocrystal particles and a molecular precursor. The nanocrystal is used in the thin film as a nucleus for crystal growth to minimize grain boundaries of the thin film and the molecular precursor is used to form the same crystal structure as the nanocrystal particles, thereby improving the crystallinity of the thin film. The thin film can be used effectively in a variety of electronic devices, including thin film transistors, electroluminescence devices, memory devices, and solar cells. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the thin film.
US08501594B2	Methods for forming silicon germanium layers Embodiments of methods for depositing silicon germanium (SiGe) layers on a substrate are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method may include depositing a first layer comprising silicon and germanium (e.g., a seed layer) atop the substrate using a first precursor comprising silicon and chlorine; and depositing a second layer comprising silicon and germanium (e.g., a bulk layer) atop the silicon germanium seed layer using a second precursor comprising silicon and hydrogen. In some embodiments, the first silicon precursor gas may comprise at least one of dichlorosilane (H2SiCl2), trichlorosilane (HSiCl3), or silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4). In some embodiments, the second silicon precursor gas may comprise at least one of silane (SiH4), or disilane (Si2H6).
US08501592B2	Freestanding III-nitride single-crystal substrate and method of manufacturing semiconductor device utilizing the substrate Freestanding III-nitride single-crystal substrates whose average dislocation density is not greater than 5×105 cm−2 and that are fracture resistant, and a method of manufacturing semiconductor devices utilizing such freestanding III-nitride single-crystal substrates are made available. The freestanding III-nitride single-crystal substrate includes one or more high-dislocation-density regions (20h), and a plurality of low-dislocation-density regions (20k) in which the dislocation density is lower than that of the high-dislocation-density regions (20h), wherein the average dislocation density is not greater than 5×105 cm−2. Herein, the ratio of the dislocation density of the high-dislocation-density region(s) (20h) to the average dislocation density is sufficiently large to check the propagation of cracks in the substrate. And the semiconductor device manufacturing method utilizes the freestanding III-nitride single crystal substrate (20p).
US08501590B2	Apparatus and methods for dicing interposer assembly Methods and apparatus for performing dicing of die on wafer interposers. Methods are disclosed that include receiving an interposer assembly including one or more integrated circuit dies mounted on a die side of an interposer substrate and having scribe areas defined in spaces between the integrated circuit dies, the interposer having an opposite side for receiving external connectors; mounting the die side of the interposer assembly to a tape assembly, the tape assembly comprising an adhesive tape and preformed spacers disposed between and filling gaps between the integrated circuit dies; and sawing the interposer assembly by cutting the opposite side of the interposer in the scribe areas to make cuts through the interposer, the cuts separating the interposer into one or more die on wafer assemblies. Apparatuses are disclosed for use with the methods.
US08501589B2	Method in the microelectronics fields of forming a monocrystalline layer A process for forming a thin film of a given material includes providing a first substrate having, on the surface, an amorphous and/or polycrystalline film of the given material and a second substrate is bonded to the first substrate by hydrophobic direct bonding (molecular adhesion), the second substrate having a single-crystal reference film of a given crystallographic orientation on the surface thereof. A heat treatment is applied at least to the amorphous and/or polycrystalline film, where the heat treatment causes at least a portion of the amorphous and/or polycrystalline film to undergo solid-phase recrystallization along the crystallographic orientation of the reference film, where the reference film acts as a recrystallization seed. The at least partly recrystallized film is then separated from at least a portion of the reference film.
US08501587B2	Stacked integrated chips and methods of fabrication thereof Structure and methods of forming stacked semiconductor chips are described. In one embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor chip includes forming an opening for a through substrate via from a top surface of a first substrate. The sidewalls of the opening are lined with an insulating liner and the opened filled with a conductive fill material. The first substrate is etched from an opposite bottom surface to form a protrusion, the protrusion being covered with the insulating liner. A resist layer is deposited around the protrusion to expose a portion of the insulating liner. The exposed insulating liner is etched to form a sidewall spacer along the protrusion.
US08501582B2	Semiconductor structure having low thermal stress and method for manufacturing thereof A semiconductor structure includes a Si substrate, a supporting layer and a blocking layer formed on the substrate and an epitaxy layer formed on the supporting layer. The supporting layer defines a plurality of grooves therein to receive the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer is grown from the supporting layer. A plurality of slots is defined in the epitaxy layer and over the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a P-type semiconductor layer. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure is also disclosed.
US08501581B2	Methods of forming semiconductor constructions The invention includes floating body transistor constructions containing U-shaped semiconductor material slices. The U-shapes have a pair of prongs joined to a central portion. Each of the prongs contains a source/drain region of a pair of gatedly-coupled source/drain regions, and the floating bodies of the transistors are within the central portions. The semiconductor material slices can be between front gates and back gates. The floating body transistor constructions can be incorporated into memory arrays, which in turn can be incorporated into electronic systems. The invention also includes methods of forming floating body transistor constructions, and methods of incorporating floating body transistor constructions into memory arrays.
US08501579B2	Process of fabricating chip A chip structure includes a substrate and a stress buffer layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The stress buffer layer is disposed on the periphery of the substrate and located in at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate.
US08501578B2	Semiconductor structure formed without requiring thermal oxidation Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a semiconductor device is manufactured by forming at least two or more cavities below a surface of a semiconductor substrate wherein the at least two or more cavities are spaced apart from each other by a selected distance, filling at least a portion of the at least two or more cavities with a dielectric material to form at least two or more dielectric structures, removing a portion of the substrate between the at least two or more dielectric structures to form at least one additional cavity, and covering the at least one additional cavity.
US08501577B2	Preparation method for full-isolated SOI with hybrid crystal orientations A preparation method for a full-isolated silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate with hybrid crystal orientations and a preparation method of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit (IC) based on the method are disclosed. In the preparation method for the full-isolated SOI substrate with hybrid crystal orientations provided in the present invention, a SiGe layer is adopted to serve as an epitaxial virtual substrate layer with a first crystal orientation, so as to form a strained top silicon with the first crystal orientation; a polysilicon supporting material is adopted to serve as a support for connecting the top silicon with the first crystal orientation and a top silicon with a second crystal orientation, so that the SiGe layer below the strained top silicon with the first crystal orientation may be removed, and an insulating material is filled to form an insulating buried layer. The top silicon and the insulating buried layer formed in the method have uniform and controllable thickness, the strained silicon formed in the window and the top silicon outside the window have different crystal orientations, so as to provide higher mobility for the NMOS and the PMOS respectively, thereby improving the performance of the CMOS IC.
US08501576B2	Dummy structures and methods A semiconductor device and a method of making a semiconductor device are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a material layer on a substrate, patterning a first semi-global region with a first main pattern and patterning a second semi-global region with a second main pattern, wherein the first main pattern is different than the second main pattern. The method further comprises introducing a first dummy pattern in the first semi-global region so that a first sidewall area surface density of the first main pattern and the first dummy pattern in the first semi-global region and a second sidewall area surface density of the second main pattern in the second semi-global region are substantially a same density.
US08501574B2	Resistive memory device and manufacturing method thereof and operating method thereof A method of manufacturing resistive memory includes the steps: forming a first implanted stacked structure having a first impurity diffusion layer, a second impurity diffusion layer, and a third impurity diffusion layer in a substrate; etching at least the first implanted stacked structure to form a plurality of second implanted stacked structures, wherein the first impurity diffusion layers are first signal lines; forming a plurality of first insulating layers between the second implanted stacked structures; etching the second implanted stacked structures to form a plurality of third implanted stacked structures, wherein the first signal lines are not etched; forming a plurality of second insulating layers between the third implanted stacked structures; forming a plurality of memory material layers electrically coupled to the third impurity diffusion layers; and forming a plurality of second signal lines perpendicular to the first signal lines and electrically coupled to the memory material layers.
US08501572B2	Spacer structure for transistor device and method of manufacturing same The present disclosure provides a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) device and methods for manufacturing the BJT device. In an embodiment, the BJT device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a collector region, and a material layer disposed over the semiconductor layer. The material layer has a trench therein that exposes a portion of the collector region. A base structure, spacers, and emitter structure are disposed within the trench of the material layer. Each spacer has a top width and a bottom width, the top width being substantially equal to the bottom width.
US08501568B2	Method of forming flash memory with ultraviolet treatment A methods of forming a flash memory device are provided. The flash memory device comprises a silicon dioxide layer on a substrate and a silicon nitride layer that is formed on the silicon dioxide layer. The properties of the silicon nitride layer can be modified by any of: exposing the silicon nitride layer to ultraviolet radiation, exposing the silicon nitride layer to an electron beam, and by plasma treating the silicon nitride layer. A dielectric material is deposited on the silicon nitride layer and a conductive date is formed over the dielectric material. The flash memory device with modified silicon nitride layer provides an increase in charge holding capacity and charge retention time of the unit cell of a non-volatile memory device.
US08501565B2	Method for fabricating deep trench isolation The invention provides a method for fabricating a deep trench isolation including: providing a substrate; forming a first trench in the substrate; conformally forming a first liner layer on the sidewall and bottom of the first trench; forming a first filler layer on the first liner layer and filling the first trench; forming an epitaxial layer on the substrate and the first trench; forming a second trench through the epitaxial layer and over the first trench; conformally forming a second liner layer on the sidewall and bottom of the second trench; and forming a second filler layer on the second liner layer and filling the second trench.
US08501559B2	Semiconductor cells, arrays, devices and systems having a buried conductive line and methods for forming the same Semiconductor arrays including a plurality of access devices disposed on a buried conductive line and methods for forming the same are provided. The access devices each include a transistor having a source region and drain region spaced apart by a channel region of opposite dopant type and an access line associated with the transistor. The access line may be electrically coupled with one or more of the transistors and may be operably coupled to a voltage source. The access devices may be formed in an array on one or more conductive lines. A system may be formed by integrating the semiconductor devices with one or more memory semiconductor arrays or conventional logic devices, such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device.
US08501557B2	Method of manufacturing nitride semiconductor device A method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor device including: forming a nitride semiconductor layer over a substrate wherein the nitride semiconductor layer has a 2DEG channel inside; forming a drain electrode in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer and a source electrode spaced apart from the drain electrode, in Schottky contact with the nitride semiconductor layer, wherein the source electrode has an ohmic pattern in ohmic contact with the nitride semiconductor layer inside; forming a dielectric layer on the nitride semiconductor layer between the drain electrode and the source electrode and on at least a portion of the source electrode; and forming a gate electrode on the dielectric layer to be spaced apart from the drain electrode, wherein a portion of the gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer over a drain-side edge portion of the source electrode.
US08501556B2	Thin film transistor formed on flexible substrate and method of manufacturing the same A thin film transistor (“TFT”) includes a poly silicon layer formed on a flexible substrate and including a source region, a drain region, and a channel region, and a gate stack formed on the channel region of the poly silicon layer, wherein the gate stack includes first and second gate stacks, and a region of the poly silicon layer between the first and second gate stacks is an off-set region. A method of manufacturing the TFT is also provided.
US08501553B2	Method for manufacturing thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate A TFT array substrate includes a substrate, at least one gate line and gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, and at least one channel component, source electrode, drain electrode and data line. The gate line and gate electrode are disposed on the substrate, wherein both of the gate line and gate electrode have first and second conductive layers, the first conductive layer is formed on the substrate, the first conductive layer contains molybdenum nitride , the second conductive layer is formed on the first conductive layer, and the second conductive layer contains copper. The gate insulating layer is disposed on the gate line, gate electrode and the substrate. The channel component is disposed on the gate insulating layer. The source electrode and drain electrode are disposed on the channel component, and data line is disposed on the gate insulating layer.
US08501549B2	Method of manufacturing a reverse blocking insulated gate bipolar transistor A method of manufacturing a reverse blocking insulated gate bipolar transistor to form an isolation layer for bending and extending a pn junction, which exhibits a high reverse withstand voltage, to the front surface side. This ensures a high withstand voltage in the reversed direction and reduces leakage current in the reversely biased condition. Formation of a tapered groove by an anisotropic alkali etching process is conducted, resulting in a semiconductor substrate left with a thickness of at least 60 μm between one principal surface and the bottom surface of the tapered groove formed from the other principal surface.
US08501548B2	Method for producing a semiconductor device using laser annealing for selectively activating implanted dopants A method for producing a semiconductor device such as a RC-IGBT or a BIGT having a patterned surface wherein partial regions doped with dopants of a first conductivity type and regions doped with dopants of a second conductivity type are on a same side of a semiconductor substrate is proposed. An exemplary method includes: (a) implanting dopants of the first conductivity type and implanting dopants of the second conductivity type into the surface to be patterned; (b) locally activating dopants of the first conductivity type by locally heating the partial region of the surface to be patterned to a first temperature (e.g., between 900 and 1000° C.) using a laser beam similar to those used in laser annealing; and (c) activating the dopants of the second conductivity type by heating the substrate to a second temperature lower than the first temperature (e.g., to a temperature below 600° C.). Boron is an exemplary dopant of the first conductivity type, and phosphorous is an exemplary dopant of the second conductivity type. Boron can be activated in the regions irradiated only with the laser beam, whereas phosphorus may be activated in a low temperature sintering step on the entire surface.
US08501540B2	Method for manufacture of inline integrated circuit system A method for manufacture of an integrated circuit package system includes: providing a leadframe with an integrated circuit mounted thereover; encapsulating the integrated circuit with an encapsulation; mounting an etch barrier below the leadframe; and etching the leadframe.
US08501534B2	Method for housing an electronic component in a device package and an electronic component housed in the device package A method for housing an electronic component in a device package includes providing a first substrate, wherein the electronic component is arranged in a component area on a first main surface of the first substrate, and wherein first contact pads are arranged outside of the component area, forming an open top frame structure around the component area on the first main surface of the first substrate, providing a second substrate having second contact pads, arranged symmetrically to the first contact pads and electrically and mechanically connecting the first main surface of the first substrate with the first main surface of the second substrate, so that the frame structure and the second substrate from a cavity or recess around the electronic component on the first substrate.
US08501533B2	Method of etching a programmable memory microelectronic device A method of etching a programmable memory microelectronic device (10) having a substrate covered with at least one of the following layers in succession: a first electrode (2) based on a first metallic element; a layer (4) of chalcogenide doped with a second metallic element; a second electrode (5) based on a third metallic element; a diffusion barrier type electrically-conductive layer (6); and a hard mask (7); is provided. The method includes etching, using an inert gas plasma, at least the hard mask (7), the electrically-conductive layer (6), the second electrode (5) and the chalcogenide layer (4), where the etching step is carried out by cathode sputtering at a temperature strictly less than 150° C., preferably at a temperature of at most 120° C., and particularly preferably at a temperature of at most 100° C.
US08501531B2	Method of forming graphene on a surface Methods of forming a graphene material on a surface are presented. A metal material is disposed on a material substrate or material layer and is infused with carbon, for example, by exposing the metal to a carbon-containing vapor. The carbon-containing metal material is annealed to cause graphene to precipitate onto the bottom of the metal material to form a graphene layer between the metal material and the material substrate/material layer and also onto the top and/or sides of the metal material. Graphene material is removed from the top and sides of the metal material and then the metal material is removed, leaving only the graphene layer that was formed on the bottom of the metal material. In some cases graphene material that formed on one or more side of the sides of the metal material is not removed so that a vertical graphene material layer is formed.
US08501530B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device with organic semiconductor layer It is an object of the present invention to form an organic transistor including an organic semiconductor having high crystallinity without loosing an interface between an organic semiconductor of a channel where carriers are spread out and a gate insulating layer and deteriorating a yield. A semiconductor device according to the present invention has a stacked structure of organic semiconductor layers, and at least the upper organic semiconductor layer is in a polycrystalline or a single crystalline state and the lower organic semiconductor layer is made of a material serving as a channel. Carrier mobility can be increased owing to the upper organic semiconductor layer having high crystallinity; thus, insufficient contact due to the upper organic semiconductor layer can be compensated by the lower organic semiconductor layer.
US08501526B2	Synthesizing photovoltaic thin films of high quality copper-zinc-tin alloy with at least one chalcogen species A method for synthesizing a thin film of copper, zinc, tin, and a chalcogen species (“CZTCh” or “CZTSS”) with well-controlled properties. The method includes depositing a thin film of precursor materials, e.g., approximately stoichiometric amounts of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), tin (Sn), and a chalcogen species (Ch). The method then involves re-crystallizing and grain growth at higher temperatures, e.g., between about 725 and 925 degrees K, and annealing the precursor film at relatively lower temperatures, e.g., between 600 and 650 degrees K. The processing of the precursor film takes place in the presence of a quasi-equilibrium vapor, e.g., Sn and chalcogen species. The quasi-equilibrium vapor is used to maintain the precursor film in a quasi-equilibrium condition to reduce and even prevent decomposition of the CZTCh and is provided at a rate to balance desorption fluxes of Sn and chalcogens.
US08501524B2	Method of manufacturing thin-film light-absorbing layer, and method of manufacturing thin-film solar cell using the same Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a thin-film light-absorbing layer using spraying, including mixing precursor solutions comprising CuCl2, InCl3 and SeC(NH2)2 under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature thus preparing a mixture solution; spraying the mixture solution on a substrate and drying it, thus forming a thin film; and selenizing the thin film under a selenium atmosphere. A method of manufacturing a thin-film solar cell is also provided, which includes forming a back contact layer on a glass substrate using sputtering; forming a light-absorbing layer on the back contact layer using spraying; forming a buffer layer on the light-absorbing layer using chemical vapor deposition; forming a window layer on the buffer layer using sputtering; and forming an upper electrode layer on the window layer.
US08501520B2	Manufacturing method for a solid-state image sensor A manufacturing method for a solid-state image sensor, the method comprises the steps of: forming a charge storage region in a photoelectric converting unit by implanting a semiconductor substrate with ions of an impurity of a first conductivity type, using a first mask; heating the semiconductor substrate at a temperature of no less than 800° C. and no more than 1200° C. through RTA (Rapid Thermal Annealing); forming a surface region of the charge storage region by implanting the semiconductor substrate with ions of an impurity of a second conductivity type, using a second a mask; heating the semiconductor substrate at a temperature of no less than 800° C. and no more than 1200° C. through RTA (Rapid Thermal Annealing); and forming an antireflection film that covers the photoelectric converting unit at a temperature of less than 800° C., after the step of forming the surface region, in this order.
US08501507B2	Method for large scale manufacture of thin film photovoltaic devices using multi-chamber configuration A method for large scale manufacture of photovoltaic devices includes loading a substrate into a load lock station and transferring the substrate in a controlled ambient to a first process station. The method includes formation of a first conductor layer overlying the surface region of the substrate. The method includes transferring the substrate to a second process station, and forming a second layer overlying the surface region of the substrate. The method further includes repeating the transferring and processing until all thin film materials of the photovoltaic devices are formed. In an embodiment, the invention also provides a method for large scale manufacture of photovoltaic devices including feed forward control. That is, the method includes in-situ monitoring of the physical, electrical, and optical properties of the thin films. These properties are used to determine and adjust process conditions for subsequent processes.
US08501505B2	Methods of combinatorial processing for screening multiple samples on a semiconductor substrate In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.
US08501503B2	Methods of inspecting and manufacturing semiconductor wafers A method of manufacturing a plurality of semiconductor wafers comprising micro-inspecting at least one location within at least one micro-inspected pattern field and determining at least one parameter value representing a property of the wafer at the micro-inspected location, macro-inspecting a plurality of locations within the at least one micro-inspected pattern field and determining, for each macro-inspected location of the macro-inspected pattern field, at least one parameter value representing the property of the wafer at the macro-inspected location based on the light intensity recorded for the macro-inspected location and on the at least one parameter value representing the property of the wafer at the micro-inspected location of this pattern field.
US08501502B2	Package method for electronic components by thin substrate Disclosed is a package method for electronic components by a thin substrate, comprising: providing a carrier; forming at least one metal layer and at least one dielectric layer on the carrier for manufacturing the thin substrate, and the thin substrate comprises at least one package unit for connecting at least one chip; forming at least one pad layer on a surface of the thin substrate; parting the thin substrate from the carrier; performing test to the thin substrate to weed out the package unit with defects in the at least one package unit and select the package units for connecting the chips; connecting the chips with the selected package units by flip chip bonding respectively. Accordingly, the yield of the entire package process can be improved and the pointless manufacture material cost can be reduced.
US08501501B1	Measurement of a sample using multiple models A sample with at least a first structure and a second structure is measured and a first model and a second model of the sample are generated. The first model models the first structure as an independent variable and models the second structure. The second model of the sample models the second structure as an independent variable. The measurement, the first model and the second model together to determine at least one desired parameter of the sample. For example, the first structure may be on a first layer and the second structure may be on a second layer that is under the first layer, and the processing of the sample may at least partially remove the first layer, wherein the second model models the first layer as having a thickness of zero.
US08501496B2	Immunoassay cuvettes The present invention is directed immunoassay cuvettes that comprise diffusely bound and non-diffusely bound reagents for carrying out an immunoassay. The reaction and detection are carried out in the immunoassay cuvette. The immunoassay cuvette comprises a transparent front wall, a back wall, side walls, a bottom, and a top opening. The back wall of the cuvette has a substantially planar surface made of a non-porous material and comprises a capture zone having reagents non-diffusedly bound and a signal reagent zone having reagents diffusedly bound.
US08501495B2	Sequential solid phase immunoassay including contact pad to limit conjugate flow during manufacture A sequential solid phase immunoassay and system is disclosed. The immunoassay utilizes the secondary antibody method for the detection of antibodies in a membrane-based test. The system comprises a test strip including a nitrocellulose membrane having an immobilized antigen in a capture zone on the membrane and a stabilized liquid secondary antibody conjugate. The sequential solid phase immunoassay is performed in a sequential manner with the addition of a fluid specimen being followed by the addition of the stabilized liquid secondary antibody conjugate. The sequential procedure using the system includes allowing the fluid specimen containing antibodies specific to the antigen to pass laterally from the test strip first end through the capture zone. The immobilized antigens in the capture zone capture antibodies specific to the antigen. The stabilized liquid secondary antibody conjugate then binds to the captured antibodies and can be detected visually or by a machine or reader.
US08501494B1	Method and device for detecting prior drug use, taking inflammation into account to increase test's specificity and reduce false positives This method and device detects past use of drugs of abuse when the drug substance and its metabolites are no longer present in the body, based on the detection of the antibodies formed in response to said drug, and persist even after this drug and its metabolites are cleared from the body. False positive rate is reduced by screening out subjects with heightened inflammatory state. One embodiment of the invention sets forth the method and device comprising: testing a set of samples for levels of an inflammation biomarker; determining a subset of samples with inflammation biomarker level below a first predetermined threshold; testing samples within the subset of samples for a presence of drug-specific antibodies, for a pre-specified set of drugs; determining which samples within the subset have drug-specific antibody level exceeding pre-specified threshold; and providing an output indicating the samples within the subset having the drug-specific antibodies.
US08501493B2	Method for measuring fiber digestibility Described is a method of measuring fiber digestion in ruminants and calibrating spectrophotometers using the measured fiber digestion values. The method includes the steps of harvesting rumen fluid from at least one ruminant animal and combining the rumen fluid with a primer composition comprising a carbohydrate. The rumen fluid and carbohydrate are then incubated in a sealed container until a pre-determined pressure is achieved within the sealed container. A plant matter sample is digested with the rumen fluid so treated. The digested sample is the measured for absorbance or reflectance using a spectrophotometer. The digestion values and the absorbance or reflectance values are then correlated to construct a standard curve for predicting fiber digestion values using spectrophotometric analysis, preferably NIRS analysis.
US08501486B2	Materials and methods for isolating phosphopeptides Protein phosphorylation is a major post-translational modification and it plays a pivotal role in numerous cellular functions. We present a composition that includes a soluble nanopolymer core functionalized with groups having an affinity for either metal ion or metal oxides which can be used for phosphopeptide enrichment. Exemplary compounds including PolyMAC-Zr, PolyMAC-Fe and PolyMAC-Ti demonstrate outstanding reproducibility, exceptional sensitivity, fast chelation time, and high phosphopeptide recovery from standard mixtures that include phosphorylated peptides. The composition can be used for phosphoproteome isolation from samples of medicinal, diagnostic or biological interest such as malignant breast cancer cells. Such compositions were used for the quantitative analysis of the changes in the tyrosine phosphoproteome in highly invasive breast cancer cells after induction of Syk kinase, a potent suppressor of tumor growth and metastasis. The composition and method disclosed herein offers an efficient and widely applicable tool for phosphoproteomics.
US08501485B2	Risk stratification for acute coronary syndrome by determining copeptin The invention relates to a method for risk stratification for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in particular acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and angina pectoris (AP), wherein provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments and partial peptides thereof, in particular copeptin or neurophysin II, is determined by an in vitro diagnosis.
US08501484B2	Preparation of cerium halide solvate complexes Crystals of a solvated cerium(III) halide solvate complex resulted from a process of forming a paste of a cerium(III) halide in an ionic liquid, adding a solvent to the paste, removing any undissolved solid, and then cooling the liquid phase. Diffusing a solvent vapor into the liquid phase also resulted in crystals of a solvated cerium(III) halide complex.
US08501481B1	Methods and articles for identifying objects using encapsulated perflurocarbon tracers A system and method for tagging, tracking, locating and identifying people and vehicles transporting people using Perfluorocarbon tracers. An on-going problem faced by military as well as law enforcement personnel is that of friendly fire incidents. To prevent possible friendly-fire incidents, troops would separate the two layers of the uniform patch, thereby releasing a controlled release of the Perfluorocarbon vapors. Other “friendly” troops, equipped with sensors tuned to the specific perfluorocarbon characteristics would thus be able to literally view a plume around the tagged person or object. The system may conversely be used to tag enemies. Formulations of mixed perfluorocarbons may be used to provide coding of emissions.
US08501480B2	High throughput screening of fatty acid composition A method of accumulating a quantity of seeds having a desired fatty acid characteristic is provided. The method includes removing a sample from each seed in a population of seeds while maintaining the germination viability of the seeds; contacting each sample with a solvent to form a mixture comprising fatty acid methyl esters; analyzing the mixture of fatty acid methyl esters from each sample to determine the fatty acid profile of the corresponding seed; selecting seeds having at least one desired fatty acid characteristic based on the analysis of the samples removed from the seeds; cultivating plants from the selected seeds; recovering seeds from the cultivated plants, wherein the recovered seeds are a subsequent generation of the selected seeds; and repeating the operations for one or more generations of the recovered seeds to thereby accumulate the quantity of seeds having the desired fatty acid characteristic.
US08501479B2	Roulette side bet game An apparatus and method of playing a side bet wager in a roulette game allow for a significant reward on the side bet. The side bet is on the appearance of three consecutive events where the number provided in the roulette game falls within three consecutively selected sets of numbers. The apparatus may be a standard roulette table with appropriate wager markings on the felt, a partially electronic table with wagering terminals and physical roulette wheel, or a completely electronic roulette table with virtual roulette wheel.
US08501477B2	Kit including substrates with various surface chemistries In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a kit including: (i) a plasma polymerized surface having first and second regions, said first region including a first concentration of carboxylic acid groups on said plasma polymerized surface and said second region including a second concentration of carboxylic acid groups on said plasma polymerized surface, wherein said first concentration and said second concentration are different; (ii) a first plasma polymerized secondary substrate having carboxylic acid groups disposed consistently thereacross at a concentration equal to said first concentration; and, (iii) a second plasma polymerized secondary substrate having carboxylic acid groups disposed consistently thereacross at a concentration equal to said second concentration.
US08501476B2	Assays and methods for fusing cell aggregates to form proto-tissues Provided are assays and methods for creating proto-tissues from aggregates of cells. The invention concerns assays and methods useful in tissue engineering and reconstruction techniques, specifically in the formation of macrotissues from microtissues using microtissue pre-culture time as a controlling parameter.
US08501472B2	Compositions and methods for treating and diagnosing pancreatic cancer The present invention relates to the field of oncology and provides novel compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer. In particular, the present invention provides pancreatic cancer stem cells useful for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of solid tumors.
US08501471B2	Uses of monoclonal antibody 8H9 This invention provides a composition comprising an effective amount of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof and a suitable carrier. This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides an antibody other than the monoclonal antibody 8H9 comprising the complementary determining regions of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof, capable of binding to the same antigen as the monoclonal antibody 8H9. This invention provides a substance capable of competitively inhibiting the binding of monoclonal antibody 8H9. This invention also provides an isolated scFv of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof. This invention also provides the 8H9 antigen. This invention also provides a method of inhibiting the growth of tumor cells comprising contacting said tumor cells with an appropriate amount of monoclonal antibody 8H9 or a derivative thereof.
US08501470B2	Dendritic cell compositions and methods Methods are provided for the production of dendritic cells from monocytes that have been incubated at a temperature of 1° C.-34° C. for a period of approximately 6 to 96 hours from the time they are isolated from a subject. After the incubation period, the monocytes can then be induced to differentiate into dendritic cells. Mature dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention have increased levels of one or more of CD80, CD83, CD86, MHC class I molecules, or MHC class II molecules as compared to mature dendritic cells prepared from monocytes that have not been held at 1° C.-34° C. for at least 6 hours from the time they were isolated from a subject. Dendritic cells made by the methods of the invention are useful for the preparation of vaccines and for the stimulation of T cells.
US08501468B2	Culturing cells in a compartmentalized roller bottle A versatile compartmentalized cell culture device, with a selectively permeable membrane separating the compartments, provides many attributes relative to traditional devices. It can be configured for high-density cell culture, co-culture, and sample dialysis while rolling or standing still. It can also be configured for continuous movement of liquid between compartments. The wide combination of attributes not found in other membrane based cell culture and bioprocessing devices includes more cell capacity, more cell secreted product capacity, higher cell and product density, increased medium capacity, minimized use of exogenous growth factors, compatibility with standard cell culture equipment and protocols, increased scale up efficiency, capacity to function when rolling or standing still, capacity for perfusion without the need for pumps, and more efficient sample dialysis.
US08501467B2	Cultures of GFAP+ nestin+ cells that differentiate to neurons Cultures of cells immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as well as for the intermediate filament marker nestin were grown in a medium including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and serum. The cultured cells had the morphology of astroglial cells. The cells can be proliferated in adherent or suspension cultures. Depending on the culture conditions, the cells can be induced to differentiate to neurons or glial cells. The cultures can be expanded over a large number of passages during several months, and survive, express an astroglial phenotype and integrate well after transplantation into both neonatal and adult rat forebrain.
US08501466B2	Vector The present invention relates to a herpes virus vector which comprises a modified genomic sequence encoding a microRNA (miRNA) against a target sequence. The herpes virus vector may be used as or in a vaccine to prevent and/or treat a disease.
US08501464B2	Lentiviral vectors carrying synthetic bi-directional promoters and uses thereof It is described a bidirectional promoter for expression of at least two coding sequences in opposite direction in animal cells; bidirectional expression cassettes; expression constructs; gene transfer expression vectors, and methods for the use thereof.
US08501458B2	System and method of producing volatile organic compounds from fungi An isolated fungus is described. The isolated fungus produces at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,8-cineole, 1-methyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene, and (+)-α-methylene-α-fenchocamphorone. A method for producing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 1,8-cineole, 1-methyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene, and (+)-α-methylene-α-fenchocamphorone is also described. The method includes culturing a fungus on or within a culturing media in a container under conditions sufficient for producing the at least one compound.
US08501453B2	Methods for drying bacteriophage and bacteriophage-containing compositions, the resulting dry compositions, and methods of use Liquid bacteriophage products may be dried to form dry bacteriophage products. Drying may be effected by pulse combustion drying processes. When dried, the number of viable bacteriophage particles is reduced by no more than about two log (102). The resulting dry bacteriophage product, therefore includes at least one percent of the number of viable bacteriophage particles that were present in the original liquid bacteriophage product.
US08501452B2	Modified 13-hydroperoxide lyases and uses thereof Fatty acid 13-hydroperoxide lyase proteins which have been modified with respect to a previously described guava 13-hydroperoxide lyase and the nucleic acid sequences encoding these proteins. Also, recombinant nucleic acid molecules for expressing the modified 13-hydroperoxide lyases and methods of using such lyases in the field of organic synthesis.
US08501451B2	Nitrilases and methods for making and using them The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure α-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, α-amino acids and α-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.
US08501448B2	Family 44 xyloglucanases The present invention relates to xyloglucanases belonging to family 44 of glycosyl hydrolases and having a relative xyloglucanase activity of at least 30% between pH 5 and pH 8 are derived from the genus Paenibacillus, especially from a strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa or Paenibacillus sp. The xyloglucanases exhibit high performance in conventional detergent compositions.
US08501447B2	Perhydrolase variant providing improved specific activity An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in specific activity. The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US08501439B2	Method for obtaining active pro-NGF and beta-NGF The invention relates to a method for producing biologically active β-NGF from the proform proNGF. After expressing the proform of the β-NGF in a prokaryotic host cell, the recombinant protein is isolated in the form of insoluble inactive aggregates (inclusion bodies). After the solubilization thereof in a strong denaturing agent and the subsequent conversion thereof into the natural conformation, which is determined by the disulfide bridges present in the natural β-NGF, biologically active β-NGF is obtained by subsequently splitting-off the prosequence.
US08501438B2	Production of glycoproteins with reduced O-glycosylation A method is described for producing protein compositions having reduced amounts of O-linked glycosylation. The method includes producing the protein in cells cultured in the presence of an inhibitor of Pmt-mediated O-linked glycosylation and/or in the presence of one or more α-1,2-mannosidases.
US08501434B2	Method for processing non-liquid biological samples with dynamic application of a processing liquid Systems and methods of sample (1) and staining processing including compression and dynamic movement of liquids (3) in a fluidically moving substantially contained liquid bridge (6) perhaps between a hydrophobic wand (4) and a hydrophilic sample support element (2). Embodiments may include low volume reagent and perhaps even low volume buffer wash in sample processing. In addition, antibodies can be conjugated with nanoparticles (64) and can be used in sample processing. Exposing a sample with or without movement to AC, DC, or even a permanent magnet field may improve staining. Staining with nanoparticle reagents could be quantified using a microscope with a magnetometer below the slide viewing area. The detection of nanoparticles attached to the chemistry may facilitate the quantification of cancerous cells stained in the tissue.
US08501432B2	Processing of nanoparticles Ligand-capped nanoparticles are dispersed in an organic solvent. There is then phase transfer of the nanoparticles introducing into the organic solvent an aqueous solution of polymer surfactant dissolved in water. The organic solvent and the aqueous solution are then mixed until the polymer forms micelles which encapsulate the nanoparticles in assemblies. The resultant nanoparticle assemblies in an aqueous phase may be used for any of a range of desired applications. It has been found that the assembly size can be tuned by control of any or a combination of method parameters such as concentration of polymer surfactant, and/or temperature of the phase change reaction, and/or rate of mixing, such as rotational rate of stirring. The nanoparticle assemblies find particular application as fluorescent biomarkers.
US08501423B2	Measuring circulating therapeutic antibody, antigen and antigen/antibody complexes using ELISA assays The present invention relates to the field of immunology and hyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and monitoring therapeutic antibody:antigen complex, soluble antigen and soluble therapeutic antibody, wherein a patient has undergone at least one course of immunotherapy. Yet further, levels of therapeutic antibody:antigen complexes, soluble antigens or soluble therapeutic antibodies may be measured and used to stage or monitor a hyperproliferative disease.
US08501422B2	Methods of detecting and treating pulmonary disease and markers thereof The present invention relates to the treatment of pulmonary diseases. More specifically, the invention relates to new methods of detecting and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In particular, the invention relates to a method of measuring one or more lipid metabolites in human body fluids as an indicator/biomarker of the progress of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The present invention also relates to a method of detecting and/or monitoring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a subject, the method comprising measuring the level of at least one lipid metabolite in a sample from the subject, wherein said level is indicative of COPD. The present invention also relates to a method of assessing the efficacy of a COPD treatment in a subject, the method comprising a step of measuring the level of at least one lipid metabolite in a sample from the subject, wherein said level is indicative of COPD severity or status.
US08501421B2	Method for high throughput peptide/protein assay generation and assays generated therewith The invention relates to a method for the determination of an MRM or SRM assay for a protein of interest, a peptide of interest, or a group of proteins/peptides of interest or a whole proteome. It essentially includes the following steps: (1) a list of proteins of interest is selected and for each member at least one or a list of candidate proteotypic peptides is derived (2) this at least one peptide is synthesized/generated essentially without subsequent purification; (3) this at least one unpurified peptide is analyzed by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) preferably coupled to liquid chromatography (LC-SRM) or analogous techniques; (4) validation and/or optimisation of the corresponding assay of the at least one peptide with determination of the SRM coordinates for a peptide/protein of interest and/or of a regulator of interest is achieved. A protein sample of interest is enzymatically digested and can then be analyzed in SRM mode or time-constrained SRM mode, using elution times to trigger acquisition of the set of selected SRM traces, thus drastically increasing the throughput. The analysis allows to detect and quantify the set of peptides/proteins of interest. The method additionally relates to a tagging strategy to achieve absolute quantification of the peptides/proteins of interest at low-budget and high-throughput.
US08501419B2	Exposed proliferation-related peptides, ligands and methods employing the same Novel thymidine kinase (TK1) derived peptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2 is employed to obtain ligands having specificity to the peptide. The ligand may be an antibody or fragment thereof and may be used in various methods and kits for health screening and the like.
US08501416B2	Fluidic structures including meandering and wide channels The present invention relates generally to microfluidic structures, and more specifically, to microfluidic structures and methods including meandering and wide channels. Microfluidic systems can provide an advantageous environment for performing various reactions and analysis due to a reduction in sample and reagent quantities that are required, a reduction in the size of the operating system, and a decrease in reaction time compared to conventional systems. Unfortunately, the small size of microfluidic channels can sometimes result in difficulty in detecting a species without magnifying optics (such as a microscope or a photomultiplier). A series of tightly packed microchannels, i.e., a meandering region, or a wide channel having a dimension on the order of millimeters, can serve as a solution to this problem by creating a wide measurement area. Although this invention mainly describes the use of meandering and wide channels in heterogeneous immunoassays on a microfluidic chip, this invention could be used for amplifying optical signals for other types of reactions and/or assays.
US08501415B2	Identification of TSH receptor autoantibodies using affinity-purified antibodies The present invention relates to the use of affinity-purified polyclonal human autoantibodies against the TSH receptor (TSHR-Auto-Ab), obtained from the serum of Graves' disease patients and which have been purified to obtain biochemical homogeneity and comprise a specific activity of at least 1 IU/mg protein (human immunoglobulin). Also disclosed is the use of animal antibodies, which compete with the former for the binding sites of a functional human TSH receptor, as a specific binding reagent in an immunological determination method for the clinical identification of autoantibodies against the TSH receptor (TSHR-Auto-Ab) in a sample of a biological fluid of a patient to be examined for Graves' disease.
US08501412B2	Thermoelectric method of sequencing nucleic acids The present invention relates to a novel thermoelectric method for determining the sequence of nucleotides on a nucleic acid molecule through use of a thermopile and/or sequencing reagents flowing under the conditions of laminar flow. The methods disclosed herein involve the measurement of the heat generated by a deoxynucleotide incorporation event that can be accomplished without the need to control the temperature of any of a thermopile's junctions.
US08501408B2	Methods and compositions for detecting and identifying species of Candida Methods and compositions useful in the detection and identification of species of Candida are disclosed. The compositions are combinations of oligonucleotides, where the forward primers of the primer pairs have identical sequences, while each reverse primer of the primer pairs has a unique sequence relative to all of the other reverse primers; or the reverse primers of the primer pairs have identical sequences, while each forward primer of the primer pairs has a unique sequence relative to all of the other forward primers. The oligonucleotides also include probes capable of detecting these amplicons, and sequencing primers for determining, in primer extension reactions, the nucleotide sequences contained within the amplicons. The detection of an amplicon indicates that the sample contains at least one isolate of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, or Candida tropicalis, and the nucleotide sequence data is used to determine which of these four Candida species is present.
US08501400B2	Methods and compositions for determining the pathogenic status of infectious agents The present invention relates to methods and compositions for improved detection of infectious agents and microbes. In particular, the present invention provides novel methods for detecting infectious agents, providing information about the viability status of such infectious agents and for determining drug susceptibility. In certain embodiments, the present invention employs techniques involving nucleic acid amplification-based microbial identification together with phage-based biological detection of drug resistance. The methods of the invention are suitable for all microbes and infectious agents, including bacterial agents such as Mycobacteria.
US08501395B2	Line edge roughness reduction and double patterning Embodiments of the present invention relate to lithographic processes used in integrated circuit fabrication for improving line edge roughness (LER) and reduced critical dimensions (CD) for lines and/or trenches. Embodiments use the combinations of polarized light lithography, shrink coating processes, and double exposure processes to produce synergetic effects in the formation of trench structures having good resolution, reduced CDs, reduced pitch, and reduced LER in the lines and/or trenches of the patterned interconnect structures.
US08501394B2	Superfine-patterned mask, method for production thereof, and method employing the same for forming superfine-pattern There is provided a method for forming a superfine pattern, which can simply produce a superfine pattern with high mass productivity.The method comprises the steps of forming a first convex pattern, on a film to be treated, forming a spacer formed of a silazane-containing resin composition on the side wall of the convexes constituting the first convex pattern, and forming a superfine pattern using as a mask the spacer or a resin layer disposed around the spacer. The spacer is formed by curing an evenly coated resin composition only in its part around the first convex pattern. According to this method for pattern formation, unlike the conventional method, a superfine pattern can be formed.
US08501393B2	Anti-reflective coating forming composition containing vinyl ether compound There is provided an anti-reflective coating forming composition for use in a lithography of the manufacture of semiconductor devices and for forming an anti-reflective coating that can be developed with an alkaline developer for photoresist, and a method for forming photoresist pattern by use of the anti-reflective coating forming composition. The anti-reflective coating forming composition comprises a compound having at least two vinyl ether groups, an alkali-soluble compound having at least two phenolic hydroxy groups or carboxyl groups, a photoacid generator, and a solvent.
US08501382B1	Acid amplifiers There are disclosed sulfonic acid precursor compositions, as are methods of using these compositions in, for example, photolithography. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08501375B2	Positive photosensitive resin composition Disclosed is a positive photosensitive resin composition that includes (A) a polybenzoxazole precursor including a repeating unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1; (B) a photosensitive diazoquinone compound; (C) a silane compound; (D) a phenol compound; and (E) a solvent. In the above Chemical Formula 1, each substituent is the same as defined in the specification.
US08501374B2	Method for fracturing and forming a pattern using shaped beam charged particle beam lithography In the field of semiconductor production using shaped charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, in which a plurality of shaped beam shots is determined which will form a target pattern on a surface, within a predetermined tolerance, where the plurality of shaped beam shots includes a plurality of circular or nearly-circular character projection (CP) shots plus one or more non-circular shot, and where at least two shots in the plurality of circular or nearly-circular shots overlap. Methods for manufacturing a surface and for manufacturing a semiconductor device on a substrate are also disclosed.
US08501372B2	Mask blank, transfer mask, method of manufacturing a transfer mask, and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device A mask blank for use in the manufacture of a binary mask adapted to be applied with ArF excimer laser exposure light has, on a transparent substrate, a light-shielding film for forming a transfer pattern. The light-shielding film has a laminated structure of a lower layer and an upper layer and has an optical density of 2.8 or more for exposure light and a thickness of 45 nm or less. The lower layer is made of a material in which the total content of a transition metal and silicon is 90 at % or more, and has a thickness of 30 nm or more. The upper layer has a thickness of 3 nm or more and 6 nm or less. The phase difference between exposure light transmitted through the light-shielding film and exposure light transmitted in air for a distance equal to the thickness of the light-shielding film is 30 degrees or less.
US08501362B2	Fuel cell stack A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell modules. Each of the fuel cell modules has a first membrane electrode assembly and a second membrane electrode assembly respectively having an electrolyte membrane and being arranged, such that respective first electrodes are opposed to each other. The fuel cell module also has a first reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a first reactive gas to the first electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, a second reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a second reactive gas to the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, and a coolant flow path arranged to cool down the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cell stack does not have a coolant flow path for cooling down the first electrodes, but has a first flow path-forming member located between the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly to define the first reactive gas flow path.
US08501360B2	Fuel cell output control device It is possible to suppress over-discharge of an accumulator even when the accumulator is in charge-limited state in a fuel cell output control device. A vehicle drive control system including a fuel cell and an accumulator uses a control unit having: an FC output instruction value calculation module which calculates an output instruction value of a fuel cell according to a power required by a rotary machine; a regeneration limit judgment module which judges whether regeneration is limited for the rotary machine; a battery limit judgment module which judges whether charge of the accumulator is limited; and a required power correction module which corrects the required power of the fuel cell when the charge of the accumulator is limited and neither of the fuel cell or the rotary machine generates power, so as to limit discharge from the accumulator.
US08501359B2	Fuel cell power plant and control method thereof When stopping an operation of a fuel cell power plant, a controller (30) first stops fuel gas supply to an anode (2), then supplies a dry oxidant gas to a cathode (3) such that the output voltage of the fuel cell stack (1) decreases. The controller (30) then connects a secondary battery (31) to the fuel cell stack (1) so as to consume an output power generated by a reaction of the residual fuel gas in the anode (2). After this processing, the controller (30) replaces the residual fuel gas in the anode (2) with dry oxidant gas, then maintains the fuel cell stack (1) in a closed state, thereby preventing local cell formation in the anode due to mixing of the residual fuel gas with oxidant gas, and hence preventing corrosion of a catalyst layer of the cathode (3) due to local cell corrosion.
US08501354B2	Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery Using a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery containing lithium iron phosphate as a positive electrode active material and graphite as a negative electrode active material, a low-cost, high energy density battery is provided that exhibits good performance at high rate current and good cycle performance even at high temperature. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material-containing layer formed on a surface of the positive electrode current collector, the positive electrode active material-containing layer containing a conductive agent and a positive electrode active material including lithium iron phosphate, a negative electrode containing a carbon material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte contains vinylene carbonate.
US08501351B2	Pasted zinc electrode for rechargeable nickel-zinc batteries Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.
US08501347B2	Bus bar holder A bus bar holder for connecting electrode terminals of a plurality of batteries arranged in a lengthwise direction, the bus bar holder including a bus bar holder plate having an opening in a lengthwise direction thereof and configured such that at least some electrode terminals of the plurality of batteries are extendable through the opening and slidable along the opening; and a bus bar for electrically connecting at least two electrode terminals of adjacent batteries, wherein the bus bar holder plate includes a settling groove in which the bus bar is settled, and the bus bar attached to the electrode terminals is slidable when the electrode terminal slides along the opening.
US08501343B2	Pouch-type battery Disclosed herein is a pouch-type battery including a cathode and an anode protruding from opposite sides of a battery case in opposite directions, wherein the pouch-type battery is constructed in a structure in which two receiving parts are formed at a one-unit sheet-type battery case in a symmetrical fashion such that an electrode assembly is received in the receiving parts, the battery case is bent between the two receiving parts (along a bending line) such that one of the receiving parts overlaps with the other receiving part while the electrode assembly is received in the other receiving part, the bent battery case being scaled, the two receiving parts are continuously formed while the two receiving parts are in contact with the bending line, and the battery case is provided at the edge thereof where the bending line runs with bent depression parts having a depth equivalent to that of the receiving parts. The pouch-type battery is manufactured with a capacity equivalent to twice that of a conventional battery through a simple assembly process, and is constructed in a structure in which the battery case is prevented from breakage during the assembly process.
US08501341B2	Rechargeable battery A rechargeable battery including a collector plate having a fuse hole and a fuse protrusion, increasing the reliability of the fuse hole in view of its functionality as a fuse while strengthening a section where the fuse hole is formed, thereby improving safety of the rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case containing the electrode assembly; and a collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate and including a fuse portion including a fuse hole formed therein and a fuse protrusion extending from a first side of the fuse portion adjacent a first end of the fuse hole.
US08501340B2	Battery module having a bus bar A battery module includes first supporting members on first terminals of a plurality of batteries, second supporting members on second terminals of the plurality of batteries, the second supporting members having different heights from the first supporting members, and a bus bar that electrically connects a first terminal of a first one of the plurality of batteries to a second terminal of a second one of the plurality of batteries. The bus bar includes a first connection part that is supported on the first supporting member, a second connection part that is supported on the second supporting member, and a third connection part that forms an angle with respect to the first connection part and the second connection part.
US08501339B2	Protected lithium electrodes having a polymer electrolyte interlayer and battery cells thereof Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.
US08501337B2	Portable electronic device with spare battery A portable electronic device includes a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber and forming a separating wall between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a cover attaching to the housing. Two batteries are respectively received in the first chamber and the second chamber.
US08501329B2	Benzanthracene compound and organic electroluminescent device using the same A compound having the following structure as at least a part: wherein FA and FA′ are a substituted or unsubstituted fused aromatic ring which may be the same or different, and at least one of FA and FA′ is a fused aromatic ring having 4 or more rings.
US08501325B2	Charging member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus Provided is a charging member provided with a surface layer capable of suppressing the bleeding of a low-molecular weight component from an elastic layer with improved reliability. The charging member comprises a support, an elastic layer, and a surface layer, and the surface layer contains a polymer having an Si—O—Ta bond and having a structural unit represented by the following structural formula (1) and a structural unit represented by the following structural formula (2).
US08501317B2	Variable-airflow cloth, sound absorbing material, and vehicular part Cloth, in which air permeability is variable by energization, includes: a fibrous object composed of composite fibers, each of the composite fibers including: an electrical-conductive polymeric material; and a material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material, the different material being directly stacked on the electrical-conductive polymeric material; and electrodes which are attached to the fibrous object, and energize the electrical-conductive polymeric material. Each of the composite fibers has a structure in which the material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material is stacked on at least a part of a surface of the electrical-conductive polymeric material, or a structure in which either one of the electrical-conductive polymeric material and the material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material penetrates the other material in a longitudinal direction. The cloth is capable of controlling the air permeability by a control factor enabling weight reduction and space saving.
US08501316B2	Process for printing wax release layer A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.
US08501314B2	Method of applying an anti-corrosion and/or adhesion promoting coating to a metal and resulting coated metal A method of coating at least a portion of the exposed surface of a metal comprises: a) applying to said surface a curable coating composition comprising an aqueous solution of at least one partially or substantially completely hydrolyzed, and optionally partially condensed, silane possessing one or more hydroxyl groups and, optionally, one or more organonitrogen groups, said hydroxyl group(s) and optional organonitrogen group(s) being bonded to different carbon atoms of a bridging group linking such group(s) to the silicon atom of the partially or substantially completely hydrolyzed and optionally partially condensed silane; and, b) curing the curable coating composition on the surface of the metal to provide an anti-corrosion and/or adhesion promoting coating thereon.
US08501312B2	Charging member To provide a charging member that can not easily change in electrical resistance even by any long-term continuous application of direct-current voltage and, as a result thereof, may cause less change in its charging performance with time. The charging member has an electrically conductive support and an electrically conductive elastic layer. The elastic layer contains a vulcanized rubber. The vulcanized rubber is a vulcanized product of a mixture which contains i) a binder polymer containing a polymer having a butadiene skeleton and ii) carbon black, where the polymer having a butadiene skeleton stands modified at the molecular terminal(s) thereof with a group represented by the following formulas (1) or (2).
US08501311B2	Rear-illuminable aircraft interior component The present invention relates to a rear-illuminable aircraft interior component consisting of a transparent or translucent thermoplastic, a translucent varnish layer disposed on the latter and a decorative varnish layer disposed on the translucent varnish layer, as well as the use of a rear-illuminable aircraft interior component of this kind as a rear-illuminable aircraft window ring.
US08501307B2	Recompressed exfoliated graphite articles This invention provides an electrically conductive, less anisotropic, recompressed exfoliated graphite article comprising a mixture of (a) expanded or exfoliated graphite flakes; and (b) particles of non-expandable graphite or carbon, wherein the non-expandable graphite or carbon particles are in the amount of between about 3% and about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the particles and the expanded graphite flakes combined; wherein the mixture is compressed to form the article having an apparent bulk density of from about 0.1 g/cm3 to about 2.0 g/cm3. The article exhibits a thickness-direction conductivity typically greater than 50 S/cm, more typically greater than 100 S/cm, and most typically greater than 200 S/cm. The article, when used in a thin foil or sheet form, can be a useful component in a sheet molding compound plate used as a fuel cell separator or flow field plate. The article may also be used as a current collector for a battery, supercapacitor, or any other electrochemical cell.
US08501305B2	Laminate The present invention relates to laminate comprising a first thermoplastic polymer layer with a first melt flow index, adjacent a thermoplastic polymer second layer with a second melt flow index, the first and second layer comprising the same thermoplastic polymer, characterized in that the first melt flow index is lower than the second melt flow index. The invention also relates to a microfluidic device comprising the laminate and a method for incorporating an ink pattern in the laminate.
US08501302B2	Off-set gears and methods of using off-set gears for producing cushioning material Some embodiments of the present invention comprise an off-set gear assembly for use in producing cushioning material and methods for using the same. Each gear of the off-set gear assembly has at least two sections. Each section includes a set of gear teeth. The gear teeth of the two sections can be rotationally off-set and this can result in the production of cushioning material with staggered ridges. Some embodiments of the present invention also comprising cushioning material with staggered ridges.
US08501297B2	Honeycomb structure Disclosed is a honeycomb structure for non-hermetic rotor-stator and rotor-rotor seals in turbo machines. Said honeycomb structure comprises a plurality of at least predominantly radially oriented honeycomb cells which are separated by cell walls, are open on one side, cooperate with at least one sharp sealing edge that rotates relative to the honeycomb structure, and can yield relative to the sharp sealing edge by being deformed and/or material being removed therefrom when being touched. The walls of the honeycomb cells have holes according to a defined perforation pattern.
US08501294B1	Friction pad on dashboard for portable handheld electronic device A frictional pad in combination with an upward facing support surface upon which the frictional pad is adhered and upon which a handheld electronic device is selectively disposed and held in a non-adhesive, non-slip, tacky fashion by the frictional pad. The frictional pad has a repositionable adhesive film releasably and repositionably adhered to the upward facing support surface. A squat dome is affixed to the upward facing support surface by the repositionable adhesive film. The squat dome has a continuous outward facing surface facing and contacting the handheld electronic device. A majority of the outward facing surface is continuous, smooth and parallel with the repositionable adhesive film.
US08501293B2	Plurality of SnO flakes Stannous oxide particles having a methane sulfonic acid dissolution rate of 3.56 g stannous oxide in 8.1 g of 70% methane sulfonic acid of 30 seconds at a temperature of 20 to 25° C. are disclosed, including methods of making them. Also disclosed are packaged stannous oxide particles that reduce the formation of stannic oxide on the surface of the particles over time.
US08501288B2	Image transfer paper An image transfer paper including a substrate layer, an image layer positioned relative to the substrate layer, the image layer including at least one of a polyester and a polyurethane and at least one of a micronized polytetrafluoroethylene and a micronized polyethylene, and a release layer positioned between the substrate layer and the image layer, the release layer including a wax component and at least one of a fluoro phosphate ester and a perfluoro phosphate ester.
US08501287B2	Plastic baby bottles, other blow molded articles, and processes for their manufacture The invention is generally directed to baby bottles and other articles produced by blow molding from polymeric materials having glass transition temperatures ranging from 100° C. to 130° C., as well as to processes for producing them. These articles can be exposed to boiling water and can be produced by using a suitable combination of a stretch ratio of less than 3 and a preform temperature at least 20° C. greater than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymeric material.
US08501286B2	Reactive monomer of liquid crystal and liquid crystal panel The present invention discloses a reactive monomer of liquid crystal. The reactive monomer of liquid crystal is added with at least one fluoro group. Because hydrocarbon bonds of a side chain of polyimide surface of an alignment film has a fluorophobic effect, the fluoro group of the reactive monomer of liquid crystal can lower the interaction between the polyimide surface of the alignment film and the reactive monomer of liquid crystal to thus evenly deposit the liquid crystal composition containing the reactive monomers of liquid crystal onto the polyimide surface of the alignment film. Thus, it can avoid from occurring the phenomenon of drop Mura defect occurred during implementing the ODF technology.
US08501284B2	Blue phase liquid crystal composition The present invention relates to a blue phase (BP) liquid crystal composition and to a method of stabilizing a blue phase state of a liquid crystal material. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of lowering the operating voltage of a liquid crystal material. Moreover, the present invention relates to a blue phase crystal material stabilized by the method according to the present invention or having an operating voltage that is lowered by the method according to the present invention. Also, the present invention relates to a liquid crystal cell comprising a blue phase liquid crystal material and to a liquid crystal display comprising a blue phase liquid crystal material. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of broadening that stability temperature range of a liquid crystal material in its blue phase state.
US08501283B2	Methods for depositing bevel protective film A method of film deposition using localized plasma to protect bevel edge of a wafer in a plasma chamber. The method includes adjusting an electrode gap between a movable electrode and a stationary electrode, the wafer being disposed on one of the movable electrode and the stationary electrode, to a gap distance configured to prevent plasma formation over a center portion of the wafer, the gap distance also dimensioned such that a plasma-sustainable condition around the bevel edge of the wafer is formed after the adjusting. The method also includes flowing deposition gas into the plasma chamber. The method includes maintaining, using a heater, a chuck temperature that is configured to facilitate film deposition on the bevel edge. The method further includes generating the localized plasma from the deposition gas for depositing a film on the bevel edge.
US08501280B2	Use of high-functionality highly branched polyetheramine polyols to coat surfaces The use of high-functionality highly branched polyetheramine polyols to coat substrates such as metal surfaces or components made of plastic permits improved adhesion of further coatings.
US08501279B2	Flexible laminate board, process for manufacturing of the board, and flexible print wiring board A process for production of a flexible laminated sheet having one or more laminated bodies each provided with a metal foil formed on one side of a resin film, the process comprising a coating step in which a varnish containing a polyamic acid and a solvent is coated onto the metal foil to form a coated film, a holding step in which the coated film formed on the metal foil is held, a drying step in which at least a portion of the solvent in the varnish is removed to form a layer composed of a resin composition, and a resin film-forming step in which the layer composed of the resin composition is heated to form a resin film containing a polyimide resin. The conditions for each step from the coating step up to the resin film-forming step are adjusted based on a target for the content of metal elements in the resin film.
US08501274B2	Coating treatment method, computer storage medium, and coating treatment apparatus A substrate is rotated at a first rotation number (first step). The rotation of the substrate is decelerated to 1500 rpm that is a second rotation number and the substrate is rotated at the second rotation number for 0.5 seconds (second step). The rotation of the substrate is further decelerated to a third rotation number and the substrate is rotated at the third rotation number (third step). The rotation of the substrate is accelerated to a fourth rotation number and the substrate is rotated at the fourth rotation number (fourth step). A resist solution is continuously supplied to a center portion of the substrate from a middle of the first step to a middle of the third step.
US08501273B2	Mixture and technique for coating an internal surface of an article A mixture and technique for coating an internal surface of an article is generally described. In one aspect, a method includes introducing a mixture comprising an aluminum source and an organo halocarbon activator into an internal cavity of an article. In some embodiments, the method may further include heating the article and the mixture to a temperature sufficient to form an aluminum halide, which deposits on a surface of the internal cavity to form a coated article. In further embodiments, the method may also include depositing on an external surface of the article a first layer comprising Pt, Si, and a reactive element selected from the group consisting of Hf, Y, La, Ce, Zr, and combinations thereof, and depositing a second layer comprising Al on the first layer to form an alloy including a γ-Ni+γ′-Ni3Al phase constitution, where the second layer is deposited with the organo halocarbon activator.
US08501268B2	Methods of forming material over a substrate and methods of forming capacitors A method of forming a material over a substrate includes performing at least one iteration of the following temporally separated ALD-type sequence. First, an outermost surface of a substrate is contacted with a first precursor to chemisorb a first species onto the outermost surface from the first precursor. Second, the outermost surface is contacted with a second precursor to chemisorb a second species different from the first species onto the outermost surface from the second precursor. The first and second precursors include ligands and different central atoms. At least one of the first and second precursors includes at least two different composition ligands. The two different composition ligands are polyatomic or a lone halogen. Third, the chemisorbed first species and the chemisorbed second species are contacted with a reactant which reacts with the first species and with the second species to form a reaction product new outermost surface of the substrate.
US08501264B2	Papaya puree and uses thereof The invention relates to methods of prophylactic and/or therapeutic uses of a puree preparation from Carica papaya fruit, said puree prepared by a method comprising cooking the fruit for at least 30 minutes at normal pressure, optionally in an aqueous solution which is at least twice the volume of the fruit; cooling the cooked fruit over a period of time of at least 30 minutes in an oxygen-containing atmosphere; and homogenizing the cooled fruit to obtain a puree.
US08501260B2	Method for use in baking articles of manufacture and mold for use in said method The present invention relates to a method for producing baked goods and a mold apparatus having a cavity in a desired shape for use in said method, the mold apparatus comprising a gap that allows for venting of vapor produced during heating or baking of a mixture in the mold apparatus but does not allow any significant amount of the mixture to escape from the cavity of the mold apparatus via the gaps.
US08501259B2	Grill, tray and cart system to freeze foods A rack and carts system to hold salmons, trouts and any other kind of similar fish, in a way that a maximum freezing capacity is reached per tunnel (kilos of frozen product per hour) as well as an excellent product presentation.
US08501257B2	Pomegranate sprouts, preparations derived therefrom and compositions comprising same A pomegranate sprout preparation is disclosed. Methods of producing pomegranate sprouts and pomegranate sprout preparation as well as food or feed products comprising same are also disclosed.
US08501256B2	Method for processing cocoa beans The invention relates to a method for processing cocoa beans wherein freshly harvested, unfermented, and preferably non-depulped, beans are pre-treated and are then immersed a first time within an aqueous acidic medium until the pH of said cocoa beans reaches a value of between 3.6 and 5.5 and incubated at a temperature of between 25 and 70° C. for less than 24 hours. Optionally the beans can then be immersed for a second time within an aqueous acidic medium or the first aqueous acidic medium can be alkalified until the pH of said cocoa beans reaches a value of between 4.5 and 6.5 and incubated at a temperature of between 25 and 70° C. for less than 24 hours. The obtained cocoa beans are then further dried. The invention also relates to cocoa beans that are obtained or obtainable by methods of the present invention, to the use thereof for preparing food products, preferably chocolate products, or cocoa products, including cocoa extracts, and to food products and cocoa products, including cocoa extracts thereby obtained.
US08501255B2	Particulate composition comprising calcium lactate and calcium citrate microparticles The invention pertains to a particulate composition comprising calcium lactate and calcium citrate microparticles having an average diameter from 0.1 μm to 20 μm, wherein the composition is in the form of particles with an average diameter from 25 μm to 1 μm, wherein the ratio by weight of calcium lactate to calcium citrate, based on the dry weight, is 80:20 to 30:70 , and wherein the calcium lactate is a non-polymeric agglomeration agent for the calcium citrate microparticles. The invention further relates to a process for producing the particulate composition wherein an aqueous solution of calcium lactate comprising calcium citrate microparticles is spray-dried to the particulate composition, to the use of the particulate composition as calcium-enhancer, and to alimentary products.
US08501252B2	Method for decalcification of an aqueous solution, in particular of lactoserum or of an utrafiltration permeate lactoserum A method is provided for decalcification of an aqueous solution that has multivalent Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations and anions able to form complexes with at least a part of the multivalent cations. The method includes replacing at least part of the anions to form complexes of the aqueous solution by monovalent anions such as Cl−, non-able to form such complexes. The method also replaces at least a part of the multivalent cations of the aqueous solution by monovalent metal cations such as Na+ and/or K+. This later replacement step is performed simultaneously with or after the first replacement step.
US08501249B2	Ginger extract for inhibiting the fat-storage function of adipocytes and a medication thereof In the present invention, a ginger extract for inhibiting the fat-store function of adipocytes and a medication thereof is disclosed, wherein the ginger extract is obtained form Alpinia galanga and Zingiber zerumbet. In the present invention, said ginger extract is further administrated to a target in need for inhibiting fat-storage function of adipocytes in the target.
US08501245B2	Selectively inhibiting estrogen production and providing estrogenic effects in the human body Implementation is directed to selectively inhibiting estrogen production and providing estrogenic effects in a human body. A dietary supplement includes a processed Morinda citrifolia product that is used to inhibit aromatase or aromatase enzymes that function to convert androgens to estrogens, inhibit receptors from binding with estrogen, and reduce and/or regulate estrogen production, as well as reduce the amount of estrogen produced within the body and regulating such production. The dietary supplement further provides estrogenic effects. The present invention methods and compositions effectively function to treat estrogen-dependent cancers, and particularly inhibit, destroy, and reverse the effects of of estrogen-dependent cancerous tumors through the introduction into the body (e.g. ingesting) a safe, pre-determined dosage of a naturaceutical composition formulated with or comprising one or more processed Morinda citrifolia products for a safe, pre-determined duration.
US08501237B2	Formulations of water insoluble or poorly water soluble drugs in lipidated glycosaminoglycan particles and their use for diagnostics and therapy The invention provides a formulation of water insoluble or poorly water soluble drugs encapsulated in lipidated glycosaminoglycan particles for targeted drug delivery.
US08501230B2	Self solidifying bioerodible barrier implant Provided are bioerodible compositions that can be implanted into cavities of mammalian tissue as a liquid or semi-liquid and which solidify upon exposure to body temperature of the mammal. The implants erode over a prescribed period of time and elute a drug. The implants also form a seal with the skin or mucosa surrounding the cavity to prevent the entry of bacterial pathogens.
US08501221B2	Methods for preparing and delivering adjuvant compositions Methods are provided for preparing and delivering an adjuvant for vaccines including lecithin and a polymer. The polymer is preferably polyacrylic acid-based and the delivery method involves administering a vaccine, including an antigen and the adjuvant, to a mucosal surface.
US08501218B2	Edible chew pill jacket An edible chew pill jacket receives a pill/tablet or capsule that is to be administered to a pet, animal or human. The edible chew pill jacket includes a flexible top wall, side walls and bottom wall configured to form a chamber appointed to receive a pill. A flexible longitudinal slit is integrated within the top wall for providing access to the chamber for insertion of the pill within the edible chew pill jacket. The edible chew pill jacket is formulated with at least one flavoring to provide a tasty treat appointed to mask the pill's taste. The chew pill jacket substantially encapsulates the pill/tablet appointed to be orally ingested. The chew pill jacket may include medicament therein, nutrients, vitamins, or may simply be provided as a tasty treat to mask the taste of the pill.
US08501216B2	Bioerodible polymers for injection A composition for administration of a beneficial agent, contains a solvent mixture including a hydrophobic solvent and a hydrophilic solvent; a bioerodible polymer; and a beneficial agent. The polymer and the beneficial agent are dissolved. The composition has a low viscosity, allowing for easy injection through standard hypodermic needles.
US08501214B2	Hydrophilic foam and pharmaceutical dosage form employing the same Disclosed herein is a hydrophilic foam. The hydrophilic foam includes a polyurethane matrix having a plurality of cells. The cells are capable of retaining water in an amount of least about 8 grams of water per gram of the hydrophilic foam.
US08501208B2	Microencapsulated oils for controlling pesticide spray drift Spray drift during the application of agricultural chemicals is reduced by incorporating microencapsulated oils into the aqueous solution or mixture to be sprayed.
US08501207B2	Mycoattractants and mycopesticides The present invention utilizes extracts of the pre-sporulation (preconidial) mycelial stage of entomopathogenic fungi as insect attractants and/or pathogens. The fungus can be cultivated on grain, wood, agricultural wastes or other cellulosic material. More than one fungus and substrate can be used in combination.
US08501204B2	Method for producing vesicle, vesicle obtained by the production method, and W/O/W emulsion for producing vesicle A vesicle is produced by: a step of producing a W/O emulsion from an aqueous solution containing a substance to be entrapped in a vesicle in a dissolved or suspended state and an organic solvent phase containing a lipid having emulsification capacity, which can constitute the vesicle; a step of producing a W/O/W emulsion from the W/O emulsion and an external water phase solution of a water-soluble emulsifier, which does not destroy a vesicle lipid membrane; and a step of removing the organic solvent phase from the W/O/W emulsion, so as to form a vesicle. This method simultaneously achieves a high entrapment yield of an active ingredient and the control of a particle diameter.
US08501196B2	Pharmaceutical compositions containing botulinum neurotoxin This invention relates to the use of a composition comprising a polysaccharide and a botulinum toxin for reducing a skin wrinkle. In some embodiments, the polysaccharide comprises disaccharides. In some embodiments, the average molecular weight of a disaccharide unit of the polysaccharide is between about 345 D and about 1,000 D.
US08501194B2	Vaccine for viruses that cause persistent or latent infections The invention is in general directed to methods and compositions for preventing or treating infections by viruses involved in persistent and/or latent infections. The methods and compositions are directed toward the prevention and treatment of infections caused by viruses such as, for example, herpesviruses, retroviruses, hepatitis viruses, and papillomaviruses, including, for example, cytomegalovirus.
US08501190B2	Vaccine against Clostridium perfringens There is provided a vaccine for controlling Clostridium perfringens in animals, and particularly necrotic enteritis in poultry. The vaccine may comprise a C. perfringens antigenic polypeptide or variant thereof, a nucleic acid encoding the C. perfringens antigenic polypeptide or variant thereof, or a recombinant cell producing the C. perfringens antigenic polypeptide or variant thereof.
US08501185B2	Dimeric molecular complexes Dimeric molecular complexes useful for diagnostics and therapeutics.
US08501179B2	Antibody against PcrV Provided is an effective means for therapy of infection, particularly infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Provided are a monoclonal antibody against PcrV or a part thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same as an active ingredient. Concretely, monoclonal antibody of the present invention has excellent inhibiting activity on cytotoxicity with respect to a target cell of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also, the monoclonal antibody of the present invention has high affinity with PcrV.
US08501177B2	Treatment of ectodermal dysplasia with EDA1 fusion proteins Disclosed is a recombinant fusion protein containing an amino-acid sequence which comprises: (a) the Fc section or part of an Fc section of an immunoglobulin as component (A) or a functional variant of component (A); (b) the extracellular part of a TNF ligand or a partial sequence of the extracellular part of a TNF ligand as component (B) or a functional variant of component (B); and optionally (c) a transition area between component (A) and component (B), containing a linker.
US08501173B2	Antibodies to high mobility group-1(HMGB1) B-box polypeptides Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a vertebrate cell, and for inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient. The compositions comprise a vertebrate HMGB A box, and an antibody preparation that specifically binds to a vertebrate HMGB B box. The methods comprise treating a cell or a patient with sufficient amounts of the composition to inhibit the release of the proinflammatory cytokine, or to inhibit the inflammatory cytokine cascade.
US08501170B2	Platelet fraction deriving from placental blood The present invention relates to platelet fractions which can be obtained from placental blood, with high concentrations of platelet factors as well as gels and lysates deriving therefrom. The invention further relates to methods for preparing said platelet fractions from placental blood, and to the uses thereof as such or as platelet gels or as lysates.
US08501167B2	Compositions and methods for targeted ablation of mutational escape of targeted therapies for cancer Provided herein are compositions and methods for targeted ablation of mutational escape in the face of cancer therapeutic agents. Compositions comprising the yeast-based vehicles are used in combination with other cancer therapeutic agents.
US08501164B2	Nicotine lozenge compositions The present invention relates to nicotine lozenge compositions comprising reduced levels of buffering agents from traditional nicotine lozenges and which provide optimal oral pH and prompt nicotine absorption in a smaller, more convenient dosage form.
US08501162B2	Compositions and methods for the skin and hair A composition for the prevention or inhibition of free radical-induced effect on the skin and/or hair comprises at least three antioxidant agents selected from the group consisting of ginkgo extract, emblica extract, dimethylmethoxy chromanol, pine bark extract, and rosemary extract.
US08501158B2	Polyol and polyether iron oxide complexes as pharmacological and/or MRI contrast agents Pharmacological compositions, and methods for administration, of the type employing an iron oxide complex with a polyol or polyether. The methods of administration may comprise parenteral administration of an effective dose of the complex formulated in a biocompatible liquid delivered at a rate of from about 1 mL/sec to less than 1 mL/min and wherein upon administration the complex provides minimal detectable free iron in a subject, and minimal incidence of anaphylaxis. The pharmacological compositions are of the type employing a polyol or polyether iron oxide complex, which, upon parenteral administration to a subject, are substantially immunosilent, provide minimal anaphylaxis and minimal free iron, and undergo minimal dissolution in vivo.
US08501152B2	Method of radiolabelling carbon nanotubes, radiolabelled carbon nanotubes and applications thereof The present invention relates to a method of radiolabelling carbon nanotubes, to the radiolabelled carbon nanotubes that can be obtained by implementing this method, and to applications thereof.
US08501150B2	Metal oxides from metal-organic framework materials The present invention relates to a method for producing a metal oxide by heating a porous metal-organic framework material, the framework material comprising at least one at least bidentate organic compound bound to at least one metal ion by coordination, and the metal ion being selected from the metals comprising groups 2 to 4 and 13 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, above the complete decomposition temperature of the framework material, and also to metal oxides obtainable by this method, and to the use thereof.
US08501149B2	H2S conversion to sulfur using a regenerated iodine solution Systems and methods of removing sulfur from a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are provided. The systems and methods may utilize iodine to remove sulfur from the gas stream. In certain systems and methods, the iodine may be regenerated. In particular, the present systems and methods may be capable of reducing sulfur content in a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide H2S gas to levels that are undetectable.
US08501148B2	Coating composition incorporating a low structure carbon black and devices formed therewith A black matrix or coating includes carbon black including a first carbon black having an I2 number from 30 mg/g to 200 mg/g and a DBP from 20 cc/100 g to 45 cc/100 g.
US08501143B2	Single crystal diamond prepared by CVD A single crystal diamond prepared by CVD and having one or more electronic characteristics; making the diamond suitable for electronic applications. Also provided is a method of making the single crystal CVD diamond.
US08501140B2	Method and apparatus for purifying metallurgical silicon for solar cells A method improves yield of an upgraded metallurgical-grade (UMG) silicon purification process. In the UMG silicon purification process, in a reaction chamber, purification is performed on a silicon melt therein by one, all or a plurality of the following techniques in the same apparatus at the same time. The techniques includes a crucible ratio approach, the addition of water-soluble substances, the control of power, the control of vacuum pressure, the upward venting of exhaust, isolation by high-pressure gas jet, and carbon removal by sandblasting, thereby reducing oxygen, carbon and other impurities in the silicon melt, meeting a high-purity silicon standard of solar cells, increasing yield while maintaining low cost, and avoiding EMF reduction over time. An exhaust venting device for the purification process allows exhaust to be vented from the top of the reactor chamber, thereby avoiding backflow of exhaust into the silicon melt and erosion of the reactor.
US08501138B2	Production method of high purity silver tetrafluoroborate A production method of high purity silver tetrafluoroborate, capable of producing silver tetrafluoroborate (AgBF4) at purity higher than the conventional, without using an organic solvent. The production method of the present invention is characterized in that the method comprises the step of: reacting silver fluoride with boron trifluoride in the presence of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid. Boron trifluoride is delivered into a solution obtained by dissolving or suspending silver fluoride in an anhydrous hydrofluoric acid solution.
US08501133B2	Catalyst for treating exhaust gases, method for producing the same, and method for treating exhaust gases A catalyst for treating exhaust gases containing nitrogen monoxide, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds includes a plurality of layers, an upper layer of which has an active component contained uniformly therein and a lower layer of which has no active component contained therein. The catalyst is obtained through the steps of: forming the lower layer by coating the surface of substrate with a slurry of a porous inorganic compound, followed by drying; and forming the upper layer, which is to be the top surface of the catalyst, by coating the surface of the lower layer with a slurry of a porous inorganic compound that has the active component composed of one or more precious metals supported thereon, followed by drying. The oxidation power of the resulting catalyst is enhanced without increasing the amount of precious metal supported thereon.
US08501132B2	Nanocomposite particle and process of preparing the same A nanocomposite particle, its use as a catalyst, and a method of making it are disclosed. The nanocomposite particle comprises titanium dioxide nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, and a surface stabilizer. The metal oxide nanoparticles are formed hydrothermally in the presence of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The nanocomposite particle is an effective catalyst support, particularly for DeNOx catalyst applications.
US08501131B2	Method and apparatus to inject reagent in SNCR/SCR emission system for boiler An apparatus to introduce a reagent to reduce nitrogen oxides in flue gas including: nozzles mounted to a passage for the flue gas, wherein the nozzles are mounted downstream of a SNCR system and upstream of a SCR system, wherein the nozzles are mounted on one or more walls of the passage and are configured to inject a pressurized fluid into the flue gas; a source of the pressurized fluid which is in fluid communication with the nozzles such that the pressurized fluid flows to the nozzles; a source of a NOx reducing reagent and a mixing device which mixes the reagent with the pressurized fluid such that the pressurized fluid flowing to the nozzles includes the reagent.
US08501130B1	Carbon dioxide recovery system and method A method for recovering CO2 from gas to be processed containing CO2, includes bringing the gas to be processed containing CO2 and CO2 absorbent into contact with each other to absorb and remove CO2 from the gas to be processed; cleaning the treated gas from which CO2 has been removed with washing fluid at least once; heating the absorbent which has absorbed CO2, separating and removing CO2 gas from the absorbent and regenerating the absorbent; cooling the separated CO2 gas to condense moisture contained in the gas to obtain condensed water; and monitoring changes in concentration of the CO2 absorbent contained in the condensed water and depending on the value of the measured concentration, controlling supply of the condensed water so that the condensed water is reused as a part of the washing fluid or a part of the CO2 absorbent.
US08501127B2	Neutralization of gaseous contaminants by artificial photosynthesis An neutralization system includes a main chamber and a secondary chamber linked by a tube, wherein main chamber includes a gas main inlet duct and a gas outlet tube; a tube with nozzles that allows passage of steam in form of steam curtain; a propeller located at a center portion of main chamber; a first flexible tube placed on an upper side and exiting out of a top face of main chamber and rejoining main chamber in a main entrance of gases; at least two additional flexible tubes exiting a side of main chamber; an electric motor that extracts gases and allows pressurized gas to enter flexible tubes; an eviction-tube of liquid waste located at a bottom portion and inwardly of main chamber; an exhaust duct for treated gases located in a rear portion of main chamber which connects through a tube main chamber to secondary chamber.
US08501126B1	Dynamic mandrel catalytic reactor method, apparatus, and system An method and apparatus is disclosed that causes a chemical reaction to reduce emissions. The method includes a mandrel that is plated, bonded, or by other means affixed with a catalyst. The mandrel moves to control a rate of catalyst available to react via a controlled change in contact surface area per unit volume flow to remove or reduce effluent matter.
US08501125B2	System and method of carbon capture and sequestration, environmental remediation, and metals recovery Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat. Methods and processes of environmental remediation and recovering metals from waste streams are also provided.
US08501121B1	Tissue embedding apparatus, and method for operating a tissue embedding apparatus The present disclosure relates to a method for automatically embedding at least one tissue sample. A tissue embedding apparatus (1) can be provided having an input unit (2), an image acquisition unit (3), an embedding unit (4), at least one output unit (5, 6), and a control unit (7). A cassette (9) containing at least one tissue sample (8) can be transferred to the input unit (2) of the tissue embedding apparatus (1). At least one image of the tissue sample (8) and/or at least one image of the cassette (9) may be acquired using the image acquisition unit (3). The at least one image acquired of the tissue sample (8) and/or of the cassette (9) may be evaluated. Further processing the tissue sample (8) in the tissue embedding apparatus (1) can be performed as a function of the image evaluation.
US08501120B2	Contactless power solution for low power sensors in bioprocess environments A method and apparatus for providing more reliable wireless communication and power to sensors in electrically challenging bioprocess environments is disclosed. An unconnected antenna is located within the bioprocess environment, preferably in the same plane as the primary powered antenna. This unconnected antenna, also referred to as reflective antenna, enhances and confines the electromagnetic field created by the powered antenna. This reflective antenna is incorporated in or proximate to the devices containing a sensor or communication device. In one embodiment, the reflective antenna is incorporated into the filter housing. In another embodiment, it is incorporated into the filtering element itself. In another embodiment, it is incorporated into or affixed on the disposable bioprocess components, such as bags and tubes.
US08501118B2	Disposable pipette tip A disposable pipette tip having that is configured to mount on a tip mounting shaft having a locking section and a separate sealing section. The locking section has outwardly extending locking lobes circumferentially spaced around the mounting shaft and located above a stop member that separates the lower sealing section from the upper locking section. The collar flexes out of round when it is mounted over the locking lobes on the mounting shaft. The circumferential shelf on the tip isolates the tip barrel from distortion to enable robust sealing in the barrel below the shelf.
US08501115B2	Modular system for performing laboratory protocols and associated methods Systems, devices, and methods for automating laboratory protocols utilizing modular processing components to allow systems to be reconfigured for processing a wide variety of disparate laboratory protocols are provided. In one aspect, a sample processing module is provided, including a housing configured to accommodate a pre-identified sample process, a standardized temperature input capable of interfacing with a temperature controller, a standardized fluid input capable of interfacing with an input fluid controller, and a standardized agitation connector capable of interfacing with an agitator. These standardized components provide interchangeability of the module with a module having a housing configured to accommodate a different pre-identified sample process in a sample processing system.
US08501105B2	Separation of carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas mixtures by calcium based reaction separation (CaRS-CO2) process A reaction-based process developed for the selective removal of CO2 from a multicomponent gas mixture to provide a gaseous stream depleted in CO2 compared to the inlet CO2 concentration. The proposed process effects the separation of CO2 from a mixture of gases by its reaction with metal oxides. The Calcium based Reaction Separation for CO2 (CaRS-CO2) process consists of contacting CO2 laden gas with CaO in a reactor such that CaO captures CO2 by the formation of CaCO3. CaCO3 is regenerated by calcination leading to the formation of fresh CaO sorbent and the evolution of a concentrated stream of CO2. The “regenerated” CaO is then recycled for the further capture of CO2. This carbonation-calcination cycle forms the basis of the CaRS-CO2 process. This process also may use a mesoporous CaCO3 structure that attains >90% conversion over multiple carbonation and calcination cycles.
US08501104B2	Exhaust gas purification apparatus An exhaust gas purification apparatus in which layout restriction is lessened to be able to further achieve space-saving is proposed. The exhaust gas purification apparatus includes a first cylindrical housing in which an oxidation catalytic converter and a PM collection filter are contained and a second cylindrical housing in which a reducing catalytic converter and an ammonia oxidation catalytic converter are contained. The exhaust gas purification apparatus further includes a communicating pipe that connects between far end portions of both the housings, and a nozzle that is disposed in the communicating pipe and injects liquid reducing agent in exhaust gas. The two housings are closely disposed such that axis lines thereof are arranged substantially parallel. The communicating pipe is disposed such that an axis line thereof is arranged substantially parallel with the axis lines of the housings. A flow passage of the exhaust gas from the first housing through the communicating pipe to the second housing is formed into a substantial N-shape.
US08501101B2	Gas sensor A gas sensor is provided. The substrate of the gas sensor has a first surface, a second surface and a cavity. The cavity has an opening at the first surface. An insulating film is disposed on the first surface and covers the opening. A heating unit is embedded in the insulating film and located above the opening. An electrode pair is disposed on the insulating film and electrically separated from the heating unit. A buffer layer is disposed on the insulating film and located above the heating unit. The buffer layer is electrically connected to the electrode pair, and at least part of an orthogonal projection of the buffer layer on the first surface is located on the substrate next to the opening. The gas sensing layer is disposed on the buffer layer and has a nano-catalyst therein.
US08501098B1	Temporally addressable detection array A detection device and a method of detection are disclosed. The device may have a sensor array, a detector array, and a sensor controller. The sensor array may have a plurality of sensors, each sensor being responsive to a different analyte of interest. Each sensor may also be able to emit electromagnetic energy. For example, one or more of the sensors may include an LED. One or more of the sensors may include a sensing compound within a xerogel, which is responsive to an analyte of interest. In the method, one of the sensors is turned on, and one or more of the detectors are activated to receive electromagnetic energy emitted from the sensor.
US08501096B2	Centrifugal cytology system, chamber block and method for the preparation of treated monolayers of sample material An apparatus and method for the automated preparation of treated monolayers of sample material, comprising: a centrifuge having a rotor (12) carrying removable chamber blocks (14); sample and reagent dispensers (26) and control systems (20). First, centrifugal force sediments sample material discretely to form a monolayer onto a receiving surface member (32) on one of the chamber blocks (14), while the same centrifugal force opens a valve (48) in the chamber block (14) to drain sample material. Then, centrifugal force delivers sequentially into discrete chamber blocks (14) discrete treating agents, during which time the sampler material monolayer is held in place on the receiving surface member (32) by centrifugal force. Then, each chamber block (14) is drained centrifugally through its already opened valve (48). Each treated sampler material is confined to an individual chamber block (14). Batch and random access delivery of treating agents can be employed. Each chamber block (14) includes separate inlets for the sample and treating agents.
US08501095B2	Method of dispensing biosensors A storage cartridge for dispensing biosensors used in the determination of an analyte in body fluid comprises a hollow body for housing a stack of biosensors having an open top, a flexible conveying member disposed over the open top of the body, the flexible conveying member having an aperture formed therein for receiving a biosensor from the stack of biosensors, a plate adapted to press the sliding conveying member against the open top to form a substantially moisture-impervious seal around the open top of the body and to permit the conveying member to slide between the plate and the open top, and a biasing mechanism the stack of biosensors towards the open top.
US08501093B2	Portable handheld medical diagnostic devices with color-changing indicatior A portable handheld medical diagnostic device includes a housing forming a protective enclosure. A main circuit board is located in the protective enclosure. The main circuit board includes a controller facilitating a physiologic measurement. A display device is connected to the main circuit board that displays information related to the physiologic measurement. An electronic skin is on the housing. The electronic skin comprises a liquid crystal material and is configured to display a color.
US08501086B2	Nickel based alloy A Ni based alloy, which consists of by mass percent, C≦0.03%, Si: 0.01 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.01 to 1.0%, P≦0.03%, S≦0.01%, Cr: not less than 20% to less than 30%, Ni: more than 40% to not more than 60%, Cu: more than 2% to not more than 5.0%, Mo: 4.0 to 10%, Al: 0.005 to 0.5% and N: more than 0.02% to not more than 0.3%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and the expression of “0.5 Cu+Mo≧6.5” is satisfied, has excellent corrosion resistance equivalent to that of Ni based alloys having high Mo contents, such as Hastelloy C22 and Hastelloy C276, in severe corrosive environments containing reducing acids, such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, together with excellent workability. Therefore, it can be suitably used as a low-cost material for various kinds of structural members.
US08501085B2	System, method, and apparatus for pouring casting material in an investment cast An apparatus for bottom pouring into an investment cast includes a container that holds a melted casting material, where the container moves from a first container position to a second container position. In the first container position, holes on a stationary nozzle are not exposed to the interior of the container, and the melted casting material remains in the container. In the second container position, holes on the stationary nozzle are exposed to the interior of the container, and the melted casting material flows out the bottom of the container through the stationary nozzle. A temperature detection device determines the temperature of the melted casting material, and a heating device heats the melted casting material to a specified temperature.
US08501084B2	Support posts for molten metal pumps An improved post clamp for a molten metal pump includes a support post clamp that supports the weight of a pump superstructure on the top of the support posts. The clamp preferably includes (a) a bottom flange for connecting to the pump superstructure, (b) a cavity for receiving an end of a support post, wherein the end has a top surface, and (c) a top flange for being positioned above the top surface. In operation the top flange rests on the top surface of the support post thereby supporting at least part of the weight of the superstructure. It is preferred that a plurality of support posts and post clamps according to the invention be used with a molten metal pump wherein the top surface of each support post supports some of the weight of the superstructure. Also disclosed are novel support posts that may be used with the post clamp, and a pump in which the post clamp and/or support posts may be used.
US08501083B2	Spray quench systems for heat treated metal products A spray quench system is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled volume of spray onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings. The quench rings can be adjusted in position independently of each other relative to the workpiece being sprayed. Reflected spray guards may be provided to prevent spray interference between adjacent quench rings. The outlets of the quench rings may be adjustable in volume. A controller can be provided to optimize the distribution of quench cooling flows from the quench rings. Sets of quench rings with different diameters in each set may be provided in modular form.
US08501082B2	Method for producing a multipart construction and such a construction A method for manufacturing a multipart assembly of sintered oxide ceramic material, including one first component which at least partially surrounds one second component in such a manner that detaching the first component from the second component is not possible without destroying the first and/or second component. The assembly is produced by producing a single-part first shaped part and a single-part second shaped part from an oxide ceramic blank, whereby the first shaped part and the second shaped part are enlarged to compensate for the shrinkage during sintering, and assembling the sintered shaped part as second component with the first shaped part and subsequently sintering them together. As the first shaped part is employed a shaped part with an opening whose effective cross section after sintering is either smaller than the effective cross section of the second shaped part after sintering in a region that extends within the first component, or is smaller that the effective cross section of the second component in front of and behind the opening.
US08501078B2	Method and device for blow molding containers A method for blow molding containers having cross-sections of a non-circular shape from preforms, in which a temperature profile varying at least in the circumferential direction of the preform is produced by means of at least one heat transfer element, for which purpose the preform and at least the heat transfer element are oriented toward one another by a relative rotational movement in the circumferential direction of the preform, the heat transfer element is rotated relative to the stationary preform about a heat transfer element axis during the relative rotational movement. Further, a device for blow molding such containers where the heat transfer element and the holder are rotatable about a heat transfer element axis and are coupled with a rotational drive.
US08501072B2	Dispensing valves A dispensing valve for flowable material comprises a valve plate (26) of resilient polymeric material in which at least one elongate discontinuity is formed. The discontinuity defines at least one valve flap (28) which is an integral part of the valve plate but whose margin defined by the discontinuity is not connected to the adjacent material of the valve plate. The valve flap (28) is movable under the application of pressure from a closed position, in which the adjacent margins of the discontinuity form a substantial seal, to an open position, in which the margins for the discontinuity are spaced from one another and material can flow through the valve member. The polymeric material is a polyolefin material and the discontinuity is a rupture line. The margins defining the rupture line are of decreasing thickness towards their free edge and overlie one another.
US08501071B2	Method for obtaining high-tenacity aramid yarn The invention relates to a method for obtaining high-tenacity aramid yarn, wherein the yarn is made of a copolymer obtained from a mixture of monomers comprising DAPBI, an aromatic para-diamine, and an aromatic para-diacid, wherein the yarn is heated in at least two process steps, characterized in that in a first step the yarn is heated at a temperature of 200 to 360° C. at a tension of at least 0.2 cN/dtex, followed by a second step wherein the yarn is heated at a temperature of 370 to 500° C. at a tension of less than 1 cN/dtex. The invention further pertains to a multifilament aramid yarn spun from a sulfuric acid spin dope and having a tenacity of at least 2500 mN/tex.
US08501066B2	System and method for manufacturing heat-activable adhesive pellets A method and an apparatus are provided for the production of heat-activable adhesive pellets that can be formed into elements for holding an article to a surface such as a glass surface. The apparatus and method for the manufacture of the heat-activable pellets include the steps of introducing at least a first component comprising at least one difunctional polymer with at least one multifunctional polymer into an extruder, heating the first component, introducing a second component comprising isocyanate and a powder flow enhancer (such as fumed silica) at a point downstream of the introduction of the first component, combining the first and second components in the extruder to form a flowable compound, pelletizing the extruded compound exiting the extruder by cutting to form heat-activable adhesive pellets, and drying the pellets. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention a catalyst is applied to the pellets to form catalyst-coated heat-activable adhesive pellets. In another embodiment of the disclosed invention a catalyst is added into the extruder to form catalyst-containing heat-activable adhesive pellets.
US08501061B2	Method for making foam-in-place cushions with selective distribution of foam A method for making a foam-in-place cushion in which a foam-forming composition is dispensed between two plastic film portions in a predetermined fashion to selectively control the distribution of the foam in the cushion. A foam dispenser can be moved in a transverse direction as foam is dispensed. A dispersion device can be employed to apply pressure on predetermined areas of the film portions towards each other so as to cause the composition to be redistributed in position in a predetermined manner while the composition is in a less than fully expanded state. The plastic film can then be sealed closed to form an expanding foam cushion that can be placed into a shipping carton where the cushion expands to fill void space, or into a mold where the cushion expands and is molded into a desired shape.
US08501058B2	Method of cleaning template and pattern forming method To remove the resist residue on a template by holding the template with a pattern face having irregularities, supplying a cleaning agent to an area containing the contamination adhering to the pattern face of the template, applying emitted light from the opposite face of the pattern face of the template, and optically exciting the cleaning agent with the emitted light to produce a radical, making at least part of the contamination hydrophilic by reaction of the contamination with the radical, and removing the contamination from the template after hydrophilization.
US08501045B2	Circuit connecting material, film-form circuit connecting material using the same, circuit member connecting structure and method of manufacturing the same The present invention is a circuit connecting material used for the mutual connection of a circuit member in which electrodes and insulating layers are formed adjacent to each other on the surface of a board, and a circuit member in which electrodes and insulating layers are formed adjacent to each other on the surface of a board, with the edge parts and of the insulating layers being formed with a greater thickness than the electrodes on the basis of the main surfaces, wherein this circuit connecting material contains a bonding agent composition and conductive particles that have a mean particle size of 1 μm or greater but less than 10 μm and a hardness of 1.961 to 6.865 GPa, and this circuit connecting material exhibits a storage elastic modulus of 0.5 to 3 GPa at 40° C. and a mean coefficient of thermal expansion of 30 to 200 ppm/° C. at from 25° C. to 100° C. when subjected to the curing treatment.
US08501037B2	Optically anisotropic compound and resin composition comprising the same Disclosed is a compound having high optical anisotropy and high compatibility with a polymer resin, which is represented by Formula 1 and has at least one substituent introduced to a biphenyl mesogenic core. Also, a resin composition including the compound and a polymer resin, and an optical member including the resin composition are disclosed. In the case of an optical member obtained by using a polymer resin composition including the compound represented by Formula 1, there is no phase separation, and it is possible to achieve a required optical characteristic with only a small amount thereof.
US08501036B2	Silica gel compositions containing alkali metals and alkali metal alloys The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or alloy, wherein Group 1 metals or alloys are absorbed into the silica gel pores. The invention relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition reacts with dry O2. The invention also relates to producing hydrogen gas comprising contacting a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition with water, and further relates to an alkali metal reduction of an organic compound, the improvement comprising contacting the organic compound with a Group 1 metal/silica gel composition. In these embodiments, the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition produced does not react with dry O2.
US08501030B2	Methods for purifying kaolin clays using reverse flotation, high brightness kaolin products, and uses thereof Disclosed herein are methods for removing discoloring impurities, such as carbon impurities, particularly graphite, from kaolin clay to enhance the brightness of the kaolin clays. The methods include reverse flotation processes. Also disclosed herein are high brightness kaolin products, and the uses thereof.
US08501029B2	Micromachined titanium for high pressure microfluidic applications In accordance with the invention, a method for making microfluidic structures in bulk titanium is disclosed. Specific microfluidic structures include HPLC structures.
US08501022B2	Method using block copolymers for making a master disk with radial nondata marks for nanoimprinting patterned magnetic recording disks A method for making a master disk for nanoimprinting patterned-media magnetic recording disks has patterns for both the data islands and the nondata regions. The method uses guided self-assembly of a block copolymer (BCP) to form patterns of generally radial lines and/or generally concentric rings as well as patterns of gap regions of one of the BCP components. The pattern of lines and/or rings have the BCP components aligned as lamellae perpendicular to the substrate, while the pattern of gap regions has the BCP components aligned as lamellae parallel to the substrate. One of the BCP components is removed, leaving the other BCP component as an etch mask to fabricate either the final master disk or two separate molds that are then used to fabricate the master disk.
US08501014B2	Down hole separator and fast flow oil skimmer A separation unit for separating oil from oily water has a first oil to water ratio and the separation unit comprises a body which defines an inner chamber and which has a first end-wall and an opposite second end-wall and first and second side-walls that extend between the first end-wall and the second end-wall. The inner chamber is at least partly delimited by the first end-wall and the second end-wall, the first side-wall and the second side-wall. The separation unit further comprises a third wall which constitutes a separation wall extending from the first end-wall towards the second end-wall and divides the inner chamber into a first and a second sub-chamber. An inlet is defined at the first side-wall and the first end-wall and a first outlet is defined at the second side-wall and the first end-wall. A passage is defined at the third wall and the second end-wall and a fluid path from the inlet which passes through the first sub-chamber and the passage and the second sub-chamber to the first outlet. A second outlet is defined at the second end-wall, the second outlet defining an opening having an outlet area. The fluid has a restricted flow at the first outlet compared to the flow at the inlet so that a fraction of the fluid is separated from the fluid path through the second outlet. The fraction has a second oil to water ratio which is higher than the first oil to water ratio.
US08501013B2	Recirculation shower for aircraft A system is provided for water purification for a recirculation shower in a transport with a filtration unit, a first backwash line and a second backwash line. The filtration unit is designed to filter used shower water. The first backwash line and the second backwash line are designed to clean the filtration unit with a backwashing. The first backwash line is designed to convey backwash water to the filtration unit. The second backwash line is designed to discharge backwash water from the filtration unit.
US08501010B2	Di- and mono-alkoxysilane functionalized polymers and their application in the Bayer process Diallcoxysilane and monoalkoxysilane functionalized polymers were applied as scale control agents in Bayer process. The polymer inhibitors reduced the quantity of aluminum silicate scale formed in spent liquor while significantly changed the morphology of the scale. Also a method is provided for reducing aluminum silicate scale of Bayer process by adding the dialkoxysilane and monoalkoxysilane functionalized polymer into the Bayer liquor stream.
US08501009B2	Fluid purification system Disclosed are systems and methods of preparing dialysate for use in a home dialysis system that is compact and light-weight relative to existing systems and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. The method includes coupling a household water stream to a dialysis system; filtering the water stream; heating the water stream to at least about 138 degrees Celsius in a non-batch process to produce a heated water stream; maintaining the heated water stream at or above at least about 138 degrees Celsius for at least about two seconds; cooling the heated water stream to produce a cooled water stream; ultrafiltering the cooled water stream; and mixing dialysate components into the cooled water stream in a non-batch process.
US08501004B2	Ballast water treatment device Disclosed herein is a ballast water treatment device. The device includes a filtering unit filtering ballast water introduced into a ship using a filter, a vortex generating unit generating an artificial vortex in the ballast water filtered by the filtering unit, and an ultraviolet treatment unit having an ultraviolet lamp which sterilizes the ballast water discharged from the vortex generating unit using ultraviolet rays, thus preventing secondary contamination resulting from by-products, preventing a ballast tank from becoming contaminated, affording effective maintenance, and making it convenient to control. Further, an artificial vortex is formed in the ballast water when it is mixed, thus allowing a large quantity of ultraviolet rays to be radiated onto the ballast water passing through the ultraviolet treatment unit, therefore improving a sterilization effect.
US08501002B2	Exchangeable filter insert The invention concerns a filter insert (1) that is provided as an exchangeable insert in a filter, in particular an oil filter, fuel filter or the like of an internal combustion engine. The filter comprises a filter housing (3) that can be separated along a separating plane (2) and the exchangeable filter insert (1) extending in an axial direction (18). Two housing parts (4, 5) of the filter housing (3) are sealed relative to one another along the separating plane (2) by means of a seal (6). The seal (6) is secured slidably and captively in the axial direction (18) on the filter insert (1).
US08500998B2	Hydraulic control device A hydraulic control device includes a valve body having oil passages, a solenoid valve incorporated in the valve body, an oil pan that is disposed below the valve body and that accumulates hydraulic oil, and a strainer which, as well as being disposed between the valve body and the oil pan, has a filtering medium which filters the hydraulic oil suctioned from the oil pan. The strainer is fixed to the oil pan by a magnetic force of at least one magnet.
US08500996B1	Self sustaining vegetated roof for harvesting and recycling rain water Broadly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a self sustaining green vegetated roof for harvesting and recycling rain water, including a re-created wetland disposed to harvest rain water, the re-created wetland supported on top of a combination of pervious and impervious layers of materials configured on a top surface of a roof of a building; a water filtration system disposed to mimic a natural wetland ecosystem; and a storage system disposed to collect water from the filtration system to be made available for use.
US08500993B2	Method and apparatus for programably treating water in a water cooler An apparatus for a programmable self sanitizing water dispenser apparatus with a digital controller as well as a programmable method for generating ozone for cleaning the reservoir and the water contained within it. The apparatus includes an anti-spill receiver that houses the controller and that can contain a ozone generator.
US08500988B2	Device and method for ELID honing An ELID honing device includes a honing tool 10 positioned above a workpiece 1 having a hollow cylindrical inner surface, and vertically movable and rotationally drivable about a vertical rotation axis while being rockably suspended from an upper end, and a honing guide 20 positioned in proximity to an upper portion of the workpiece to guide the honing tool to the hollow cylindrical inner surface. The honing tool 10 has a fixed guide 12 having a predetermined radius R from the rotation axis to its outer peripheral surface, and honing stones 14a and 14b having outer peripheral surfaces movable in parallel from a diameter-increased position outside the radius R to a diameter-reduced position inside the radius R and capable of being electrolytically dressed. Further, the honing guide 20 has a hollow cylindrical ELID electrode 22 having an inner surface 22a for guiding an outer peripheral surface of the fixed guide of the honing tool and capable of being subjected to a negative voltage.
US08500987B2	Purification of carbon dioxide from a mixture of gases A method for purification of carbon dioxide from a mixture of gases is disclosed. The method generally includes steps (A) and (B). Step (A) may bubble the gases into a solution of an electrolyte and a catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode generally reduces the carbon dioxide into one or more compounds. The anode may oxidize at least one of the compounds into the carbon dioxide. Step (B) may separate the carbon dioxide from the solution.
US08500982B2	Compositions, devices, systems, and methods for using a nanopore The invention herein disclosed provides for devices and methods that can detect and control an individual polymer in a mixture is acted upon by another compound, for example, an enzyme, in a nanopore. The devices and methods are also used to determine rapidly (˜>50 Hz) the nucleotide base sequence of a polynucleotide under feedback control or using signals generated by the interactions between the polynucleotide and the nanopore. The invention is of particular use in the fields of molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof.
US08500979B2	Nanogap chemical and biochemical sensors Devices and methods are presented for electronic sensing of chemical and biochemical analytes. An electronic sensor having a at least two electrodes separated by a nanoscale gap wherein the separation between the first electrode and the second electrode forms a cavity capable of containing a fluid wherein two or more posts comprised of an insulating material extend into the cavity from the face of the first electrode to the face of the second electrode. Optionally, the cavity is closed with a bead. Devices according to embodiments of the invention are capable of detecting chemicals and biochemicals through redox cycling events. Additionally, devices and methods according to embodiments of the invention are adapted to identify and sequence nucleic acid molecules.
US08500975B2	Method and apparatus for sputtering onto large flat panels A rectangular magnetron placed at the back of a rectangular sputtering target for coating a rectangular panel and having magnets of opposed polarities arranged to form a gap therebetween corresponding to a plasma track adjacent the target which extends in a closed serpentine or spiral loop. The spiral may have a large number of wraps and the closed loop may be folded before wrapping. The magnetron has a size only somewhat less than that of the target and is scanned in the two perpendicular directions of the target with a scan length of, for example, about 100 mm for a 2 m target corresponding to at least the separation of the gap between parallel portions of the loop. A central ferromagnetic shim beneath some magnets in the loop may compensate for vertical droop. The magnetron may be scanned in two alternating double-Z patterns rotated 90° between them.
US08500974B2	Carrier and sputtering device using the same A carrier for use during sputtering includes a main body and support members. The main body defines a receiving space and includes a lateral surface defining at least one groove extending along a longitudinal direction. The receiving space and the at least one groove communicate with each other. The at least one groove is defined by a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines recessed portions along the longitudinal direction and communicates with the receiving space. The support members are used for hanging workpieces. Each of the support members includes at least one support arm protruding from the lateral surface and is selectively and movably retained by one of the recessed portions.
US08500973B2	Anode for sputter coating A sputtering anode is disclosed wherein the anode is in the form of a container or vessel; and, wherein the conducting surface communicating with a cathode is the inside surface of the container or vessel. The anode can be mounted outside of a coating chamber having its opening communicating with the chamber or alternatively may be mounted within the chamber. The anode may be an inlet port for receiving inert gas for use in forming the plasma and for pressurizing the anode.
US08500971B2	High temperature electrolyser with temperature homogenisation device An electrolyser including a stack of a plurality of elementary electrolysis cells, each cell including a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte provided between the cathode and the anode. An interconnection plate is interposed between each anode of an elementary cell and a cathode of a following elementary cell, the interconnection plate being in electric contact with the anode and the cathode. A pneumatic fluid is to be brought into contact with the cathodes, and the electrolyser further includes a mechanism ensuring circulation of the pneumatic fluid in the electrolyser for heating it up before contacting the same with the cathodes.
US08500970B2	Electrolysis cell for the production of aluminum comprising means to reduce the voltage drop An electrolytic cell is suitable for production of aluminium, and includes at least one collector bar made of first metal and at least one complementary bar made of a second metal having an electrical conductivity greater than the first metal and arranged adjacent to one of the side faces of the collector bar so that the external end of the complementary bar is at a specified distance from a specified end face of the block. The second end terminates so as to limit heat losses from said cell. The cell makes it possible to obtain significantly lower voltage drops while avoiding excessive heat losses through the collector bars.
US08500964B2	Method of fabricating bubble-type micro-pump A manufacturing method of a bubble-type micro-pump is provided. At least a bubble-generating unit is provided on the bubble-generating section. Because of the varied surface energies on the top of the bubble-generating section, the varied backfilling velocities of the fluid of the front end and the rear end cause fluid moving when a bubble vanishes. The top surface of the bubble-generating section is subjected to a particular surface treatment to form a surface energy gradient. Examples of surface treatment include sputtering a thin film with varied densities or thickness, radiating one or multi-layer thin films by a laser beam, etc.
US08500963B2	Sputtering of thermally resistive materials including metal chalcogenides A plasma sputtering method for metal chalcogenides, such as germanium antimony telluride (GST), useful in forming phase-change memories. The substrate is held at a selected temperature at which the material deposits in either an amorphous or crystalline form. GST has a low-temperature amorphous range and a high-temperature crystalline range separated by a transition band of 105-120° C. Bipolar pulsed sputtering with less than 50% positive pulses of less than 10:s pulse width cleans the target while maintain the sputtering plasma. The temperature of chamber shields is maintained at a temperature favoring crystalline deposition or they may be coated with arc-spray aluminum or with crystallographically aligned copper or aluminum.
US08500960B2	Multi-phase selective mass transfer through a membrane Disclosed herein are embodiments relating to particular systems comprising a selective transfer membrane that can be utilized in material separation. In certain embodiments, the membrane assembly comprises part of a desalination, distillation, liquid purification, and/or heating and cooling system. Other particular embodiments allow for a high rate of thermal capture by way of the system utilizing a selective transfer membrane. Certain preferred embodiments include a selective transfer membrane comprising an ionomeric polymer that is permeable to high dipole materials.
US08500959B2	Method for performing pyrolysis and a pyrolysis apparatus A pyrolysis apparatus comprises a substantially closed pyrolyzer (4), a supply inlet for supplying pyrolyzable fuel to the pyrolyzer (4), an outlet for taking hot bed material in particle form out of the pyrolyzer, one or more exit outlets (6) for taking condensible gaseous substances separated from the fuel to be pyrolyzed out of the pyrolyzer, a condenser (8) for condensing the condensible gaseous substances into pyrolysis oil, and a line (7) for transferring the condensible gaseous substances from the exit outlet of the pyrolyzer (4) to the condenser (8). The means for maintaining pyrolysis conditions in the pyrolyzer (4) comprise an inlet for taking hot bed material in particle form into the pyrolyzer and means (5) for supplying fluidizing gas to the pyrolyzer.The pyrolyzer (4) is a chamber bounded directly by a furnace (1) of a bubbling fluidized bed boiler, through which chamber fluidized bed material is arranged to be circulated between the inlet and the outlet. Means (5) for supplying fluidizing gas are divided over an area between the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) in the pyrolyzer (4) so that they create a cross-flow of fluidizing gas in relation to the transfer direction (S) of the bed material and fuel.
US08500958B2	Belt and method to manufacture The invention relates to a transport or processing belt for a machine for the production or treatment of a fiber web, particularly a paper, cardboard or tissue machine, having a paper side and a conveying side and comprising a polymer coating and a textile load-bearing fabric, wherein the textile fabric has a first side facing the paper side and a second side facing the conveying side. The textile fabric is permeable with a permeability of at least 300 cfm, preferably of at least 500 cfm, and the polymer coating extends in one piece from the first side of the textile fabric though the openings of the textile fabric to the second side of the textile fabric.
US08500956B2	Process for producing a pulp The invention relates to a process for producing a dissolving pulp from a cellulosic starting material using the kraft process, comprising the step of cooking the starting material with a cooking liquor. The process according to the invention characterized in that the starting material is exposed to a steam treatment prior to cooking and that the pulp obtained by cooking is subjected to cold caustic extraction (CCE) in the course of further processing.
US08500955B2	Tissue sheets having enhanced cross-direction properties The present disclosure provides tissue webs with improved durability produced by rewetting a dried tissue web, pressing the rewetted web and drying the web for a second time. This improved durability is manifested by a high cross-machine direction (CD) slope.
US08500952B2	Plasma confinement rings having reduced polymer deposition characteristics Plasma confinement ring assemblies are provided that include confinement rings adapted to reach sufficiently high temperatures on plasma-exposed surfaces of the rings to avoid polymer deposition on those surfaces. The plasma confinement rings include thermal chokes adapted to localize heating at selected portions of the rings that include the plasma exposed surfaces. The thermal chokes reduce heat conduction from those portions to other portions of the rings, which causes selected portions of the rings to reach desired temperatures during plasma processing.
US08500949B2	Apparatus and method for wet processing substrate An exemplary wet processing apparatus includes a tank, a conveyor configured for conveying a substrate, and a spraying system. The tank receives a wet processing liquid. The conveyor includes a first conveying portion, a second conveying portion, and a third conveying portion. The first conveying portion is in the tank and conveys the substrate in the wet processing liquid. The second conveying portion is obliquely interconnected between the first and third conveying portions. The third conveying portion conveys the substrate above the wet processing liquid in the tank. The spraying system is above the third conveying portion, sprays the wet processing liquid onto the substrate on the third conveying portion.
US08500947B2	Speeding cure rate of bioadhesives The present disclosure provides compositions having reduced viscosity which may be used as adhesives or tissue sealants, and includes methods for speeding the cure rate of such compositions.
US08500943B2	Continuous composite rod and methods A continuous composite fiberglass sucker rod for connection between a pump and a pump drive has a rectangular cross section. End fittings having a rod receiving cavity are connected to the rod ends using a curable adhesive. The rod fitting is maintained in a vertical position with the cavity facing upwardly. The rod end portion is positioned in the cavity with the end at the bottom of the cavity. Curable adhesive is introduced into the cavity. A centralizer bushing is used to maintain alignment of the rod relative to the cavity. A portable heating device receives the fitting and rod end portion and enhances the curing process.
US08500940B2	Hook-engageable fastener sheets, and methods and articles of manufacture Lightweight, hook-engageable materials capable of functioning as hook-engageable fasteners are treated and configured for use for economical and attractive displays and decorations. Laminates of the material with various substrates with associated printing are used to form visually attractive point of purchase, merchandise or trade show displays. Self-supporting or stable materials having lettering or designs on their surface are used to form banners or floor coverings. Non-woven materials with varied areal density of fibers perform those functions with particular economy. Low density knit fabrics are also useful according to broad features of the invention. Methods are shown to produce reinforced corrugated board and desirably laminated and printed materials having hook-engageable surfaces.
US08500933B2	Localized heating of edge seals for a vacuum insulating glass unit, and/or unitized oven for accomplishing the same Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to edge sealing techniques for vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to techniques for providing localized heating to edge seals of units, and/or unitized ovens for accomplishing the same. In certain example embodiments, a unit is pre-heated to one or more intermediate temperatures, localized heating (e.g., from one or more substantially linear focused IR heat sources) is provided proximate to the peripheral edges of the unit so as to melt frits placed thereon, and cooled. In certain non-limiting implementations, the pre-heating and/or cooling may be provided in one or more steps. An oven for accomplishing the same may include multiple zones for performing the above-noted steps, each zone optionally including one or more chambers. Accordingly, in certain example embodiments, a temperature gradient proximate to the edges of the unit is created, thereby reducing the chances of breakage and/or at least some de-tempering of the substrates.
US08500927B2	Manufacturing apparatus of hot-rolled steel sheet and manufacturing method of hot rolled steel sheet The present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus of a hot-rolled steel sheet capable of cooling control of a steel sheet even when disposing a cooling device capable of cooling from inside a finishing mill.The manufacturing apparatus of a hot-rolled steel sheet comprises: an immediate rapid-cooling device capable of spraying cooling water, at least a part thereof being disposed inside a final stand in the row of hot finishing mills; a device for measuring a temperature on an entry side of a final stand; a device for measuring a steel sheet passing speed; a device for predicting a rapid-cooling stopping temperature which calculates a predicted rapid-cooling stopping temperature; and an immediate rapid-cooling control device which corrects the water supply volume or water supply pressure of the immediate rapid-cooling device such that the predicted rapid-cooling stopping temperature matches a targeted rapid-cooling stopping temperature.
US08500926B2	Aluminum alloy material for high-temperature/high-speed molding, method of producing the same, and method of producing a molded article of an aluminum alloy An aluminum alloy material for high-temperature/high-speed molding containing 2.0 to 8.0 mass % of Mg, 0.05 to 1.0 mass % of Mn, 0.01 to 0.3 mass % of Zr, 0.06 to 0.4 mass % of Si and 0.06 to 0.4 mass % of Fe, with the balance being made of aluminum and inevitable impurities; an aluminum alloy material for high-temperature/high-speed molding containing 2.0 to 8.0% of Mg, 0.05 to 1.5% of Mn and 0.05 to 0.4% of Cr, Fe being restricted to 0.4% or less and Si being restricted to 0.4% or less, the grain diameter of a Cr-base intermetallic compound formed by melt-casting being 20 μm or less, and grains of intermetallic compounds with a grain diameter in the range from 50 to 1,000 nm as Mn-base and Cr-base precipitates being present in a distribution density of 350,000 grains/mm2 or more, the aluminum alloy material being used for high-temperature/high-speed molding by subjecting the alloy material to cooling at a cooling rate of 20° C./min or more immediately after molding at a temperature range from 200 to 550° C. and at a strain rate from 10−2 to 10/sec; and a method of producing the aluminum alloy material.
US08500925B2	Method to produce monotectic dispersed metallic alloys The invention relates to a method for producing monotectic alloys with finely dispersed and homogeneously distributed second phase particles from two or more starting metals or alloys, in which the two or more metals or alloys are melted together or separately and the two or more, practically immiscible liquid metallic alloys are mixed to disperse the alloy of lower volume ratio with the other alloy of higher volume ratio, then the system is cooled below the eutectic temperature. The characteristic feature of the method is that at least one of the starting alloys contains stabilizing solid particles.
US08500913B2	Methods for treating surfaces, and methods for removing one or more materials from surfaces Some embodiments include utilization of both plasma and aerosol to treat substrate surfaces. The plasma and aerosol may be utilized simultaneously, or sequentially. In some embodiments, the plasma forms a plasma sheath over the substrate surfaces, with the plasma sheath having an electric field gradient therein. The aerosol comprises liquid particles charged to a polarity, and such polarity is transferred to contaminants on the substrate surfaces through interaction with the aerosol. The polarity may be used to assist in dislodging the contaminants from the substrate surfaces. The electric field of the plasma sheath may then sweep the contaminants away from the substrate surfaces. In some embodiments, multiple different aerosols are formed to remove multiple different types of materials from substrate surfaces. Some embodiments include apparatuses configured for treating substrate surfaces with both plasma and aerosol.
US08500912B2	Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus Provided is a plasma processing method capable of removing a Ti-series deposit from the surface of a processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus without production of a foreign matter such as a boron oxide. The plasma processing method includes carbon-series deposition discharge which succeeds product etching during which a sample containing a Ti material is processed, and during which a carbon-series film is deposited on a Ti reaction by-product deposited on the surface of the processing chamber, and chlorine-series discharge which succeeds the carbon-series deposition discharge and during which the carbon-series film and Ti that are deposited on the surface of the processing chamber are removed.
US08500909B2	Apparatus for flattening coating material and evaporation deposition device having same An apparatus for processing coating material includes a crucible having a cylindrical receptacle for receiving coating material, a drive member having a drive shaft, and a cover coupled to the drive shaft. The cover has a flat surface. The drive shaft is configured to drive the cover to rotate thereabout between a closed position where the cover covers the receptacle and the flat surface presses against the coating material to flatten the coating material, and an open position where the cover is moved away from the receptacle.
US08500905B2	Kyropoulos sapphire single crystal growing apparatus using elliptic crucible Disclosed is a sapphire single crystal growing apparatus using the Kyropoulos method, and more particularly, is a Kyropoulos sapphire single crystal growing apparatus using an elliptic crucible, which can increase the recovery rate by the elliptic crucible and anisotropic heating.
US08500903B2	Plaster-based material including an agent capable of trapping formaldehyde The present invention relates to a plaster-based material which includes an agent capable of trapping formaldehyde, in particular a plasterboard intended for the interior fittings of residential buildings.The agent capable of trapping formaldehyde is chosen from ethylene urea and its derivatives, compounds comprising active methylene(s), sulphites, tannins and their mixtures.Another subject-matter of the invention is the use of the said material for reducing the amount of formaldehyde present in the atmosphere inside residential buildings.
US08500898B2	Yttria-based slurry composition An yttria-based slurry composition comprising yttria, an aqueous silica binder system or an aqueous ammonium zirconium carbonate binder system and a fluorine compound, which is selected from ammonium fluoride, ammonium hydrogen difluoride, sodium fluoride, potassium fluoride, sodium hydrogen difluoride and/or potassium hydrogen difluoride and a method of stabilizing an yttria-based slurry composition comprising yttria and an aqueous silica binder system or an aqueous ammonium zirconium carbonate binder system which method comprises treating the composition, preferably treating the binder system, with a fluorine compound which is selected as indicated above.
US08500897B2	Ink set, recorded material and printed material An ink set is provided, the ink set including a yellow ink composition; and at least one of a magenta ink composition and a cyan ink composition, wherein a colorant of the yellow ink composition contains an azo pigment represented by formula (1), its tautomer, or a salt or hydrate thereof, the magenta ink composition contains at least one pigment selected from quinacridone pigments, and the cyan ink composition contains at least one pigment selected from phthalocyanine pigments: wherein Z represents atoms necessary to complete a 5- to 8-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycle; Y1, Y2, R11 and R12 each represents a hydrogen or a substituent; G1 and G2 each represents a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; and W1 and W2 each represents an alkoxy group, an amino group, an alkyl group or an aryl group.
US08500895B2	Methods of marking and related structures and compositions Methods are disclosed that include directing electromagnetic radiation and/or heat to a structure, the structure including a substrate, a first layer, and a marking composition between the substrate and the first layer. At least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation and/or heat is transmitted through the first layer and the structure is marked.
US08500893B2	Ship flue gas scrubbing equipment and method This invention involves a marine ship flue gas scrubbing equipment and scrubbing method. The equipment includes a shell with an upper scrubbing section and a water tank in the lower section. A smoke pipe leads in exhaust gas to an area between the scrubbing section and water tank. Scrubbing seawater is injected through an inlet above the scrubbing section, and a cooler is located along the pathway of the exhaust gas. The method of scrubbing includes leading-in exhaust gas, cooling the exhaust gas, injecting scrubbing seawater, performing scrubbing operation, and discharging clean gas. Embodiments of the invention provide a highly efficient scrubbing equipment and method suitable for high-temperature exhaust gas within a limited usable space. The methods and equipment are highly effective for emission reduction, has low energy consumption, small size, and long life performance.
US08500891B2	Waste heat recovery from a carbon capture process A system and process for capturing CO2 100 is disclosed. The process 100 includes reusing heat from a CO2 compression process 120 by providing the heat to a fuel treatment process 130. The heat may used to dry a fossil fuel to improve the efficiency of the fossil fuel combustion.
US08500888B2	Regeneration tower and dry apparatus for exhaust-gas treatment A regeneration tower including a regeneration tower main body having a long trunk, and desorbed gas discharge passages through which a desorbed gas is discharged. The regeneration tower main body is configured so that a heating unit that heats an adsorbent, a separation part that separates desorbable substances as a desorbed gas from the heated adsorbent, and a cooling unit that cools the adsorbent from which the desorbable substances have been desorbed by heating are communicatively disposed in one direction and the heating unit and the cooling unit have approximately the same sectional outer diameter.
US08500887B2	Method of protecting a solid adsorbent and a protected solid adsorbent The present application provides a protected solid adsorbent that includes a solid adsorbent substrate and a surface layer at least partially coating the solid adsorbent substrate, the surface layer being generally permeable to an active agent. Additionally, a process for protecting a solid adsorbent and an adsorption system that includes a vessel containing the protected solid adsorbent is provided.
US08500885B2	Air drier for air suspension of vehicle An air drier for an air suspension of a vehicle for supplying dry air to the air suspension, includes a housing having inflow and outflow ports formed at first and second ends in an axial direction, first and second filters accommodated in the housing, a desiccant agent supported between the first and second filters, and an air guide member arranged between the first filter and the first end of the housing and including a tubular portion and an annular plate having a plurality of holes, the tubular portion covering the inflow port in the axial direction to form a flow passage guiding fluid from the inflow port to the first filter, wherein the fluid guided from the inflow port flows through the flow passage and the first filter into the desiccant agent and is dried thereby, and the dry air is discharged from the outflow port to the air suspension.
US08500883B2	Apparatus and system for filtering air A filter media for use in an inlet air filtration system includes a woven glass material and an amount of carbon impregnated within the woven glass material.
US08500879B2	Oxygen concentrator The present invention provides oxygen concentrators which achieve reliable pressure control in the oxygen columns with reduced number of components for pressure control in the oxygen columns, and also easy maintenance and reduced power consumption. PSA, PVSA, or VSA oxygen concentrator consisting of oxygen concentration columns BF1 and BF2, pressure control means for adjusting pressure in the oxygen concentration columns, and oxygen tank T for storing concentrated oxygen, comprises mechanical flow control means SC1 which regulates flow from the oxygen tank to the oxygen concentration columns. Pressures in the oxygen concentration columns BF1 and BF2 are kept within a predetermined range by the function of mechanical flow control means SC1 placed in between the oxygen concentration columns and the oxygen tank.
US08500873B2	Physical structure of exhaust-gas cleaning installations A waste-gas cleaning system for cleaning aerosol-laden gases or atmospheres includes an inlet configured to intake raw gas, an outlet configured to discharge clean gas and at least one assembly including an ionization section and a downstream central collection section disposed centrally with respect to a channel axis. The ionization section includes at least one level at a right angle to the channel axis. The at least one assembly includes at least two substantially identical ionization stages disposed in a plane and arranged uniformly about the channel axis and configured to conduct a gas flow radially, with respect to the channel axis, inward therethrough into the downstream central collection section so as to be similarly diverted such that a flow profile over an inside cross section in the downstream central collection section is not inclined with respect to the channel axis in the course of the gas flow.
US08500869B1	Anti-rotation deaerator outlet diffuser A deaerator includes a case defining a vortex chamber, a fluid inlet for allowing a mixture of lubricating liquid and air to pass through the case into the vortex chamber, an air outlet for allowing air flow out of the deaerator, and a liquid outlet for allowing lubricating liquid flow out of the deaerator. A porous diffuser is positioned proximate the liquid outlet. A plate is positioned adjacent the porous diffuser and has a first surface in contact with the porous diffuser.
US08500864B2	Method and plant for treating crude gas, in particular biogas, containing methane and carbon dioxide in order to produce methane A method for treating crude gas, in particular biogas, containing methane and carbon dioxide, in order to produce methane, and a plant suitable for carrying out the method. The method includes (a) washing the crude gas with an amine-containing washing solution, thereby forming a pure gas stream of methane and water, from which water is separated by subsequent cooling and condensation; (b) compressing and heating the washing solution containing CO2 and sulfur compounds and expanding the washing solution in a first expansion stage, during a secondary reaction time of 280 to 1200 seconds and at a constant reaction temperature; (c) cooling the purified washing solution and expanding it in a second expansion stage to normal pressure, whereupon any residual amounts of soluble CO2 and sulfur compounds are separated and the completely purified washing solution is cooled to normal temperature and returned to the washing stage.
US08500863B2	Room temperature chemical trap for the purification of gaseous methane A room temperature trap for the purification and concentration of gaseous methane. The trap utilizes the adsorption and desorption properties of microporous spherical carbon molecular sieves to purify and concentrate radiolabelled methane for application in an automated synthesis module without the need for cryogenic cooling.
US08500861B2	Carbon dioxide capture/regeneration method using co-generation New and useful system and method concepts are provided, for removing carbon dioxide from a flow of carbon dioxide laden air. More specifically, a sorbent structure is used in new and useful structures and techniques to bind carbon dioxide in a carbon dioxide laden air stream, and process heat is used to separate carbon dioxide from the sorbent structure and regenerate the sorbent structure.
US08500860B2	Carbon dioxide capture/regeneration method using effluent gas New and useful system and method concepts are provided, for removing carbon dioxide from a flow of carbon dioxide laden air. More specifically, a sorbent structure is used in new and useful structures and techniques to bind carbon dioxide in a carbon dioxide laden air stream, and process heat is used to separate carbon dioxide from the sorbent structure and regenerate the sorbent structure.
US08500858B2	Carbon dioxide capture/regeneration method using vertical elevator New and useful system and method concepts are provided, for removing carbon dioxide from a flow of carbon dioxide laden air. More specifically, a sorbent structure is used in new and useful structures and techniques to bind carbon dioxide in a carbon dioxide laden air stream, and process heat is used to separate carbon dioxide from the sorbent structure and regenerate the sorbent structure.
US08500857B2	Carbon dioxide capture/regeneration method using gas mixture New and useful system and method concepts are provided, for removing carbon dioxide from a flow of carbon dioxide laden air. More specifically, a sorbent structure is used in new and useful structures and techniques to bind carbon dioxide in a carbon dioxide laden air stream, and process heat is used to separate carbon dioxide from the sorbent structure and regenerate the sorbent structure.
US08500855B2	System and method for carbon dioxide capture and sequestration A method and a system to remove relatively pure carbon dioxide directly from ambient air. The method comprises generating process heat, to co-generate substantially saturated steam; alternately and repeatedly exposing a sorbent to a flow of ambient air, at substantially ambient conditions, to sorb, and therefore remove, carbon dioxide from said ambient air, and exposing the CO2-laden sorbent to a flow of the co-generated steam, at a temperature in the range of not greater than about 130° C, to release the carbon dioxide, thereby regenerating the sorbent, and capturing relatively pure carbon dioxide. To render this process more efficient, admix with the air a minor amount of a pre-treated effluent gas containing a higher concentration of carbon dioxide than in the atmosphere. The captured carbon dioxide can be stored for further use, or sequestered permanently. The purified carbon dioxide is useful for agriculture or chemical processes.
US08500854B1	Regenerable sorbent technique for capturing CO2 using immobilized amine sorbents The disclosure provides a CO2 absorption method using an amine-based solid sorbent for the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream. The method disclosed mitigates the impact of water loading on regeneration by utilizing a conditioner following the steam regeneration process, providing for a water loading on the amine-based solid sorbent following CO2 absorption substantially equivalent to the moisture loading of the regeneration process. This assists in optimizing the CO2 removal capacity of the amine-based solid sorbent for a given absorption and regeneration reactor size. Management of the water loading in this manner allows regeneration reactor operation with significant mitigation of energy losses incurred by the necessary desorption of adsorbed water.
US08500853B2	Gas purification system and method for liquefaction of dilute gas components The invention provides gas purification methods and systems for the recovery and liquefaction of low boiling point organic and inorganic gases, such as methane, propane, CO2, NH3, and chlorofluorocarbons. Many such gases are in the effluent gas of industrial processes and the invention can increase the sustainability and economics of such industrial processes. In a preferred method of the invention, low boiling point gases are adsorbed with a heated activated carbon fiber material maintained at an adsorption temperature during an adsorption cycle. During a low boiling point desorption cycle the activated carbon fiber is heated to a desorption temperature to create a desorption gas stream with concentrated low boiling point gases. The desorption gas stream is actively compressed and/or cooled to condense and liquefy the low boiling point gases, which can then be collected, stored, re-used, sold, etc. Systems of the invention include an active condensation loop that actively cools and/or compresses a desorption gas stream from said vessel to liquefy low boiling point gases.
US08500850B2	Process and zeolitic materials for the separation of gases The present invention relates to a process for the separation of gases which comprises putting a mixture of gases in contact with a zeolite of the ESV type to obtain the selective adsorption of at least one of the gases forming the gaseous mixture. The present invention also relates to particular zeolitic compositions suitable as adsorbents.
US08500848B2	Systems and methods for air dehumidification and cooling with membrane water vapor rejection The present disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial membrane water vapor rejection into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently expelled through a membrane vapor rejection unit to ambient conditions.
US08500846B2	Rare metal extractant The present invention is to provide a novel rare metal extractant containing a cyclic phenol sulfide derivative of the formula (1) and a method for extractive separation of rare metal(s) using the rare metal extractant with high efficiency.
US08500844B2	Process for producing powders of germanium A method of producing a powder of crystalline germanium.
US08500840B2	Cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb filter and its production method A cordierite-based ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a honeycomb structure having a large number of flow paths partitioned by porous cell walls, and plugs alternately formed in said flow paths on the exhaust-gas-inlet side or the exhaust-gas-outlet side for permitting an exhaust gas to pass through said porous cell walls to remove particulate matter from the exhaust gas, said porous cell walls having porosity of 45-58%, an average pore size of 15-30 μm, the volume of pores having pore sizes exceeding 50 μm being more than 10% and 25% or less of the total pore volume, the volume of pores having pore sizes of 100 μm or more being 1-8% of the total pore volume, the volume of pores having pore sizes of less than 10 μm being 3-10% of the total pore volume, and said pores having a pore size distribution deviation σ [=log(D20)−log(D80)] of 0.6 or less, wherein D20 represents a pore size (μm) at a pore volume corresponding to 20% of the total pore volume, and D80 represents a pore size (μm) at a pore volume corresponding to 80% of the total pore volume, both in a curve representing the relation between the pore size and the cumulative pore volume, and D80
US08500839B2	Panel filter A panel filter including a pleated filter media, a frame and a screen is provided. The pleated filter media is supported by the frame which is a one-piece die cut frame or a two-piece die cut frame with integrally formed webbing and border. The pleated filter media is further supported by the screen on one or both sides.
US08500835B2	Hollow body for capturing particles in an exhaust gas line, exhaust-gas treatment device and motor vehicle A hollow body for capturing particles includes at least one at least partially permeable wall extending between two at least partially oppositely disposed openings and along a first longitudinal direction. The hollow body has a primary cross-sectional shape defining a first cross-sectional area. At least one of the openings defines a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area. An exhaust-gas treatment device having an exhaust line and a motor vehicle having an exhaust-gas treatment device are also provided.
US08500831B2	Device for continuously conditioning fed-out natural gas A device for continuously conditioning fed-out natural gas prior to feeding the same to supply lines leading to consumers has a mixing station for producing a burnable gas from natural gas and oxygen, a reactor container for a catalytic combustion of an introduced mixture of burnable gas and natural gas, at least one drying station that is connected downstream of an outlet of the reactor container, at least one separator, particularly for water, and at least one expansion fitting for reducing the pressure. The reactor container and separator chamber of the separator are disposed in an enclosed housing. The mixing chamber, into which a first feed line for fed-out cold natural gas opens, is disposed in the housing between the reactor container and the separator chamber.
US08500829B2	Biomass oil conversion using carbon monoxide and water A pyrolysis oil derived from a lignocellulosic biomass material is converted into precursors for liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels by contacting the oil with water and carbon monoxide at elevated temperature, typically from 280 to 350° C., an elevated pressure, typically a total system pressure of 12 to 30 MPa and a CO partial pressure from 5 to 10 MPa and a weight ratio of water:biomass oil from 0.5:1 to 5.0:1, to dissolve the oil into the reaction mixture and depolymerize, deoxygenate and hydrogenate the oil, so converting it into liquid transportation fuel precursors.
US08500828B2	Process for preparing a bio-diesel The present invention relates to a process for preparing a bio-diesel, comprising the steps of, in the presence of an additional free fatty acid source, reacting a raw oil-fat with C1-C6 monohydric alcohol in a reactor, and separating fatty acid esters from the reacted materials, so as to produce the bio-diesel, wherein the amount of the free fatty acid in the free fatty acid source ranges from 2-100 wt % and is higher than the amount of the free fatty acid in the raw fat-oil. The present process can increase the fatty acid ester yield and purity of raw oil-fats having a low reaction activity, and has a high adaptability to raw materials.
US08500827B2	Nano-dispersions of coal in water as the basis of fuel related technologies and methods of making same Colloidal coal-in-water slurries having nano-particles of coal creating a pseudo-fluid. The colloidal coal-in-water slurry generally includes from about fifty to about seventy two weight percent of coal, with about 20 to about 80 percent of the coal having a particle size of about one micron or less with a mode particle size of about 250 nanometers. The coal-in-water slurry can also include a surfactant system containing one surfactant or mixtures of two or more surfactants, or mixtures of one or more surfactants and an inorganic or organic salt. The coal-in-water slurry can be used in low NOx burner applications as the main fuel and/or the reburn fuel, in gasification processes as the input fuel either alone, or in combination with organic materials, in gas turbine applications, and in diesel engine applications.
US08500824B2	Knee joint including manual lock mechanism and artificial thigh The disclosure relates to a technology of a manual lock mechanism for manually switching over the oscillating motion of an upper member and a lower member at a knee joint between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. More particularly, the disclosure aims at a simple structure of the manual lock mechanism and a size reduction of the knee joint or an artificial leg including the manual lock mechanism. For these purposes, one of oscillating shafts for swingingly coupling the upper and lower members is regulated. Therefore, the manual lock mechanism includes an oscillating shaft including an irregular part and a lock member for regulating the movement of the oscillating shaft. The lock member can be switched over between a locked condition where the lock member is in contact with the irregular part of the oscillating shaft and the unlocked condition where it is separate from the irregular part. When the lock member is in the locked condition, force from the oscillating shaft is applied as compression load in the longitudinal direction of the lock member.
US08500822B2	Artificial tissue construct and method for producing the same An object of the present invention is to provide an artificial tissue construct that has means for transporting nutrients, oxygen, waste products, or the like and is viable in vivo. The present invention relates to a tissue construct formed in vitro, which comprises a vascular layer, a basal membrane layer, and a tissue-forming cell layer.
US08500813B2	Minimally invasive spinal distraction devices and methods Systems are provided for reducing the complexity and invasiveness of spinal stabilization procedures and provide an expandable device deliverable to a spinal implantation location. The expandable device can be delivered through a minimally invasive access portal and expanded at the implantation location to manipulate one or more bony structures or maintain a configuration of one or more bony structures.
US08500810B2	Adjustable posterior spinal column positioner Height-adjustable devices suitable for insertion between posterior spinal processes that allow the surgeon to post-operatively adjust the height of the implant.
US08500795B2	Retrievable devices for improving cardiac function Removable cardiac implants, applicators for inserting, repositioning and/or removing them, and methods of using them are described. In particular, removable or repositionable ventricular partitioning devices are described. Systems including removable implants and applicators for inserting and/or removing them are also described.
US08500793B2	Helical implant having different ends Preferred embodiments of an implantable medical device with a high degree of flexibility is shown and described. One aspect includes an implantable stent having an intermediate portion with a helical winding and first and second end portions. The implantable stent further includes a coupling portion with a helical winding, and bridges joining struts of defining the helical windings. The stent also includes a paddle providing a bridge joining the ends or the helical windings. Another aspect relates to a radially self-expansible stent with a plurality of radiopaque markers attached to it. The markers are shaped and located at the stent end such that the compressive stress exerted on the end annulus of the stent during release of the stent is shared between the markers and the inflection zones that do not carry a marker.
US08500785B2	Catheter A catheter including a tube and a coil at least partially surrounding the tube is disclosed. The coil can include a first portion including a first material, and a second portion including a second material.
US08500784B2	Variable angle screw plate systems A bone fixation element comprises a shaft extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and a head connected to the proximal end of the shaft. The head includes a radially outer abutting structure deformable to lockingly engage an inner wall of an opening through a bone plate. Deformation of the abutting structure permits the head to lock the bone fixation element within the opening at any user-selected angle with respect to a central axis of the opening within a permitted range of angulation.
US08500781B2	Method for stabilizing a spine Spine stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided in which a single resilient member or spring is disposed on an elongate element that spans two attachment members attached to different spinal vertebrae. The elongate element passes through at least one of the two attachment members, permitting relative motion therebetween, and terminates in a stop or abutment. A second resilient member is disposed on the elongate element on an opposite side of the sliding attachment member, e.g., in an overhanging orientation. The two resilient members are capable of applying mutually opposing urging forces, and a compressive preload can be applied to one or both of the resilient members.
US08500774B2	Vein filter A vessel filter comprising a first distal region terminating at a first end and a second proximal region terminating at a second end of the filter and movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. The first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter. The second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the filter portion and includes a vessel engaging portion at the second end portion. The first region has a retrieval hook and a spacer forming a looped region extending radially from the first region.
US08500771B2	Rectal balloon apparatus with pressure relieving lumen and sensors A rectal balloon apparatus comprises a shaft having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. A rectal gas relieving lumen may be positioned with the shaft for removal of rectal gas. A motion detecting sensor and a radiation detecting sensor may be positioned with the balloon, the shaft, and/or the rectal gas release lumen.
US08500769B2	Surgical tool system with quick release coupling assembly A surgical tool system with a handpiece and a cutting accessory that has inner and outer hubs. The handpiece has a spring biased lock ring that abuts a complementary stop member integral with the accessory outer hub to hold the accessory to the handpiece. An RFID chip is disposed against an inner wall of the accessory outer hub. An elastomeric seal pressed against the inner wall of the accessory outer hub provides environmental protection for the RFID chip. The seal has a rib that extends around the outer perimeter of the proximal end of the outer hub so as to form a seal between the accessory and an adjacent inner wall of the handpiece. Stop tabs extend inwardly from the seal to prevent the drive hub disposed inside the outer hub from falling out.
US08500767B2	Surgical blade for use with a surgical tool for making incisions for scleral eye implants A surgical blade is disclosed for use with a surgical tool for making incisions in the sclera of an eye to form a scleral pocket to receive a scleral prosthesis. The surgical blade comprises a rotatable support arm capable of being rotated by the surgical tool and a detachable curved cutting blade for making incisions in the sclera of an eye. The surgical tool causes the curved cutting blade to advance through the sclera to form an incision having dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis. When the incision is complete the curved cutting blade is detached from the rotatable support arm. The curved cutting blade is then removed from the incision by pulling the curved cutting blade forward out of the incision. The incision has the exact dimensions to receive a scleral prosthesis.
US08500761B2	Fixation devices, systems and methods for engaging tissue The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.
US08500760B2	Retractable tacking device The present embodiments provide a tacking device for engaging tissue, which may be useful for coupling a graft to tissue or facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, the tacking device comprises a main body having proximal and distal ends, and further comprises at least one proximal deployable member and at least one distal deployable member, each having contracted and expanded states. The proximal deployable members extend proximally from the proximal end of the main body, while the distal deployable members extend distally from the distal end of the main body. In one embodiment, a hook member extends from at least one of the proximal deployable members. In use, the hook member may be engaged, for example, using a loop member coupled to a stylet, thereby facilitating controlled release of the tacking device and allowing repositioning of the tacking device after at least partial deployment of the distal deployable members.
US08500756B2	Quick load mechanism for a surgical suturing apparatus A surgical suturing apparatus includes a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a handle attached thereto and the distal end has a suturing body attached thereto. The handle is operatively connected to the suturing body. The suturing body includes a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue. A mechanism is provided for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection between the handle and the suturing body.
US08500754B2	Handheld, personal skin care systems with detachable skin care elements A skin care element holder for use with a handheld body having a receptacle includes a substantially circular plate having a diameter between about 20 and about 60 mm. The substantially circular plate has a first surface for coupling to the skin care element; a second surface; and an outer peripheral edge. The second surface of the substantially circular plate has at least one spacer leg; a plurality of engagement arms; and at least one key. Each of the at least one spacer leg, engagement arms and key extend from the second surface in a direction away from the first surface. The at least one spacer leg supports the plate in the receptacle. At least one of said engagement arms includes a snap-fit projection for engagement with a recess in the receptacle. The key is arranged and configured to fit into a notch in the receptacle.
US08500753B2	Surgical manipulator for a telerobotic system A manipulator assembly (2) for holding and manipulating a surgical instrument (14) in a telerobotic system, comprising an instrument holder (4) movably mounted on a base. The instrument holder comprises a chassis (6) and an instrument support (70) movably mounted on the body and having an interface engageable with the surgical instrument to releasably mount the instrument to the instrument holder. A drive assembly (7) is operatively coupled to the instrument holder for providing the instrument with at least two degrees of freedom. The instrument holder is separable from the base and the drive assembly so that the holder can be sterilized. The assembly is attached to a remote center positioner (300) for constraining the instrument to rotate a point coincident with the entry incision and an inclinometer (350) for preventing gravitational forces acting on the system's mechanisms from being felt by the surgeon.
US08500748B2	Tool and component engaging mechanism A component with an engaging mechanism is disclosed. The component comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to cooperate with a tool. The proximal end comprises an outer portion configured for cooperating with the tool and an inner portion configured for cooperating with the tool, wherein the inner portion comprises an engaging element configured for cooperating with a distal portion of the tool so that the engaging element provides a temporary engagement between the component and the distal portion of the tool. A system for engaging a component with a tool also is disclosed.
US08500747B2	Instruments and methods for spinal implant revision Instruments and methods are provided for re-positioning and extracting spinal implants in a space between vertebrae. The instruments can include rotater instruments, hook instruments, and extractor instruments engageable to the implant. The extractor instruments can include a shaft assembly, an actuator assembly at a proximal end of said shaft assembly, and an engaging assembly at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The engaging assembly includes a support member fixedly coupled with and extending distally from the shaft assembly and a clamping member coupled with at least one of the shaft assembly and the support member. The actuator assembly is operably linked to the clamping member with the shaft assembly to move the clamping member toward the support member with the actuator assembly.
US08500745B2	Aiming device for inserting stable-angle, long screws in the articular region of a bone The invention relates to an aiming device (100) for boring a hole in a region of a bone (300) that lies in the vicinity of a joint. Said device consists of a U-shaped bow (110) comprising at least one contact element (120) on one end and on the other end of the bow (110) a screw spindle (130) that can be displaced in the direction of, or in the opposite direction to the contact element (120), said spindle comprising a rotary grip (132) for clamping the device (100) on the region in the vicinity of the joint. The device also comprises a bore bushing (140), which can be placed on and removed from the end comprising the contact element (120). The compression of the bone that is generated by the bow (110) is maintained after the removal of the bore bushing (140) for the insertion of the bone screw.
US08500744B2	Cap and activation tool A cap used during the insertion of an acetabular cup prosthesis. The cap includes impaction plate having an upperside and an underside. The impaction plate includes a plurality of separate sectors mutually connected at a connection point on the impaction plate by flanges. Each sector includes interlocking elements which in use enable the impaction plate to be connected to an introduction tool. The cap also includes at least one lug extending downwardly from the underside of each sector. The lug is located at the portion of the underside of the impaction plate which will in use enable the lug to be interconnected with a corresponding recess on an internal wall, an external wall or a rim of a prosthesis.
US08500742B2	Device and method for treatment or evacuation of intervertebral disc or vertebral body A method of positioning an S-shaped elongated tool in an intervertebral disc or a vertebral body. The S-shaped elongated tool has shape memory properties and retains its predetermined arcuate shape when no pressure or force is applied to it.
US08500738B2	Electromagnetic apparatus and method for nerve localization during spinal surgery An electromagnetic pedicle awl utilizes a tightly focused time-varying magnetic flux to create a localized electromotive force (EMF) near the tip. The localized EMF creates localized eddy currents in nearby nerves which excite ionic nerve channels, the excitation being detected by an electromyographic recording device. The awl only excites nerves directly in front of and directly to the side of the tip. The awl is comprised of a tapered awl or drill tip in combination with a solid core surrounded by a solenoid. A pulsed electric current source drives the solenoid to create a time-varying magnetic field in the vicinity of the tapered tip. The awl or drill tip may be stationary with respect to the solenoid or it may rotate. The awl in combination with an EMG detector connected to a patient is sensitive to the pedicle hole position with respect to adjacent nerves and reduces false placement failure.
US08500729B2	Electrosurgical device with controllable electric field profile An electrosurgical device includes a plurality of electrodes arranged to form a tissue treatment surface and a power supply. The power supply is configured to deliver a first drive signal with a first phase to at least a first one of the plurality of electrodes and a second drive signal with a second phase to at least a second one of the plurality of electrodes such that an electric field extends from the tissue treatment surface, where the first phase and the second phase are different. The power supply is further configured to receive an input from an operator of the electrosurgical device, and adjust the first phase or the second phase such that an aspect of the electric field extending from the tissue treatment surface changes in response to the input from the operator.
US08500728B2	Enhanced control systems including flexible shielding and support systems for electrosurgical applications A surgical system comprises a device adapted to deliver a plurality of surgical instruments to a site within a patient's body, a first surgical instrument comprising an active electrode probe, a second surgical instrument for performing a non-electrosurgical procedure, a conductive shield surrounding the active electrode probe of the first surgical instrument and connected to a reference potential, and a cold instrument monitor connected to the second surgical instrument and to the reference potential.
US08500726B2	Electrosurgical ablation apparatus and a method of ablating biological tissue A portable electrosurgical system (100) for treating biological tissue with microwave radiation (e.g. having a frequency between 500 MHz and 60 GHz) is disclosed. The system comprises a hand-held microwave sub-assembly (102) which generates and amplifies a microwave signal (which may be continuous or modulated) for treatment and includes a treatment antenna (116) for delivering the radiation. Diode detectors (120, 122) in the sub-assembly (102) may detect forward and reflected power levels to enable determination of net delivered power. A dynamic impedance matching system may be provided to match energy developed by amplifiers (110, 112) in the sub-assembly (102) to the biological tissue load. A tuning filter (144) and couplers (146, 148, 150, 152) for extracting magnitude and phase information from the microwave signal are thus provided in the sub-assembly.
US08500725B2	Optical system for ophthalmic surgical laser A laser system for ophthalmic surgery includes a laser engine to generate a pulsed laser beam, and an XY scanner, to receive the generated pulsed laser beam, and to output a scanning laser beam, the XY scanner including an X scanner, including two X scanning minors, and a Y scanner, including two Y scanning minors. The XY scanner can modify essentially independently an angle the outputted scanning laser beam makes with an optical axis, and a position at which the outputted scanning laser beam intersects a subsequent reference plane perpendicular to the optical axis.
US08500724B2	Method and apparatus for patterned plasma-mediated laser trephination of the lens capsule and three dimensional phaco-segmentation System and method for making incisions in eye tissue at different depths. The system and method focuses light, possibly in a pattern, at various focal points which are at various depths within the eye tissue. A segmented lens can be used to create multiple focal points simultaneously. Optimal incisions can be achieved by sequentially or simultaneously focusing lights at different depths, creating an expanded column of plasma, and creating a beam with an elongated waist.
US08500721B2	Medical manipulator A medical manipulator is provided. The medical manipulator includes an end effector that is configured to perform motions with respect to at least two different axes, and that is inserted in a body cavity during operation of the medical manipulator. The medical manipulator also includes at least two cylindrical motors that each include a longitudinal axis and that drive at least a part of the end effector. The motors remain outside a living body during operation of the medical manipulator and the motors are mounted on at least one bracket. A shaft interconnects the bracket and the end effector. A longitudinal axis of the shaft extends substantially parallel to each of the longitudinal axes of the motors.
US08500720B2	Method and apparatus for treatment of cardiac disorders The present invention is directed to systems and methods for delivering therapy for a cardiac disorder, wherein the system comprises a source for supplying a protein formulation containing a protein that is otherwise deficient in cardiac cells in a patient with a cardiac disorder, and a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end for delivering the protein formulation to the pericardial sac region of a human heart.
US08500717B2	Connection piece for an enteral transfer system The present invention relates to a connection piece for an enteral transfer system and to an enteral transfer system with such a connection piece, and also to an arrangement composed of such a transfer system and of an enteral feed probe. The connection piece according to the present invention comprises a distal attachment piece for attachment of a connection piece of a probe tube of an enteral feed probe, and a proximal attachment piece for attachment of the connection tube of a transfer system. The distal attachment piece of the connection piece is conical or is designed in stepped fashion with several portions of different diameter. The distal attachment piece can therefore be releasably connected to the funnel-shaped connection pieces of different diameter of the probe tubes of the known feed probes. The connection piece according to the present invention can be used universally in this respect. The distal attachment piece of the connection piece according to the present invention has a locking element which is designed in such a way that a releasable form-fit connection can be made to a connection piece of a probe tube of an enteral feed probe that has a locking element complementing the locking element of the distal attachment piece.
US08500716B2	Medication reservoir A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. A base is provided which is adapted to receive a reservoir. The base has a base engagement member, such as a detent, projecting therefrom. A cap is provided which is adapted to receive the base. The cap includes a first cap engagement member, such as a detent opening, which is adapted to removably engage the base detent. The cap further includes a second cap detent opening which is adapted to removably engage the base detent. A piercing member, such as a needle, is disposed in the interior of the cap in such a manner that the needle is separated from the reservoir septum when the base detent is in the first cap detent opening, and the needle pierces the reservoir septum when the base detent is in the second cap detent opening. When the reservoir, the base and the cap are connected to form an integrated unit, this unit is then capable of being inserted and secured in the infusion pump housing.
US08500714B2	Treating heart tissue Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.
US08500712B2	Kit for collecting blood, preferably peripheral blood, for the production of stem cells A kit for collecting blood, preferably peripheral blood, for the production of pluripotent stem cells comprises at least a first container, able to contain the blood taken, which contains an anticoagulant and the substance MCSF (Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor).
US08500710B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article includes a belt member defining front and rear waist regions and a liquid-absorbent structure defining a crotch region wherein the belt member includes a peripheral edge of a waist-opening and this peripheral edge includes two segments associated with the front and rear waist regions spaced from and opposed to each other in an anteroposterior direction Y. Front and rear belt sections of the belt member include, in the front and rear waist regions, see-through regions for the article wearer's skin having a total light transmittance of about 55% or higher and occupying 40% or more of the front and rear waist regions. The front and rear belt sections are provided along the peripheral edge of the waist-opening with a reinforcing elastic member extending in a transverse direction X.
US08500709B2	Absorbent article An absorbent article that is worn by a user, including: a main body section of the absorbent article; an absorbent body that includes an absorbent member absorbing liquid, that has a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, that is superposed on a user side of the main body section, whose one end section of the longitudinal direction is joined to the main body section at a first joined section, and whose another end section of the longitudinal direction is joined to the main body section at a second joined section; and a restricting member that is disposed between the first joined section and the second joined section in the longitudinal direction, and that restricts relative shifting between the main body section and the absorbent body when the main body section and the absorbent body that are superposed are folded.
US08500701B2	Administering device comprising display drum A device for administering a product dose, the device including a display drum for displaying the product dose, a housing, a first conveying member moveable relative to the housing in a conveying direction, a second conveying member moveable relative to the housing in and counter to the conveying direction, the second conveying member in a first threaded engagement with the first conveying member while being rotationally movable relative to the housing and the first conveying member and being translationally movable relative to the first conveying member counter to the conveying direction, a metering apparatus by which the product dose can be adjusted and which encompasses the display drum, the display drum being rotationally movable relative to the housing while being translationally movable in and counter to the conveying direction in a second threaded engagement, and a coupling element which interconnects the first conveying member and the display drum in a torsion-resistant manner in a coupling engagement which is releasable by actuating the device for administering.
US08500694B2	System and method for communication with an infusion device It may desirable to monitor or control a pump remotely. For example, the pump may be positioned near the patient, with remote control or monitoring of the pump occurring in a control room. In one exemplary embodiment, the pump is used in an MRI environment. In another exemplary embodiment, the pump is used in a hyperbaric chamber. The pump may monitor one or more physiological parameters and transmit them to the remote. The pump may also transmit information relating to the pump's operation. The pump may send the device and/or physiological data using one or more packets. The packets may consist of low priority sequential packets and high-priority asynchronous packets. The high-priority packets may enable the real-time monitoring of a patient's heart beat or other physiological parameter.
US08500693B2	Autoinjector received in external socket The present invention relates to a device for automatic injection of a product, comprising: a body (3) housing a container, the container being movable relative to said body between an initial position, to an insertion position; a safety shield (26) movable with respect to said container and said body between an insertion position to a protection position, when the user removes the device from an injection site; an external socket (48) receiving the body and provided with selection means (53) which can be placed by a user: either in a first position, in which the body (3) and the external socket (48) are bound to each other, the safety shield extending beyond the distal end of both said body and said external socket in the protection position; or in a second position, in which the external socket (48) is able to move axially in the distal direction with respect to the body (3), both the safety shield and the external socket extending beyond the distal end of said body, in the protection position.
US08500688B2	Retrograde coronary sinus perfusion cannula and methods of using same A retrograde coronary sinus perfusion catheter including a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen, and an inflatable balloon spaced proximally from the distal end of the catheter body, wherein the balloon is echogenically enhanced.
US08500687B2	Stent delivery system having a fibrous matrix covering with improved stent retention The present invention provides an intraluminal stent delivery catheter device having improved stent retention. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a catheter having an expandable member and a fibrous matrix positioned over the expandable member and a stent mounted on the outer surface of the fibrous matrix. The fibrous matrix provides mechanical interface for improved stent retention, delivery and deployment.
US08500685B2	Treating heart tissue Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.
US08500678B1	Method and apparatus for applying an anesthetic A method and an apparatus for applying an anesthetic include an elongated tubular housing having an upper end, a substantially hollow interior, and a lower end having an injection needle extending therefrom. A first chamber is formed within the housing interior for holding an anesthetic cartridge therein. A second chamber receives a cannister containing an endothermic gas that rapidly absorbs heat when released to the atmosphere. The cartridge is penetrated by a plunger that forces the anesthetic through the injection needle. A depressible trigger propels the gas through an outlet nozzle that is oriented to project a stream of gas along a delivery axis that intersects a delivery axis of the needle; therefore, the gas and anesthetic can be successively delivered to an injection site with minimal repositioning of the housing. Accordingly, a dental practitioner can initially disperse the endothermic gas onto the injection site to minimize any pain and discomfort associated with an injection. Subsequently, the practitioner inserts the needle into the deadened site and injects the anesthetic.
US08500675B2	Multilumen catheter with pressure resistant lumen and method The assembly comprises two or more catheter tubes fused together to form a fused catheter bundle. Each tube has at least one lumen extending longitudinally through the catheter from its distal end to its proximal end and wherein at least one of said tubes comprises a pressure resistant lumen. The tubes are fused together by use of heat & pressure generated by heat shrinkable tube slides positioned over a segment of the catheter tubes while mandrels are positioned within each tube lumen. After cooling, the heat shrinkable tube may be removed and the mandrels removed such that and the fused catheter bundle is formed. One or more of the tubes may be of a different hardness, material and/or color. A distal end of the fused catheter bundle can be split free floating, stepped or tapered tipped. A non fused portion may form catheter extension legs.
US08500674B2	Dialysis catheter A medical catheter comprising a first return lumen, a plurality of withdrawal lumens, a first clamping member and a plurality of intake extension tubes. Each intake extension tube communicates with an intake lumen of the catheter to provide fluid communication with the respective intake lumens. The intake extension tubes are positioned in a stacked arrangement, and the clamping member has a plurality of posts to receive the stacked tubes to limit lateral movement thereof.
US08500672B2	Extracorporeal blood circuit An extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising an expansion chamber for air-blood separation, wherein a filter (38) retains the solid particles in the blood. The filter has a trunco-conical filtering wall with a vertical axis surmounted by a top head (43) provided with upper openings (44) conformed and arranged such as to define a fluid passage which is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical axis. The top head does not retain air bubbles internally thereof, thus preventing a situation in which the air bubbles are directed towards an outlet of the expansion chamber and thus towards the patient. The extracorporeal circuit is used in a dialysis apparatus.
US08500658B2	Nickel-titanium core guide wire A guide wire for use in a medical procedure having a shapeable tip integral with and made from the distal end of a superelastic nitinol distal section of the guide wire, wherein the shapeable tip can be finger kinked. Such a guide wire includes an elongated core made from a superelastic nitinol alloy at the distal end, the distal end of the elongated core having a tapered section leading to a shapeable distal tip. The shapeable tip is an extension of the distal end of the nitinol distal section, and includes permanent strain hardening from at least two different radial directions imparting crystallographic texture in the radial directions that eliminate superelasticity so that permanent deformation can be achieved with finger pressure.
US08500657B2	Twisted ribbon wire guidewire coil A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure.
US08500655B2	Blood test apparatus and method of controlling the same A blood test apparatus having a simple constitution whereby stable measurement can be conducted by surely sampling the blood in an amount being small but sufficient for the test without placing too much burden on a patient. When a first skin contact sensor of this apparatus detects the skin, driving of a negative pressure unit is initiated. Thus, the skin rises and comes into contact with a second skin contact sensor. After piercing into the skin, the negative pressure supply is once ceased. Next, the negative pressure is applied again for a definite period of time. Thus, the opening in the skin is broadened, which facilitates the flow out of the blood.
US08500654B2	Rotating soft tissue biopsy needle A biopsy needle for collecting a tissue specimen includes a housing; an outer cannula that is at least partially received within the housing; and an inner tube received within the outer cannula and is configured to receive a stylet. The needle also includes a snare coil that is formed as part of the inner tube and is coupled to the outer cannula. The needle has a first actuation stage and a second actuation stage that is automatically activated as a result of activation of the first actuation stage. During the first actuation stage, a first mechanism contained at least partially within the housing is actuated to longitudinally and axially advance both the outer cannula and the inner tube as well as causing the outer cannula and the inner tube to simultaneously rotate in unison as the two are longitudinally advanced. In the second stage, a second mechanism contained at least partially within the housing is actuated to cause rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer cannula thereby causing activation of the snare coil.
US08500650B2	Third heart sound activity index for heart failure monitoring A cardiac rhythm management system provides for the trending of a third heart sound (S3) index. The S3 index is a ratio, or an estimate of the ratio, of the number of S3 beats to the number of all heart heats, where the S3 beats are each a heart beat during which an occurrence of S3 is detected. An implantable sensor such as an accelerometer or a microphone senses an acoustic signal indicative heart sounds including S3. An S3 detector detects occurrences of S3 from the acoustic signal. A heart sound processing system trends the S3 index on a periodic basis to allow continuous monitoring of the S3 activity level, which is indicative of conditions related to heart failure.
US08500643B2	Multilayer ultrasound transducer devices for high power transmission and wide-band reception and associated systems and methods Multilayer ultrasound transducer devices for high power transmission and wide-band reception and associated methods and systems are disclosed herein. An ultrasound transducer device in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a first array of first transducers and a second array of second transducers that are oriented substantially parallel to one another. The first transducers can include a first piezoelectric material that is configured to transmit acoustic waves, and the second transducers can include a second piezoelectric material that is configured to receive echoes from the acoustic waves. The ultrasound transducer device can further include an electrical connection layer between the first and second arrays that is electrically coupled to the first and second transducers.
US08500640B2	Blood vessel function inspecting apparatus A blood vessel function inspecting apparatus including blood flow velocity distribution measuring portion for measuring a blood flow velocity distribution within a blood vessel in a non-invasion manner with ultrasonic waves before releasing of the blood vessel from a blood flow obstruction or after a blood vessel diameter measuring time period; viscosity-shear rate relationship calculating portion; and blood shear stress calculating portion for measuring a blood flow velocity within the blood vessel, concurrently with the measurement of a change ratio of the diameter of the blood vessel within the predetermined blood vessel diameter measuring time period after releasing of the blood vessel from the blood flow obstruction, and calculating a blood shear stress on the basis of a measured blood flow velocity, and according to a viscosity-shear rate relationship.
US08500633B2	Methods and devices for providing surgical access through tissue to a surgical site Methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access into a body cavity. A surgical access port is provided that has an adjustable longitudinal length, such as by being formed from multiple segments configured to move relative to one another. An anchor can be coupled to a distal end of the surgical access port to help secure the surgical access port within a tissue opening by engaging a distal side of the tissue. Optionally, the anchor can be removably coupled to the distal end of the surgical access port, thereby allowing any one of a plurality of anchors to be selectively coupled thereto.
US08500627B2	Mechanized dildo A mechanized dildo, including a motor driven coaxial plurality of longitudinally spaced drive cams, and corresponding sets of passive cams that operate within an elastic phallic sleeve to locally cyclically expand a girth of the sleeve. Optional vibratory elements are positioned proximate a distal extremity of the sleeve, and in a laterally extending arm that is formed for clitoral stimulation. A battery powered control handle provides multiple operating modes and speeds.
US08500626B2	System and method for treating and/or preventing erection problems A system for causing penile erection and/or subjecting the penis to stretching. The system utilizes a vacuum source and/or supply device, a housing configured to at least partially receive therein a penis, and a garment or support configured to retain and/or support the housing. Also disclosed is a method of using the system on a user's penis as discussed in the instant application.
US08500621B2	Method for making a blood pump A method of making a blood pump comprises selecting a desired flow pattern in a pumping chamber defined by an extensible bladder wherein the flow pattern is based generally on blood flow in a natural heart, using an initial computer model of the desired flow pattern to determine the material composition and dynamic operation conditions of each portion of the bladder, designing a bladder and pump operating system, computer modeling the actual design, testing and refining the design, and constructing a prototype based thereon. The desired flow pattern includes guiding and directing the flow of blood through the pumping chamber by reason of the action of an expansile bladder on the blood flow. A continuous circular or spiral fluid path is obtained that more effectively washes all areas of the bladder including the inlet and discharge ports with blood to reduce thrombosis.
US08500618B2	Dual gynecological balloon packing system A gynecological balloon apparatus has a first balloon and a second balloon disposed with a gynecological brachytherapy applicator. The first and second balloons are each movable between an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The first and second balloons may conform to a shape of a vaginal cavity when in their inflated conditions. A radiation detecting sensor and a motion detecting sensor may be positioned with the apparatus.
US08500617B2	Method for manufacturing extraction bag sheet A method of manufacturing an extraction bag sheet including: (1) a step of placing and holding tags on a rotary supporting body at predetermined intervals; (2) threading a string into a continuous pattern on the circumferential surface of the rotary supporting body; (3) bonding the string to the tags; (4) supplying a water-permeable filter sheet onto the tags and the string; (5) bonding the water-permeable filter sheet to the string; and (6) bonding the water-permeable filter sheet to the tags. In the bonding steps of (3), (5), and (6), bonding heads are used which are moved reciprocally and oscillatingly about the center axis of the rotary supporting body and moved vertically relative to the circumferential surface of the rotary supporting body by an oscillation servo motor and a vertical movement servo motor.
US08500612B2	Exercise apparatus An exercise apparatus comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which can be designed to support one end of a resilient member in a cantilevered disposition. The connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. Each resilient members can be configured to support one or more removable stiffening members that provide a resistance force when a force is exerted thereon so as to bend the resilient member.
US08500609B1	Attachable weight assembly for a pole An attachable weight assembly having separable sections for attachment to a pole used in exercising. The weight assembly includes a elongated main body having a first end and a second end and a bore running through the first end, second end and elongated main body. The bore is sized to fit over a shaft. The first and second ends each have a storage area for secure storage of a molded weight. The elongated main body is separable into at least two main body sections. The main body sections are attached together using an attachment mechanism. A user attaches the weight assembly to the shaft for use during exercise.
US08500606B2	Partly-inlaid elliptical gymnastics equipment A partially-inlaid elliptical gymnastics equipment system includes a plurality of pedals connected to moving arms that move in synchronism with said pedals, at least one fixed member configured within a reach of a user, a panel for controlling and monitoring the equipment system, a mechanical and electric assembly that connects at least one pair of pedals and moving arms to define an elliptical system and promotes an alternating displacement of the at least one pair of pedals and arms, a vertical partition that includes a first pair of vertical windows through which distal end parts of bars pass, each bar connecting one the pedals to the elliptical system and a pair of vertical windows through which the moving arms pass, the moving arms being synchronized with the movements of the pedals, and an aisle providing access to the mechanical and electric assembly.
US08500604B2	Wearable system for monitoring strength training An exercise monitoring method and system in one embodiment includes a communications network, a wearable transducer configured to generate physiologic data associated with movement of a wearer, and to form a communication link with the communications network, a system memory in which command instructions are stored, a user interface operably connected to the computer, and a system processor configured to execute the command instructions to receive the generated physiologic data, analyze the received physiologic data with a multilayer perceptron/support vector machine/hidden Markov (MSH) model, model the analyzed physiologic data, and generate feedback based on a comparison of the model and a stored exercise object.
US08500603B2	Brake system for vehicle with idle stop and go device and control method thereof The present invention provides a brake system for a vehicle with an idle stop and go comprising a valve assembly disposed in a brake line for supplying brake pressure to the wheels by operation of the brake pedal to open or close the brake line; and a controller controlling the valve assembly.
US08500602B2	Method for operation of a transmission A method of operating a transmission positioned between a drive aggregate and an axle drive, a transmission input shaft is connected, via a clutch, with the drive aggregate, and a transmission output shaft is connected with the axle drive and power can be diverted from the transmission to drive a power take-off. The PTO is activated by an engine intervention, shifting the transmission to neutral and disengaging the clutch. Thereafter, the clutch is partially engaged at either a position dependent or distance dependent clutch speed while monitoring the input rotational speed and drive aggregate rotational speed. When the input rotational speed approximately equals the drive aggregate rotational speed and the idle rotation speed of the drive aggregate, the clutch is no longer being engaged at the position dependent or distance dependent clutch speed, but is fully engaged at a maximum clutch speed.
US08500598B2	Method and apparatus to control motor cooling in an electro-mechanical transmission A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and first and second electric machines adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. An apparatus for controlling the powertrain includes the first and second electric machines, a first electric machine cooling circuit directing a cooling hydraulic flow to the first electric machine, a second electric machine cooling circuit directing a cooling hydraulic flow to the second electric machine, a hydraulic control system receiving a hydraulic flow and selectively channeling the hydraulic flow to the first and second electric machine cooling circuits, and an active electric machine cooling control system monitoring temperatures of the first and second electric machines, monitoring operation of the hydraulic control system, and selectively controlling the hydraulic control system.
US08500591B2	Final drive arrangement A vehicle final drive includes a fixed spindle about which a wheel hub is mounted for rotation by wheel bearings, and within which a park and service brake assembly is mounted including a stack of Belleville springs carried by an input quill mounted within an inner end region, and a disc brake pack mounted within an outer end region. Located in the hub outboard of the spindle is a two-stage planetary reduction transmission. A reaction plate is fixed to an outer end face of the spindle cylindrical portion and holds the disc brake pack and a hub of a double ring gear of the transmission in place and preloads the wheel bearings. A fluid distribution manifold is defined by a passage in the spindle for distributing flow for cooling and/or lubricating an input thrust bearing, input drive shaft coupling splines, the brake disc pack, the wheel bearings, and the first stage planet gear bearings.
US08500582B2	Plate-link chain A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system including conical pulleys. The chain includes a number of link plates hingedly connected with each other by rocker members. The rocker members extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain and within openings in the link plates. The rocker members and link plates bear against each other along curved contact surfaces to transmit power. Rocker member pairs roll against each other on facing curved rolling surfaces at a contact point that moves from an upper area above the center of mass of the rocker member cross section to a lower area below it. The ratio of the distance from the end of the upper area to the center of mass and the distance from the end of the lower area to the center of mass lies in a range of from about 1.1 to about 2.
US08500574B2	Multi-layer golf ball Multi-layer golf balls having a hard, high compression center, a relatively soft intermediate layer, and a stiff outer cover layer, are provided. The outer surface hardness of the intermediate layer is less than that of both the center and the outer cover layer.
US08500572B2	Golf club head with improved performance A golf club head with an improved sweet spot, defined as a portion of the striking face that has at least 99.7% of the maximum ballspeed is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a golf club head with a significantly circular sweet spot that encompasses at least about 1.5% of the total striking face. A golf club head in accordance with the present invention may generally have a improved face geometry with an elliptical factor of greater than about 0.5, a beveled transition portion around the striking face of the golf club head, a variable face thickness region with decreases thickness, or even a tilted bulge and roll radius all helping improve the performance of the golf club head.
US08500568B2	Launch monitor A launch monitor that includes substantially all of its functional components on or within a housing is disclosed. The launch monitor may be transported and used in any desired location. One or more cameras, flashes, and triggers may be used to acquire images of a golf club and golf ball. The launch monitor is preferably capable of receiving and transmitting data over a wireless network. Acquired images and other data may be analyzed by a processor, and then displayed using an LED, LCD or other type of display or printer.
US08500566B2	Cross groove type constant velocity joint A constant velocity joint for a drive system comprises an outer joint member and an inner joint member each having a plurality of ball grooves in pairs for accommodating balls therein, the ball grooves consisting of a first group of grooves, each groove of which having a linear groove shape with no skew angle or a skewed groove shape with a relatively smaller skew angle, and a second group of grooves, each groove of which having a skewed groove shape with a relatively larger or regular skew angle. In addition to having the differentiated skew angles in the first and second groups of grooves, a taper angle is provided to the pair of grooves of at least one or both of the first and second groups of grooves in order to reduce the potential risk of ball locking in the grooves. In an alternative embodiment, all the grooves of the outer and inner joint members have a skewed groove shape with a skew angle which is less than the regular skew angle of the conventional cross groove joint, and a taper angle is provided to the pairs of grooves of the outer and inner joint members.
US08500564B2	Shaft-and-yoke coupling structure and vehicle steering system Provided is a shaft-and-yoke coupling structure for coupling a steering transmission shaft and a yoke of a universal joint. An end portion of the steering transmission shaft joined to the yoke has a stepped portion and an insertion convex portion protruding from the stepped portion in the axial direction of the steering transmission shaft. The yoke has an annular receiving portion facing and fixed to the stepped portion via a welded portion and an insertion recess portion surrounded by the receiving portion in which the insertion convex portion is inserted. The insertion convex portion and the insertion recess portion are arranged to be engaged with each other with a predetermined amount of play in the direction of rotation when the welded portion is broken.
US08500562B2	Method and apparatus for planning and customizing a gaming experience The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.
US08500559B2	Game apparatus, gaming method, and game program A game apparatus is provided that determines an operation result based on a player's input operation with respect to an operation instruction and comprises: an operating unit that is divided into a plurality of subregions and that has at least one input region formed from some or all of the subregions; a region display pattern table 333 that, for each game difficulty level, stores a region display pattern that assigns a specific input region to each of the subregions; an input region forming unit 325 that reads out the region display pattern that accords with the game difficulty level from the storing unit and forms the input region in the operating unit based on the region display pattern that was read out; and a determining unit 324 that determines the operation result based on the operation instruction given to the player and the input region wherein the player's input operation is accepted.
US08500555B2	Input device and game device provided therewith An input device is provided which can be caused to function as an output device as well. A game guitar controller (10) comprises: a set of fret buttons (37R-37P) each of which is operated in a state held by a player during a play; a triaxial acceleration sensor (40) that is provided on one of the two sides of the set of fret buttons (37R-37P) and that can detect accelerations; and a vibration motor (41) that is provided on the other of the two sides of the set of fret buttons (37R-37P) and that can generate vibrations.
US08500554B2	Gaming device having a second separate bonusing event A gaming system wherein a second game is triggered once a specific event occurs in a first game.
US08500552B2	Game apparatus and game program A game apparatus includes operation means operated by a player, selection means, player object action control means, display control means, and evaluation means. The game apparatus displays a first game image and a second game image concurrently. The player selects either one of the first game image and the second game image with the selection means. The player further operates the operation means to operate a player object related to the selected game image.
US08500543B2	Video slot gaming machine A gaming machine and method are provided which provide a video slot game to a player. The video slot game includes a plurality of cells arranged in a grid. The grid has a plurality of rows and columns. The machine and method display a base instance of the video slot game and in response to occurrence of a triggering event, the base instance of the video slot game is split and a plurality of sub-instances of the video slot game are displayed.
US08500542B2	Server based gaming system having system triggered loyalty award sequences A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides players with one or more loyalty incentives, such as one or more loyalty awards, utilizing one or more loyalty incentive award sequences. In one embodiment, the gaming system determines a loyalty award to provide to a player and then determines an appropriate loyalty award sequence to utilize to provide the player the determined loyalty award, wherein the loyalty award sequence is determined based on the individual gaming device that the player is currently playing.
US08500541B2	Wagering game with preview feature for a winning payline A gaming machine includes a wager-input device for receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game. A display displays a plurality of moveable reels having symbols located thereon during the wagering game. The symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to the wager. The plurality of outcomes include at least a first winning outcome along a first active payline and a second winning outcome along a second active payline. In response to the first winning outcome and the second winning outcome being achieved, the first active payline and the second active payline are successively displayed to the player before the first winning outcome and the second winning outcome are indicated to the player.
US08500540B2	Method, system, and program product for conducting multiple concurrent bingo games A method for conducting bingo games includes using a server to collect game play requests from a plurality of electronic player stations. The server determines if a group of the collected game play requests meets one or more predefined conditions for establishing a quorum, and if so conducts a game with the group of game play requests. Even after the game is started, the server continues to collect game play requests in preparation for conducting additional games. When enough game play requests are collected, the server starts the next game, even if previous games are still in progress.
US08500539B2	Gaming machine, networked gaming system and method with a dynamic bingo card A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed with one or more dynamic bingo cards or artifices wherein each daubed number on a bingo card is removed from its initial location and re-located to the last position of the payline on which the daubed number is positioned and at least one other number on the associated payline is moved to replace the position vacated by the daubed number. Once the final number is drawn, paylines with all daubed numbers are paid according to the paytable. If all positions on a bingo card are daubed, then a progressive or other jackpot award may be paid.
US08500534B2	Gaming machine having display with sensory feedback A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine includes the steps of displaying a selectable game element on a display and associating each potential outcome associated with the selectable game element with a predetermined haptic output selected from a plurality of predetermined haptic device outputs. The method also includes the steps of selecting the selectable game element to reveal an outcome associated therewith and causing a haptic device to output the predetermined haptic output corresponding to the outcome of the selectable game element.
US08500525B2	Elevator ceiling ventilation cavity An elevator cab ceiling includes an upper ceiling panel and a lower ceiling panel that are vertically spaced apart from each other with an intermediate ceiling cavity between them. An inlet duct is associated with the upper ceiling panel and an outlet duct is associated with the lower ceiling panel. The inlet and outlet ducts are horizontally spaced apart from each other and are fluidly connected to each other through the intermediate ceiling cavity to form a ventilation path. This separation of inlet and outlet ducts by an intermediate ceiling cavity reduces airborne noise transmissions that enter an elevator cab through the ventilation path. In one example, at least one baffle is installed within the intermediate ceiling cavity between the inlet and outlet ducts to interrupt a flow between the inlet and outlet to further reduce any transmitted noise.
US08500522B2	Device and method for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry A device for separating a wishbone from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, includes a primary wishbone knife, for separating the wishbone from meat that is naturally present thereon in the plane of the wishbone, wherein the primary wishbone knife is adapted to be introduced into and removed from the carcass part via the neck opening, two secondary wishbone knives, each for separating the wishbone from meat that is present on the outside of a leg of the wishbone, and a secondary wishbone knives actuator assembly. The secondary wishbone knives actuator assembly prescribes a secondary cutting path for each of the secondary wishbone knives relative to the carcass part. The secondary cutting paths have a curved shape that substantially follows the outer contour of the wishbone.
US08500516B2	Method for polishing a semiconductor wafer A method for polishing a semiconductor wafer having a first side and a second side, the method includes polishing the first side using a Fixed Abrasive Polishing (FAP) with a polishing pad including fixedly bonded abrasives having an average particle size of 0.1-1.0 μm; applying a cement layer with a thickness of at most 3 μm to the polished first side; fixing the polished and cemented first side on a carrier plate of a polishing machine; and polishing the second side using a single-side chemical mechanical polishing.
US08500508B2	Transformable toy A toy with an exterior structure. Constructed to transform from a rollable first shape to a second shape. An interior structure inside the exterior structure is endowed with a magnetic body that moves by way of a magnetic force that acts from the exterior of the toy, an interior locking portion that moves simultaneously with the movement of this magnetic body, and a biasing member that effects a force which moves or turns this interior locking portion in a particular direction. If the magnetic force does not act from the exterior of the toy, the first shape of the exterior structure maintained. In the event that a magnetic force has acted from the exterior of the said toy, the exterior structure transforms from the first shape to the second shape.
US08500503B2	Apparatus and method for repair of defects in an electronic energy control or display device An apparatus for repair of a defect in an electronic energy control device may include a position indicating means for indicating a position at which to fixedly position a mounting unit relative to a portion of an electronic energy control device including a defect to be repaired, where the device is fixed in position. An imaging and repair assembly of the apparatus has an optical imaging range and a laser repair range. When the mounting unit is mounted to a support surface to fixedly position the mounting unit at the position indicated by the position indicating means and the imaging and repair assembly is attached to the mounting unit, the portion of the electronic energy control device is within the imaging range and the repair range.
US08500500B2	Swash plate mechanism comprising a spur toothing A swash plate mechanism consists of a drive element that can be rotated about a main axis, a transmission element that can be rotated about a swash plate axis, the swash plate axis intersecting the main axis at a swash plate angle and rotating about the main axis together with the drive element, a power take-off element and a supporting element. A first coupler is arranged between the transmission element and the power take-off element and a second coupler is arranged between the transmission element and the supporting element, with at least one of the two couplers being a pair of teeth, and with the teeth of the pairs of teeth serving as coupling means being designed as spur toothing.
US08500498B2	Electrical wire and sheet-metal connector Electrical connector assemblies, light bases with one or more electrical connector assemblies, and methods for connecting one or more electrical wires to one or more sheet-metal connectors are disclosed. An electrical connector assembly for an electrical distribution system is disclosed, which includes an electrically insulated housing with a wire-connection port and a blade-connection port. The wire-connection port is designed to receive an electrical wire, while the blade-connection port is designed to receive an electrically conductive blade. An electrical conductor is disposed within the housing, extending between the blade-connection and wire-connection ports. A first threadless fastener secures the wire in the wire-connection port and electrically couples the wire to the electrical conductor. A second threadless fastener secures the blade in the blade-connection port and electrically couples the blade to the electrical conductor. The wire-connection port may be configured to open and release the electrical wire without the use of a tool.
US08500495B2	Electrical connector having identification function An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a set of contacts (3) retained in the insulative housing (1) and a shell (2). The shell (1) has a mating port to mate with a connector. The insulative housing (1) comprises a first body (11) and a second body (12) assembled together. The first body (11) includes a first tongue plate (112), the first tongue plate (112) defines a receiving cavity (1122), the second body (12) is exposed in the mating port and includes a second tongue portion (121). The first tongue plate (112) forms a first identification unit, the second tongue portion (121) forms another identification unit different from the first identification unit. As a result, user can sign if the electrical connector (100) can mate with at least two kinds of connectors.
US08500492B2	Reconfigurable plug adapter In some embodiments, an apparatus provides an electrical signal path between an electrically conductive portion of a device plug and a signal port. The apparatus includes a first housing segment having a longitudinal axis. The first housing segment includes a first receptacle configured to receive at least the electrically conductive portion of the device plug and a signal port coupler configured to selectively conductively engage with the signal port. The apparatus includes a second housing segment having a second receptacle configured to receive at least the electrically conductive portion of the device plug. The second housing segment is coupled to the first housing segment for movement relative to the first housing segment about the longitudinal axis of the first housing segment.
US08500491B2	Electrical connection device An electrical connection device configured with a conductive connection member having a joint portion joined to an electrode member while being pressed against the electrode member in a pressing direction. An insulating support body supports the connection member such that the connection member includes the joint portion which is formed in a flat plate shape and is brought into surface contact with a joint surface of the electrode member. Crossover portions sandwich the joint portion and extend toward both sides along a predetermined extending direction. Supported portions are provided at respective end portions, opposite the joint portion, of the crossover portions on both sides. The support body is disposed at least on both sides of the joint portion in the extending direction and spaced apart from the joint portion, and formed to integrally support the supported portions on both sides of the joint portion.
US08500490B2	Connector shielding apparatus and methods An electrical connector assembly having shielded cage assembly with at least one port for receiving modules, and methods of manufacture and use thereof. In one embodiment, the modules comprise SFP-type (small form-factor pluggable) modules, and the shielded cage assembly comprises an EMI shield member that is disposed at a port opening for the electrical connector assembly. In one variant, the EMI shield member can be disposed on the electrical connector cage assembly without the need for secondary processing techniques such as soldering, or resistance welding. This is accomplished via for example the utilization of mechanical snap features.
US08500486B2	Electrical plug connector The invention relates to an electrical plug connector, in particular to an electrical pin or socket connector, for a data transmission interface in the automotive field, having: a plug connector member (100) and a keyed mounting member (200) which can be mounted on the plug connector member (100) and which ensures correctly oriented insertion of an electrical counter plug connector on the electrical plug connector (1), the plug connector member (100) having a mounting projection (120) such that a wall (2) can be clamped between the mounting projection (120) and the keyed mounting member (200).
US08500485B2	Fixing apparatus for connector A fixing apparatus for fixing a connector includes a protrusion, a fixing plate, and a fastener. The protrusion protrudes from the connector, and is located at a side of the connecting portion. The protrusion includes a head portion and a pin connected between the head portion and the connector. The fixing plate defines an opening, a first hole, a second hole communicating with the first hole, and a positioning hole. The fastener is fixed to the connector and includes an extendable shaft. When the connecting portion extends through the opening, the protrusion extends through the first hole, and the shaft abuts against the fixing plate. The connector is moved to allow the pin to enter the second hole. The head portion is blocked by the fixing plate. The shaft engages in the positioning hole.
US08500484B2	Movable connection method of socket and rotary socket thereof The invention relates to a movable connection method of a chain line type rotary socket and the rotary socket thereof. The rotary socket is as follows: a socket port is arranged on each rotary chain link, and a plurality of chain links are connected in series through rotary sleeves (1) to form a chain. Electrical appliance plug-in pieces (3) are arranged in all the chain links, the rotary sleeves (1) are hinged outside the chain links, conductors connected with the electrical appliance plug-in pieces (3) are arranged in the rotary sleeves (1) respectively, and the adjacent two chain links can rotate mutually. The structure of the rotary socket comprises the rotary chain links, conducting wires (6) and the electrical appliance plug-in pieces (3), wherein each rotary chain link comprises the rotary sleeve (1), end holes (13) are arranged at two ends of each rotary sleeve (1) respectively, the end holes (13) of the rotary sleeves (1) are lapped and combined sequentially to form a chain type structure, a base (5) and a cover plate (2), which act as a rotary shaft, are arranged in each end hole, and the electrical appliance plug-in pieces (3) and the conducting wires (6) are arranged in accommodating spaces formed by the bases (5), the cover plates (2) and the rotary sleeves (1). The socket is small in volume, convenient to carry and convenient to arrange.
US08500478B2	Electrical connector having renforcedd locking portion An electrical connector (100) comprises includes an insulative housing (1) having a receiving space (14), a plurality of terminals (21) retained in the insulative housing (1), a metal retaining portion (3) assembled on the insulative housing (1). The insulative housing (1) comprises includes a pair of block portions (111, 111′) extending toward opposite direction directions with each other; and each of the blocking portions has a resisting face (1110). The metal retaining metal (3) includes a reinforced portion (310) arranged behind the blocking portion (111, 111′) and attached to the resisting face (1110) of the blocking portion (111, 111′). Therefore, it can prevent the blocking portion (111, 111′) of the housing (1) from breaking off during an unexpected situation.
US08500474B2	Cable/harness test connector A wiring analyzer system with a zero-insertion-force (ZIF) connector/receiver interface. An electrical connection is made by inserting a male connector into a female receiver slot. During insertion into the female receiver slot, the male connector experiences minimal, if any, resistive force. The female receiver comprises a set of opposing spring contacts designed to pinch both sides of the wafer, making contact with the male connector. A pair of elongated plates has several sections cut out to correspond with each female slot such that when the male connector is inserted between the spring contacts the wafer passes through both plates. In order to create the necessary pinching action, a force is exerted on the plates, causing them to move a distance in opposite directions. This motion brings the plates into contact with the spring contacts, squeezing them together against the wafer and creating a firm contact.
US08500469B2	IC card connector In a card accommodation portion, an upper section (14U) provided with contact terminals (16ai) electrically connected to an SD card (SDC) detachably attached and a lower section (14D) provided with contact terminals (18ai) electrically connected to an HG-Duo card (22) or a Duo card (23) detachably attached are formed in a stacked manner.
US08500468B2	Protective housing assembly and connector A connector, comprises a connector assembly; a main housing having an internal chamber for receiving therein the connector assembly; and a housing cover which mates with the main housing to cover the internal chamber. The main housing includes an opening at one end of the main housing with a removable and retractable cover permitting access to the internal chamber. A mating connector is connected to the connector assembly, the mating connector including a fastening tab; and the fastening tab including a main tab that is interlocked with the removable cover to prevent the mating connector from unintentionally disconnecting from the connector assembly. A protective housing assembly is also disclosed.
US08500459B2	Receptacle with a cavity for receiving a plug with a recess for receiving a component An electrical connector is provided with a plug portion having an upper surface on which electronic components can be disposed, and a receptacle portion for mounting on a circuit board. In the plug portion, a central recess is formed, which extends downwardly within the body of the receptacle portion so that the electronic components are disposed at least partially within the central recess. The plug portion has, on its lower surface side, plug side contacts that serve as electrical contacts with a terminal of the receptacle portion, and has a protruding portion for engaging the connector receptacle portion. The plug side contacts and the protruding portion are positioned outside of the central recess higher than a bottom plate portion which forms a bottom of the central recess.
US08500458B2	Socket connector with contact having dual-contacting-portion created by splitting and twisting A socket connector includes a socket body having an array of passageways; and an array of contacts received in passageways respectively. Each contact includes a retaining section received within the passageway, an engaging section extending from the retaining section. The engaging section has an oblique resilient arm extending out of the passageway. The resilient arm is split and altered so that a pair of split surfaces are formed as contacting surfaces which are substantially exposed upwardly.
US08500457B2	Attachment mechanism for electronic component An attachment mechanism for fastening an electronic component includes a circuit board and a fastener. The circuit board includes a first connector to be connected to a second connector of the electronic component. The first connector defines a groove in a first end of the first connector and a hooking slot below the groove. The fastener includes a main body and an operation portion extending up from the main body. The main body includes a block engaging in the groove and a latch engaging in the hooking slot. An engaging bar protrudes from the operation portion to abut against a top of the electronic component.
US08500456B1	Interconnectable circuit boards In some embodiments, an interconnectable circuit board may include one or more of the following features: (a) a first electrically conductive pad located on a top of the circuit board, (b) a plated through hole on the conductive pad which passes through the circuit board, (c) a second electrically conductive pad coupled to the plated through hole; the second conductive pad capable of being electrically connected to a third electrically conductive pad attached to a top of a second interconnectable circuit board, (d) cut marks indicating safe locations for separating the circuit board, and (e) a second cut mark adjacent to the first cut mark where the area between the first and second cut mark can be utilized to make a safe cut through the circuit board.
US08500455B2	Magnetic connector having improved grounding member A magnetic connector includes an insulative housing having a chamber, a first contact retained in the chamber, a magnetic element having a receiving hole recessed rearwards from a front face thereof for accommodating the housing therein, and a grounding member exposed outside of the magnetic element to surrounding the magnetic element. The grounding member covers the front face of the magnetic element for mating with a counterpart contact. The grounding member exposed outside of the magnetic element and covers the front face for facilitating reliable interconnection with a counterpart contact.
US08500454B2	Electronic apparatus An electronic apparatus includes: a first connector; a second connector; a first electronic unit connectable to the first connector; a second electronic unit connectable to the second connector; and a printed circuit board that includes the first connector and the second connector between a first extended center line toward a unit board of the first electronic unit and a second extended center line toward a unit board of the second electronic unit on a first side of the printed circuit board when the first and second electronic units are connected to the first and second connectors, respectively.
US08500452B2	Interactive education system for teaching patient care A patient simulator system for teaching patient care is provided. The system includes a patient simulator. The patient simulator includes a patient body comprising one or more simulated body portions. The one or more simulated body portions include at least one simulated finger that is configured to interface with a pulse oximeter to simulate an oxygen saturation of the patient simulator. In some instances, the simulated finger is further configured to interface with the pulse oximeter to simulate a pulse rate of the patient simulator. In some embodiments, the simulated finger may be calibrated to accurately interface with a particular pulse oximeter. Methods of utilizing the patient simulator systems, including the simulated finger for interfacing with a pulse oximeter, are also provided.
US08500449B2	Dental implant system and additional methods of attachment Disclosed in this specification is a dental implant assembly with an abutment head integrally joined to an implant body. The top section of the abutment head a shape formed by a linear wall adjacent to an arcuate wall; a ledge is located beneath the top section of the abutment; and the abutment head extends above the ledge a distance of from about 1.5 to about 10 millimeters. The implant body has a base section and a neck section, each of which has a different degree of roughness.
US08500448B2	Dental model, articulator and methods for production thereof A model of at least a part of a dental structure, an articulator, and methods of manufacturing such devices are provided. The model and the articulator can be used to approximate the natural movements of a jaw of a patient to facilitate preparation of a dental restoration. The model can include the dental structure, an interface, and at least one void extending from a reference surface of the interface inwardly toward the void. The articulator can include upper and lower portions on which models of upper and lower dental structures can be held. The upper and lower portions of the articulator can be configured to generally maintain a vertical alignment while at least one gap formed between respective first and second alignment components thereof allows horizontal movability of the upper and lower portions relative to each other to test the interfit of the models therebetween.
US08500440B2	Burner block for producing flat flame A burner for a melter is provided which includes a nozzle, a fuel stream moving through the nozzle, and an oxidant stream including an initial elliptical cross section and being external to the nozzle and surrounding the fuel stream for providing a combustion stream having a cross section transitioning from an elliptical cross section to a circular cross section to provide a flat flame from the circular cross section for combustion in the melter. A method for producing a flat flame is also provided.
US08500439B2	Extrusion blow-molding device and method for producing plastic containers An extrusion blow-molding device (1) for producing plastic containers, particularly plastic bottles, is proposed, comprising an extruder head (3), which is connected to at least one extruder (2) for plastic material and has at least one extrusion die (4), a blow-molding tool arrangement (5) having at least one blow-molding cavity (6) and at least one injection device (7), which is disposed on the side of the blow-molding tool arrangement (5) facing away from the extruder head (3) and can be inserted into the blow-molding cavity (6) through an opening provided there. During a production cycle, the extruder head (3) can be axially adjusted in terms of the height thereof relative to the blow-molding tool arrangement (5). To do so, the extruder (2) is articulated along the longitudinal extension thereof on a rotational axis (9) and can be tilted in the manner of a rocker, and the extruder (2) is configured such that the height thereof about the rotational axis (9) thereof can be adjusted. In this way, for the production of plastic containers having a large height, a new starting position for tilting the extruder (2) can be set in that the extruder (2), to include the rotational axis (9) thereof, is raised.
US08500437B2	Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, device and equipment for the implementation thereof Process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body, the process comprising the following steps: a) a tubular stream of molten plastic is extruded; b) this stream is taken up by means of a tensioning device; c) a transverse cut is made in this stream so as to create a parison having one free edge that is not taken up by the tensioning device; d) the parison is moved relative to the tensioning device so that the free edge of the parison is also taken up by the tensioning device; and e) at least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison over its entire length. Equipment suitable for implementing this process.
US08500434B2	Device for granulating plastic A device is described for granulating plastic having a granulating head (1) and having a drivable cutter head (4), which cooperates with a perforated plate (2) and is arranged inside a housing (3), and which is movable along an axial guide made of guide spars (7) and guide sleeves (8), which are displaceable on the guide spars (7), and is attachable to the granulating. head (1) via locking units (9). In order to provide advantageous design conditions, it is proposed that the locking units (9) comprise latching wedges (11) mounted so they are displaceable transversely to the guide sleeves (8), which penetrate the guide sleeves (8) and the guide spar (7) in oblong holes (12, 13) in the locking position and are supported in the direction of the spar axis on one side on the guide sleeve (8) and on the other side on the guide spar (7).
US08500431B2	Electrospinning control for precision electrospinning of polymer fibers The present invention includes embodiments that generally relate to methods and devices for control of electrospinning processes. Some embodiments include constant current electrospinning jets. Other embodiments include pressure control using a system of valves in fluid communication with the electrospinning fluid. Still other embodiments include control of one or more physical parameters.
US08500430B2	Vulcanizing press The invention relates to a vulcanizing press comprising two plates capable of adopting a proximal position in which said plates close a mold, so as to give a tire a predetermined shape, and a distal position in which the mold is open; and at least one bore formed in one of said plates called the support plate, the diameter of said bore being defined so as to let the head of a pin pass thereinto. The vulcanizing press further includes a locking/unlocking device comprising a first movable stop that can move between a rest position and an active position, in which said stop is interposed between the head of the pin and the support plate in order to keep said pin in the bore, the shank of said pin being fixed to the mold.
US08500429B2	Method and means of lining a manhole An apparatus and method is provided for lining the wall of a manhole. The apparatus may include a liner assembly, which includes an expansion device, an auxiliary bladder, a primary bladder, and a liner. The auxiliary bladder is first inflated near the top of the manhole. Next the primary bladder may be expanded to press the liner against the wall of the manhole. The liner, being impregnated with a resinous material, is pressed against the wall until the resinous material cures and hardens. The expansion device, auxiliary bladder, and primary bladder are then removed from the manhole. The result is a repaired manhole wall.
US08500427B2	Method and apparatus for forming nano-particles Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.
US08500424B2	Screw compressor with a sound dampening device that separates lubricant In order to improve a screw compressor comprising an outer housing, a compressor screw housing which is arranged in the outer housing and in which rotor bores for screw rotors are arranged, a drive arranged in the outer housing on one side of the compressor screw housing, a bearing housing arranged in the outer housing on a side of the compressor screw housing located opposite the drive and a sound damping device which is arranged within the outer housing and has compressed working medium flowing through it, in such a manner that the working medium leaving the screw compressor carries as little lubricant as possible along with it, it is suggested that the sound damping device guide the compressed working medium by means of a flow guide in an interior space as a circulating flow circulating around an axis and that lubricant be separated from the circulating flow of the working medium as a result of centrifugal forces.
US08500418B2	Internally supplied air jet cooling for a hydraulic pump A compressed gas powered machine is provided. The machine includes: an outlet and a hollow member fluidly connected to the outlet and configured to receive gas expended from the machine through the outlet the hollow member defining holes oriented to allow the gas contained in the hollow member to blow on various parts of the machine.
US08500417B2	Motorized vacuum pump with sound absorbing unit A motorized vacuum pump apparatus, may include an electric motor operating in response to an electric signal, a pumping unit connected with a motor shaft of the electric motor, and a sound absorbing unit enclosing the pumping unit and having an inlet for sucking external air, a damping chamber and an outlet, wherein the sound absorbing unit is directly combined with the electric motor, and wherein the external air is compressed and supplied by the pumping unit to the damping chamber and discharged through the outlet such that noise is reduced by damping compressed air in the damping chamber.
US08500416B2	Doubled seal disk for piston pump A pump assembly in the context of a piston pump having a piston carrying a disk which extends radially outwardly to engage a wall of a chamber to substantially prevent fluid flow in one direction and yet permit deflection of the disk away from the wall of the chamber to permit flow in the other direction; the improvement in which two or more of similar such disks are provided spaced axially adjacent one another.
US08500414B2	Method of controlling a gear pump as well as an application of the method A method of controlling a gear pump comprising two meshing gear wheels (11, 12), wherein the two gear wheels (11, 12) are driven via respective shafts (2, 3) each by a drive unit (7, 8). A current position of the one gear wheel (11, 12) is determined with respect to the current position of the other gear wheel (12, 11), and the current position of the one gear wheel (11, 12) is continuously adjusted with respect to the current position of the other gear wheel (12, 11) according to specified predefined operating conditions.
US08500410B2	Blade made of composite material comprising a damping device A blade made of composite material including an airfoil formed of filaments or fibers, optionally woven, impregnated with a heat-curable resin, with an intrados wall and an extrados wall between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and a device for damping the vibrations incorporated in one or other of the intrados and extrados walls is disclosed. The damping device is formed of at least one layer made of viscoelastic material and a layer made of rigid material, these layers being superposed. The layer made of rigid material includes a first zone and a second zone. The layer made of viscoelastic material is interposed between the airfoil and the first zone of the rigid layer, and the second zone of the rigid layer is attached to the wall of the airfoil without interposition of viscoelastic material.
US08500409B2	Efficient wind turbine blades, wind turbine blade structures, and associated systems and methods of manufacture, assembly and use Wind turbine systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a wind turbine blade having an inner region that has an internal load-bearing truss structure, and an outer region that has an internal, non-truss, load-bearing structure. In particular embodiments, the truss structure can include a triangular arrangement of spars, and/or can include truss attachment members that connect components of the truss without the use of holes in the spars. Spars can be produced from a plurality of pultruded composite members laminated together in longitudinally extending portions. The longitudinally extending portions can be connected at joints that interleave projections and recesses of each of the spar portions. The blades can include fan-shaped transitions at a hub attachment portion, formed by laminated layers and/or a combination of laminated layers and transition plates.
US08500407B1	Composite blade root-end drill-through lug and attachment method A method for reducing bearing stress in a composite structure is disclosed. A composite structure comprises at least one coupling hole for coupling to the composite structure, and at least one bushing structure is coupled to the at least one coupling hole. A metal bushing retainer structure is coupled to the at least one bushing structure and the composite structure.
US08500406B2	Wind turbine rotor blades with shape memory polymer composites and methods for deploying the same Methods for deploying a section of a wind turbine rotor blade include compressing a section of skin from an airfoil profile to a retracted profile, wherein the section of skin includes a shape memory polymer composite, and heating the section of skin to at least a transition temperature of the shape memory polymer composite so that the section of skin transitions from the retracted profile back to the airfoil profile.
US08500403B2	Attachment devices on a wind turbine blade and a method of servicing utilising these device The present invention relates to a table for a wind turbine equipped with attachment devices 103 for attaching servicing equipment, 401, 402, said attachment means being attached at and accessible from the blade exterior. They may be located in cavities and be covered when not in use. Hereby it is accomplished that the blade can be serviced and repaired while positioned horizontally without the attachment devices as such otherwise influencing the aerodynamic properties of the blade. One possibility is that during manufacturing such a cavity is closed but the cavity can later be broken open. Additionally, the invention relates to a wind turbine featuring such blade and a method of servicing a blade when mounted on a wind turbine, wherein servicing equipment is attached to at least one attachment device in the blade. It is furthermore mentioned, that the attachment devices might be used when mounting a blade.
US08500399B2	Method and apparatus for enhancing compressor performance The present invention provides a non-axisymmetric flow member disposed in a duct of a gas turbine engine. The flow member narrows the area aft of a vane to reduce the cross sectional area through which a wake from the vane traverses.
US08500396B2	Cascade tip baffle airfoil A turbine blade includes an airfoil tip with first and second ribs extending along the opposite pressure and suction sides. The ribs extend outwardly from a tip floor and are joined together at opposite leading and trailing edges. A cascade tip baffle transversely bridges the two ribs above the tip floor forward of the maximum width of the tip to partition the tip chordally into corresponding tip pockets on opposite sides of the baffle.
US08500395B2	Turbocharger vane A vane (234) is provided which reduces leakage of gas in a variable geometry turbocharger (210) from the high pressure side of the vane (234) to the low pressure side of the vane (234). The vane (234) can have a channel (330, 430) along a gas bearing surface (325, 425) for reducing the leakage. The channel (330, 430) can be defined at least in part by sideplates (300, 350). The sideplates (300, 350) can be integrally cast with the rest of the vane (234). At least one of the sideplates (300, 350) can have a hole therein for a vane shaft (228) which allows movement of the vane (234) for gas flow control. The sideplates (300, 350) can have edges (301, 351) that conform to the shape of the gas bearing surface (325, 425).
US08500394B2	Single channel inner diameter shroud with lightweight inner core An inner diameter shroud for receiving an inner diameter base portion of a rotatable vane in a gas turbine engine has a single piece channel and a core. The channel has a leading edge wall, an inner diameter wall, a trailing edge wall, a radial outer surface, and at least two axial projections. The axial projections prevent radial movement of the core. The core has an outer radial surface that generally aligns with the radial outer surface of the channel. The core is movable in the channel in a circumferential direction and is configured to rotatably retain the inner diameter base portion of the rotatable vane.
US08500390B2	Fan case with rub elements A turbofan engine comprising an annular inner wall surrounding tips of the fan blades, a layer of insulating material surrounding the inner wall, and an outer casing including an annular outer wall surrounding the insulating material and concentric to the inner wall and at least two annular rub elements extending radially inwardly from the outer wall through only part of a radial thickness of the layer of insulating material, at least two of the rub elements being in axial alignment with the blade tips at every point around a circumference of the fan, each rub element having a radially inner end spaced apart from the inner wall and made of a material harder than that of the blades, and a containment fabric layer wrapped around a support structure of the outer wall.
US08500382B2	Airflow management for particle abatement in semiconductor manufacturing equipment An airflow management system and/or method used in particle abatement in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. In particular, the apparatus disclosed is capable of creating and managing a carefully controlled particle free environment for the handling of semiconductor wafers or similar articles. The apparatus is particularly suited to be used as an interface between an equipment front end module (EFEM) and a vacuum loadlock chamber or other such article of process equipment. The apparatus also enables relative motion between enclosures while maintaining a particle free environment utilizing a moving air diffuser mounted to an interface panel.
US08500377B2	Container data center A container data center includes a container, and two spaced cabinets arranged in the container. A supporting apparatus is connected between the cabinets. The supporting apparatus includes two connecting members and an operation member. The first ends of the connecting members are fixed to the corresponding cabinets. The second ends of the connecting members are connected to opposite ends of the operating member. The operating member can be lengthened or shortened by rotation.
US08500375B2	Cutting insert, in particular, for crankshaft machining The invention relates to a cutting insert (10) with a base, having a supporting surface, a covering surface, at a distance therefrom and side faces (101, 102), connecting said surfaces, whereby two or several adjacent surfaces form cutting edges (103, 104, 105). According to said invention, the supporting surface is connected in a non-detachable manner to a supporting surface of a cutting plate (11), the geometry of which is different from the cutting insert (10) and suitable for another metal cutting operation.
US08500372B2	Turf reinforcement mat having multi-dimensional fibers and method for erosion control A turf reinforcement mat comprises at least one polymer net layer; a non-woven mat comprising a plurality of multi-dimensional polymer fibers; and, a polymer yarn, stitching the net layer to the non-woven mat. A method for erosion control and revegetation facilitation comprises providing a turf reinforcement mat comprising at least one polymer net layer; a non-woven mat comprising a plurality of multi-dimensional polymer fibers; and, a polymer yarn, stitching the net layer to the non-woven mat; laying the turf reinforcement mat on a section of ground to be reinforced; securing the turf reinforcement mat to the ground; distributing soil and seed onto the turf reinforcement mat such that the section of ground is quickly revegetated and thereby protected from further erosion.
US08500370B2	Excavation and compaction equipment for the construction of screw piles Equipment for the construction of piles includes a drilling rod and a tool (10) mounted at a lower end thereof. The tool includes a hollow central shaft (11) with a door (18) for the concrete; a screw (12) integral with the shaft (11); a compactor (13) positioned along the screw (12); a base (14) of semicircular shape provided at the lower end of the screw (12); a plate (15) superimposed under the base (14) and rotating around the shaft (11) for alternatively assuming an open position, in condition of excavation wherein it superimposes on the base, and a reclosed position, in condition of compaction wherein it forms a surface circular with the base (14). Excavation teeth (16) are fixed to the lower end of the tool and an additional tooth (19) is constrained to the plate (15) that during the casting is outside of the tool in the condition of compaction.
US08500368B1	Underpinning pile assembly and process for installing such pile assembly An underpinning pile assembly for supporting a structure upon the earth has at least one steel pipe with an interior passageway, a concrete pile segment positioned above the steel pipe, and a cable extending through an interior passageway of the steel pipe and through the interior passageway of the concrete pile segment. A locking assembly is connected to the cable and affixed within the steel pipe. This locking assembly includes a collar having an outer surface affixed to an interior wall of the lowermost pipe. The cable is affixed within an interior of the collar. A pair of wedges secure the cable within the interior of the collar.
US08500363B1	Compactor having controllable edge wheel spray system A compactor includes a frame and a compacting element coupled to the frame. An edge wheel assembly is also coupled to the frame and is adjustable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration at which an edge wheel contacts a substrate outboard of the compacting element. The compactor further includes a spray system for the edge wheel, and a control device in control communication with the spray system and configured to command activation of the spray system responsive to detecting lowering of the edge wheel.
US08500360B1	Traffic barrier deployment system A traffic cone system for deploying a banner of flat traffic cones featuring a base spool pivotally anchored in the inner cavity of a utility vehicle and a deployment spool. A banner of flat traffic cones is wound around the base spool and is connected to the deployment spool. The deployment spool is mounted above an extension shaft and a ground base. The ground base can be anchored to the ground surface. The extension shaft can position the deployment spool at an appropriate height. The banner can be unwound from the base spool to display a plurality of flat triangle cones resembling traffic cones.
US08500358B1	Quick disconnect coupling A quick disconnect system including a matable coupling and post. The coupling includes a base, a pair of pins, a jacket and a biasing means. The base defines a longitudinally extending bore. The pair of pins are radially repositionable relative to the bore and extend tangentially along opposite sides of the bore. The jacket cooperatively engages the base and the pins whereby longitudinal repositioning of the jacket as between a first stop position and a second stop position effects radial repositioning of the pins. The biasing means biases the jacket towards the first stop position. The post has a flanged head on the distal end of a shaft for cooperatively engaging the pins to achieve connection of the coupling and the post.
US08500356B2	Binding device A binding device includes binding rod portions, coupling portions for coupling a plurality of the binding rod portions, and an axis portion serving as a center upon opening/closing of binding rods. The coupling portions have lower portions to which the axis portion is provided at a position close to base portions of the binding rods so that a leaf bound at the binding rod portions can be flipped along the binding rods and flipped through 360 degrees and leaves can make contact with each other with the axis portion sandwiched therebetween. The axis portion includes a shaft portion and receiving portions for the shaft portion. The receiving portions are provided to the coupling portions the shaft portion is disposed therein.
US08500353B2	Draw-out type solid marker A draw-out solid marker includes a cylindrical shell, a rotary member thread-fastened to the rear end of the shell; a movable member thread-fastened to the rotary member in the shell to move forward/backward from the shell by rotating the rotary member; a cylindrical solid core connected to the front of the movable member to move forward/backward with the movable member and having an elliptical, rectangular, or triangular cross-sectional shape; and a cap coupled to the front end of the shell in order to apply various patterns in accordance with the position of the front end.
US08500349B2	Machine having a card processing assembly A machine having a card processing assembly. The card processing assembly has a card drive and a heating device. The heating device is operable to cause a human-readable symbol to be viewable on a data card.
US08500346B2	Printing system configurable using a document key A method of configuring a printing system includes providing a document key having an initial image and providing a printing system that includes a memory storing a first system setting. The method also includes scanning the document key and validating the initial image. The method can optionally include marking a first overlay image over at least a portion of the initial image, scanning the document key, and verifying the marking of the first overlay image thereon. The method also includes configuring or permitting the configuration of the printing system after the initial image has been validated or the marking of the first overlay image on the initial image has been verified. A printing system that is capable of being configured using the document key is also included.
US08500342B2	Opto-electronic communication module having retainer for aligning optical ports An opto-electronic communication module includes a housing, an electro-optical assembly, and a retainer that helps maintain alignment of an optical port. The electro-optical assembly includes a circuit substrate, an opto-electronic communication device mounted on the circuit substrate, and an optics module having an optical connection portion extending into the opening of the housing to define the optical port. The retainer can be, for example, a clip that contacts the housing and fits over the optical connection portion of the optics module to maintain the optical connection portion in alignment with the opening of the housing.
US08500341B2	Fiber optic cable assembly The present disclosure relates to a drop cable assembly including a fiber optic drop cable having a length that extends from a first end of the fiber optic drop cable to an opposite second end of the fiber optic drop cable. The fiber optic drop cable also includes an intermediate location located between the first and second ends of the fiber optic drop cable. The drop cable assembly also includes a first fiber optic connector mounted at the first end of the fiber optic drop cable and a second fiber optic connector mounted at the second end of the fiber optic drop cable. The drop cable assembly further includes an optical fiber that extends continuously without splicing along the length of the fiber optic drop cable from the first fiber optic connector to the second fiber optic connector. The fiber optic drop cable has a first cable segment that extends from the first end of the fiber optic drop cable to the intermediate location and a second cable segment that extends from the intermediate location to the second end of the fiber optic drop cable. The first cable segment is more robust than the second cable segment and the second cable segment being more flexible than the first cable segment. The present disclosure also relates t methods and arrangements for mechanically attaching fiber optic connectors to drop cables of the type described above.
US08500338B2	Steering knuckle with pre-sealing A steering knuckle, which is provided for receiving an outer ring of a wheel bearing, and a wheel bearing arrangement with such a steering knuckle. The sealing arrangements of the wheel bearing has a pre-seal, which is designed as a labyrinth seal to provide sealing for an appropriate gap geometry. To this end, the steering knuckle has a collecting channel, which captures liquids and dirt particles and discharges them at the periphery. The hearing seal can be changed by this measure, so that savings are possible with a minimum of sealing action of the conventional sealing arrangement and with greatly reduced friction torque. Overall, the sealing action, which is now achieved by the bearing seal and the pre-seal together, is increased or remains at least at the same level while manufacturing costs are reduced.
US08500334B2	Slide bearing A slide bearing has at least one bearing shell for accommodating a component to be supported. The at least one bearing shell has a device for monitoring a bearing gap between the bearing shell and the component to be supported. The bearing shell is provided with a slide surface that has an elevation along each of its curved edge regions.
US08500330B2	Packaging bag and manufacturing method thereof A packaging bag is provided with a bag body and thermoplastic resin-made reinforcing members provided at the outer edge of the bag body. A window is provided in each reinforcing member. In forming the packaging bag, the bag body is placed between a pair of molds respectively having recesses to clamp these two molds so that a corresponding pair of the recesses are opposed to each other. Thereafter, in order to form the reinforcing members at the outer edge of the bag body, melted or softened thermoplastic resin is injected to fill cavities formed by the recesses of the thus clamped molds. Each of the cavities of the molds is formed so as to coincide with an outer shape of the corresponding reinforcing member. A projection extends from the bottom face of each recess at a part of the cavity corresponding to a part of each reinforcing member on which the window is provided. The outer edge of the bag body placed between the two molds is placed inside the cavities in a state of being held between the two projections.
US08500328B2	Dental sensor holder and method of holding a dental sensor A dental sensor holder including a strip of pliable, longitudinally elastic material having two ends. The holder is constructed by permanently bonding the two ends of the strip to form a somewhat elastic loop. In addition, the sensor holder includes an adjustable bond portion on the inside of the loop which may selectively be engaged to join adjacent portions of the strip into a functional bitewing.
US08500319B2	Light source module and illuminating device A light source module includes a housing receiving a light source. The housing includes a transparent light emitting plate with a micro structure positioned on an outer surface thereof. The micro structure includes a number of first and second light guide projectors. The first light guide projectors are positioned at a middle part of the outer surface, the second light guide projectors are positioned at two end parts of the outer surface. The first and second light guide projectors extend along the outer surface and are perpendicular to each other, cross-sectional surfaces of the first light guide projectors perpendicular to the extending direction of the first light guide projectors are semi-circular-shaped, and cross-sectional surfaces of the second light guide projectors perpendicular to the extending direction of the second light guide projectors are triangular-shaped. An illuminating device including the light source module is also provided.
US08500315B2	Light emitting module and automotive headlamp A light emitting module includes: a semiconductor light emitting element; a plate-shaped light wavelength conversion ceramic that is provided so as to face the light emitting surface of the semiconductor light emitting element and that is configured to convert the wavelength of the light, which has been emitted by the semiconductor light emitting element; and a reflective film that is formed on the surface of the light wavelength conversion ceramic and that is configured to shield part of the light, which has been transmitted through the light wavelength conversion ceramic. The light wavelength conversion ceramic is composed on an inorganic material.
US08500310B2	Indication plate Disclosed herein is an indication plate including: a plate member including a light-transmitting material; and an indication part provided at a surface on one side with respect to the thickness direction of the plate member, wherein the indication part includes a light-shielding part including a light-shielding material and covering the surface on one side, and a convex portion including the light-transmitting material, the convex portion projecting from the surface on one side and being exposed from the light-shielding part; the convex portion has a circumferential surface projecting from the light-shielding part, and an end face connecting tip portions of the circumferential surface to each other, and a metallic foil having a light-transmitting property is attached to the end face.
US08500308B2	Light source device and illumination device using the same A light source device is provided with an LED having strong directivity, a reflective hood which has an interior reflecting surface for reflecting the illumination light from the light source, and a pair of first and second polarizing reflective plates for polarizing the illumination light from the LED in a specific direction. The first and second polarizing reflective plates have a specific length and width, and a back surface formed from a high reflectance plate. The light source is secured to the reflective hood. A specific interval is provided between the first and second polarizing reflective plates and the reflecting surface of the reflective hood, and a specific interval is provided between the two plates with the optical axis passing through the 0° direction angle of the light source in between.
US08500303B2	LED lamp An LED lamp A1 includes an LED unit 1 in the shape of a straight tube with a plurality of LED modules 12 fixed therein, and also includes a pair of bases 2 that receive electric power from outside and are attached to the ends of the LED unit 1 spaced in the longitudinal direction of the LED unit. The LED unit 1 and the bases 2 are rotatable relative to each other about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction. With this arrangement, the direction of light emission can be changed, with the LED lamp attached to a general-use fluorescent lighting fixture.
US08500299B2	Narrow beam LED spotlight A narrow angle LED illuminated spotlight in which the light-emitting output of an LED light source is coupled with an optic element, in the form of a focusing reflector or focusing lens, and a masking element is interposed between the light source and the optic element to partially mask off the output area of the light source and significantly reduce the area of the emitted light reaching the optic element. This enables the light passed by the masking element to be concentrated into a, narrow beam (i.e., 18° or less) using an optic element of much smaller size than otherwise, thus making the use of an LED light source module a practical source of light for narrow beam spotlights.
US08500298B2	Lighting fixture According to one embodiment, a lighting fixture includes a fixture body and a plurality of light-emitting modules. A plurality of light-emitting module arrangement portions are formed on the surface of the fixture body. The light-emitting modules are arranged on the light-emitting module arrangement portions of the fixture body and annularly arranged so that a space is formed at the center area of the fixture body. Semiconductor light-emitting elements are disposed on the surface of the light-emitting module, and a wiring connector is arranged at the space side of the substrate.
US08500296B2	Metal living hinge A one-piece hinge mechanism includes a first member having a plurality of fingers, the fingers extending toward a second member, the second member having a plurality of fingers extending toward the first member, the fingers of the first member and the fingers of the second member engaging opposite sides of a web extending between the first member and the second member, the web being torsionally loaded when one of the first member is pivoted relative to the second member.
US08500292B2	Panel display module and manufacturing method thereof A panel display module and a manufacture method thereof are disclosed. The panel display includes a backlight module, a display panel, a clear cover, and reinforced glue. The backlight module has a light source module and a frame that positions the light source module and other elements to provide structural protection. The display panel is disposed on the light exiting side of the light source module. The clear cover is disposed on one side of the display panel opposite to the light source module. The reinforced glue is distributed encircling the frame and adheres respectively to the frame and to the portion of the clear cover protruding over the display panel. The reinforced glue has a first side adhering onto the frame and a second side adhering onto the clear cover.
US08500290B2	Projection system A projection system having a first tilting mirror matrix, a second tilting mirror matrix, and an imaging lens, which projects the first tilting mirror matrix onto the second tilting mirror matrix, wherein each tilting mirror matrix has multiple tilting mirrors, the tilting axes of which are positioned in a modulator surface plane. The imaging lens includes a first lens and an imaging mirror, and the imaging mirror forms an aperture stop of the imaging lens, wherein the aperture diaphragm includes an uneven angle of 90° together with the normal of the modulator surface of the first tilting mirror matrix without taking into account any optical path folds.
US08500289B2	Light source unit including a luminescent wheel that performs control to rotate or stop the wheel while light is emitted onto it and projector A projector is provided which can reduce power consumption while preventing the deterioration of a luminescent material by heat by controlling a luminescent wheel to rotate or stop rotating. The projector of the invention includes a light source unit having an excitation light source, a luminescent wheel on which a luminescent material layer is laid circumferentially which becomes luminous using light emitted from the excitation light source as excitation light and a wheel motor for driving the luminescent wheel, a display device, a light guiding optical system which guides light emitted from the light source unit to the display device, a projection side optical system which projects projection light generated in the display device, and a motor control part which determines whether to stop or drive the wheel motor in such a state that excitation light is shone on to the luminescent material layer by the excitation light source.
US08500285B2	Projection type display apparatus A projection type display apparatus includes: an illumination optical system which has a first array lens and a second array lens each of which has a plurality of lens elements having a plurality of rectangular shape openings and arranged in a matrix form; an illumination light source device which has one or more light sources having a polarization degree not smaller than 50% and one or more polarizers for transmitting one type polarized light and reflecting other type polarized light. At least one set of the light sources are arranged so that the polarization directions of light fluxes having high polarization degrees may be perpendicular to each other, the light fluxes are combined by the polarizer, condensed to a single region by a light-flux condensing element, and then directed toward another illumination optical system located in a subsequent stage.
US08500283B1	Microscope-attachable aberrometer The present invention contemplates a new and improved wavefront aberrometer attachable to an ophthalmic microscope. The present invention also contemplates implementation of a long working distance and a large measurement range into the wavefront aberrometer. The present invention further contemplates to make it quick and easy to insert the wavefront aberrometer and to move it away from the working space of the ophthalmic microscope. The present invention still further contemplates implementation of a keratometry measurement to monitor the corneal status at the time of wavefront power measurement.
US08500282B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring eye tremor An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.
US08500275B2	Vision testing and/or training using adaptable visual indicia The present invention tests and/or trains the visual sensitivity of a subject using adaptable visual indicia. One or more visual indicia possessing a visual trait are displayed to the subject. The displayed visual indicia possessing a visual trait may be adjusted to determine when a subject can and cannot be perceived by the subject. A displayed visual indicia may be adjusted in its size, rate of movement, direction of movement, location of display, duration of display, or other characteristic. To determine whether a subject correctly perceived the visual trait possessed by a displayed visual indicia, an input may be received from the subject. If an input received corresponds to the visual trait possessed by the displayed visual indicia, the subject may be determined to have correctly perceived the displayed visual indicia and the visual trait.
US08500270B2	Structure and method for face form retention in plastic eyeglasses and eyeglass frames Structure and method for face form retention in eyeglasses and eyeglass frames for substantially preventing creep from altering the face form. The method comprises providing an eyeglass frame front having a space in the bridge region for receiving a metallic strip, providing the metallic strip having a width approximately matching the width of the space in the eyeglass frame front and a thickness that is less than its width, and fastening the metallic strip in the space in the bridge region so that the width of the metallic strip rigidifies the eyeglass frame front to retain its face form. Various specific methods and structures are disclosed.
US08500267B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, ink-jet recording apparatus and method for producing water-based ink for ink-jet recording There is provided a water-based ink for ink-jet recording including: a colorant including a self-dispersible pigment modified by a carboxylic acid group; a highly polymerized compound containing a carbodiimide group; an ether sulfate-based anionic surfactant; water; and a water-soluble organic solvent.
US08500266B2	AB block copolymer dispersants having an ink vehicle soluble block The present disclosure provides a aqueous colorant dispersion comprising a colorant and a polymeric dispersant, wherein the polymeric dispersant is a block copolymer comprising an A block and a B block, wherein the A block is a segment having a block size of about 5 to about 18 units, is substantially free of hydroxyethylmethacrylate, and comprises at least 50% by weight of a monomer, having the following structure: CH2═CRC(O)O(CHR1CH2O)nR2, wherein R and R1 are H, or methyl; R2 is alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms or phenyl; and n is about 1 to about 20; and the B block is a segment comprising an ionic monomer and at least one hydrophobic monomer; and wherein the dispersant is neutralized. The disclosure further pertains to an aqueous ink jet ink comprising this aqueous colorant dispersion. Still further, the disclosure pertains to a method of printing that provides images with the requisite optical density and chroma needed for emerging ink jet applications.
US08500258B2	Inkjet printer with float valve regulation of hydrostatic ink pressure An inkjet printer includes: an inkjet printhead; an ink reservoir containing a supply of ink; and a pressure-regulating chamber for maintaining ink contained therein at a predetermined first level. The chamber includes: an inlet port connected to the ink reservoir via an ink supply line; an outlet port connected to an ink inlet of the printhead via an upstream ink line; an air vent open to atmosphere; and a float valve for maintaining the predetermined first level of ink. The float valve includes: an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot; a float mounted at one end of the arm; and a valve stem attached to the arm, said valve stem having a valve head for closure of a valve seat, the valve seat being positioned at the inlet port of the pressure-regulating chamber.
US08500253B2	Piezoelectric actuator and liquid ejection head A liquid ejection head including a piezoelectric actuator is disclosed. The piezoelectric actuator is manufactured by the following steps: carrying out a first heat treatment of a diaphragm of stainless steel containing iron, chromium and aluminum, in a gas containing oxygen, so as to form an aluminum oxide film on a first surface of the diaphragm and form a chromium oxide film between the aluminum oxide film and the first surface of the diaphragm; forming a lower electrode on the aluminum oxide film; forming a piezoelectric body on a surface of the lower electrode reverse to a surface of the lower electrode on which the chromium oxide film and the aluminum oxide film are formed; forming an upper electrode on a surface of the piezoelectric body reverse to a surface of the piezoelectric body on which the lower electrode is formed; and calcining the piezoelectric body by carrying out a second heat treatment of the diaphragm with which the piezoelectric body is provided.
US08500250B2	Liquid discharge head and method for manufacturing the same A liquid discharge head includes: a recording element substrate and a plurality of electric connection units; and an electric wiring member that includes a plurality of input terminals, a plurality wirings held between films and electrically connected to the plurality of input terminals, and a plurality of lead lines conducted to the plurality of wirings. In this case, the plurality of wirings include a power line for supplying power to the energy generation elements and a signal line for supplying a signal to the energy generation elements. Relationships of A>B and B
US08500248B2	Method of manufacturing nozzle plate, liquid ejection head and image forming apparatus The method of manufacturing a nozzle plate which includes a nozzle having a tapered section and a linear section includes the steps of: forming an etching stopper layer for stopping dry etching of a silicon substrate, on a first surface of the silicon substrate; forming a mask layer on a second surface of the silicon substrate reverse to the first surface; performing a first patterning process with respect to the mask layer so that an opening section is formed in the mask layer; carrying out the dry etching of the silicon substrate through the opening section in the mask layer so that the tapered section of the nozzle is formed in the silicon substrate; carrying out dry etching of the etching stopper layer through the opening section in the mask layer so that at least a part of the linear section of the nozzle is formed in the etching stopper layer; and removing the mask layer.
US08500243B2	Inkjet head and method of manufacturing inkjet head According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a nozzle plate, a base member, a frame-like member, an ink chamber, a supply channel and a discharge channel. The nozzle plate includes nozzles. The base member includes driving elements that cause the ink to be ejected from the nozzles, and is opposed to the nozzle plate. The frame-like member is interposed between the nozzle plate and the base member and includes first opening parts and a second opening part extending over all the first opening parts. The ink chamber is provided inside the frame-like member and communicates with the ink chamber. The supply channel is provided in the base member and communicates with the ink chamber to supply ink. The discharge channel is provided in the base member, communicates with the ink chamber to discharge ink, and is connected to the first opening parts through the second opening parts.
US08500241B2	Image recording apparatus There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a casing; a carriage unit which is movable in the casing in a scanning direction intersecting with a transporting direction of a medium; a liquid jetting head mounted on the carriage unit; and a controller which controls the carriage unit and the liquid jetting head so that the carriage unit reciprocates within a predetermined range in the scanning direction under a condition that the liquid jetting head jets the liquid to the medium, and that the carriage unit moves to a cartridge exchange position under a condition that the mounted liquid cartridge is to be changed, the cartridge exchange position being adjacent to the exchange port and being located outside the predetermined range in the scanning direction.
US08500240B2	Image forming apparatus, method of suctioning liquid from nozzles of recording head and computer readable information recording medium An image forming apparatus includes a recording head configured to have a nozzle face on which nozzles that discharge liquid droplets are formed; a cap configured to cap the nozzle face of the recording head; a discharge path configured to be connected to the cap; a suction pump configured to be provided in the discharge path and be made of a tube pump; and an atmosphere opening part configured to open an airtight space, created when the nozzle face is capped by the cap, to the atmosphere. The atmosphere opening part is configured to communicate with the inside of the cap at a position higher than a surface of liquid discharged into the cap, and a check valve configured to prevent a flow of the liquid toward the cap from the suction pump is provided in the discharge path.
US08500239B2	Recording apparatus and conveyance member used therefor A recording apparatus including: a recording portion configured to record an image on a recording medium; an annular conveyance member having a face opposed to the recording portion, the face being capable of moving in a circumferential direction of the annular conveyance member while supporting the recording medium to convey the recording medium; and a first wiper configured to wipe the face by moving relative to the face, while contacting the face, in an intersecting direction that intersects the circumferential direction, wherein the face has a first area as a part of the face, the first area being an area at least a part of which is wiped by the first wiper, the first area having a grinding mark extending in the intersecting direction.
US08500237B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting apparatus, including a head and a capping mechanism which includes: a surrounding member including a lip that surrounds the head and a diaphragm which closes a space between the lip and the head and which outwardly biases the lip; a guide fixed to the head; a holder which surrounds the head and to which the lip is fixed; a moving mechanism configured to move the guide and the holder relative to each other such that the capping mechanism is placed in one of a hermetically sealed state and a non-hermetically sealed state; and a restraining member which is provided on one of the holder and the guide and which is configured to restrain outward deformation of the lip by contacting the other of the holder and the guide, when the capping mechanism is placed in the hermetically sealed state.
US08500231B2	Inkjet recording device and controller, control program and control method for inkjet recording device for gap reduction of ink droplets Aspects of the disclosure relate to a controller, control program, and control method for an inkjet recording device, and an inkjet recording device capable of forming a high-quality image by making positional shift of a landing ink droplet inconspicuous through simple control. A high-quality image can be formed by controlling nozzles ejecting an ink droplet landing at a position where the pitch of adjacent landing droplets is larger than a predetermined pitch such that the area of a landing droplet formed by the nozzles is larger, thereby reducing the gap between landing droplet trains by the landing droplet train for ink droplets corresponding to print data.
US08500229B2	Ink-jet printer An ink-jet printer performs the ordinary jetting operation in which the printing is performed on a printing area of the recording paper while transporting the recording paper frontwardly by transport rollers and the marking jetting operation in which a marking is formed at an edge portion of the recording paper. A control unit of the ink-jet printer allows nozzles to jet liquid droplets therefrom in the marking jetting operation, the liquid droplets having larger volumes as compared with those jetted in the ordinary jetting operation. Therefore, in the marking jetting operation, a larger amount of the ink liquid droplets can be permeated in the thickness direction of the recording paper as compared with the ordinary jetting operation. Accordingly, the marking, which can be easily confirmed from the side of the printing medium, is formed.
US08500225B2	Reinforcing component for refrigerator The reinforcing component for a refrigerator, which is formed by mixing a base material as a synthetic resin material and a supplement component formed by arranging reinforcing fibers according to a pultrusion method, and combined with one or more portions of on one portion of an inner side of an outer case of the refrigerator to contact with foam, a corner of the bottom of the refrigerator or in a mechanic chamber of the refrigerator, an outer plate or an inner plate of a door of the refrigerator, and the interior of a side wall forming an inner space of the refrigerator can reduce the weight of the refrigerator while maintaining the strength.
US08500224B2	Refrigerated cabinet with door assembly A refrigerated cabinet includes a door assembly for closing a cooling chamber. The door assembly includes a door supported by pivot bearings being configured to pivot about a vertical axis between a closed position and an opened position. Rails arranged substantially parallel to a side wall of the refrigerated cabinet are configured to displaceably support the pivot bearings of the door. The door is displaceable in the rails between a use position in front of the cooling chamber, in which the door is pivotable between the opened position and the closed position, and a parking position next to the cooling chamber, in which the door cannot be pivoted.
US08500221B2	Traveling apparatus and braking control method for the traveling apparatus A parallel two-wheeled vehicle including a braking mechanism to directly brake two wheels that includes: a body; a pair of drive units coaxially mounted to the body; a T-shaped handle to be gripped by a passenger; a longitudinal inclination detecting device of the body; and a brake lever. A brake detecting device detects operational information of the brake lever. The body includes: a vehicle speed detecting device to determine a vehicle speed based on a relative angular velocity between the body and the wheels, which is detected by the drive units and based on an angular velocity detected by the longitudinal inclination detecting device; a target speed setting device to set a target vehicle speed based on an output of each of the brake detecting device and the vehicle speed detecting device; and a stabilization control device to control the vehicle to stably follow the target angle/target angular velocity/target vehicle speed. Further, powder brakes are incorporated in the drive units, respectively.
US08500218B2	Hydraulic system A hydraulic system for a slip-regulated dual circuit braking system includes two separating valve receiving holes disposed between a plurality of wheel brake connections which open up into the receiving body and the valve receiving holes of a first valve series include a plurality of inlet valves.
US08500213B2	Electrically Actuated Booster An electrically actuated booster performs displacement control such that the relative displacement relationship between an input member and an assist member is variable according to the absolute displacement of the input member. A target displacement that makes variable the relative displacement relationship between an input piston and a booster piston is set according to a detection signal from a potentiometer (86), and displacement control is performed so that the relative displacement between the two pistons becomes equal to the target displacement on the basis of a signal from a relative displacement sensor (100) that detects the relative displacement between the two pistons.
US08500212B2	Applicator brush having decorated fibers and associated method of manufacture According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an applicator brush for use in applying a product, such as a cosmetic product, the method comprising providing a plurality of fibers, decorating the fibers so as to define at least one colored region, and fitting the decorated fibers to a stem so as to define a cosmetic applicator brush, wherein the step of decorating the fibers includes a step of coloring the fibers using dye sublimation so that individual fibers have an outer colored region and an inner uncolored region. In an embodiment, an individual fiber is decorated with a color that is different to another individual fiber extending from the stem. Alternatively, or in addition, an individual fiber is decorated with at least two colors.
US08500210B2	Resilient pick shank In one aspect of the invention, a pick assembly comprises a pick shank press fitted within a bore of a pick holder. The pick comprises a pick head opposite the shank. The shank also comprises at least one longitudinal slot extending towards the pick head along the shank from a distal end of the shank. The slot allows the shank to resiliently collapse upon insertion into the bore while still allowing the shank to maintain a press fit while within the bore.
US08500198B2	Vehicle seat cover A vehicle seat cover including separately formed parts that are configured to wrap a seat main body and are joined by a joining unit, wherein a band-shaped covering member, which can visually cover a joining state by the joining unit, is disposed in an annular shape, the covering member provided to overhang in an inner side direction of the annular shape, wherein the joining unit is disposed in an inner side position of the annular shape of the covering member along a position in which the covering member is disposed, and wherein in the covering member, an inserting structure is formed into which a string-shaped member can be inserted into a part that overhangs in the inner side direction of the annular shape along an longitudinal direction of the covering member, and the string-shaped member inserted into the inserting structure is tightened.
US08500195B2	Adjustable supporting bracket for motorcycle backrest An adjustable supporting bracket for a motorcycle backrest that may be disposed between a mounting bracket affixed to a motorcycle seat and a mounting bracket affixed to a backrest pad. The adjustable supporting bracket comprises an outer member and an inner member slidingly received within the outer member. The inner member has a hand retractable spring plunger whose tip is disposed to engage longitudinally arrayed recesses in the outer member in order to lockably fix the extension of the inner member. One of the outer member and the inner member is also provided with a tilt wheel disposed within a transverse slot in a lower portion of the member. The tilt wheel is threaded to receive a set screw that extends through the lower portion of the member to bear against the seat mounting bracket. The tilt wheel may be manually rotated to extend and retract the set screw, thereby allowing the user to determine the extent of backward travel of the backrest.
US08500194B2	Seat occupant detection circuit isolation from seat heating circuit using a common mode choke An occupant detection system including a seat assembly comprising a seat cushion having a seating surface, a heating element adjacent the seating surface, said heating element formed of electrically conductive material, a heating circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said heating circuit configured to supply an electrical current to the heating element effective to generate heat by the heating element, an occupant detection circuit electrically coupled to the heating element, said occupant detection circuit configured to detect an occupant presence near the heating element, and an isolation circuit interposed between the heating circuit and the heating element, said isolation circuit configured to prevent the heating circuit from influencing the occupant detection circuit, said isolation circuit comprising a common mode choke. The common mode choke is arranged so current or charge from an excitation signal for detecting an occupant that is received by the heating circuit is replaced so the excitation signal can used to accurately detect an occupant.
US08500192B2	Whole glass roof for a motor vehicle The invention relates to a glass roof for a motor vehicle essentially forming an entire roof surface between the front and rear vehicle-roof cross members. The glass panel can be connected fixedly to the vehicle body and can have one or several cutout openings fitted with an openable glass pane.
US08500189B2	Off-road vehicle having a cargo box An off-road vehicle has a frame, at least four wheels, a seat, a steering assembly, an engine, and a cargo box pivotally mounted to the frame rearwardly of the seat. The cargo box includes: a cargo box body having a front wall, a pair of side walls, a lower floor, and an opened rear side; an upper floor supported inside the cargo box body above the lower floor; an upper tailgate for selectively closing an upper opened portion of the opened rear side; a lower cargo space defined at least in part between the front wall, the pair of side walls, the lower floor, and the upper floor; and an upper cargo space defined between the front wall, the pair of side walls, the upper floor, and the upper tailgate when the upper tailgate closes the upper opened portion of the opened rear side.
US08500188B2	Planar-zippering cornering design The present invention is directed to a zipper for use with a foldable, stowable roof for a vehicle, where the foldable roof includes one or more windows made of a foldable material. The zipper also changes from being in a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional plane around a curved portion of the window, reducing the stress placed on the portion of the zipper connected to the foldable roof, and the portion of the zipper connected to the window.
US08500186B2	Ballistic protection sun visor apparatus A ballistic visor that may act as a sun visor or be installed on an existing sub visor and that provides protection against ballistic rounds is described. The ballistic visor includes a plurality of panels. Each panel is substantially the size of a vehicle windshield sun visor and includes an outer layer of ballistic fabric that permits ballistic rounds to penetrate the ballistic visor and prevents ballistic rounds or ballistic round fragments from exiting the ballistic visor and an inner core of semi-rigid or rigid material surrounded by the outer layer of ballistic fabric and capable of stopping ballistic rounds. The ballistic panel further includes a connection between two of the plurality of panels that enables the ballistic visor to be expanded so that one of the two connected panels hangs below the other of the two connected panels. The connected ends of the two connected panels overlap.
US08500185B1	Decklid hinge counterbalance assembly having a straight end torque rod with infinite rotational adjustment A counterbalanced decklid hinge assembly for rotatably supporting a decklid relative to a vehicle includes a torque rod extending between a first hinge box and a second hinge box. A support member is rotatably supported by each of the first and second hinge boxes. A linkage system interconnects one axial end of the torque rod to one of the support members. A lever is attached to and rotatable with the other axial end of the torque rod. A clamping block attaches the torque rod to one of the lever and the linkage system, and is configured to provide an infinite degree of rotational adjustment therebetween to infinitely adjust the pre-loaded torque rod.
US08500184B2	Trailer with multi-positional gate A trailer has a rear gate that is closeable in a generally vertical orientation and openable in one of three orientations: the gate swings downwardly open to be used as a ramp; swings open to the left side, rotating around left hinges; and swings open to the right side, rotating around right hinges. Removal of pins from an upper left and upper right set of hinges enables rotation of the gate in the downward position. Removal of pins from the upper left and lower left set of hinges enables rotation of the gate in the right position. Removal of pins from the upper right and lower right set of hinges enables rotation of the gate in the left position. Removal of all of the pins allows the gate to be completely removed from the trailer.
US08500183B2	Wall and roof liner for installation in a cargo vehicle A wall liner system for installation within the cargo space of a van or other utility vehicle is provided. The system includes an inner panel configured to conform to and contact an inner surface of the vehicle side wall, an outer panel covering the inner panel, at least one article holder on the outer panel for stowing articles, and at least one connector fastening together the holder, the outer panel and the inner panel. The outer panel can be configured to cover and conform to the configuration of wheel wells and other components of the vehicle which protrude into the cargo space. The inner panel can comprise a rigid plate and the outer panel can comprise a less rigid moulded plastic panel, with the connector being configured to transfer substantially all of the weight of the holder onto the more rigid inner panel.
US08500180B2	Pick up device with leverage action trigger This invention provides hand operated portable devices for grasping and manipulation of objects as well as methods of their use.
US08500169B2	Saddle-ride type vehicle A saddle-ride type vehicle which for preventing the fuel tank from receiving a load imposed on the tank cover and for achieving a weight reduction of the fuel tank. A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame; a fuel tank, fixed to the vehicle body frame, for storing fuel; a tank cover for covering at least part of the fuel tank; a flange part, provided to the fuel tank, for fastening the fuel tank to the vehicle body frame; and a cover supporting member, fastened to the flange part, for supporting the tank cover.
US08500168B2	Energy absorption position-keeping device in an automotive vehicle steering column In an adjustable steering column adjustable, a steering shaft is mounted in a body tube arranged in an intermediate carrier mounted on a fixed support member. The body tube is immobilized onto the fixed support member by a clamping system. The position-keeping device includes teeth that, in the event of an impact, are mutually engageable by means of a press system mounted in the intermediate carrier and under the action of the clamping system. The teeth belong to of the press system and are on the body tube. The teeth have characteristics defined such that in the event of an impact, the breaking force of the teeth has a predetermined value.
US08500167B2	Trailer having secondary wheel attached to adjustable leg A trailer has a body, a primary wheel, and an adjustable leg for providing secondary support. The leg has a terminal end moveable between retracted and extended positions and a secondary wheel rotatably attached to the terminal end, such that the secondary wheel is off the ground when the terminal end is in the retracted position and is in contact with the ground when the terminal end is in the extended position. A pneumatic or hydraulic drive unit is mounted on the trailer body for adjusting the leg to move the terminal end between the extended and retracted positions. A drivetrain is mounted on the trailer body and operatively connected to the secondary wheel for driving the secondary wheel. A controller controls operation of the drive unit to automatically adjust the leg to maintain balance of the trailer, and controls operation of the drivetrain to drive the trailer.
US08500164B2	Airbag with passive-active venting According to an exemplary embodiment, an airbag system includes an airbag cushion, a housing, an inflator, a latch mechanism, and a valve panel. The airbag cushion defines an inlet and a chamber. The house is coupled to the airbag cushion generally proximate the inlet. The inflator is coupled to the housing and is in fluidic communication with the inlet. The latch mechanism is coupled to the housing. The valve panel has a first end coupled to the airbag cushion generally opposite the inlet and includes a second end releasably coupled to the latch mechanism. The airbag cushion includes one or more vent apertures through a surface thereof. The valve panel includes one or more valve apertures and is disposed in the chamber generally adjacent the surface of the airbag cushion. The valve panel is configured to slide relative to the airbag cushion from a first position to a second position before being released by the latch mechanism to move to a third.
US08500158B2	Hinge arrangement for airbag flap hinged on a dashboard The invention relates to a hinge arrangement for an airbag flap hinged to a dashboard. The motor vehicle dashboard body (1) is provided with an opening closed by a flap (4), both the opening and the flap being defined by an outline (3) that is generally rectangular, the flap being suitable for opening so as to allow an airbag to be deployed. It is further provided with one or more linear ties (11-14) fastened to one face of the dashboard body and to one face of the flap, in such manner that segments (43, 44) of linear ties straddle a portion (6) of the outline that extends transversely relative to the vehicle on which the dashboard is to be mounted, in order to constitute or reinforce a hinge (AX) via which the flap is hinged to the dashboard body. The invention relates to motor vehicle safety.
US08500153B2	Folding joint of golf bag cart A folding joint of a golf bag cart includes a main body fixed onto a cart frame and having a chamber formed inside the main body and a long slot formed on both sides of the chamber separately. A driving block is installed in the chamber of the main body. A spring installed at an upper end of the driving block, and a latch rod is disposed on both sides of the driving block separately. Two rotating members, each has an upper end coupled to the cart frame, a lower end coupled to the main body, and a slide slot with a latch slot formed on the slide slot. Thus, the folding joint can be folded or unfolded to secure the cart frame automatically, to provide a simple and convenient operation.
US08500150B2	Transport apparatus A transport apparatus including a rotary portion for providing a source of a rotary motion; a motion transfer portion for mechanically transferring a rotational force of the rotary portion; a battery pack; and a cooling portion for receiving the rotation force transferred from the motion transfer portion and cooling the battery pack by moving a fluid.
US08500147B2	Folding scooter A folding scooter has an upright handlebar position, suitable for riding the scooter, and a folded handlebar position, suitable for storing the scooter. The folding scooter features a base, a handlebar shaft having locking hinge plates, and a base shaft having a lower locking hinge plate. The locking hinge plates of the handlebar shaft rotate with respect to the lower locking hinge plate as the handlebar shaft moves from the upright position to the folded position. A locking mechanism has a first locked position when the handlebar shaft is in the upright position, and a second locked position when the handlebar shaft is in the folded position.
US08500146B2	Skate board Skateboard designs including a hanger with a yoke with two arms, comprising a bumper which provides an increasing force as the wheel axles are pushed away from their resting position, and wide wheels with an asymmetrical and gradually tapering profile as the wheel extends outward from the midline of the board, for improved “surfing-like” maneuverability including an enhanced ability to “carve” like a snowboard.
US08500140B1	Front wheel folding device for three-wheel cart including golf bag cart, baby cart or goods transport cart A front wheel folding device for a three-wheel cart including a golf bag cart, a baby cart or a goods transport cart includes: a fixed base with an upper end coupled to a cart frame and having an elastic press plate and a plurality of teeth; a moving base coupled to the fixed base by a rod and having a gear disk engaged with the teeth of the fixed base for performing a reciprocal rotating movement; and a front wheel set mounted to the moving base and having a front wheel. By pressing the press plate, the moving base is released to perform a rotating movement to drive the front wheel to be disposed at a horizontal state and folded. The aligning and folding processes can be completed all at the same time to achieve a convenient and quick operation.

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