Document Document Title
US08618609B2 Apparatus for improving multi-gate device performance
Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for improving multi-gate device performance are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08618608B2 Lateral silicon controlled rectifier structure
A lateral silicon controlled rectifier structure includes a P-type substrate; an N-well region in the P-type substrate; a first P+ doped region in the N-well region and being connected to an anode; a P-well region in the P-type substrate and bordering upon the N-well region; a first N+ doped region formed in the P-well region and separated from the first P+ doped region by a spacing distance, the first N+ doped region being connected to a cathode; and a gate structure overlying a portion of the P-type substrate between the first P+ doped region and the first N+ doped region.
US08618605B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a first gate electrode buried within a semiconductor substrate, a second gate electrode buried within a silicon growth layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and a bit line disposed on an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate between the first gate electrode and a second gate electrode. Therefore, the number of gates disposed in an active region is increased so that a total memory capacity of the semiconductor device, thereby reducing fabrication cost and improving productivity.
US08618601B2 Shielded gate trench MOSFET with increased source-metal contact
A semiconductor device formed on a semiconductor substrate having a substrate top surface, includes: a gate trench extending from the substrate top surface into the semiconductor substrate; a gate electrode in the gate trench; a dielectric material disposed over the gate electrode; a body region adjacent to the gate trench; a source region embedded in the body region, at least a portion of the source region extending above the dielectric material; a contact trench that allows contact such as electrical contact between the source region and the body region; and a metal layer disposed over at least a portion of a gate trench opening, at least a portion of the source region, and at least a portion of the contact trench.
US08618599B2 Method of manufacture for a semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type and forming a semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type thereon. The method also includes forming an insulator layer on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, etching a trench into at least the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type, and forming a thermal oxide layer in the trench and on the semiconductor layer of the second conductivity type. The method further includes implanting ions into the thermal oxide layer, forming a second insulator layer, removing the second insulator layer from a portion of the trench, and forming an oxide layer in the trench and on the epitaxial layer. Moreover, the method includes forming a material in the trench, forming a second gate oxide layer over the material, and patterning the second gate oxide layer.
US08618597B2 Transistor constructions and processing methods
A transistor construction includes a first floating gate having a first conductive or semiconductive surface and a second floating gate having a second conductive or semiconductive surface. A dielectric region is circumferentially surrounded by the first surface. The region is configured to reduce capacitive coupling between the first and second surfaces. Another transistor construction includes a floating gate having a cavity extending completely through the floating gate from a first surface of the floating gate to an opposing second surface of the floating gate. The floating gate otherwise encloses the cavity, which is filled with at least one dielectric. A method includes closing an upper portion of an opening in insulator material with a gate material during the deposition before filling a lower portion with the gate material. The depositing and closing provide an enclosed cavity within the lower portion of the opening.
US08618594B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
The present invention provides a technique capable of attaining an improvement in current detection accuracy in a trench gate type power MISFET equipped with a current detection circuit. Inactive cells are disposed so as to surround the periphery of a sense cell. That is, the inactive cell is provided between the sense cell and an active cell. All of the sense cell, active cell and inactive cells are respectively formed of a trench gate type power MISFET equipped with a dummy gate electrode. At this time, the depth of each trench extends through a channel forming region and is formed up to the deep inside (the neighborhood of a boundary with a semiconductor substrate) of an n-type epitaxial layer. Further, a p-type semiconductor region is provided at a lower portion of each trench. The p-type semiconductor region is formed so as to contact the semiconductor substrate.
US08618593B2 Low temperature deposition and ultra fast annealing of integrated circuit thin film capacitor
Some embodiments of the invention include thin film capacitors formed on a package substrate of an integrated circuit package. At least one of the film capacitors includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a dielectric layer between the first and second electrode layers. Each of the first and second electrode layers and the dielectric layer is formed individually and directly on the package substrate. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08618591B2 Semiconductor device comprising pillar array and contact array
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate having a base and a pillar array including a plurality of pillars; a plurality of bit lines, each of which is disposed between two adjacent ones of the columns of the pillar array; a plurality of word lines, each of which is connected to a corresponding one of the rows of the pillar array; and a contact array including a plurality of bit line contacts arranged in rows and columns. The bit line contacts of each column of the contact array are embedded in the base and are electrically connected to a respective one of the bit lines. Each bit line contact intersects the respective one of the bit lines and extends between and is electrically connected to two adjacent ones of the pillars.
US08618589B2 Solid-state imaging device and driving method therefor
A solid-state imaging device in which the potential of a signal line, which is obtained before a pixel has an operating period, is fixed to an intermediate potential between a first power-supply potential and a second power-supply potential.
US08618588B2 Anti-blooming pixel sensor cell with active neutral density filter, methods of manufacture, and design structure
A method of preventing blooming in a pixel array includes affecting an amount of light that impinges on a photoelectric conversion element by adjusting a transmissivity of an electrochromic element based on an output of the photoelectric conversion element.
US08618587B2 Quantum well graphene structure formed on a dielectric layer having a flat surface
An electronic device employing a graphene layer as a charge carrier layer. The graphene layer is sandwiched between layers that are constructed of a material having a highly ordered crystalline structure and a high dielectric constant. The highly ordered crystalline structure of the layers surrounding the graphene layer has low density of charged defects that can lead to scattering of charge carriers in the graphene layer. The high dielectric constant of the layers surrounding the graphene layer also prevents charge carrier scattering by minimizing interaction between the charge carriers and the changed defects in the surrounding layers. An interracial layer constructed of a thin, non-polar, dielectric material can also be provided between the graphene layer and each of the highly ordered crystalline high dielectric constant layers to minimize charge carrier scattering in the graphene layer through remote interfacial phonons.
US08618582B2 Edge termination structure employing recesses for edge termination elements
Elements of an edge termination structure, such as multiple concentric guard rings, are effectively doped regions in a drift layer. To increase the depth of these doped regions, individual recesses may be formed in a surface of the drift layer where the elements of the edge termination structure are to be formed. Once the recesses are formed in the drift layer, these areas about and at the bottom of the recesses are doped to form the respective edge termination elements.
US08618580B2 Integrated circuit chips with fine-line metal and over-passivation metal
An integrated circuit chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a first circuit in or coupled to the semiconductor substrate, a second circuit device in or coupled the semiconductor substrate, a dielectric structure coupled the semiconductor substrate, a first interconnecting structure in the dielectric structure, a first pad connected to the first node of the voltage regulator through the first interconnecting structure, a second interconnecting structure in the dielectric structure, a second pad connected to the first node of the analog circuit through the second interconnecting structure, a passivation layer coupled the dielectric structure, wherein multiple openings in the passivation layer exposes the first and second pads, and a third interconnecting structure coupled the passivation layer and coupled the first and second pads.
US08618579B2 Semiconductor integrated circuit device and a method of manufacturing the same
To provide a circuit layout design method that can prevent degradation of the circuit reliability even in highly miniaturized circuit cells.In order to prevent noise from a power supply potential or a reference potential with a large potential difference from affecting a gate electrode and causing a malfunction, a first plug connected to the gate electrode and a second plug to which the power supply potential or the reference potential is supplied are required to be spaced from each other by a distance sufficient for the noise from the power supply potential or the reference potential not to affect the first plug. To this end, among the second plugs placed at equal intervals under the wiring, only the second plug placed at a layout position that is not sufficiently spaced from the first plug is deleted at the time of planar layout design.
US08618576B1 Semiconductor device with back side metal structure
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body with a base layer and a field shaping zone of a first conductivity type. The base layer extends parallel to a back surface of the semiconductor body in a central portion and into an edge portion that surrounds the central portion. The field shaping zone is formed in the edge portion and has a maximum dopant concentration exceeding at least three times a maximum dopant concentration in the base layer. A back side metal structure directly adjoins the back surface in the central portion and extends over the edge portion. A dielectric structure is between the back side metal structure and the field shaping zone. Leakage current mechanisms reducing the reverse blocking capabilities are reduced.
US08618571B2 Semiconductor light emitting device having a reflective layer
Disclosed are a semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor light emitting device comprises a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active; an electrode on a first region of the first conductive semiconductor layer; a conductive support member under the light emitting structure; a metal layer between the light emitting structure and the conductive support member; and a reflective layer between the metal layer and the light emitting structure, wherein the metal layer is physically contacted with a lower surface of the reflective layer, wherein the reflective layer includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer has a different material from the second layer, wherein the metal layer has a protrusion, wherein the first conductive semiconductor layer includes a roughness.
US08618561B2 Methods for depositing nanomaterial, methods for fabricating a device, and methods for fabricating an array of devices
A method comprising depositing an ink comprising a nanomaterial and a liquid vehicle from a micro-dispenser onto a layer of a device is disclosed. A method comprising depositing an ink comprising a nanomaterial and a liquid vehicle from a micro-dispenser onto a material capable of transporting charge in a predetermined arrangement is also disclosed. Methods for fabricating devices including nanomaterials are also disclosed. In certain preferred embodiments, the nanomaterial comprises semiconductor nanocrystals. In certain preferred embodiments, a micro-dispenser comprises an inkjet printhead.
US08618556B2 FinFET design and method of fabricating same
An integrated circuit device and method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. An exemplary device includes a semiconductor substrate having a substrate surface and a trench isolation structure disposed in the semiconductor substrate for isolating an NMOS region of the device and from a PMOS region of the device. The device further includes a first fin structure comprising silicon or SiGe disposed over a layer of III-V semiconductor material having a high band gap energy and a lattice constant greater than that of Ge; a second fin structure comprising silicon or SiGe disposed over a layer of III-V semiconductor material having a high band gap energy and a lattice constant smaller than that of Ge; and a gate structure disposed over and arranged perpendicular to the first and second fin structures.
US08618551B2 Semiconductor light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate, a first electrode, a first conductivity type layer, a light emitting layer, a second conductivity type layer and a second electrode. The first conductivity type layer includes a first contact layer, a window layer having a lower impurity concentration than the first contact layer and a first cladding layer. The second conductivity type layer includes a second cladding layer, a current spreading layer and a second contact layer. The second electrode includes a narrow-line region on the second contact layer and a pad region electrically connected to the narrow-line region. Band gap energies of the first contact and window layers are larger than that of the light emitting layer. The first contact layer is provided selectively between the window layer and the first electrode and without overlapping the second contact layer as viewed from above.
US08618548B2 Thin film transistor array panel with overlapping floating electrodes and pixel electrodes
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a thin film transistor array panel includes a gate line and a data line insulated from each other an insulating substrate where the gate line and the data line cross each other to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor (TFT) disposed at an intersection of the gate line and the data line, a floating electrode where at least a portion of the floating electrode overlaps the data line, and a pixel electrode disposed at the pixel region where the pixel electrode is connected to the TFT and overlaps the at least a portion of the floating electrode.
US08618547B2 Mask assembly and organic light emitting diode display manufactured using the same
A mask assembly includes a frame forming an opening, and a plurality of unit masks which form a plurality of deposition openings, the longitudinal ends of the unit masks being fixed to the frame. At least two adjacent ones of the plurality of unit masks have deposition recesses formed on both sides facing each other. The width of the deposition recesses along a width direction of the unit masks is equal to or greater than the width of the deposition openings along the width direction of the unit masks.
US08618545B2 Thin film transistor and display
A thin film transistor capable of reliably preventing the entry of light into an active layer, and a display including the thin film transistor are provided. A thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode; an active layer; and a gate insulating film arranged between the gate electrode and the active layer, the gate insulating film including a first insulating film, a first light-absorbing layer and a second insulating film, the first insulating film arranged in contact with the gate electrode, the first light-absorbing layer arranged in contact with the first insulating film and made of a material absorbing light of 420 nm or less, the second insulating film arranged between the first light-absorbing layer and the active layer.
US08618539B2 Interconnect sensor for detecting delamination
An interconnect sensor for detecting delamination due to coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch and/or mechanical stress. The sensor comprises a conductive path that includes a via disposed between two back end of line metal layers separated by a dielectric. The via is coupled between a first probe structure and a second probe structure and mechanically coupled to a stress inducing structure. The via is configured to alter the conductive path in response to mechanical stress caused by the stress inducing structure. The stress inducing structure can be a through silicon via or a solder ball. The dielectric material can be a low-k dielectric material. In another embodiment, a method of forming an interconnect sensor is provided for detecting delamination.
US08618538B2 Thin film transistor array panel and manufacturing method thereof
A thin film transistor array panel is provided that includes: a gate electrode that is disposed on an insulating substrate; a gate insulating layer that is disposed on the gate electrode; an oxide semiconductor that is disposed on the gate insulating layer; a blocking layer that is disposed on the oxide semiconductor; a source electrode and a drain electrode that are disposed on the blocking layer; a passivation layer that is disposed on the source electrode and drain electrode; and a pixel electrode that is disposed on the passivation layer. The blocking layer includes a first portion that is covered by the source electrode and drain electrode and a second portion that is not covered by the source electrode and drain electrode, and the first portion and the second portion include different materials.
US08618534B2 Field-effect transistor with a dielectric layer having therein denatured albumen
A field-effect transistor includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor active layer, and a dielectric layer. The semiconductor active layer is connected to the source electrode and the drain electrode. The dielectric layer includes denatured albumen and is positioned between the gate electrode and the semiconductor active layer.
US08618533B2 Siloles substituted by fused ring systems and use thereof in organic electronics
The present invention relates to the use of siloles substituted by fused ring systems in organic electronics applications, and to specific siloles substituted by fused ring systems and to the use thereof in organic electronics applications.
US08618531B2 Transparent conductors comprising metal nanowires
A transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. More specifically, the conductive layer comprises a network of nanowires which may be embedded in a matrix. The conductive layer is optically transparent and flexible. It can be coated or laminated onto a variety of substrates, including flexible and rigid substrates.
US08618530B2 Conjugated polymer, insolubilized polymer, organic electroluminescence element material, composition for organic electroluminescence element, polymer production process, organic electroluminescence element, organic EL display and organic EL lighting
An object of the present invention is to provide a conjugated polymer which has a high hole transportability and is excellent in solubility and depositability. Another object of the present invention is to provide an organic electroluminescence element which is capable of low voltage driving and has a high luminous efficiency and drive stability. The conjugated polymer of the present invention is a conjugated polymer containing a specific structure as the repeating unit, where the conjugated polymer contains an insolubilizing group as a substituent, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is 20,000 or more and the dispersity (Mw/Mn) is 2.40 or less.
US08618527B2 Memory element and memory device
There are provided a memory element and a memory device with a smaller range of element-to-element variation of electrical characteristics. The memory element includes a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second layer in this order. The memory layer includes a resistance change layer including a plurality of layers varying in diffusion coefficient of mobile atoms, and an ion source layer disposed between the resistance change layer and the second electrode.
US08618525B2 Work function tailoring for nonvolatile memory applications
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a resistive switching nonvolatile memory device having an interface layer structure disposed between at least one of the electrodes and a variable resistance layer formed in the nonvolatile memory device, and a method of forming the same. Typically, resistive switching memory elements may be formed as part of a high-capacity nonvolatile memory integrated circuit, which can be used in various electronic devices, such as digital cameras, mobile telephones, handheld computers, and music players. In one configuration of the resistive switching nonvolatile memory device, the interface layer structure comprises a passivation region, an interface coupling region, and/or a variable resistance layer interface region that are configured to adjust the nonvolatile memory device's performance, such as lowering the formed device's switching currents and reducing the device's forming voltage, and reducing the performance variation from one formed device to another.
US08618522B2 Flow through apparatus for UV disinfection of water
A system for disinfecting contaminated water having, in one embodiment, a vessel for contaminated water having an inlet and an outlet. An elongate housing is disposed generally vertically in the vessel, the housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet, the housing outlet being in open communication with the interior of the vessel. An elongate UV light assembly is disposed in the housing and divides at least a portion of the housing into first and second flow pathways, the second flow pathway being in open communication with the housing outlet. There is a flow inducer aiding flow of at least some of the contaminated water from the vessel, through the housing and out the housing outlet.
US08618521B2 Pluridirectional very high electron energy radiation therapy systems and processes
A compact high-gradient, very high energy electron (VHEE) accelerator and delivery system (and related processes) capable of treating patients from multiple beam directions with great speed, using all-electromagnetic or radiofrequency deflection steering is provided, that can deliver an entire dose or fraction of high-dose radiation therapy sufficiently fast to freeze physiologic motion, yet with a better degree of dose conformity or sculpting than conventional photon therapy. In addition to the unique physical advantages of extremely rapid radiation delivery, there may also be radiobiological advantages in terms of greater tumor or other target control efficacy for the same physical radiation dose.
US08618520B2 Method and apparatus for processing a micro sample
An object of the invention is to realize a method and an apparatus for processing and observing a minute sample which can observe a section of a wafer in horizontal to vertical directions with high resolution, high accuracy and high throughput without splitting any wafer which is a sample. In an apparatus of the invention, there are included a focused ion beam optical system and an electron optical system in one vacuum container, and a minute sample containing a desired area of the sample is separated by forming processing with a charged particle beam, and there are included a manipulator for extracting the separated minute sample, and a manipulator controller for driving the manipulator independently of a wafer sample stage.
US08618513B2 Apparatus and methods for forming an electrical conduction path through an insulating layer
One embodiment disclosed relates to an apparatus forming an electrical conduction path through an insulating layer on a surface of a substrate. A first radiation source is configured to emit radiation to a first region of the insulating layer, and a first electrical contact is configured to apply a first bias voltage to the first region. A second radiation source is configured to emit radiation to a second region of the insulating layer, and a second electrical contact is configured to apply a second bias voltage to the second region. The conductivities of the regions are increased by the radiation such that conductive paths are formed through the insulating layer at those regions. In one implementation, the apparatus may be used in an electron beam instrument. Another embodiment relates to a method of forming an electrical conduction path through an insulating layer. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.
US08618511B2 Marking method for the reject marking of test elements
The test elements are provided that are adapted to detect at least one analyte in a sample. At least some of the test elements are provided with a defect marking which contains information about defectiveness of the test elements. The test elements include at least one radiation-sensitive material. The test elements are exposed to at least one radiation, the radiation being adapted to induce marking in the form of at least one optically detectable change in the radiation-sensitive material.
US08618506B2 Fluorescence life measuring apparatus, fluorescence life measuring method and program
A fluorescence life measuring apparatus, a fluorescence life measuring method and a program are described that can obtain fluorescence life using a simple configuration. The apparatus moves a stage on which a fluorescent material to be measured is placed, irradiates with excitation light the fluorescent material placed on the stage moved at a constant speed, images afterglow of emitted fluorescence caused by the excitation light, and uses an imaged image to detect the elapsed time from a fluorescence position and afterglow strength at a target afterglow position and calculate the fluorescence life.
US08618505B2 Plasmonic electricity
The present invention relates to detection systems and methods that detect fluorescence, luminescence, chemiluminescence or phosphorescence signatures in the form of an electrical signal conducted and emitted from metallic containing surfaces. Thus, the present invention provides for detecting fluorescence digitally and directly without the need for expensive detectors.
US08618504B2 Light source apparatus for fluorescence photography
A light source apparatus for fluorescence photography of biomolecule sample gels is disclosed. The light source apparatus comprises a housing, a transparent plate disposed in a light transmission zone at the top of the housing, and at least one LED array disposed in the housing out of the range of the light transmission zone. The LED array irradiates obliquely to the light transmission zone for preventing the light spots from interfering in the observation. Each of LED array may comprises different colors of LEDs for different biomolecule samples.
US08618503B2 Electron beam sterilizer
An electron beam sterilizer has a bottle holder 28 provided with a rotation shaft 38, a neck gripper 70 mounted to a lower end of the rotation shaft 38, a rotating body 30 for rotating and moving the neck gripper 70 and a rotator revolver (segment gear 54, pinion gear 46, disc-shaped cam 66, etc.), and while conveying the resin bottle 2 in the state of being held, the resin bottle 2 is sterilized by irradiation with the electron beam through the irradiation window 19 of the electron beam irradiation device 18. The entire surface of the resin bottle 2 is completely sterilized by being rotated by the rotator during the movement in front of the irradiation window 19 and, thereafter, the rotator is inverted in position to return the neck gripper to thereby discharge the bottle.
US08618502B2 Mounting arrangement
This invention provides a method of mounting cylindrical electrodes in the geometry of a miniature electrostatic quadrupole, which can act as a quadrupole mass filter or a quadrupole ion guide, or be used in a linear quadrupole ion trap. The electrodes are mounted in pairs on microfabricated supports, which are formed from conducting parts on an insulating substrate. The supports include a suspended flexure system to relieve strains caused by mismatch between the thermal expansion coefficients of the electrodes and the substrate. A complete quadrupole is constructed from two such supports, which are spaced apart by further conducting spacers.
US08618500B2 Multi channel detector, optics therefor and method of operating thereof
A secondary charged particle detection device for detection of a signal beam is described. The device includes a detector arrangement having at least two detection elements with active detection areas, wherein the active detection areas are separated by a gap, a particle optics configured for separating the signal beam in a first portion of the signal beam and in at least one second portion of the signal beam, configured for focusing the first portion of the signal beam, and configured for deflecting and focusing the at least one second portion of the signal beam, wherein the particle optics includes a first electrode and at least one second electrode. Therein, the first electrode is an inner electrode and the at least one second electrode is provided radially outward of the first electrode.
US08618497B2 Drawing apparatus, method of manufacturing article, and information processing apparatus
The present invention provides a drawing apparatus including a plurality of drawing units each of which is configured to perform drawing on a substrate with a charged particle beam, a plurality of first processors configured to be selectively connectable to each of the plurality of drawing units, an information processor configured to determine, from the plurality of first processors, a first processor to be connected to a first drawing unit among the plurality of drawing units, based on drawing data, and a connection unit configured to connect the determined first processor to the first drawing unit.
US08618494B2 Imaging apparatus, imaging control apparatus, imaging system, and method for controlling imaging apparatus
An imaging apparatus configured to output an imaging enabling signal in response to an imaging instruction includes an imaging unit, a control unit configured to cause the imaging unit to repeatedly perform initialization driving for reading an accumulated electrical signal, and a determination unit configured to determine whether to start new initialization driving before the imaging enabling signal is output, according to an elapsed time from completion of the last initialization driving to the time of receipt of the imaging instruction.
US08618491B2 Radiographic image imaging device, radiographic image imaging method and storage medium storing radiographic image imaging program
A radiographic image imaging device is provided. The device includes: an acquisition component that acquires battery remaining power amount information representing an amount of power remaining in a battery, which is incorporated in a portable radiographic image imaging device and supplies power to the portable radiographic image imaging device, the portable radiographic image imaging device detecting radiation irradiated at a subject of imaging and generating a radiographic image; a calculation component that calculates a possible standby duration of the portable radiographic image imaging device on the basis of the battery remaining power amount information acquired by the acquisition component and a number of images of the portable radiographic image imaging device; and a display component that displays the number of images and the possible standby duration.
US08618489B2 Scintillator crystal having phase-separated structure
A scintillator crystal to be used for a radiation detector such as X-ray CT apparatus has a unidirectional phase-separated structure and provides a light guiding function without forming partitions to prevent any crosstalk. The scintillator crystal comprises a phase-separated structure including a plurality of first crystal phases of the columnar crystals with unidirectionality and a second crystal phase covering lateral surfaces of the first crystal phases. At least the second crystal phase comprises CuI and emits light when excited by radiation.
US08618488B2 Method for producing a scintillator and scintillator
A method is disclosed, in at least one embodiment, for producing a scintillator for a radiation detector, in which the scintillator is produced in layers by depositing a scintillator material using a PVD process. By using a PVD process, owing to lower process temperatures of less than 300° C., it is possible to produce scintillators with decay times of less than 1.1 ns over large surfaces. In this way, the prerequisites for quantitative and energy-selective detection of individual radiation quanta can be satisfied even with fluxes of more than 108 X-ray quanta/mm2*s. At least one embodiment of the invention also relates to a scintillator produced by such a method.
US08618487B2 Method and system for evaluating the distribution of an absorbent material in an absorbent article
A system for imaging a distribution of an absorbent material within an absorbent article. The system includes a radiation source and a detector positioned such that the absorbent article is situated between the radiation source and the detector. The absorbent article includes an absorbent material having a spatial distribution within the absorbent article. Infrared radiation within a particular wavelength range (e.g., 3 μm to 3.2 μm) is more likely to be absorbed by the absorbent material than by other materials within the absorbent article. The radiation source is configured to generate infrared radiation incident on the absorbent article. The detector is configured to detect a quantity of the infrared radiation within the particular wavelength range that was transmitted through the absorbent article. The radiation source is further configured to generate data indicative of the spatial distribution of the absorbent material based on the detected quantity of the infrared radiation.
US08618486B2 Image forming apparatus
An apparatus visualizing internal information of an object includes a detection unit of terahertz wave, a generating unit of a time waveform of the terahertz wave, a modulation unit, an adjustment unit, and an addition unit. The modulation unit sequentially performs spatial modulation on a propagation distance for each pixel of a terahertz wave corresponding to a pixel in a horizontal direction by using a plurality of modulation patterns, and emits a plurality of terahertz waves. Based on a time amount converted from the change of the propagation distances corresponding to the modulation patterns, the adjustment unit adjusts a position on a time axis of the time waveforms of a plurality of terahertz waves and calculates a new plurality of time waveforms. The addition unit adds a new time waveform for each pixel. The apparatus can suppress reduction in signal intensity of a terahertz wave while maintaining detection sensitivity.
US08618484B2 Fluid film indicator
An apparatus for radiometric measurement of thin fluid films includes a housing (1) enclosing means of radiation, a radiation guide, a reflector (4) and one or more detectors (5). The means of radiation is normally an IR radiator (2). The radiation guide is either a radiation tube (3) or a radiation cone (7). The reflector (4) is of the type non-imagining optics. If there is more than one detector (5) normally at least one detector is a reference detector.
US08618481B2 Use of noble metal nanoparticles as light absorbers and heat generators in thermal photodetectors, sensors and microelectromechanical devices
This disclosure provides methods to integrate heat generating nanoparticles to microelectromechanical (MEMs) and photonic devices such as microbolometers and thermopiles for better photodetection and electrical energy generation. Nanoparticles include noble metal and semiconductor nanocrystals of different shapes, as light sensing and heat generating materials.
US08618480B2 Charged particle beam apparatus
The present invention provides a charged particle beam apparatus which employs LVSEM to inspect sample surface with a throughput much higher than the prior art. The high throughput is realized by providing a probe current and a FOV both several times of those of the prior art. Accordingly several means are proposed to avoid obvious degradation of image resolution due to the increases in Coulomb effect and geometric aberrations, and increase efficiency and uniformity of secondary charged particle collection.
US08618474B2 Systems and methods for analyzing substances using a mass spectrometer
Systems and methods for analyzing compounds in a sample. In one embodiment, the present technology is directed towards a method of analyzing a sample, comprising: emitting ions from the sample; selectively filtering the emitted ions for at least one designated trigger ion; fragmenting the designated trigger ions; scanning for a designated trigger ion fragment; and upon detecting the designated trigger ion fragment, scanning for at least one confirmatory ion fragment.
US08618473B2 Mass spectrometer with precisely aligned ion optic assemblies
A mass spectrometer has a manifold and at least one ion optical assembly that is composed of a support and electrodes attached to the support. The support is aligned to at least one reference surface machined integrally with the manifold such that the number of interfaces between the reference surface of the manifold and the electrodes is minimized. With such a design the positional and/or alignment precision of ion optical assemblies in a mass spectrometer can be improved.
US08618472B2 Downhole carbon logging apparatus, systems, and methods
In some embodiments, apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to emit radiation into an earth formation from a source positioned below a surface of the earth, collect resulting radiation that is a result of the radiation emitted and interacting with the formation, and to determine the total carbon yield from the resulting radiation. Further activities may include determining the amount of inorganic carbon content from carbonate minerals in the formation based on a carbon-calcium ratio derived from the resulting radiation, as well as from iron-carbon based minerals in the formation based on a carbon-iron ratio derived from the resulting radiation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08618471B2 Apparatus, imaging device and method for detecting X-ray radiation
The invention is directed at an apparatus (10), an imaging device and a method for detecting X-ray photons, in particular photons (32,34) in a computer tomograph. Photons (32,34) are converted into an electrical pulse and compared against a threshold using a discriminator (20). The electrical network (12) performing these functions comprises a switching element (28), that can modify the electrical path (22) along which the process signals travel. The trigger signal (VT) for actuating the switching element (28) is derived from an electrical state of the electrical path (22). If a pulse associated to a photon (32,34) is detected, the switching element (28) is actuated in order to avoid that the processing of the charge pulse stemming from a first photon (32) is affected by a subsequent second photon (34).
US08618470B2 Laser based identification of molecular characteristics
Enantiomers are characterized, identified, synthesized and/or modified with a shaped laser pulse. In another aspect of the present invention, binary shaping and circular polarization are employed with a laser pulse. A further aspect of the present invention provides a quarter-wave plate in combination with one or more pulse shapers.
US08618469B2 Optical trap
A system for forming an optical trap comprising two or more photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) and at least one source of radiation for inputting radiation to the photonic crystal fibers, the fibers being operable to provide counter-propagating outputs for forming the optical trap.
US08618468B2 Imaging module with folded illuminating and imaging paths
An imaging module for imaging, and a reader for and a method of electro-optically reading, a target, include a support, an imaging assembly including a solid-state imager having an array of image sensors on the support for capturing return light over a field of view at a range of working distances from the target along a folded imaging path, and an illuminating assembly on the support for directing illumination light along a folded illuminating path having a length longer than the folded imaging path to uniformly illuminate the target with the illumination light. The longer length of the folded illuminating path enables the illuminating assembly to illuminate the target with more of the illumination light, and also enables the imaging assembly to capture more of the return light for increased imaging/reading performance.
US08618465B2 Seed sensor system and method for improved seed count and seed spacing
A seed sensor system determines the position of the seed relative to the seed tube as the seed passes the sensor. The position of the seed as well as the speed of the planter and the position of the seed tube above the planting furrow are used to calculate trajectory of the seed into the furrow from which the seed spacing is predicated. By sensing the seed in both X and Y directions in the seed tube, the sensor is better able to determine multiple seeds as well providing more precision to the seed population.
US08618463B2 Optical filter having substrate including surfaces with different heights and optical module provided with same
An optical filter includes first and second substrates, first and second mirrors, and first and second electrodes. The second substrate faces the first substrate. The second substrate includes a first surface and a second surface. The second surface surrounds the first surface in a plan view and a second height of the second surface is lower than a first height of the first surface. The first mirror is formed on the first surface of the second substrate. The second mirror is formed on the first substrate, the second mirror facing the first mirror. The first electrode is formed on the first substrate. The second electrode is formed on the second surface of the second substrate. The second electrode faces the first electrode.
US08618461B2 Solid-state imaging device and imaging device
A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of AD conversion units respectively provided in a plurality of columns and each configured to convert a pixel signal converted by unit pixels provided in an associated column into digital data of N bits, and a plurality of data storage units respectively provided in the columns. The data storage units each include N flip-flop circuits. The solid-state imaging device further includes data switching units each configured to switch between a first state in which the digital data converted by the AD conversion unit is stored in the data storage unit of the associated column, and a second state in which the N flip-flop circuits in each of the data storage units are serially connected.
US08618457B2 Drive and measurement circuit for a photomultiplier
A method of measuring an anode current in an electron-multiplier device having an anode, a cathode, dynodes and a voltage divider network for applying voltages to the dynodes, which method includes applying an HV positive voltage to the anode and intermediate voltages to the dynodes, the cathode being at or near circuit ground potential, conducting dynode currents through or in parallel to the voltage divider to a point substantially at cathode potential, and deriving from those currents a current representative of the anode current.
US08618456B2 Inverter for a three-phase AC photovoltaic system
Various methods and apparatus are described for a photovoltaic system. In an embodiment, pluralities of three-phase Alternating Current (AC) inverter circuits electrically connect into a common three phase AC output. Each of those inverters receives a bipolar DC voltage supplied from its own set of Concentrated PhotoVoltaic (CPV) modules.
US08618455B2 Adjustable range munition
An adjustable range munition has at least one gas vent that is selectively variable to affect the amount of force that is directed onto the projectile upon actuation of the propellant section, thereby to control the range of the munition.
US08618453B2 Microwave susceptor assembly having overheating protection
A susceptor assembly includes electrically conductive vanes positioned with respect to each other and to an planar susceptor member having an electrically lossy layer thereon to prevent overheating of the susceptor in an unloaded microwave oven.
US08618446B2 Substrate support with substrate heater and symmetric RF return
Apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate support includes a substrate support surface and a shaft; an RF electrode disposed in the substrate support proximate the substrate support surface to receive RF current from an RF source; a heater disposed proximate the substrate support surface to provide heat to a substrate when disposed on the substrate support surface, the heater having one or more conductive lines to provide power to the heater; a thermocouple to measure the temperature of a substrate when disposed on the substrate support surface; and a conductive element having an interior volume with the one or more conductive lines and the thermocouple disposed through the interior volume, the conductive element coupled to the RF electrode and having an electric field of about zero in the interior volume when RF current is flowed through the conductive element.
US08618445B2 Heating system
A heating system which may include a bonding membrane having a water permeable lamina, an electrically conductive ink-based radiant heater, and a first adhesive adapted to adhere to both the conductive ink-based radiant heater and the bonding membrane. The heating system may be incorporated in a floor including a substrate, the heating system and a decorative floor surface. The heating system may also be in the form of a multilayer panel having a bonding membrane, an electrically conductive ink-based heater including a plurality of electrically resistive strips printed on a first polymer sheet connected by electrically conductive buses, and electrical conductors extending from the buses to at least an edge of the panel.
US08618441B2 Output control for auto-reconnect welding/cutting equipment
Apparatus and methods for automatically recalibrating an output current range of a user output current control encoder of an auto-reconnect welding/cutting device. When an input power type connected to an auto-reconnect device is changed, the calibrated range of the user output current control encoder (e.g., output control knob) is automatically transformed in response to the auto-reconnect device sensing at least one characteristic of the input power type. As a result, when a user adjusts the encoder to its maximum full-scale setting, too much current will not be drawn by the auto-reconnect device which would cause a circuit protection component (e.g., a circuit breaker or a fuse) associated with the input power type to trip. Instead, the current that is drawn when the encoder is set to the maximum full-scale setting is no more than about a rated current of the circuit protection component.
US08618440B2 Sprayed weld strip for improved weldability
A method for welding to a superalloy material without causing cracking of the material. The method includes the steps of depositing a weld strip (18) of a weldable material onto a superalloy substrate material (12) using a spray deposition process (20) and then forming a weldment (26) to the weld strip. None or a controlled amount of the substrate material (12) is melted during the weld in order to maintain the concentration of strengthening elements in the local melt within a zone of weldability. The spray deposition process may be a thermal process such as HVOF or a cold spray process. A groove (16) may be formed in a surface (10) of the superalloy substrate material to receive the weld strip. A diffusion heat treatment step may be used to improve adhesion between the weld strip and the superalloy material.
US08618439B2 Method for producing a hole
There are a multiplicity of methods of making through-holes. In particular in the production of a multiplicity of film-cooling holes, as in gas turbine blades or combustion chamber elements, small time advantages are also important when making a hole. The method according to the invention, to make the hole close to the final contour in each case in sections in a top and a bottom region in order to then produce the final contour with other laser parameters, achieves time advantages.
US08618436B2 Apparatus and method of oxidation utilizing a gliding electric arc
A method and apparatus for oxidizing a combustible material. The method includes introducing a volume of the combustible material into a plasma zone of a gliding electric arc oxidation system. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system. The volume of oxidizer includes a stoichiometrically excessive amount of oxygen. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the gliding electric arc oxidation system to oxidize the combustible material.
US08618435B2 Ablative plasma gun
An ablative plasma gun is presented. The ablative plasma gun includes a first gun electrode and a second gun electrode arranged between a dielectric layer to form a longitudinal slot. An opening at a distal end of the longitudinal slot is provided to spread generated plasma.
US08618431B2 Touch sensing unit and method for manufacturing the same
A touch sensing unit and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The touch sensing unit includes a first substrate, a first electrode, a second substrate, a second electrode, a supporting layer, a third electrode and a sensing layer. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The first electrode is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second electrode is disposed on the second substrate, and the first electrode contacts the second electrode through a pressing motion. The supporting layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The third electrode is disposed on the second substrate. The sensing layer has constant impedance and is disposed on the second substrate between the second electrode and the third electrode to electrically connect the second electrode and the third electrode.
US08618428B2 System and method for determining object information using an estimated rigid motion response
The embodiments described herein provide devices and methods that facilitate improved performance. Specifically, the devices and methods provide the ability to determine object information for objects causing rigid motion on a capacitive sensor device. In one embodiment, the device and method is configured to determine an estimated rigid motion response associated with a substantially rigid motion of the at least one sensing electrode using a set of sensor values, where the substantially rigid motion was caused by one or more objects in contact with the input surface. The estimated rigid motion response at least partially accounts for effects of capacitive coupling with the object(s) in contact with the input surface. The device and method may determine object information using the estimated rigid motion response. Where the input device is used to direct an electronic system, the object information may be used to facilitate a variety of interface actions.
US08618427B2 Spherical cap for high-voltage outgoing lines in oil transformers
The disclosure relates to a spherical cap for a high-voltage outgoing line, including an electrically conductive element, which is arranged hollow-cylindrically about a rotational axis and which merges into a hemispherical form at its first axial end. A connection device has a passage opening for electrically and mechanically connecting the element, to an electrical screening pipe. At least two insulation barriers are spaced apart from one another and respectively adapted to the form of the hollow-cylindrical element and enclose the latter at a respective first and second distance. The insulation barriers respectively have a pipe attachment connector for leading through a screening pipe to the connection device. The connection device has a first part for connection to a screening pipe and a second part connected to the conductive element and a connection adjustable in a force-locking manner is provided between the first and second parts.
US08618426B2 Mobile sound and light resistant electromagnetic isolation chamber
A device enclosing a volume shielded from certain levels of sound, light and electromagnetic radiation, such device that prevents electromagnetic communications and recording devices from transmitting and receiving communications from outside of the devices protected environment while remaining mobile and ungrounded.
US08618422B2 Electronic component
A mounting structure includes an electronic component mounted on a circuit board. Land electrodes are disposed on a board body and are connected to outer electrodes of the electronic component through solders, respectively. A distance from each of the land electrodes to a top of the corresponding solder is not larger than about 1.27 times a distance from each of the land electrodes to an exposed portion of a capacitor conductor exposed at an end surface of the electronic component, the capacitor conductor being positioned closest to the circuit board.
US08618420B2 Apparatus with a wire bond and method of forming the same
In some embodiments, a printed circuit board (PCB) comprises a substrate comprising an insulating material. The PCB further comprises a plurality of conductive tracks attached to at least one surface of the substrate. The PCB further comprises a multi-layer coating deposited on the at least one surface of the substrate. The multi-layer coating (i) covers at least a portion of the plurality of conductive tracks and (ii) comprises at least one layer formed of a halo-hydrocarbon polymer. The PCB further comprises at least one electrical component connected by a solder joint to at least one conductive track, wherein the solder joint is soldered through the multi-layer coating such that the solder joint abuts the multi-layer coating.
US08618419B2 Electric compressor
An electric compressor includes a compression mechanism, an electric motor that drives the compression mechanism, a compressor housing that accommodates the electric motor and the compression mechanism, an inverter housing coupled to the compressor housing and including an inverter accommodation chamber that accommodates the inverter, and a sealed terminal arranged in the compressor housing. The sealed terminal electrically connects the inverter and the electric motor. The sealed terminal includes a terminal pin, which is formed from a conductive material, a terminal holder, which holds the terminal pin, and an insulative body, which insulates the terminal pin from the terminal holder. The insulative body includes a first insulative body, which is arranged in the inverter accommodation chamber and formed from a ceramic, and a second insulation body, which is arranged in the compressor housing and formed from glass.
US08618418B2 Multilayer cable jacket
A multilayer cable jacket. In one example embodiment, a cable includes one or more internal components and a multilayer jacket surrounding the one or more internal components. The one or more internal components include at least one electrical conductor configured to propagate a signal. The multilayer jacket includes an inner layer surrounded by an outer layer with the inner layer being less rigid than the outer layer.
US08618416B2 Water tight outlet cover
The present invention is an outlet cover that is useful for covering a cylindrical socket type outlet. The outlet cover provides a watertight cover that is useful in marine applications and may be useful in automotive applications as well. The outlet cover has a base that has a flange. An upstanding ring extends upwardly from the base and an annular notch that has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the upstanding ring. A cap has a tether that joins the base to the cap. An annular rib in the cap is adapted for mating with the annular notch on the base. The annular rib includes a notch partially through it and is adapted for accommodating the tether when the annular rib is mated with the notch on the base.
US08618411B2 Method of making photovoltaic cell
A photovoltaic cell is made by coating a metal foil substrate with cadmium telluride powder, moving the powder coated foil across a cold plate or series of cooled rollers to prevent the substrate from melting, while melting the cadmium telluride powder by passing the powder coated foil under a microwave energy source. This forms a thin film of cadmium telluride on the foil. The cadmium telluride coated foil is then coated with cadmium sulfide powder, which is melted by passing the powder coated foil under a microwave energy source, thereby creating a P-N junction, and the cadmium sulfide layer is coated with indium, which is fused to the cadmium sulfide layer by microwave heating.
US08618408B2 Protective layers for a glass barrier in a photovoltaic device
A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell, a flexible glass layer formed over the at least one photovoltaic cell, and a transparent planarizing hardcoat formed on the glass layer. The planarizing hardcoat may be in compressive stress and the glass layer may be in tension.
US08618407B2 Solar cells having nanowires and methods of fabricating nanowires
A solar cell includes a plurality of nanowires arranged such that diameters of the nanowires sequentially increase in a first direction along a path of incident light. In a method of forming nanowires, a catalyst layer is formed on a substrate, a plurality of nanoparticles are formed by thermally processing the catalyst layer, and nanowires are grown from the plurality of nanoparticles. The catalyst layer has a thickness that increases in a first direction, and the plurality of nanoparticles have diameters that increase in the first direction.
US08618406B1 Thermoelectric power generation method and apparatus
Power is generated using a thermoelectric power generation unit. The thermoelectric power generation unit has at least one thermoelectric module disposed between a first heat sink arranged inside the thermoelectric power generation unit and a second heat sink arranged outside the thermoelectric power generation unit. The thermoelectric power generation unit is inserted into a ducting network carrying relatively hot air during some periods of time and relatively cold air during other periods of time so that the relatively hot and cold air flows through the thermoelectric power generation unit during the different periods of time. The thermoelectric power generation unit generates power when the ducting network carries either the relatively hot or cold air. Energy is stored at least partially based on the power generated by the thermoelectric power generation unit.
US08618400B2 Alternative electronic musical instrument controller based on a chair platform
An electronic musical instrument controller is constructed by fixing sensors and transducers to sections of a chair, allowing a user to map motion of body, arms, head, hands, fingers, and feet to parameters of a musical instrument such as a hardware or software electronic music synthesizer. The mapping may take place over MIDI, control voltage, computer connection, or other means of interfacing.
US08618397B2 Hinged drumstick
A percussion instrument is disclosed that may include a body having a longitudinal axis extending from a butt end to a striking end thereof and at least one hole extending along a transverse axis through the thickness of the body; and a grasping mechanism having a first grip plate at a first end thereof and a second grip plate at a second end thereof, and at least one shaft extending through the hole in the body. The percussion instrument may further include a compliance mechanism disposed between the first and second grip plates, enabling the first and second grip plates to be brought closer together in response to a compressive force applied to the grasping mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the percussion instrument may include one or more recesses or bores that operate to permit the grip plates to be disposed therein for a more compact design.
US08618395B2 Chromatic tambin and related methods
The disclosed tambin generally features: a hollow tubiform body that is generally conical; a plug for blocking the wide end of the body; an embouchure that is adjacent to the wide end of the body; and six finger holes that are spaced along the body toward its pointed end.
US08618394B2 Low-power sector-rotating toggling actuator
The present invention provides low-power, sector-rotating, electro-magnetically and mechanically operable toggling actuator. The reluctance of the magnetic circuit of this invention is controlled to effect actuation with but little magneto-motive force and, little electrical power. The preferred embodiment of this invention provides a single-coil, sector-rotating, electromagnetically and mechanically operable toggling actuator. In this embodiment, a pivotally-mounted magnetically-permeable rotor is attracted to either of two stable rotary positions by permanent magnets affixed to a magnetically-permeable stator. A magnetic circuit between the stator and the rotor comprises an electromagnetic coil to provide magneto-motive force for toggling the rotor to a desired position responsive to the direction of electrical current through the coil. A switch may be provided for activating external circuits responsive to rotor position.
US08618393B1 Strap assembly for playing a musical instrument in a sitting or standing position with the instrument in a face-up position
A strap assembly worn by a player in a sitting or standing position for supporting a guitar or similar instrument in a generally horizontal face-up position, stabilizes the instrument while it is being played without impeding freedom of movement of the player's hands. The strap assembly includes an elongate shoulder strap, a shoulder pad slidably mounted on the shoulder strap, an instrument headstock strap releasably connected to a first end of the shoulder strap having a looped end for attachment to the instrument headstock, an instrument body strap releasably connected to a second end of the shoulder strap for attachment to the body of the instrument, and a forearm loop mounted on the instrument body strap for receiving the forearm of the picking-hand of the instrument player.
US08618392B2 Adapter piece
An adapter piece (28) for fixing a shoulder rest (30) on a string instrument, having an adapter body (38) provided with at least four clamping fingers (32) engageable with a peripheral bottom edge (12) of the string instrument to be supported, shall keep the tonal impairment of the instrument particularly low, offering, at the same time, a high stability. For this purpose, at least two of the clamping fingers (32) are positioned such that they are engageable with the peripheral bottom edge (12) in the area of the outer blocks (20) of the string instrument.
US08618391B1 Nitride slide
A guitar slide has a core that consists essentially of a metal composition which is susceptible to the formation of nitrides and carbides of the metal composition upon proper exposure to carbon and nitrogen. A diffusion layer circumscribes the core and consists essentially of nitrides and carbides of the metal composition. A compound layer circumscribes the diffusion layer and consists essentially of the metal composition, nitrogen, and oxygen. In one physical embodiment, the guitar slide includes a generally tubular body having a conical outer surface tapering downward from a first open finger receiving end to a second smaller end. The outer surface and the inner surface are both preferably conical. In another physical embodiment, the guitar slide is provided with a domed end. Other physical embodiments are also disclosed.
US08618385B1 Maize variety hybrid X08A221
A novel maize variety designated X08A221 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08A221 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08A221 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08A221, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08A221. This invention further is relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08A221.
US08618379B1 Maize variety hybrid X08B841
A novel maize variety designated X08B841 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08B841 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08B841 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08B841, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08B841. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08B841.
US08618377B1 Maize variety hybrid X08B797
A novel maize variety designated X08B797 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08B797 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08B797 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08B797, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08B797. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08B797.
US08618375B1 Maize variety hybrid X13B645
A novel maize variety designated X13B645 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13B645 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13B645 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13B645, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13B645. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13B645.
US08618372B2 Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH748474
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH748474. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH748474, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH748474 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH748474.
US08618370B2 Method for transferring one or more genetic traits from a plant of the purple-flowered capsicum species to a plant of the white-flowered capsicum species
The present invention relates to a method for transferring one or more genetic traits from a purple-flowered Capsicum species plant comprising said genetic trait, to a white-flowered Capsicum species plant, said method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a first hybrid plant comprising said genetic trait by crossing a first purple-flowered Capsicum species comprising said genetic traits with a second purple-flowered Capsicum species; (b) preparing a second hybrid plant by crossing said first hybrid plant with a first white-flowered Capsicum species plant; (c) crossing said second hybrid plant with said first purple-flowered Capsicum species plant to produce first progeny plants; and (d) preparing a third hybrid plant by crossing the first progeny plants obtained in step (c) with a second white-flowered Capsicum species plant to produce second progeny plants, and selecting the third hybrid plant from the second progeny plants comprising said one or more genetic traits.
US08618367B2 Soybean variety D2011908
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D2011908. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D2011908. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D2011908 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D2011908 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08618365B2 Soybean variety A1025947
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1025947. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1025947. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1025947 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1025947 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08618356B2 Polysaccharide synthases (H)
The present invention relates generally to polysaccharide synthases. More particularly, the present invention relates to (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan synthases. The present invention provides, among other things, methods for influencing the level of (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan produced by a cell and nucleic acid and amino acid sequences which encode (1,3;1,4)-β-D-glucan synthases.
US08618355B2 Aromatic prenyltransferase from hop
Nucleic acid molecules from hop (Humulus lupulus) have been isolated and characterized wherein said nucleic acid molecules encode polypeptides having aromatic prenyltransferase activity Expression or over-expression of said nucleic acid molecules alters the level of terpenophenolic compounds The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce terpenophenolic compounds (e g, prenylated acylphloroglucmols and prenylflavonoids) such as prenyl-PIVP, prenyl-PIBP, humulone, lupulone, desmethylxanthohumol and xanthohumol.
US08618353B2 Lolium multiflorum line inducing genome loss
Dihaploid homozygous Fescue species may be produced by interspecific hybridization of Fescue with novel ryegrass, Lolium multiflorus, lines, that induce genome loss. Plants that are dihaploid homozygous Lolium and amphidiploids are also produced.
US08618352B2 Transgenic porcine models of cystic fibrosis
The present invention provides transgenic, large non-human animal models of diseases and conditions, as well as methods of making and using such animal models in the identification and characterization of therapies for the diseases and conditions.
US08618349B2 Absorbent articles comprising wetness indicators
An absorbent article of the present invention may comprise a backsheet and a wetness indicator composition. The wetness indicator composition may comprise a stabilizer, a colorant, and a matrix. And, a wetness indicator sample, according to the Wetness Indicator Sample Test (Phosphate), may have a phosphate content of 10% or less. Further, the wetness indicator sample, according to the Wetness Indicator Sample Test (Nitrogen), may have a nitrogen content of 3% or less.
US08618347B2 Deactivating an explosive composition using plants
A method of deactivating an explosive composition provided in an explosive cartridge, which method comprises exposing the explosive composition to a deactivating agent that renders the explosive composition insensitive to detonation, wherein the deactivating agent is a plant.
US08618344B2 Process for recovery of propylene and LPG from FCC fuel gas using stripped main column overhead distillate as absorber oil
A process is disclosed for enhanced recovery of propylene and LPG from the fuel gas produced in Fluid catalytic cracking unit by contacting a heavier hydrocarbon feed with FCC catalyst. In the conventional process, the product mixture from FCC main column overhead comprising naphtha, LPG and fuel gas, are first condensed and gravity separated to produce unstabilized naphtha, which is subsequently used in the absorber to absorb propylene and LPG from fuel gas. However, the recovery of propylene beyond 97 wt % is difficult in this process since unstabilized naphtha already contains propylene of 5 mol % or above. In the present invention, C4 and lighter components from unstabilized naphtha are first stripped off in a separate column to obtain a liquid fraction almost free from propylene (<0.1 mol %) and other LPG components. Such a stripped liquid fraction, after cooling to 20° C. to 30° C., is used in the absorber to absorb higher amounts of propylene and LPG from fuel gas, leading to improved recovery of propylene.
US08618343B1 Aromatic transalkylation using UZM-39 aluminosilicate zeolite
A new family of coherently grown composites of TUN and IMF zeotypes has been synthesized and shown to be effective catalysts for aromatic transalkylation reactions. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. NanMmk+TtAl1-xExSiyOz where M represents a metal or metals from zinc or Group 1 (IUPAC 1), Group 2 (IUPAC 2), Group 3 (IUPAC 3) or the lanthanide series of the periodic table, T is the organic directing agent derived from reactants R and Q where R is an A,Ω-dihalosubstituted alkane such as 1,4-dibromobutane and Q is at least one neutral amine having 6 or fewer carbon atoms such as 1-methylpyrrolidine. E is a framework element such as gallium. The process involves transalkylation of a feedstream comprising one or more of C7, C9, C10 and C11+ aromatics to obtain a transalkylation product stream having an increased concentration of C8 aromatics relative to that of the feedstream.
US08618340B2 Integrated process for fluoro-olefin production
Disclosed is a process for the manufacture of HFO-1234yf from TCP in three integrated steps that include hydrofluorination of TCP (tetrachloropropene) to HCFC-1233xf in the vapor phase followed by hydrofluorination of HCFC-1233xf to HCFC-244bb in the liquid phase which is then followed by dehydrochlorination in liquid or vapor phase to produce HFO-1234yf. The vapor phase hydrofluorination is carried out at a higher pressure than the liquid phase hydrofluorination, thereby eliminating the need for compression and/or intermediate recovery. Also, any HCl generated from this reaction is fed to the liquid phase hydrofluorination section to promote agitation and mixing. This results in a more economical process from an initial capital and operating cost versus conducting the 3-steps sequentially.
US08618335B2 Process for preparing aromatic aldehyde compound
An object of the present invention is to provide an industrially advantageous process for preparing a benzaldehyde compound from a benzyl alcohol compound with high yield.The present invention relates to a process for preparing an aromatic aldehyde compound represented by the formula (2); which comprises reacting an aromatic methyl alcohol compound represented by the formula (1); and a peroxide under a pH value of a reaction solution being pH 0.01 or higher and less than 10 in the presence of at least one metallic compound selected from a molybdenum compound and a tungsten compound, a quaternary ammonium salt and an organic phosphonium salt.
US08618332B2 Process for the preparation of crystalline mixtures of alpha-hydroxycarbonyl derivatives of alpha-methylstyrene dimers
Process for the preparation of the powdery crystalline mixtures of alpha-hydroxycarbonyl derivatives of alpha-methylstyrene dinners comprising the use of a solvent having polarity from 0 to 0.1.
US08618328B2 Cyclopentadienyl, indenyl or fluorenyl substituted phosphine compounds and their use in catalytic reactions
Disclosed herein are phosphine compounds represented by the general formula (4): and corresponding phosphonium salts represented by the general formula (4a): Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of these phosphines and phosphonium salts as well as their use as ligands in catalytic reactions.
US08618326B2 Methods of synthesizing 2-substituted-1,4-benzenediamine
Disclosed is a method of making a 2-substituted-1,4-benzenediamine by nucleophilic aromatic substitution.
US08618325B2 Modularized system and method for urea production using a bio-mass feedstock
A modular system and method for producing urea from bio-mass includes cleaning a bio-mass feedstock to remove substantially all non-organic matter; blending the cleaned bio-mass to obtain a substantially homogeneous blend; pelletizing the blended bio-mass; and gasifying the pellets in a gasifier. The bio-mass feedstock may include bio-mass materials having different processing characteristics. The gasifying step preferably includes pulverizing the pellets to a fine particle size, injecting an organic oil into the input biomass mist when needed, and controlling the feed rate to maintain a substantially constant burn temperature. The resultant syngas stream is cleaned and compressed to a high pressure of about 6,000 to 7,000 psi. The resultant ammonia stream is processed in a bypass recycling loop system at 30% conversion rate at a high pressure of about 6,000 to 7,000 psi.
US08618324B2 Composition and method for making oligo-benzamide compounds
The present invention includes compound compositions and methods of making compounds that include an oligo-benzamide compound having at least two optionally substituted benzamides.
US08618323B2 Light filters comprising a naturally occurring chromophore and derivatives thereof
A composition comprising a polymer backbone and at least one side group, wherein the side group comprises a benzene ring-based chromophore comprising a ketone at the 1-position, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group at the 2-position, and an oxygen atom at the 3-position of the benzene ring. The chromophore is a kynurenine-based compound. Methods of making and using the composition are also provided. The composition can be used in an ophthalmic lens or device for protecting the retina by blocking UV rays and filtering violet rays.
US08618321B2 Derivatives of tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane, their preparation and use
New types of derivatives of tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methanes which have, as functional groups, polyalkoxy groups or polyalkoxy groups modified with terminal hydrophilic groups, preparation of such compounds and their use, especially as surfactants and thickeners.
US08618316B1 Low temperature ramp rate ester quat formation process
Esterquats (reaction products of a fatty acid source and a trialkanolamine) having a desirable distribution of mono-, di-, and tri-quat esters, such as at least 55 wt. % of the diester and at most 25% of the triester, can be produced by heating a trialkanolamine and a fatty acid source at a temperature ramp rate of 0.4° C. per minute or less. This result can be achieved, for example, by reducing the amount of catalyst to a suboptimal amount for rapid formation of the quat diester.
US08618315B2 Method for producing 2-substituted tetrahydropyranols
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-substituted 4-hydroxy-4-methyltetrahydropyranols by reacting 3-methylbut-3-en-1-ol (isoprenol) with the corresponding aldehydes in the presence of a strongly acidic cation exchanger. Specifically, the present invention relates to a corresponding process for the preparation of 2-isobutyl-4-hydroxy-4-methyltetrahydropyran by reacting isoprenol with isovaleraldehyde.
US08618305B2 Sorafenib dimethyl sulphoxide solvate
The present invention provides dimethyl sulphoxide solvate of 4-(4-{3-[4-chloro-3 -(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ureido}phenoxy)-N2-methylpyridine-2-carboxamide, process for its preparation, pharmaceutical composition comprising it and its use for the treatment of cancer. The present invention also provides a novel HPLC method for the identification, quantification and isolation of related substances of sorafenib.
US08618304B2 Acylamino-substituted cyclic carboxylic acid derivatives and their use as pharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein A, Y, Z, R20 to R22 and R50 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are pharmaceutically active compounds. Specifically, they are inhibitors of the endothelial differentiation gene receptor 2 (Edg-2, EDG2), which is activated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and is also termed as LPA1 receptor, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and heart failure, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US08618303B2 Pyrrolidine derivatives
The invention provides compounds of formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are as defined herein or a pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof. The present compounds are high potential NK-3 receptor antagonists useful for the treatment of depression, pain, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
US08618298B2 Perylene tetracarboximide derivatives for photovoltaic devices
The compounds of the present invention are represented by the following formula (I): wherein M is represented by the following formula: with R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R10, R11, X1, X2, X3, L, a, b, c, d, e, x, y, and z defined herein.
US08618297B2 Azide substituted naphthylene or rylene imide derivatives and their use as reagents in click-reactions
Novel mono-azide substituted rylene-imide derivatives, their use in methods for the detection of analytes and reagents kits for the detection of analytes comprising said novel mono-azide substituted rylene-imide derivatives.
US08618291B2 Process for preparing 4-[(1,6-dihydro-6-OXO-2-pyrimidinyl)amino]benzonitrile
This invention relates to a process for preparing 4-[(1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-2-pyrimidinyl)-amino]benzonitrile (I) starting from a 4-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyrimidinylcarboxylic acid ester (II) or starting from a guanidine derivative which is reacted with an alkoxy-methylene malonic acid ester to an ester (II) which is converted to (I), which reaction sequence may be a one-pot procedure.
US08618289B2 RAF kinase modulator compounds and methods of use thereof
Compounds according to formula (I), compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of RAF kinases, including BRAF kinase and for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of one or more symptoms of disease or disorder mediated by RAF kinases. Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate of hydrate thereof, wherein X is O or S(O)t; Ra is O or S.
US08618278B2 RNAi-mediated inhibition of histamine receptor H1-related conditions
RNA interference is provided for inhibition of histamine receptor H1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having an HRH1-related condition or at risk of developing an HRH1-related condition such as allergic conjunctivitis, ocular inflammation, dermatitis, rhinitis, asthma, or allergy.
US08618277B2 RNA interference mediated inhibition of gene expression using chemically modified short interfering nucleic acid (siNA)
The present invention concerns methods and reagents useful in modulating gene expression in a variety of applications, including use in therapeutic, diagnostic, target validation, and genomic discovery applications. Specifically, the invention relates to synthetic chemically modified small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules capable of mediating RNA interference (RNAi) against target nucleic acid sequences. The small nucleic acid molecules are useful in the treatment of any disease or condition that responds to modulation of gene expression or activity in a cell, tissue, or organism.
US08618269B2 Glycorandomization and production of novel novobiocin analogs
The present invention provides glycorandomized structures and combinatorial methods for rapidly generating a diverse library of glycorandomized structures, comprising incubating one or more aglycons and a pool of NDP-sugars in the presence of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase may be one that is associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites, or one which is putatively associated with or involved in production of natural secondary metabolites. The glycosyltransferase may show significant flexibility with respect to its NDP-sugar donors and/or its aglycons. NDP-sugar donors may be commercially available, or may be produced by utilizing mutant or wild type nucleotidyltransferases significant flexibility with respect to their substrates.
US08618268B2 Method for separating fractions of avian eggs exclusively containing IgA and IgM antibodies
The present invention provides the method of obtaining IgA and IgM antibodies from chicken egg whites. The method involves separating chicken egg whites into two fractions which contain IgA and IgM antibodies exclusively. This separation method consists of raising the volume of the egg whites using purified water, lowering the pH of said volume, filtering the IgM fraction from said volume, precipitating the IgA fraction from the remaining volume, dialyzing the IgA fraction and drying the IgA and IgM fractions.
US08618264B2 Anti-CD147 antibodies, methods and uses
The present invention provides antibodies immunospecific for human CD147 capable of blocking bioactivity of CD147 associated with malignant disease such as the stimulation of MMPs from fibroblast cells by tumor cells, the release of VEGF, and the promotion of angiogenesis. The antibodies of the present invention of are useful in treating malignant disease and those diseases in which CD147 activity is plays a pathogenic role, such as diseases of the eye, lung, and cardiovascular system.
US08618259B2 Polymer-factor VIII conjugate compositions
Conjugates of a Factor VIII moiety and one or more water-soluble polymers are provided. Typically, the water-soluble polymer is poly(ethylene glycol) or a derivative thereof. Also provided are compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of making the conjugates, and methods of administering compositions comprising the conjugates to a patient.
US08618256B2 Cysteine variants of interferon gamma
The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.
US08618250B2 Designer collagens and use thereof
The present invention identified a recombinant synthetic collagen containing a triple helical backbone protein produced in a prokaryotic expression system where the protein contains at least one ‘inserted’ biologically active sequence(s).
US08618243B2 Triazine ring-containing polymer and film-forming composition comprising same
A polymer containing a triazine ring-containing repeating unit structure represented by, for example, formula (23) or (24), which alone can achieve high heat resistance, high transparency, high refraction index, high solubility and low volume shrinkage, without adding a metal oxide.
US08618242B2 Photo-activated attachment of cholesterol to polyurethane surfaces for adhesion of endothelial cells
A polymer is provided according to structure I wherein Y is a thiol-reactive group and Z is an ionogenic group. The surface of a polymeric substrate is modified by contacting the surface with a polymer according to structure II or structure III and exposing the surface to ultraviolet light, optionally followed by contacting the modified surface with the polymer according to structure I.
US08618240B2 Methods and systems for generating nanoparticles
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for forming polymeric nanoparticles, which comprises using a static mixer to create a mixed flowing stream of an anti-solvent, e.g., by introducing a liquid anti-solvent into a static mixer, and introducing a polymer solution into the mixed flowing anti-solvent stream such that controlled precipitation of polymeric nanoparticles occurs. The nanoparticles can then be separated from the anti-solvent stream.
US08618234B2 Silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and pressure-sensitive tape or sheet
Silicone-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising 100 parts (A) a branched organopolysiloxane having on molecular terminals at least two alkenyl groups and represented by (R3SiO1/2)4-p(R1R2SiO1/2)p(R2SiO)m(RR1SiO)n(SiO4/2), to 400 parts (B) an organopolysiloxane composed of R3R22SiO1/2 units and SiO4/2 units, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and a catalytic quantity of (D) a platinum-type catalyst. Pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet having an adhesive layer in the form of a cured layer of the aforementioned composition.
US08618233B2 Dual curing polymers and methods for their preparation and use
A polymer cures by either radiation or moisture curing mechanisms, or both. The polymer is prepared by hydrosilylation. The polymer includes units of formula: (R22Si02/2)b, (R2Si03/2)c, (SiO4/2)d, (R1′)f, and (R23Si01/2)g, where each R1 is independently an oxygen atom or a divalent hydrocarbon group; each R1′ is independently divalent hydrocarbon group; each R2 is independently a monovalent organic group that is free of terminal aliphatic unsaturation each X is independently a monovalent hydrolyzable group; each J is independently a monovalent epoxy functional organic group; subscript a has a value of 1 or more; subscript b has a value of 0 or more; subscript c has a value of 0 or more; subscript d has a value of 0 or more; subscript e has a value of 1 or more; subscript f has a value of 0 or more; subscript g has a value of 0 or more; subscript s is 1, 2, or 3; and subscript t is 1, 2, or 3.
US08618230B2 Method for crosslinking by thermal Huisgen reaction, crosslinkable chromophoric polymers, and crosslinked polymer substances having stable electro-optical properties
The present invention relates to a method for crosslinking chromophoric-group polymers by thermal Huisgen reaction on thermopolymerizable chromophoric polymers having at least one azide function and/or one alkyne function, and on crosslinked polymerized substances having a well-stabilized chromophoric orientation.
US08618224B2 Viscosity breaking process for olefin polymers
Disclosed is a method for viscosity breaking of a polypropylene polymer, a polypropylene copolymer or a polypropylene polymer blend, which process comprises adding a chain transfer agent and an initiator to a polypropylene polymer, polypropylene copolymer or polypropylene polymer blend and heating the resultant composition. The chain transfer agent has a Cs value of greater than or equal to about 0.04 as measured in ethylene polymerization at 130° C. The initiator is for example an organic or inorganic peroxide, a carbon based radical generator, a bis azo compound, a stable nitroxyl compound, a sterically hindered NO-acyl compound or a sterically hindered alkoxyamine compound.
US08618220B2 Propylene copolymer compositions with high transparency
Propylene copolymer composition comprising a propylene homopolymer (A) as a matrix polymer and a propylene copolymer (B) containing 10-35 wt. % calculated with respect to the amount of B of an olefin other than propylene.The propylene homopolymer and the propylene copolymer are prepared using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system. The propylene copolymer composition has a transparency higher than 8.
US08618218B2 Blends of polysiloxane/polyimide block copolymer and poly(arylene sulfide)
Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a compatible blend of i) 24 to less than 84.5 weight percent of a linear poly(arylene sulfide), ii) 14 to 75 weight percent of a polysiloxane/polyimide block copolymer; and iii) 0.1 to less than 2.5 weight percent of a polymeric compatibilizer having 2 or more epoxy groups per molecule. Weight percent is based on the total weight of the composition. An article made from the composition has tensile elongation greater than or equal to 60% as determined by ASTM D638 and a Notched Izod impact strength greater than 50 joules per meter as determined by ASTM D256 at room temperature.
US08618217B2 Topcoat composition, alkali developer-soluble topcoat film using the composition and pattern forming method using the same
A topcoat composition to be applied on a resist film is provided, the topcoat composition including: (A) an alkali-soluble resin; (B) a compound containing at least one of an Si atom and an F atom, and increasing a contact angle on a surface of the topcoat film; and (C) a solvent.
US08618215B2 Modified polypropylene-based polymer and composition comprising it
A modified polypropylene-based polymer obtained by graft modification of a propylene/α-olefin copolymer with a xylene-soluble portion of at least 40 mass % and no greater than 85 mass %, a xylene-soluble portion (XS) intrinsic viscosity (XSIV) of at least 2.5 dl/g, and an MFR value of no greater than 3.0 g/10 min at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg, using an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivative, and a flame retardant polyolefin-based resin composition having prescribed contents of a polyolefin-based resin component comprising 60-95 mass % of a polyolefin-based resin and 40-5 mass % of a modified polypropylene-based polymer, and an inorganic flame retardant component comprising an inorganic filler.
US08618211B2 Thermally conductive grease and methods and devices in which said grease is used
A thermally conductive grease includes 2 vol % to 15 vol % of a combination of three polyorganosiloxanes and 65 vol % to 98 vol % of a thermally conductive filler. The grease may be used as a thermal interface material for dissipating heat from (opto)electronic devices, in both TIM1 and TIM2 applications.
US08618209B2 Polyamide resin composition and molded product using the same
Disclosed are a polyamide resin composition that includes (A) a crystalline polyamide mixed resin including an aliphatic group and at least two different crystalline polyamide resins, (B) a non-crystalline polyamide resin including an aromatic group, and (C) a glass fiber, and a molded product manufacture using the same.
US08618208B2 Resin composition for laser engraving, relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving and process for producing the same, and relief printing plate and process for making the same
Disclosed are a resin composition for laser engraving, including an acrylic block copolymer; a relief printing plate precursor for laser engraving comprising a relief-forming layer formed from the resin composition on a support; a process for producing the relief printing plate precursor; a process of making a relief printing plate using the relief printing plate precursor; and a relief printing plate having a relief layer which is manufactured by the process.
US08618207B2 Flame retardant polymer composition with improved mechanical properties
A flame retardant polymer composition comprising (A) an ethylene copolymer comprising polar comonomer units, (B) a silicone-group containing compound, (C) an inorganic filler material, and (D) an ethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of ethylene with one or more other alpha-olefin comonomer units, wherein the polymer composition has a melting enthalpy of at least 78 J/g, an article, in particular a wire or cable, comprising said composition and the use of an ethylene homo- or copolymer in a flame retardant layer of a wire or cable for improving the mechanical properties of the wire or cable.
US08618206B2 Process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with low caking tendency and high absorption under pressure
A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with low caking tendency and high absorption under pressure, comprising polymerization of a monomer solution or suspension, drying of the resulting polymer gel, grinding, classifying, thermal surface postcrosslinking and coating with silicon dioxide, wherein the water-absorbing polymer particles have been coated, before, during or after the surface postcrosslinking with aluminum cations.
US08618204B2 Two-part epoxy-based structural adhesives
A two-part epoxy-based structural adhesive composition comprising a curable epoxy resin, an amine curing agent, a toughening agent, and an oil-displacing agent. The structural adhesive may optionally include reactive liquid modifiers, fillers, secondary curatives, reactive diluents, surfactants, metal salts, pigments and combinations thereof. The structural adhesive may be used to form bonded joints between adherends having clean surfaces, as well as those having surfaces contaminated with hydrocarbon-containing materials, such as oils, processing aids and lubricating agents.
US08618201B2 Laser-transparent polyesters with inorganic salts
Use of thermoplastic molding compositions comprising, as essential components, A) from 29 to 99.95% by weight of a polyester, B) from 0.25 to 3.0% by weight of alkali metal oxoaluminates, or alkali metal salts of cyanic acid, isocyanic acid, thiocyanic acid, or metaboric acid, or a mixture of these, based on 100% by weight of A) and B), and also moreover C) from 0 to 70% by weight of further additives, where the total of the % by weight values for A) to C) is 100%, for producing laser-transparent moldings of any type.
US08618198B2 Rubber composition for sidewall reinforcing layer and run-flat tire
A rubber composition for a sidewall reinforcing layer and a run-flat tire reduces heat build-up, enhances elongation at break at high temperature, and increases run-flat durability, while maintaining good rigidity. The composition contains a rubber component including tin-modified BR (a) and/or BR (b) modified by a compound of formula (1) wherein R1, R2, and R3 may be the same as or different from one another and each represent an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a silyloxy group, an acetal group, a carboxyl group, a mercapto group, or a derivative thereof; R4 and R5 may be the same as or different from each other and each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; and n denotes an integer; and an alkylphenol-sulfur chloride condensate, wherein an amount of the alkylphenol-sulfur chloride condensate is 3-10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US08618194B2 Resin mortar suitable for construction purposes, especially for chemical anchoring
A resin mortar composition suitable for construction purposes is disclosed. The composition includes a resin component (A) curable with an aliphatic amine and a peroxide and a hardener component (H) with at least one peroxide (B) and at least one amine (C). At least one of the resin component (A) and the hardener component (H) contains at least one inorganic filler and the resin component (A) and the hardener component (H) or the resin composition (A) and the at least one peroxide (B) and the at least one amine (C) of the hardener component (H) are spatially separated from one another. The resin component (A) includes a compound (a) capable of undergoing a radical polymerization, a compound (b) capable of reacting with an amine, a transition metal compound (c), at least one inhibitor (d) to adjust the gel time and a bridging compound (e) having at least two reactive functionalities.
US08618193B2 Pigment-containing heat-curable composition, color filter, image-recording material, and method of producing color filter
The invention provides a pigment-containing heat-curable composition including a pigment dispersion solution obtained by dispersing a composition containing a heat-curable resin, a solvent, and a pigment, wherein the concentration of the pigment is 50% or more and less than 100% with respect to the total solid contents.
US08618191B2 Acrylic based resin composition and molded product using the same
Disclosed are an acrylic-based resin composition including (A) a first acrylic-based copolymer having a core-shell structure including a rubber having an average particle diameter of about 0.1 to about 0.30 μm, (B) a second acrylic-based copolymer having a core-shell structure including a rubber having an average particle diameter of about 0.35 to about 0.6 μm, (C) a vinyl-based copolymer, (D) an ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer, and (E) an UV absorber; and a molded product made using the same.
US08618190B2 Latex marking inks
A latex marking ink suitable for marking rubber articles has been developed. The ink comprises vulcanizable rubber latex, pigment, vulcanizing agent, and non-ionic stabilizer dispersed in water. Shear stability is dramatically and unexpectedly increased by the presence of the non-ionic stabilizer even though viscosity also increases.
US08618182B2 Process for synthesizing C5+ hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst prepared using at least one cyclic oligosaccharide
C5+ hydrocarbon synthesis by contracting a synthesis gas with a catalyst naming at least one metal from group VIII deposited on a support formed by at least one oxide, said catalyst being prepared using a process of at least: i) contracting at least the support with at least one solution containing at least one precursor of metal from group VIII; ii) contracting at least the support with at least one organic compound formed from at least one cyclic oligosaccharide composed of at least 6 α-(1,4)-bonded glucopyranose subunits; iii) at least one calcining to obtain at least the metal from group VIII in the oxide form; i) and ii) being carried out separately, in any order, or simultaneously.
US08618179B2 Composition comprising a pesticide and an alkoxylate of 2-propylheptylamine
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a pesticide and an alkoxylate. Moreover, the invention relates to the alkoxylate, to a process for its preparation and to its use as adjuvant in pesticide-comprising spray mixtures. The invention furthermore relates to a method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired vegetation and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein the composition is allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesirable plants and/or the crop plants and/or their environment. Furthermore, the invention relates to seed comprising the composition.
US08618168B2 Self-emulsifying composition of OMEGA3 fatty acid
This invention provides a self-emulsifying composition comprising 50 to 95% by weight in total of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters; and 5 to 50% by weight of an emulsifier having a hydrophilic lipophilic balance of at least 10. The composition has no or reduced ethanol content, and exhibits excellent self-emulsifying property, dispersibility in the composition, emulsion stability, and absorption property. The composition is adapted for use as a drug.
US08618159B2 Substituted N-phenyl-bipyrrolidine carboxamides and therapeutic use thereof
The present invention discloses and claims a series of substituted N-phenyl-bipyrrolidine carboxamides of formula (I). Wherein R, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as described herein. More specifically, the compounds of this invention are modulators of H3 receptors and are, therefore, useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of diseases modulated by H3 receptors including diseases associated with the central nervous system. Additionally, this invention also discloses methods of preparation of substituted N-phenyl-bipyrrolidine carboxamides and intermediates therefor.
US08618158B2 Therapeutic agents
A compound of formula (I) or a compound of formula (II) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R7 and X are as defined in the description, and the use of these compounds in therapy, in particular in treating cancer or as an inhibitor of the interaction of the MDM2 protein with p53.
US08618157B2 Pharmaceutical formulation
A pharmaceutical composition comprising: a) a 5-HT1 agonist; b) an NSAID; and c) a disintegrant characterised in that the disintegrant comprises between about 15 to about 50% w/w based on the weight of the composition, said composition optionally comprising one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
US08618155B2 Small-molecule modulators of Trp-p8 activity
Provided are small-molecule Trp-p8 modulators, including Trp-p8 agonists and Trp-p8 antagonists, and compositions comprising small-molecule Trp-p8 agonists as well as methods for identifying and characterizing novel small-molecule Trp-p8 modulators and methods for decreasing viability and/or inhibiting growth of Trp-p8 expressing cells, methods for activating Trp-p8-mediated cation influx, methods for stimulating apoptosis and/or necrosis, and related methods for the treatment of diseases, including cancers such as lung, breast, colon, and/or prostate cancers as well as other diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, that are associated with Trp-p8 expression.
US08618154B2 LXR modulators
Compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, isomers, or prodrugs thereof, of the invention are disclosed, which are useful as modulators of the activity of liver X receptors (LXR). Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of using the compounds are also disclosed.
US08618152B2 Inhibitors of serine proteases, particularly HCV NS3-NS4A proteases
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or mixtures thereof, that inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus NS3-NS4A protease. As such, they act by interfering with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are useful as antiviral agents. The invention further relates to pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds either for ex vivo use or for administration to a patient suffering from HCV infection and processes for preparing the compounds. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a patient by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of this invention.
US08618151B2 Inhibitors of HCV NS5A
Provided herein are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and combination therapies for inhibition of hepatitis C.
US08618149B2 Inhibition of biofilms in plants with imidazole derivatives
Disclosure is provided for methods of preventing, removing or inhibiting microbial biofilm formation or microbial infection in a plant or plant part thereof, including applying thereto a treatment effective amount of an active compound as described herein, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. Methods of enhancing a microbicide (e.g., including a copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator are also provided, including applying an active compound as described herein. Compositions comprising an active compound as described herein in an agriculturally acceptable carrier are also provided, and in some embodiments the compositions further include a microbicide (e.g., including copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator.
US08618146B2 Epothilone compound formulations
The present application relates to compositions for parenteral administration of epothilone compounds, such as ixabepilone.
US08618143B1 Selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors with azole substituents
Non-peptide, azole-substituted nitric oxide snythase inhibitor compounds, compositions and related methods, as can be used to enhance bioavailability and inhibit production of nitric oxide.
US08618138B2 Indole amide derivatives and related compounds for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
This invention provides novel compounds and the novel compounds for use as a medicine, more in particular for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, more specifically certain neurological disorders, such as disorders collectively known as tauopathies, and disorders characterized by cytotoxic α-synuclein amyloidogenesis. The present invention also relates to the use of said novel compounds for the manufacture of medicaments useful for treating such neurodegenerative disorders. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions including said novel compounds and to methods for the preparation of said novel compounds.
US08618133B2 Aralkyl alcohol pyridine derivative compounds and the use thereof as medicaments for treating depression
The present invention relates to an aralkyl alcohol piperidine derivative and use as antidepressant thereof. The said aralkyl alcohol piperidine derivative has a triple inhibition effect on the reuptaking of 5-HT, NA and DA. The derivative may be administered to the patient in need of such treatment in the form of composition by oral administration, injection and the like. The derivative is a compound having the following general formula or its salt:
US08618132B2 Alkyne compounds with MCH antagonistic activity and medicaments comprising these compounds
The present invention relates to alkyne compounds of general formula I wherein the groups and residues A, B, W, X, Y, Z, R1 and R2 have the meanings given in claim 1. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one alkyne according to the invention. In view of their MCH-receptor antagonistic activity the pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are suitable for the treatment of metabolic disorders and/or eating disorders, particularly obesity, bulimia, anorexia, hyperphagia and diabetes.
US08618131B2 Biphenyl derivatives
This invention provides biphenyl derivatives of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, W, a, b and c are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof. The biphenyl derivatives of this invention possess both β2 adrenergic receptor agonist and muscarinic receptor antagonist activity and therefore, such biphenyl derivatives are useful for treating pulmonary disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthmas.
US08618124B2 Heterobifunctional polymeric bioconjugates
Heterobifunctional polymeric prodrug platforms for delivering biologically active compounds, including proteins, monoclonal antibodies and the like are disclosed. One preferred compound is Methods of making and using the compounds and conjugates described herein are also provided.
US08618123B2 Benzenesulfonyl-chromane, thiochromane, tetrahydronaphthalene and related gamma secretase inhibitors
Disclosed are novel gamma secretase inhibitors of the formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or ester thereof, wherein L1, n, X, Ar, Y, Z, Q, and Q1 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting gamma secretase, methods for treating Alzheimer's disease, methods of treating one or more neurodegenerative diseases, and methods of inhibiting the deposition of amyloid protein (e.g., amyloid beta protein) in, on or around neurological tissue (e.g., the brain) using the compounds of formula 1.0.
US08618116B2 Deuterium-enriched pyrimidine compounds and derivatives
The present invention is concerned with deuterium-enriched pyrimidine compounds of formula I, their derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and methods of use thereof for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, hypertension, ischemic stroke, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, arterial fibrillation, Alzheimer's disease, cognition impairment, memory decline, and schizophrenia, and depression.
US08618115B2 Substituted thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidinones as MCHR1 antagonists and methods for using them
The present application provides compounds, including all stereoisomers, solvates, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable forms thereof according to Formula I. Additionally, the present application provides pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one compound according to Formula I and optionally at least one additional therapeutic agent. Finally, the present application provides methods for treating a patient suffering from an MCHR-1 modulated disease or disorder such as, for example, obesity, diabetes, depression or anxiety by administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a compound according to Formula I.
US08618114B2 Substituted 3-arylsulfonyl-pyrazolo[1,5-A]pyrimidines, serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonists and methods for the production and use thereof
The invention relates to the novel substituted 3-arylsulfonyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines of the general formula 1, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or hydrates thereof, serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonists and pharmaceutical compositions, and also to method for prophylaxis and treatment of various diseases of central nervous system at humans and warm-blooded animals pathogenesis of which is associated with serotonin 5-HT6 receptors, in particular, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, schizophrenia, and other neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive disorders and obesity.In the general formula 1: wherein: X=S, SO or NH; R1 represents hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C3alkyl, cycloalkyl, adamantyl, aryl or heterocyclyl; R2 represents hydrogen, halogen, optionally substituted C1-C3alkyl, substituted hydroxyl, aryldiazenyl or optionally substituted amino group; R3 represents hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C3alkyl, substituted hydroxyl, pyridyl or optionally substituted amino group, besides, in cases when X=S or X=NH, at least one of R1, R2 or R3 represent substituted C1-C3alkyl, cycloalkyl, adamantyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, halogen, substituted hydroxyl, optionally substituted amino group, aryldiazenyl, or at least two of R1, R2 or R3 represent hydrogen; R4 represents C1-C3alkyl; R5 represents hydrogen, one or two halogens, C1-C3alkyl or optionally substituted hydroxyl.
US08618111B2 5-alkynyl-pyrimidines
The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (1) wherein R1 to R4R3 are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterised by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, and the use thereof for preparing a medicament having the above-mentioned properties.
US08618107B2 Pyridone and aza-pyridone compounds and methods of use
Pyridone and aza-pyridone compounds of Formula I are provided, including stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for inhibiting Btk kinase, and for treating immune disorders such as inflammation mediated by Btk kinase. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, and treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08618102B2 Bridged diazepan orexin receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to bridged diazepan compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08618099B2 Pyrazolyl-pyrimidine derivatives and their use as potassium channel modulators
This invention relates to novel pyrazolyl-pyrimidine derivatives and their use as potassium channel modulating agents. In another aspect the invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment or alleviation of diseases or disorders associated with the activity of potassium channels.
US08618097B2 Pyrimidyl cyclopentanes as AKT protein kinase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), including tautomers, resolved enantiomers, diastereomers, solvates, metabolites, salts and pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs thereof. Also provided are methods of using the compounds of this invention as AKT protein kinase inhibitors and for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer.
US08618096B2 Prodrug compositions and methods for using the same in treating cancer and malaria
Methods and compositions for treating disease caused by increased iron levels are disclosed Fluoregenic compounds and methods of using the same are also described.
US08618095B2 2, 4-pyrimidinediamine compounds and prodrugs thereof and their uses
The present disclosure provides biologically active 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds of formulae (I) and (II): and salts thereof, compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in a variety of applications.
US08618094B2 Fused substituted aminopyrrolidine derivative
A quinolone synthetic antibacterial agent having excellent properties as a medicine is provided, which has strong antibacterial activity not only to Gram-negative bacteria but also to Gram-positive cocci that have low sensitivity to quinolone antibacterial agents, and which exhibits high safety and excellent pharmacokinetics. A compound represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof. Specifically, a quinolone derivative of the formula (I) wherein substituents R6 and R7 taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded form a cyclic structure which may contain an oxygen atom as a ring constituent atom, the cyclic structure forming a 5-4, 5-5, or 5-6 fused bicyclic pyrrolidinyl substituent, the substituent being bonded to a quinolone mother skeleton Q containing a pyridobenzoxazine structure.
US08618093B2 Hypotensive lipid and timolol compositions and methods of using same
New compositions for and methods of treating ocular hypertension provide for effective treatment of ocular hypertension often using reduced concentrations of active components. Such compositions include a timolol component and a hypotensive lipid component. The present compositions and methods are relatively straightforward, can be easily produced, for example, using conventional manufacturing techniques, and can be easily and conveniently practiced, for example, using application or administration techniques or methodologies which are substantially similar to those employed with prior compositions used to treat ocular hypertension.
US08618092B2 Tricyclic oxazolidinone antibiotic compounds
The invention relates to antibacterial compounds of formula I wherein is a bond or is absent, V is CH, CR6 or N; R0 is H or, if is a bond, may also be alkoxy; R1 is notably H or halogen; U is CH or N when is a bond, or, if is absent, U is CH2, NH or NR9; R2 is H, alkylcarbonyl or —CH2—R3; R3 is H, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; R4 is H or, if n is not 0 and R5 is H, may also be OH; R5 is H, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, carboxy or alkoxycarbonyl; R6 is hydroxyalkyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl or —(CH2)q—NR7R8, q being 1, 2 or 3 and each of R7 and R8 independently being H or alkyl or R7 and R8 forming with the N atom bearing them a ring; R9 is alkyl or hydroxyalkyl; A is —(CH2)p—, —CH2CH2CH(OH)— or —COCH2CH(OH)—; G is substituted phenyl or G1 or G2 wherein Q is O or S and X is CH or N; and Y1, Y2 and Y3 may each be CH or N; and n is 0 when A is —CH2CH2CH(OH)— or —COCH2CH(OH)—, and n is 0, 1 or 2 when A is —(CH2)p—, p being 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the proviso that the sum of n and p is then 2, 3 or 4; and to salts of such compounds.
US08618089B2 Substituted porphyrins
Substituted metalloporphyrin compounds are described, along with pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof in protecting cells from oxidant-induced toxicity and pathological conditions such as inflammatory lung disease, neurodegenerative conditions, radiation injury, cancer, diabetes, cardiac conditions and sickle cell disease. Mn(III) porphyrins bearing oxygen atoms within side chains are particularly described.
US08618085B2 Therapeutic formulations of desoxyepothilones
Formulations of desoxyepothilones are stable before and after dilution into aqueous media.
US08618083B2 Combination hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and melatonin to prevent and treat mammary cancer
A combination hormone and melatonin therapy is provided to reduce the risk of developing, or to reduce the severity of, breast cancer by administering at least one estrogen hormone and optionally at least one progesterone-receptor-binding compound or composition and melatonin together, preferably at normal bed time.
US08618077B2 Compositions and methods for treating fragile X premutation RVGG repeats-mediated toxicity
Compositions and methods of treatment or prophylaxis of fragile-X associated disorders are provided, as well as methods of screening compounds and kits to screen a library of compounds.
US08618076B2 Nucleoside phosphoramidates
Disclosed herein are nucleoside phosphoramidates and their use as agents for treating viral diseases. These compounds are inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA viral replication and are useful as inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase, as inhibitors of HCV replication and for treatment of hepatitis C infection in mammals.
US08618073B2 Use of miR-29 for cell protection
The present invention relates to the regulation of apoptosis and expression of the BH3-only family of genes by miR-29. The invention further relates to the use of miR-29 to protect cells from apoptosis and to treat disorders associated with apoptosis.
US08618069B2 Devices, systems and methods for improving memory and/or cognitive function through brain delivery of siRNA
The present invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for improving memory and/or cognitive function by brain delivery of compositions of small interfering RNA or vectors containing the DNA encoding for small interfering RNA. Such compositions can be administered using devices, systems and methods for direct delivery of the compositions to the brain, or using devices, systems, methods of delivery, and compositions that deliver small interfering RNA or vectors containing the DNA encoding the small interfering RNA across the blood-brain barrier. The present invention also provides valuable small interfering RNA vectors, and methods for reduction of BACE1 levels in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, or other regions of the brain that have beneficial effects on improving memory and/or cognitive function in a subject.
US08618058B2 Peptide composition for cancer treatment by inhibiting TRPV6 calcium channel activity
The invention includes an isolated peptide comprising all or part of the amino acid sequence: EGKLSSNDTE GGLCKEFLHP SKVDLPR (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein the peptide inhibits calcium channel activity. The peptides of the invention are useful for preventing or treating cancer.
US08618057B2 Anticoagulant and composition for preventing thrombus containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid
The present invention relates to an anticoagulant and a composition for preventing thrombus formation, which contain poly-gamma-glutamic acid (PGA) as an active ingredient. The inventive PGA is a water-soluble, anionic, biodegradable and edible amino acid polymer material, which has an anticoagulant effect of preventing thrombi from being accumulated in blood vessels, shows an excellent sustained-release effect and is harmless to the human body. Thus, it is useful as a high-value-added anticoagulant and a food or beverage composition for preventing thrombus formation.
US08618055B2 Prominin-1 peptide fragments and uses thereof
Described herein are peptide compositions of a prominin-1, which have regenerative activity. As such the peptides are useful when regeneration is needed, for example, to enhance angiogenesis, increase VEGF binding to endothelial cells, promote vasodilation, enhance cell migration, enhance cell proliferation, stimulate neuronal growth, prevent neurodegeneration, and/or promote neuroregeneration.
US08618054B2 Interleukin-1 receptor antagonists, compositions, and methods of treatment
Peptides that are designed to inhibit the biological activity of the IL-1R type 1 receptor and inhibit IL-1R/IL-1RacP related cell signaling and biological activity are disclosed. Compositions comprising IL-1R antagonists of the present invention are useful in the treatment of IL-1 related diseases or conditions such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease as well as other chronic or acute inflammatory diseases. This invention also discloses an isolated compound having an IL-1R antagonist activity, said compound being selected from the group consisting of: a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence RYTPELX, wherein R, Y, T, P, E, L, refer to their corresponding amino acids, and X is selected from no amino acid and alanine (A); and a derivative of (a) wherein the derivative incorporates one, two or three amino acid modification selected from an amino acid addition, deletion or substitution in the RYTPEL portion of the peptide, and wherein said derivative maintains its antagonist IL-1R activity.
US08618053B2 FGF21 mutants multimers and uses thereof
The invention provides a multimer comprising at least a first and a second chain, the first chain comprising the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the leucine at position 98 is substituted with an arginine; the proline at position 171 is substituted with glycine; and the alanine at position 180 is substituted with glutamic acid; a linker sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:31; and an Fe domain comprising SEQ NO:11; and a second chain comprising the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:4, wherein the leucine at position 98 is substituted with an arginine; the proline at position 171 is substituted with glycine; and the alanine at position 180 is substituted with glutamic acid; a linker sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:31; and an Fe domain comprising SEQ ID NO:11, nucleic acids encoding the multimer, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the multimer and methods for treating metabolic disorders using such nucleic acids, multimers or pharmaceutical compositions.
US08618052B2 Method of treating coronary artery disease by administering FGF-5
The present invention is directed to a method for treating a human patient for coronary artery disease, comprising administering into at least one coronary vessel of a human patient in need of treatment for coronary artery disease a safe and angiogenically effective dose of a recombinant FGF-5 of SEQ ID NO:9, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof. The invention is also directed to a method for inducing angiogenesis in the heart of a patient, comprising administering into at least one coronary vessel of a human patient in need of coronary angiogenesis a therapeutically effective amount of a recombinant FGF-5 of SEQ ID NO:9, or an angiogenically active fragment or mutein thereof.
US08618048B2 Insulin analogues of prolonged activity
New biosynthetic analogues of recombined human insulin of prolonged therapeutical activity, which can find place in prophylactic and treatment of diabetes.
US08618045B2 Modified human tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 polypeptide or fragment thereof, and method for preparing same
Provided is a modified human tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 polypeptide or a fragment thereof that binds to a tumor necrosis factor in vivo or ex vivo. The modified human tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 polypeptide or fragment exhibits improved ability to bind tumor necrosis factor and resistance to proteases.
US08618043B2 Use of ADNF polypeptides for treating anxiety and depression
This invention relates to the use of ADNF polypeptides in the treatment of anxiety and/or depression. The present invention also relates to drug discovery assays using the ADNF polypeptide mechanism of action and target interaction, as well as the manufacture of medicaments, methods of application and formulation therefor. Embodiments of the invention provide methods for preventing and/or treating anxiety and depression disorders in a subject by administering a NAP, an 8-amino-acid peptide derived from Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor (ADNF III), in an amount sufficient to improve postnatal performance. The ADNF polypeptides include ADNF I and ADNF III (also referred to as ADNP) polypeptides, analogs, subsequences, and D-amino acid versions (either wholly D-amino acid peptides or mixed D- and L-amino acid peptides), and combinations thereof which contain their respective active core sites and provide neuroprotective and anti-anxiety functions.
US08618041B2 All-purpose cleaning compositions
The present invention relates to surfactant-based all-purpose cleaners useful for cleaning surfaces including household hard surfaces as well as glass. The cleaning compositions comprise an anionic sulfonate surfactant, a non-ionic aliphatic ethoxylated surfactant, an alcohol, and a residue-reducing agent. The cleaning compositions of the invention are effective in removing soils such as grease soil and in leaving un-rinsed or unwiped surfaces residue free.
US08618037B2 Aqueous acid cleaning, corrosion and stain inhibiting compositions in the vapor phase comprising a blend of nitric and sulfuric acid
The present invention relates to sulfuric/nitric blended acid cleaners which employ the use of ethoxylated amines and/or ethoxylated alcohols as a corrosion and stain inhibitor in the vapor phase for cleaning metal and other surfaces, particularly stainless steel. Method of use and manufacturing of the same are also disclosed.
US08618036B2 Aqueous cerium-containing solution having an extended bath lifetime for removing mask material
An aqueous solution of a cerium (IV) complex or salt having an extended lifetime is provided. In one embodiment, the extended lifetime is achieved by adding at least one booster additive to an aqueous solution of the cerium (IV) complex or salt. In another embodiment, the extended lifetime is achieved by providing an aqueous solution of a cerium (IV) complex or salt and a cerium (III) complex or salt. The cerium (III) complex or salt can be added or it can be generated in-situ by introducing a reducing agent into the aqueous solution of the cerium (IV) complex or salt. The aqueous solution can be used to remove a mask material, especially an ion implanted and patterned photoresist, from a surface of a semiconductor substrate.
US08618033B2 Ethylene copolymers, methods for their production, and use
Provided is an ethylene copolymer having 40 wt. % to 70 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 30 wt. % of units derived from at least one α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms and has the following properties: (a) a weight-average molecular weight (Mw), as measured by GPC, in the range of about 50,000 to about 200,000 g/mol; (b) a melting point (Tm) in ° C., as measured by DSC, that satisfies the relation: Tm>3.4×E−180 where E is the weight % of units derived from ethylene in the copolymer; (c) a ratio of Mw/Mn of about 1.8 to about 2.5; (d) a content of Group 4 metals of no more than 5 ppm; and (e) a ratio of wt ppm Group 4 metals/wt ppm Group 5 metals of at least 3. Also provided are methods for making an ethylene copolymer and compositions comprising an ethylene copolymer.
US08618032B2 Polymer having visibility in magnetic resonance image and surface lubricity and medical device
Provided are a polymer which, when wetted, enables a medical apparatus for use in MRI diagnosis and therapy to be easily visible under MRI and, simultaneously, develops surface lubricity, and a medical apparatus coated with the polymer. The polymer including a copolymer composed of a substance for shortening relaxation time of a nuclear species capable of being detected by magnetic resonance, a moiety having a reactive group, and a moiety for developing lubricity is used to coat the medical apparatus, whereby excellent peel resistance, high lubricity, visibility under magnetic resonance, easy applicability, and high safety can be obtained.
US08618025B2 Composition and method for reducing hydrate agglomeration
Disclosed and claimed is a composition and method of inhibiting the formation of hydrate agglomerates in a fluid comprising water, gas, and optionally liquid hydrocarbon comprising adding to the fluid an effective anti-agglomerant amount of the following formula and optionally salts thereof: wherein each R1 is independently absent, C1-C10 alkyl, benzyl, or H; wherein R2 is C1-C10 alkyl; wherein R3 C1-C10 alkyl; and wherein R4 is C4-C22 alkyl or alkenyl.
US08618024B2 Nucleic acid binding polypeptide library
The invention relates to a zinc finger polypeptide library in which each polypeptide comprises more than one zinc finger which has been at least partially randomized, and to a set of zinc finger polypeptide libraries which encode overlapping zinc finger polypeptides, each polypeptide comprising more than one zinc finger which has been at least partially randomized, and which polypeptide may be assembled after selection to form a multifinger zinc finger polypeptide.
US08618023B2 Microbiocides
Compounds of the formula (I) in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1 are suitable for use as microbiocides. Formula (I), wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; A is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one to three heteroatoms, each independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, or a phenyl ring; the heterocyclic ring or the phenyl being substituted by the groups R6, R7 and R8; R6, R7 and R8 are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro, C1-4 alky, C1-4 halogenalkyl, C1-4 halogenalkoxy, C1-4 alkoxy(C1-4)alkyl or C1-4halogenalkoxy(C1-4)alkyl, provided that at least one of R6, R7 and R8 is not hydrogen; B is a phenyl, naphthyl or quinolinyl group, which is substituted by one or more substituents R9.
US08618016B2 Iron- and manganese-comprising heterogeneous catalyst and process for preparing olefins by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen
Iron- and manganese-containing heterogeneous catalyst, and a process for producing it, including the following steps: thermal decomposition of gaseous iron pentacarbonyl to give carbonyl iron powder having spherical primary particles; treatment of carbonyl iron powder with hydrogen, resulting in the metallic spherical primary particles at least partly agglomerating; surface oxidation of the iron particles to form iron oxide; contacting the particles with an aqueous solution of a manganese compound; drying in the presence of oxygen and subsequent calcination in the absence of oxygen, resulting in oxygen-comprising manganese compounds on the particles; and finally reaction of these with the iron oxide to form a mixed oxide of the formula MnxFe3-xO4, where 0
US08618010B2 Interstitial metal hydride catalyst activity regeneration process
The present invention relates to new processes for regenerating oxidized interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts prior to the use of such catalysts in a hydroprocessing process. Interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts are easily oxidized in the environment and once oxidized, the hydroprocessing activity of the interstitial metal hydrides is most often severely diminished and this lost activity due to oxidization of the iMeH is not susceptible to recovery under hydroprocessing conditions. As a result, these catalysts in the present art require considerable special handling in inert environments all through processes from fabrication, shipping, loading, use, and maintenance of the catalyst systems to protect the activity of the interstitial metal hydride components. The present invention embodies a process regenerating oxidized interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts prior to their use in a hydroprocessing environment, thereby eliminating the requirement for maintaining the interstitial metal hydride containing catalysts in an inert environment, and allowing the handling of such catalysts in an oxidized condition prior to use.
US08618009B2 Conjugated polyelectrolyte capsules: light activated antimicrobials
Hollow conjugated polyelectrolyte (HCPE) microcapsules contain at least one conjugated polyelectrolyte and at least one other polyelectrolyte of complementary charge and the microcapsule has a hollow core. The conjugated polyelectrolyte is a polymer with a multiplicity of charged repeating units where a portion of the charged repeating units form a pi-conjugated sequence. The complementary polyelectrolyte is a polymer with a complementary charged repeating unit to the charged repeating units of the conjugated polyelectrolyte. The HCPE microcapsules can be formed by successively coating a sacrificial core with alternating layers of complementary polyelectrolytes, at least one of which is a conjugated polyelectrolyte. The sacrificial core can be removed to form the hollow center of a HCPE microcapsule. The HCPE microcapsules can be contacted with a medium containing microbes where the HCPE microcapsules associate with the microbes and efficiently kill the microbes when irradiated with light or other electromagnetic radiation.
US08618004B2 Multifunctional composites
A composite structure comprising a high tenacity fiber coated by a matrix resin is provided. The matrix resin has elongation at break of at least about 100% and tensile strength at break of less than about 50 Mpa. The composite structure can further comprise an impact-absorbing elastomeric filler integrated into the matrix resin. Also provided is a method for making a composite structure. The method includes providing a high tenacity fiber; providing a matrix resin with elongation at break of at least about 100% and tensile strength at break of less than about 50 Mpa; and coating the high tenacity fiber with the matrix resin. The method can further comprise adding an impact-absorbing elastomeric filler into the matrix resin.
US08618003B2 Method of making electronic devices using selective deposition
Electronic devices can be prepared by forming a patterned thin film on a suitable receiver substrate. A cyanoacrylate polymer is used as a deposition inhibitor material and applied first as a deposition inhibitor material. The deposition inhibitor material can be patterned to provide selected areas on the receiver substrate where the deposition inhibitor is absent. An inorganic thin film is then deposited on the receiver substrate using a chemical vapor deposition technique only in those areas where the deposition inhibitor material is absent. The cyanoacrylate polymer deposition inhibitor material can be applied by thermal transfer from a donor element to a receiver substrate before a patterned thin film is formed.
US08618001B2 Lifting-off method and method for manufacturing TFT array substrate
A lifting-off method and a manufacturing method for a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate using the same are provided. A lifting-off method comprises forming a cavitation jet flow by using a lifting-off solution, and impacting a to-be-lifted-off surface of a substrate by means of the cavitation jet flow to remove a photoresist and a film deposited on the photoresist over the to-be-lifted-off surface. The disclosure may be applied to manufacturing processes for semiconductor devices or TFT array substrate.
US08617998B2 Method of forming a micro-pattern for semiconductor devices
Methods of forming integrated circuit devices utilize fine width patterning techniques to define conductive or insulating patterns having relatively narrow and relative wide lateral dimensions. A target material layer is formed on a substrate and first and second mask layers of different material are formed in sequence on the target material layer. The second mask layer is selectively etched to define a first pattern therein. Sidewall spacers are formed on opposing sidewalls of the first pattern. The first pattern and sidewall spacers are used collectively as an etching mask during a step to selectively etch the first mask layer to define a second pattern therein. The first pattern is removed to define an opening between the sidewall spacers. The first mask layer is selectively re-etched to convert the second pattern into at least a third pattern, using the sidewall spacers as an etching mask. The target material layer is selectively etched using the third pattern as an etching mask.
US08617995B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
When a semiconductor device having a surface provided with a flexible protective material is manufactured, the misalignment of the protective material occurs at the time of disposing the protective material or performing adhesion treatment. In the case where the terminal portion over the substrate has a length X of 5 mm or less, by providing a step layer with a thickness of 0.38 X or more and 2 mm or less over the element portion, a space is formed between a surface of the terminal portion and the protective material even though the protective material disposed over the step layer so as to cover the element portion is overlapped with the terminal portion. By using an attaching member including an elastic material with a surface hardness of 50 or more and 100 or less in this state, the protective material and the substrate may be attached to each other.
US08617993B2 Method of reducing pattern collapse in high aspect ratio nanostructures
A method is provided for treating the surface of high aspect ratio nanostructures to help protect the delicate nanostructures during some of the rigorous processing involved in fabrication of semiconductor devices. A wafer containing high aspect ratio nanostructures is treated to make the surfaces of the nanostructures more hydrophobic. The treatment may include the application of a primer that chemically alters the surfaces of the nanostructures preventing them from getting damaged during subsequent wet clean processes. The wafer may then be further processed, for example a wet cleaning process followed by a drying process. The increased hydrophobicity of the nanostructures helps to reduce or prevent collapse of the nanostructures.
US08617992B2 Method of forming metal silicide contact and metal interconnect
Methods of forming contacts (and optionally, local interconnects) using an ink comprising a silicide-forming metal, electrical devices such as diodes and/or transistors including such contacts and (optional) local interconnects, and methods for forming such devices are disclosed. Electrical devices, such as diodes and transistors may be made using such printed contact and/or local interconnects. A metal ink may be printed for contacts as well as for local interconnects at the same time, or in the alternative, the printed metal can act as a seed for electroless deposition of other metals if different metals are desired for the contact and the interconnect lines. This approach advantageously reduces the number of processing steps and does not necessarily require any etching.
US08617990B2 Reduced PTH pad for enabling core routing and substrate layer count reduction
Embodiments are directed to semiconductor packaging having reduced sized plated through hole (PTH) pads by eliminating the margin of the pad-to-PTH alignment and enabling finer traces on the core of the substrate.
US08617976B2 Source/drain re-growth for manufacturing III-V based transistors
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a substrate, and epitaxially growing a first semiconductor layer over the substrate. The first semiconductor layer includes a first III-V compound semiconductor material formed of group III and group V elements. The method further includes forming a gate structure on the first semiconductor layer, and forming a gate spacer on at least one sidewall of the gate structure. After the step of forming the gate structure, a second semiconductor layer including a second III-V compound semiconductor material is epitaxially grown on the first semiconductor layer.
US08617974B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device
An improvement is achieved in the manufacturing yield of a semiconductor device including a plurality of field effect transistors having different characteristics over the same substrate. By combining anisotropic dry etching with isotropic wet etching or isotropic dry etching, three types of sidewalls having different sidewall lengths are formed. By reducing the number of anisotropic dry etching steps, in a third n-type MISFET region and a third p-type MISFET region where layout densities are high, it is possible to prevent a semiconductor substrate from being partially cut between n-type gate electrodes adjacent to each other, between the n-type gate electrode and a p-type gate electrode adjacent to each other, and the p-type gate electrodes adjacent to each other.
US08617970B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by which the length of nanowires perpendicularly formed can be fabricated with high reproducibility. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a first layer; forming a stop layer on the first layer, the stop layer having a higher Young's modulus than the first layer; forming a recess by partially removing the first layer and the stop layer; growing nanowires in the recess; forming a planarizing layer; removing the planarizing layer to the level of the stop layer to expose the nanowires from the surface of the planarizing layer; and forming an electrode so as to be in contact with the upper ends of the nanowires.
US08617965B1 Apparatus and method of forming high crystalline quality layer
A method is disclosed for making a high crystalline quality layer in a surface region of a wide bandgap material substrate. The high crystalline quality layer is formed by directing a thermal energy beam onto the wide bandgap material in the presence of a doping gas for converting a layer of the wide bandgap material into the high crystalline quality layer. Various electrical, optical and electro-optical components may be formed within the high crystalline quality layer through a further conversion process. In an alternative embodiment, the high crystalline quality layer may be embedded within the wide bandgap material.
US08617963B2 Integrated circuit wafer dicing method
An integrated circuit wafer dicing method is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of integrated circuits and a plurality of test-keys on a wafer substrate, wherein the plurality of test-keys are disposed between the adjacent integrated circuits; forming a patterned protective film on the wafer to cover the plurality of integrated circuits and expose the plurality of test-keys; etching the plurality of test-keys by using the patterned protective film as a mask; and dicing an area between the plurality of integrated circuits to form a plurality of discrete integrated circuit dies.
US08617961B1 Post-gate isolation area formation for fin field effect transistor device
A method for fin field effect transistor (finFET) device formation includes forming a plurality of fins on a substrate; forming a gate region over the plurality of fins; and forming isolation areas for the finFET device after formation of the gate region, wherein forming the isolation areas for the finFET device comprises performing one of oxidation or removal of a subset of the plurality of fins.
US08617959B2 Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory
Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory are described herein. One or more method embodiments of processing resistive memory include conformally forming a cell material in an opening in an interlayer dielectric such that a seam is formed in the cell material, forming a conductive pathway by modifying the seam, and forming an electrode on the cell material and the seam.
US08617957B1 Fin bipolar transistors having self-aligned collector and emitter regions
A method for fabricating a bipolar transistor device. The method includes the steps of: providing a SOI substrate having a silicon layer thereon; patterning lithographically a fin hardmask on the silicon layer; placing a dummy contact line over a central portion of patterned fin hardmask; doping the collector/emitter regions; depositing a filler layer over the collector region and the emitter region; removing the dummy contact line to reveal a trench and the central portion of the patterned fin hardmask; forming fin-shaped base regions by removing, within the trench, a portion of the silicon layer not covered by the central portion of the patterned fin hardmask after the step of removing the dummy contact line; doping the fin-shaped base region; and forming a contact line by filling the trench with a contact line material over the fin-shaped base regions, where the collector/emitter regions are self-aligned with the contact line.
US08617955B2 Method and system for forming low contact resistance device
A method of treating a CMOS device. The method may include providing a first stress liner on a transistor of a first dopant type in the CMOS device. The method may further include exposing the CMOS device to first ions in a first exposure, the first ions configured to reduce contact resistance in a source/drain region of a transistor of a second dopant type.
US08617954B2 Formation of nitrogen containing dielectric layers having an improved nitrogen distribution
Provided is a method for manufacturing a gate dielectric. This method, without limitation, includes subjecting a silicon substrate to a first plasma nitridation process to incorporate a nitrogen region therein. This method further includes growing a dielectric material layer over the nitrogen region using a nitrogen containing oxidizer gas, and subjecting the dielectric material layer to a second plasma nitridation process, thereby forming a nitrided dielectric material layer over the nitrogen region.
US08617951B2 Method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device having a floating gate
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device which includes forming a conductive layer for a floating gate above a semiconductor layer intervening a gate insulating film therebetween, then, forming, over the conductive layer, a first spacer comprising a first silicon oxide material and a second spacer adjacent with the first spacer and comprising a second silicon oxide material, the second silicon oxide material having an etching rate lower than that of the first silicon oxide material, selectively removing the conductive layer by using the first and the second spacers as a mask, and removing the first spacer to expose a portion of the conductive layer. Since the etching rate for the second spacer is lower compared with the etching rate for the first spacer, the etching amount of the second spacer caused upon removal of the first spacer can be suppressed and, as a result, the productivity and the reliability of the semiconductor memory device can be improved.
US08617950B2 Method of forming a capacitor and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same
A capacitor is fabricated by forming a mold layer of a silicon based material that is not an oxide of silicon, e.g., polysilicon or doped polysilicon, on a substrate, forming an opening through the mold layer, forming a barrier layer pattern along the sides of the opening, subsequently forming a lower electrode in the opening, then removing the mold layer and the barrier layer pattern, and finally sequentially forming dielectric layer and an upper electrode on the lower electrode.
US08617948B2 Reducing resistance in source and drain regions of FinFETs
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor fin on a top surface of a substrate, wherein the semiconductor fin includes a middle section having a first width; and a first and a second end section connected to opposite ends of the middle section, wherein the first and the second end sections each comprises at least a top portion having a second width greater than the first width. The semiconductor structure further includes a gate dielectric layer on a top surface and sidewalls of the middle section of the semiconductor fin; and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric layer.
US08617947B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a channel region, forming a buffer layer on the channel region, and heat-treating the channel region by using a gas containing halogen atoms.
US08617941B2 High-speed graphene transistor and method of fabrication by patternable hard mask materials
Graphene or carbon nanotube-based transistor devices and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a transistor is provided. The transistor includes a substrate; a carbon-based material on the substrate, wherein a portion of the carbon-based material serves as a channel region of the transistor and other portions of the carbon-based material serve as source and drain regions of the transistor; a patterned organic buffer layer over the portion of the carbon-based material that serves as the channel region of the transistor; a conformal high-k gate dielectric layer disposed selectively on the patterned organic buffer layer; metal source and drain contacts formed on the portions of the carbon-based material that serve as the source and drain regions of the transistor; and a metal top-gate contact formed on the high-k gate dielectric layer.
US08617936B2 Reverse-conducting semiconductor device and method for manufacturing such a reverse-conducting semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a reverse-conducting semiconductor device (RC-IGBT) with a seventh layer formed as a gate electrode and a first electrical contact on a emitter side and a second electrical contact on a collector side, which is opposite the emitter side, a wafer of a first conductivity type with a first side and a second side opposite the first side is provided. For the manufacturing of the RC-IGBT on the collector side, a first layer of the first conductivity type or of a second conductivity type is created on the second side. A mask with an opening is created on the first layer and those parts of the first layer, on which the opening of the mask is arranged, are removed. The remaining parts of the first layer form a third layer. Afterwards, for the manufacturing of a second layer of a different conductivity type than the third layer, ions are implanted into the wafer on the second side into those parts of the wafer, on which the at least one opening is arranged. Then the mask is removed and an annealing for the activation of the second layer is performed and a second electrical contact, which is in direct electrical contact to the second and third layer, is created on the second side.
US08617929B2 On-Chip RF shields with front side redistribution lines
A system on chip comprising a RF shield is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system on chip includes a RF component disposed on a chip, first redistribution lines disposed above the system on chip, the first redistribution lines coupled to I/O connection nodes. The system on chip further includes second redistribution lines disposed above the RF component, the second redistribution lines coupled to ground potential nodes. The second redistribution lines include a first set of parallel metal lines coupled together by a second set of parallel metal lines.
US08617928B2 Dicing/die bonding film
Provided is a dicing die-bonding film which is excellent in balance between retention of a semiconductor wafer upon dicing and releasability upon picking up. Disclosed is a dicing die-bonding film comprising a dicing film having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on a substrate material, and a die-bonding film formed on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer contains a polymer including an acrylic acid ester as a main monomer, 10 to 40 mol % of a hydroxyl group-containing monomer based on the acrylic acid ester, and 70 to 90 mol % of an isocyanate compound having a radical reactive carbon-carbon double bond based on the hydroxyl group-containing monomer, and is also cured by irradiation with ultraviolet rays under predetermined conditions after film formation on the substrate material, and wherein the die-bonding film contains an epoxy resin, and is also bonded on the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer after irradiation with ultraviolet rays.
US08617927B1 Method of mounting electronic chips
A method and apparatus for mounting microelectronic chips to a thermal heat sink. The chips are arranged in a desired configuration with their active faces all facing a common direction and with their active faces defining a common planar surface for all of said chips. A metallic material is applied to the chip, preferably by electroplating to backsides of the chips, the metallic material being electro-formed thereon and making void-free contact with the backsides of the chips.
US08617926B2 Semiconductor chip device with polymeric filler trench
A method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a semiconductor chip with an insulating layer. The insulating layer includes a trench. A second semiconductor chip is stacked on the first semiconductor chip to leave a gap. A polymeric filler is placed in the gap wherein a portion of the polymeric filler is drawn into the trench.
US08617916B1 Chemical bath deposition method for fabrication of semiconductor films
A chemical bath deposition method is presented to prepare different thin films on plane substrates. In particular, they are useful to deposit CdS or ZnS buffer layers in manufacture of thin film solar cells. This method and the deposition apparatus deposit thin films onto vertically travelling plane workpieces delivered by a conveyor belt. The thin films are deposited by continuously spraying the reaction solutions from their freshly mixed styles to gradually aged forms until the designed thickness is obtained. The substrates and the solutions are heated to a reaction temperature. During the deposition processes, the front surfaces of the substrates are totally covered with the sprayed solutions but the substrate backsides are remained dry. The reaction ambience inside the reactor can be isolated from the outside atmosphere. The method is designed to generate a minimum amount of waste solutions for chemical treatments.
US08617913B2 Alkali silicate glass based coating and method for applying
A coating for reducing interaction between a surface and the environment around the surface includes an alkali silicate glass material configured to protect the surface from environmental corrosion due to water or moisture. The alkali silicate glass material is doped with a first element to affect various forms of radiation passing through the coating. The electromagnetic radiation is at least one of ultraviolet, x-ray, atomic (gamma, alpha, beta), and electromagnetic or radio wave radiation. The coating may also be used to protect a solar cell from the environment and UV rays while retransmitting received light as usable light for conversion into electrical energy. The coating may also be used to prevent whisker formation in metal finishes of tin, cadmium, zinc, etc.
US08617907B2 Determining the presence or amount of a metal-labelled species
A method for determining the presence or amount of a metal-labelled species in a sample may include causing the metal of the metal-labelled species in the sample to form a soluble electrochemically-active complex which is stable relative to moieties present or potentially present in the sample which will form an insoluble and/or electrochemically-inactive complex with the metal, and electrochemically measuring the formed complex to provide an indication of the presence or amount of the metal-labelled species.
US08617899B2 Enhanced drop mixing using magnetic actuation
A method and device for merging and mixing at least two separate and distinct fluid drops on a substrate, includes a drop merging area on the surface, where a first magnetic material is placed at a first location. A first drop of fluid is then placed at the first location on the surface, resulting in the first magnetic material being at least partially positioned within the first drop of fluid. A second drop of fluid is then placed at a second location on the surface of the drop merging area. A magnetic field is applied by a varying magnetic field generator to at least a portion of the drop merge area of the substrate, which includes at least the first location on the substrate. The varying magnetic field will act on the first magnetic material to move the first magnetic material within the first drop of fluid, causing a stirring of the fluid. A drop merging force from a drop merging mechanism is applied to at least one of the first drop of fluid and the second drop of fluid within the drop merge area. This causes at least one of the first drop of fluid and the second drop of fluid to move toward the other and make contact. The internal stirring of the fluid in the first drop of fluid by the movement of the magnetic material enhances the mixing of the constituents of the first drop of fluid and the constituents of the second drop of fluid.
US08617894B2 Anti-TNF alpha fibronectin type III domain based scaffold compositions, methods and uses
A protein scaffold based on a consensus sequence of the tenth fibronectin type III (FN3) repeat from human fibronectin, preferably human Tenascin, that binds to human TNFα including isolated nucleic acids that encode a protein scaffold, vectors, host cells, and methods of making and using thereof have applications in diagnostic and/or therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.
US08617892B2 Microbubble devices, methods and systems
A hydrogel tissue engineering scaffold having microbubbles dispersed therein is disclosed. Also, a system for cell culturing including a controller and actuator to apply dynamic deformational loading to a hydrogel is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for producing hydrogels with microbubbles and for culturing cells using hydrogels with microbubbles.
US08617889B2 Methods and compositions for the repair and/or regeneration of damaged myocardium using cytokines and variants thereof
Methods, compositions, and kits for repairing damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells including the administration of cytokines, variants of cytokines, cardiac stem cells, or combinations thereof are disclosed and claimed. In addition, methods, compositions, and kits for forming coronary vasculature including the administration of cytokines, variants of cytokines, cardiac stem cells, or combinations thereof are described. In particular, administration of variants of hepatocyte growth factor, such as NK1, 1K1, and HP11, are useful for the repair and/or regeneration of damaged myocardium or formation of coronary vasculature. Methods of activating cardiac stem cells in vitro are also disclosed.
US08617888B2 Bacterial mediated delivery of nuclear protein into pluripotent and differentiated cells
A modified P. aeruginosa type III secretion system has been developed that efficiently delivers selected proteins into a host cell. In one example, a functional nuclear Cre Recombinase is injected into embryonic stem (ES) cells and can be used to induce pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This method of in vitro lineage directed differentiation prevents insertional mutagenesis and provides a route to selected stem cell renewal and cell-based therapies.
US08617885B2 Cultured hematopoietic stem cells and method for expansion and analysis thereof
Hematopoietic stem cells and methods for ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing the cells in a media containing an effective amount insulin-like growth factor(IGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), thrombopoietin (TPO), and stem cell factor (SCF), under conditions sufficient for expansion of said cells. Methods for identifying expanded hematopoeitc stem cells and kits for ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.
US08617875B2 Expression vector suitable for expression of a coding sequence for gene therapy
Provided is an expression vector for gene therapy having a novel combination of transcriptional regulatory elements, including a promoter, an enhancer, an intron, an untranslated region (UTR) and a locus control region (LCR). The expression vector enables sustained expression of a liver tissue-specific gene, and thus, can be effectively used for treating thrombosis, hemophilia, liver cancer, etc.
US08617874B2 Array for rapid detection of a microorganism
A method for detecting a microorganism or class of microorganisms is provided. More specifically, the method employs an array that contains a plurality of discrete regions (referred to as “addresses”) spaced apart on a solid support in a predetermined pattern. The addresses are selected so that the array provides a distinct spectral response (e.g., pattern of colors) or “fingerprint” for a particular microorganism or class of microorganisms. For example, the array may provide a certain spectral response in the presence of one microorganism or class of microoryanisms (e.g., gram-negative bacteria), but provide a completely different spectral response in the presence of another microorganism or class of microorganisms (e.g., gram-positive bacteria). Detection of the spectral response provided by the array may thus allow for differentiation between microorganisms.
US08617872B2 Compositions for culturing spirochetes
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for culturing spirochetes and treating spirochetal diseases. For example, the present invention provides serum-free media for culturing spirochete bacteria in vitro. The present invention further provides methods for identifying spirochete susceptibilities to antimicrobials and antimicrobial compositions and cocktails. The present invention also provides methods for treating subjects suspected of having a spirochete infection.
US08617871B2 Method and culture medium for enhanced detection of Mycobacterium
The present invention relates to an improved culture medium and method for the enhanced growth and detection of Mycobacterium growth. The invention further relates to an improved mycobacterial reagent system or kit that can be used for the enhanced growth and detection of Mycobacterium.
US08617869B2 Metal coated virus-based nanoelectrodes and method of assembling of same
The present invention relates to high content surface areas containing nickel and/or cobalt metallic compounds assembled on a modified Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) template, wherein the modified TMV template is engineered to encode unique placement of cysteine residues that self-assemble onto gold patterned surfaces in a substantially aligned fashion, producing a >10 fold increase in surface area. Deposition of ionic metals onto the surface assembled virus templates produce uniform metal coatings for the fabrication of oriented high surface area materials.
US08617865B2 Tannase, gene encoding same, and process for producing same
Disclosed is a thermostable tannase derived from a microorganism. Specifically disclosed is a thermostable tannase derived from Aspergillus awamori or Aspergillus niger. A preferred embodiment of the tannase has the following chemoenzymatic properties: (1) activity: to act on a depside bond to thereby cause hydrolysis; (2) molecular weight: about 230,000 Da (as measured by gel filtration); and (3) thermal stability: stable at a temperature up to 65° C. (pH 5.0, 30 min.)
US08617861B2 Method for producing butanol using extractive fermentation with electrolyte addition
A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one electrolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, is provided. The electrolyte may comprise a salt which dissociates in the fermentation medium, or in the aqueous phase of a biphasic fermentation medium, to form free ions. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.
US08617858B2 Method for the enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of polyacrylic acid esters, and esterases used therefor
The invention relates to a method for the enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of polyacrylic acid esters. According to the method, at least one polyacrylic acid ester is provided and incubated with at least one enzyme selected from enzymes (EC 3.1) acting on ester bindings, until the ester groups contained in the polyacrylic acid ester are partially or fully hydrolytically split, and optionally the modified polymer obtained thereby is isolated. The invention also relates to the enzymes used and mutants thereof, nucleic acids coding for the enzymes, vectors comprising the nucleic acids, micro-organisms comprising the vectors, and the use of the enzymes, the vectors or the micro-organisms for carrying out a method for the enzyme-catalysed hydrolysis of polyacrylic acid esters. The present application also relates to polymer reaction products that can be obtained by the method, and methods for producing esterases.
US08617851B2 Highly disordered cellulose
Disclosed are methods and systems for treating cellulose to make it more accessible for enzymatic or chemical modification. The invention includes treating cellulose with an alkali in an alcohol/water co-solvent system. The treatment decrystallizes or deaggregates the cellulosic material. The methods and systems increase the efficiency of enzymatic or chemical modifications of cellulose for use as biofuels or cellulose derivatives.
US08617849B2 Velocity factor
The current invention is directed to the velocity factor. Based on the velocity factor antibodies can be classified, i.e. antibodies can be characterized on their binding properties as e.g. entropic or enthalpic antigen binder. A velocity factor based classification does not require detailed thermodynamic determinations and/or calculations. The velocity factor is the ratio of the antigen-antibody complex association rate constants ka determined at 37° C. and 13° C. As only two experimental determinations are required to calculate the velocity factor this is a fast and high-throughput suited method.
US08617847B2 Nucleic acids encoding antibody molecules which bind IL-17A and IL-17F
The invention relates to antibody molecules having specificity for antigenic determinants of both IL-17A and IL-17F, therapeutic uses of the antibody molecules and methods for producing said antibody molecules.
US08617841B2 Protein and production process and use thereof
[PROBLEMS] To provide a polypeptide having a novel structure and showing an activity of inhibiting angiogenesis or an activity of inhibiting osteoclastogenesis, and to provide a recombinant protein by constructing a method of purifying the above protein. To provide an ingredient useful in designing remedies for tendinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis deformans, malignant tumor, etc.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A novel soluble polypeptide protein.
US08617840B2 Lysis/resealing process and device for incorporating an active ingredient, in particular asparaginase or inositol hexaphosphate, in erythrocytes
Lysis/resealing process for preparing erythrocytes which contain an active ingredient (e.g. aspariginase or inositol hexaphosphate), the process comprising the following steps: (1) placing a globular concentrate in suspension in an isotonic solution having a haematocrit level which is equal to or greater than 65%, with refrigeration at from +1 to +8° C., (2) measuring the osmotic fragility based on a sample of erythrocytes from that same globular concentrate, preferably on a sample of the suspension obtained in step (1), (3) lysis and internalization procedure of the active ingredient, inside the same chamber, at a temperature which is constantly maintained at from +1 to +8° C., comprising allowing the erythrocyte suspension having a haematocrit level which is equal to or greater than 65% and a hypotonic lysis solution which is refrigerated at from +1 to +8° C. to circulate in a dialysis cartridge; the lysis parameters being adjusted in accordance with the osmotic fragility previously measured; and (4) resealing procedure carried out in a second chamber at a temperature of from +30 to +40° C. by means of a hypertonic solution.
US08617839B1 Early detection of pathogens in blood
The present invention is a method of extracting infectious pathogens from a volume of blood including the steps of creating a fibrin aggregate confining the pathogens and introducing a fibrin lysis reagent to expose the pathogens for analysis. The fibrin lysis reagent is preferably composed of plasminogen and streptokinase frozen in coincident relation until the fibrin lysis reagent is needed whereby streptokinase enzymatically reacts with plasminogen to form plasmin upon thawing. The plasminogen is suspended in an aqueous salt solution prior to freezing including NaCl and Na3PO4.
US08617836B2 Method for predicting the response of locally advanced rectal cancer to chemoradiotherapy
The present invention relates to a method for determining or predicting the response of a patient diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer to chemoradiotherapy. The present invention also aims to provide methods and devices for predicting the response of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer to specific medicaments, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. More specifically, the present invention provides methods which measure kinase activity by studying phosphorylation levels and profiles in samples of said patients.
US08617835B2 Porous particle reagent compositions, devices, and methods for biosensors
A reagent composition for a biosensor sensor strip is disclosed that provides for rapid rehydration after drying. The composition includes porous particles and is preferably formed as a colloidal suspension. The dried reagent composition including porous particles may provide analytically useful output from the sensor strip in a shorter time period than observed from dried reagent compositions using solid particles. The output signal from the porous particle compositions may be correlated to the analyte concentration of a sample within about two seconds. In this manner, an accurate concentration determination of an analyte concentration in a sample may be obtained in less time than from sensor strips including conventional compositions. The reagent composition including the porous particles also may allow for the redox reaction between the reagents and the analyte to reach a maximum kinetic performance in a shorter time period than observed from conventional sensor strips.
US08617832B2 Method for identifying an agent that inhibits Candida albicans—mediated host cell differentiation
The present invention features a method for identifying an agent that inhibits Candida albicans-mediated differentiation of keratinocytes. Agents identified by the screening assay of the invention find application in the prevention and treatment of candidiasis.
US08617830B2 Method for identifying lineage-related antibodies
In certain embodiments, the method may comprise: a) obtaining the antibody sequences from a population of B cells; b) grouping the antibody sequences to provide a plurality of groups of lineage-related antibodies; c) testing a single antibody from each of the groups in a bioassay and, after the first antibody has been identified, d) testing further antibodies that are in the same group as the first antibody in a second bioassay. In another embodiment, the method may comprise: a) testing a plurality of antibodies obtained from a first portion of an antibody producing organ of an animal; b) obtaining the sequence of a first identified antibody; c) obtaining from a second portion of said antibody producing organ the sequences of further antibodies that are related by lineage to said first antibody; and, c) testing the further antibodies in a second bioassay.
US08617829B2 Humanized antibodies specific for amino acid sequence RGD of an extracellular matrix protein and the uses thereof
The present invention provides humanized antibodies that immunospecifically recognize the RGD sequence. Some of these antibodies inhibit the biological functions of the RGD proteins, thereby exhibiting therapeutic effects on various disorders or diseases that are associated with RGD proteins, including cancer, e.g., the growth and metastasis of a cancer cell, and inflammatory diseases, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, hepatitis, endometriosis, bronchial asthma, fibrosis, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, granuloma, an inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), an autoimmune disease, and so forth.
US08617827B2 Photoactivable fluorescent dyes for optical microscopy and imaging techniques
The present invention relates to novel photoactivable rhodamine or carbopyronine derivatives of the following general formulae G1-G4 (I), G1: A1=O, A2=N, A3=C; G2: A1=S, A2=N, A3=C; G3: A1=O, A2=O, A3=N; G4: A1=S, A2=O, A3=N; comprising UV light absorbing chromophores which after photolysis by irradiation at 254-490 nm (preferably at 375-420 nm) generate fluorescent rhodamine or carbopyronine derivatives and small non-toxic fragments such as N2 or N2O. The invention also relates to methods for preparing such compounds and to the use of these compounds for optical microscopy and imaging techniques.
US08617823B2 Immunomodulating compositions and methods of use thereof
The invention is directed to β1-6 glucans, compositions, diagnostic kits, and devices comprising the same, and methods of use thereof in modulating immune response and treating, delaying progression of, reducing the incidence or severity of cancer, infection, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. The β1-6 glucans of certain embodiments of the invention are enriched for O-acetylated groups and/or conjugated to a solid support or linked to a targeting moiety. The β1-6 glucans of certain embodiments of the invention recruit immunoglobulin G antibodies to mediate complement and neutrophil killing. The conjugated β1-6 glucans of certain embodiments of the invention are targeted to cells to stimulate the immune response at the target location by activating complement-mediated lysis and recruitment of neutrophils.
US08617820B2 Use of glycosaminoglycans to reduce non-specific binding in immunoassays
An immunoassay reagent is provided which comprises an analyte binding agent in a diluent, and a glycosaminoglycan in an amount sufficient to reduce non-specific binding in an assay of a sample for the analyte. Provided is such an immunoassay reagent in which the analyte is troponin I, the analyte binding agent is a biotinylated anti-troponin I antibody, and the glycosaminoglycan is chondroitin sulfate. A sample composition is also provided which comprises a sample to be assayed for the presence of an analyte, an analyte binding agent, and a glycosaminoglycan other than heparin. Further provided is a method of detecting an analyte in a sample, in which non-specific binding is reduced in the method using a glycosaminoglycan.
US08617813B2 Methods for modulating embryonic stem cell differentiation
Described herein is Zscan4, a gene exhibiting 2-cell embryonic stage and embryonic stem cell specific expression. Identification of nine Zscan4 co-expressed genes is also described. Inhibition of Zscan4 expression inhibits the 2-cell to 4-cell embryonic transition and prevents blastocyst implantation, expansion and outgrowth. Provided herein are methods of inhibiting differentiation of a stem cell, promoting blastocyst outgrowth of embryonic stem cells and identifying a subpopulation of stem cells expressing Zscan4. Further described is the identification of Trim43 as a gene exhibiting morula-specific expression. Also provided are isolated expression vectors comprising a Zscan4 promoter, or a Trim43 promoter operably linked to a heterologous polypeptide and uses thereof. Further provided are transgenic animals comprising transgenes encoding marker proteins operably linked to Zscan4 and Trim43 promoters.
US08617809B2 Neoplasia screening compositions and methods of use
As described in more detail below, the present invention generally features compositions and non-invasive methods useful for the screening, identification, monitoring, or diagnosis of subjects having a neoplasia. The invention further provides highly accurate non-invasive methods for the staging or selection of treatment for a bladder, renal, or prostate cancer in a subject.
US08617808B2 Cultispot assay
The invention provides a method for detecting the production of one or more analytes by cells in a sample. The method uses one or more immobilized binding proteins to capture one or more analytes released from cells. The, or each, binding protein is localized at one or more discrete locations on a solid surface within a well. Cells are introduced into the well and cultured under conditions suitable for release of the analyte(s) and for binding of the analyte(s) to the binding protein(s). Restricting the binding protein(s) to one or more discrete locations within the well, rather than coating the entire surface of the well, results in increased sensitivity of the assay.
US08617802B2 Organ transplant solutions and method for transplanting organs
A preservation solution for organs waiting to be transplanted is disclosed; the method of using the solution in a transplantation procedure is also disclosed. The preservation solutions comprise a balanced isotonic aqueous solution comprising sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate ions in a physiologically acceptable amount, together with an effective amount of a mutein of the C5a anaphylatoxin which is a C5a receptor antagonist wherein the amino acid residue naturally occurring at sequence position 69 is mutated.
US08617796B2 Photosensitive resin composition for color filter and color filter using the same
Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition for a color filter that includes (A) an organic salt-type sulfonate-containing dye; (B) a pigment; (C) an acrylic-based binder resin; (D) a photopolymerizable monomer; (E) a photopolymerization initiator; and (F) a solvent.
US08617794B2 Method of forming patterns
A method of forming patterns includes (a) coating a substrate with a resist composition for negative development to form a resist film, wherein the resist composition contains a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of the acid and becomes more soluble in a positive developer and less soluble in a negative developer upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (b) forming a protective film on the resist film with a protective film composition after forming the resist film and before exposing the resist film, (c) exposing the resist film via an immersion medium, and (d) performing development with a negative developer.
US08617792B2 Aromatic ring-containing polymer for resist underlayer, resist underlayer composition including the same, and method of patterning device using the same
An aromatic ring-containing polymer for a resist underlayer, the polymer including a unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: wherein, R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, a C1 to C10 alkyl group, or an aromatic group, A is a functional group derived from an aromatic compound with a heteroatom or without a heteroatom, and n is an integer of one or more.
US08617790B2 Photoresist composition and method for producing photoresist pattern
A photoresist composition comprising (A) a resin which has an acid-labile group-containing structural unit and a lactone ring-containing structural unit, and (B) a salt represented by formula (I): wherein Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom or a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, n represents 0 or 1, L1 represents a single bond or a C1-C10 alkanediyl group in which a methylene group may be replaced by an oxygen atom or a carbonyl group, provided that L1 is not a single bond when n is 0, R1 represents a hydroxy group or a hydroxy group protected by a protecting group, and Z+ represents an organic cation.
US08617788B2 Actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition and pattern forming method using the same
An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, wherein when a film having a film thickness of 100 nm is formed from the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, the film has a transmittance of 55 to 80% for light at a wavelength of 193 nm, and a pattern forming method using the composition are provided.
US08617787B2 Sulfonium salt, photo-acid generator, and photosensitive resin composition
There is provided a sulfonium salt having high photosensitivity to the i-line. The invention relates to a sulfonium salt represented by formula (1) described below: [in formula (1), R1 to R6 each independently represent an alkyl group, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, an alkylcarbonyl group, an arylcarbonyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an arylthiocarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, an arylthio group, an alkylthio group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic hydrocarbon group, an aryloxy group, an alkylsulfinyl group, an arylsulfinyl group, an alkylsulfonyl group, an arylsulfonyl group, a hydroxy(poly)alkyleneoxy group, an optionally substituted amino group, a cyano group, a nitro group, or a halogen atom, m1 to m6 each represent the number of occurrences of each of R1 to R6, m1, m4, and m6 each represent an integer of 0 to 5, m2, m3, and m5 each represent an integer of 0 to 4, and X− represents a monovalent polyatomic anion].
US08617786B2 Poly-oxycarbosilane compositions for use in imprint lithography
The present invention relates to compositions comprising poly-oxycarbosilane and methods for using the compositions in step and flash imprint lithography. The imprinting compositions comprise a poly-oxycarbosilane polymer, a silanol, a reaction initiator and optionally a pore generator.
US08617784B2 Increasing photoresist processing throughput
Two acids may be formed per exposed photon using free radical promotion so that two acid products are produced via two parallel pathways. This results in increased fabrication facility throughput. In some embodiments, this may be achieved while reducing side-lobe defect liability.
US08617779B2 Photoreceptor surface layer comprising secondary electron emitting material
Presently disclosed embodiments relate to an improved electrophotographic imaging member or photoreceptor comprising a surface layer on the photoreceptor, where the surface layer comprises secondary electron emitting materials that act as a robust electrically active layer. Photoreceptors incorporating such materials into or on the surface will exhibit an increase photoreceptor life and also a reduction the operating voltage of bias charge roll (BCR) charging systems while maintaining excellent charge uniformity.
US08617777B2 Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus
An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a boron complex which is a product of the reaction of a compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a carbonyl group with a boron halide. Also disclosed are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have such an electrophotographic photosensitive member.
US08617776B2 Secure document printing method and system
A method and system for printing documents with one or more embedded security features is provided. Security features are embedded in the document by co-printing magnetic and non-magnetic toner on a receiver before fixation by a fixing station. The combination of magnetic and non-magnetic toners in the image results in image elements that easily show alteration or are undetectable by visual means.
US08617775B2 Optimized mask design for fabricating periodic and quasi-periodic patterns
A method for printing a desired periodic or quasi-periodic pattern of dot features into a photosensitive layer disposed on a substrate including the steps of designing a mask pattern having a periodic or quasi-periodic array of unit cells each having a ring feature, forming a mask with said mask pattern, arranging the mask substantially parallel to the photosensitive layer, arranging the distance of the photosensitive layer from the mask and illuminating the mask according to one of the methods of achromatic Talbot lithography and displacement Talbot lithography, whereby the illumination transmitted by the mask exposes the photosensitive layer to an integrated intensity distribution that prints the desired pattern.
US08617764B2 Ion conductive resin fiber, ion conductive hybrid membrane, membrane electrode assembly and fuel cell
Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.
US08617759B2 Selectively coated bipolar plates for water management and freeze start in PEM fuel cells
A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes an electrically conductive plate having a first surface defining a plurality of channels. An active area section and an inactive area section characterize the flow field channels. A hydrophobic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the inactive area section while a hydrophilic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area section.
US08617751B2 Water control sheet, gas diffusion sheet, membrane-electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cell
A water control sheet having superior drainage and gas diffusion properties and superior handling characteristics, and a gas diffusion sheet, a membrane-electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which utilize the water control sheet, are provided. The water control sheet is independent and located for use adjacent to a catalyst layer of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and is formed of a nonwoven fabric containing conductive fibers containing conductive particles at least inside a hydrophobic organic resin. The gas diffusion sheet, the membrane-electrode assembly and the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention have the above water control sheet.
US08617749B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte and lithium secondary battery using the same
A non-aqueous electrolyte and a lithium secondary battery using the same are provided, which satisfy both flame retardancy and charge-discharge cycle characteristics, and attain a longer lifetime of the battery. A mixture of a chain carbonate, vinylene carbonate, a fluorinated cyclic carbonate and a phosphate ester is used as the non-aqueous electrolyte. It is desirable that the phosphate ester includes trimethyl phosphate and a fluorinated phosphate ester. Further, it is desirable that ethylene carbonate is further contained.
US08617747B2 Electrode plate for a battery
An electrode plate for a battery comprising a plurality of electrodes in a grid where the grid defines a plurality of spaces. A paste disposed in the spaces has a top surface and a bottom surface. The paste is narrowed in the space, defining a distance between the top surface of the paste and the bottom surface of the paste that is less than the thickness of the plate over the electrodes. A retention layer of porous fabric is impressed on the top and/or bottom surface of the paste. Electrolyte disposed in electric communication with the electrodes.
US08617746B2 Si/C composite, anode active materials, and lithium battery including the same
An Si/C composite includes carbon (C) dispersed in porous silicon (Si) particles. The Si/C composite may be used to form an anode active material to provide a lithium battery having a high capacity and excellent capacity retention.
US08617739B2 Galvanic cell for an accumulator
The galvanic cell according to the invention comprises at least one current conductor and a casing. Said casing at least partially surrounds said galvanic cell. A contact area is assigned to said casing. The casing is at least partially materially engaged with the current conductor via the contact area. The casing comprises at least one first layer and one second layer. The materials of said first layer and said second layer of the casing are different in respect to at least one chemical material.
US08617736B2 Redox electrodes for flexible devices
Flexible electrodes comprising: a fabric substrate; a conductive polymer, copolymer or mixture of conductive polymers comprising a first component which has high specific electrochemical capacitance, and a second component which has a lower electrochemical capacitance, lower molecular density, and greater electrical conductivity compared to the first component; and a counterion stable to lithium are described. The first component may be a polymer such as polyaniline or polypyrrole, and second component may be a polymer such as polythiophene or polyEDOT. Copolymers, and polymers formed from co-monomer of these monomer units are also described. The electrodes are used in flexible devices such as flexible energy storage devices.
US08617735B2 Battery module having improved cooling efficiency
A battery module includes one or more cell assemblies with a plurality of unit cells, and a housing for mounting the cell assemblies therein and circulating a temperature control cooling medium through the cell assemblies. The cell assemblies are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing. A guidance unit is installed in a cooling medium passage formed in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and proceeds along the passage to guide cooling medium flow along the passage toward the cell assemblies.
US08617733B2 Electrochemical energystorage device having a reservoir for an additive
An electrochemical energy storage device includes at least one cell having at least one cathode, one anode, and one electrolyte which enables a current flow from the anode to the cathode. The electrochemical storage device is connected to a reservoir which contains a cover layer-forming additive.
US08617728B2 Magnetic tape and method of manufacturing the same
An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic tape comprising a nonmagnetic layer containing a nonmagnetic powder and a binder and a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder in this order on a nonmagnetic support. The nonmagnetic layer is a radiation-cured layer formed by curing with radiation a given radiation-curable composition. The nonmagnetic layer has a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 1.3 μm. The relation between the nonmagnetic powder and the binder component contained in the radiation-curable composition satisfies equation (I): 480≦(BET specific surface area of the nonmagnetic powder (m2/g)×weight of the nonmagnetic powder (g))/weight of the binder component (g)≦650  (I).
US08617726B2 Anthracene derivative, light-emitting material, material for light-emitting element, composition for coating, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device
An anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (G1) is provided. The anthracene derivative represented by the general formula (G1) is a novel anthracene derivative having a wide band gap. Further, the anthracene derivative has a large energy gap and can be very suitably used as a material for a light-emitting element which exhibits blue light emission.
US08617724B2 Polymer compound and light emitting device using the same
A polymer compound that, when used for fabrication of a light emitting device, results in an excellent luminance lifetime for the obtained light emitting device. A polymer compound comprising a constitutional unit represented by formula (1). (In the formula, R1 and R2 each independently represent an unsubstituted alkyl group. R3 and R4 each independently represent a group other than an unsubstituted alkyl group. R5 and R6 each independently represent an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy or unsubstituted or substituted aryl group. The letters a and b each independently represent an integer of 0-4. The letters c and d each independently represent an integer of 0-3. When multiple R3, R4, R5 and R6 groups are present, they may be the same or different.)
US08617723B2 Metal complexes
The present invention relates to metal complexes of the formula (1) and to the use thereof in organic electroluminescent devices, and to organic electroluminescent devices which comprise these metal complexes.
US08617721B2 Organic light-emitting device
An organic light-emitting device including a substrate; a first electrode on the substrate; a second electrode; an organic layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the organic layer including an emission layer; and a first layer including a cyano group-containing compound, the first layer being between the first electrode and the emission layer, wherein the first electrode includes an Al-based reflective layer and a transparent conductive layer sequentially stacked on the substrate, the Al-based reflective layer including a first element and nickel (Ni), and the first element includes at least one of lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and lutetium (Lu).
US08617720B2 Electroactive composition and electronic device made with the composition
There is provided an electroactive composition including: a deuterated first host material and an electroluminescent dopant material. The first host is a compound having Formula I: The compound of Formula I is deuterated. In Formula I: Ar1 to Ar4 are the same or different and are aryl; Q is a multivalent aryl group or where T is (CR′)a, SiR2, S, SO2, PR, PO, PO2, BR, or R; R is the same or different at each occurrence and is an alkyl group or an ary group; R′ is the same or different at each occurrence and is selected H, D, or alkyl; a is an integer from 1-6; and m is an integer from 0-6.
US08617713B2 Bonding layer on fluoropolymers
The invention relates to a device comprising a layer made from a fluoropolymer, of which at least part of the surface is covered with a composition comprising a polymer having at least one fluorinated function and at least one acid or base function and forming a bonding layer on said fluoropolymer, said bonding layer being fully or partly covered by another layer.
US08617709B2 Functionalized metal nanoparticle, buffer layer including the same and electronic device including the buffer layer
Disclosed herein is a functionalized metal nanoparticle, a buffer layer including the functionalized metal nanoparticle, and an electronic device including the buffer layer. The buffer layer including the functionalized metal nanoparticle according to example embodiments may improve the injection of electrons or holes and the charge mobility between layers in the electronic device, may form ohmic contacts, and may improve the selectivity between electrodes and the buffer layer at the time of forming the buffer layer on the electrodes, thereby improving the efficiency of the electronic device.
US08617708B2 Methacrylic resin, molded article thereof, and method for producing methacrylic resin
A methacrylic resin, including 80 to 99.5% by mass of a methacrylic acid ester monomer unit, and 0.5 to 20% by mass of other vinyl monomer unit which is copolymerizable with at least one of the methacrylic acid ester, wherein the methacrylic resin satisfies the following conditions (I) to (III): (I) having a weight average molecular weight measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of 60,000 to 300,000; (II) having a content of a molecular weight component 1/5 or less the peak molecular weight (Mp) obtained from a GPC elution curve, said content being 7 to 40% based on a region area ratio obtained from the GPC elution curve; and (III) having an angle of repose of 20 to 40°.
US08617702B2 Thermally insulated structural members, and doors and windows incorporating them
A thermally insulated structural member for a door or window includes a metal frame and a plastic insulation bar. The plastic insulation bar is formed from a thermoplastic composition that includes about 55 to about 95 weight percent of a compatibilized polyamide-poly(arylene ether) composition, and about 5 to about 45 weight percent of hollow glass beads. The hollow glass beads used in the thermoplastic composition have a volume-average diameter of about 20 to about 60 micrometers, a true density of about 0.3 to about 0.5 grams per milliliter, and an isostatic crush strength of about 30 to about 60 megapascals. The thermoplastic composition includes less than 5 weight percent of fibrous reinforcement. The thermally insulated structural member provides improved thermal insulation compared to structural member utilizing fiberglass-reinforced plastic insulation bars.
US08617697B2 Protective film
Provided is a protective film including two or more transparent plastic substrates having a functional coating layer formed thereon and laminated successively by way of an adhesive layer.
US08617696B2 Multilayered aliphatic polyester film
A multilayered aliphatic polyester film of the present invention comprising a first resin layer and a second resin layer laminated on one or both sides of the first resin layer, the first resin layer containing a polylactic-based polymer comprising L-lactic acid in an amount ranging from 50 to 100% by weight, and the second resin layer containing a polylactic-based polymer comprising D-lactic acid in an amount ranging from 5 to 20% by weight, can be easily peeled off by pulling with hands, and has improved heat adhesiveness, heat resistance, transparency, impact resistance, perforation resistance and dimensional stability. Accordingly, it is useful for packaging materials, especially as a disposable film lid for plastic containers.
US08617691B2 Stone-effect articles and methods for making same
The invention relates to articles, e.g., sheet metal, comprising surface coatings that have the appearance of polished stone and methods for making such articles.
US08617688B2 Conductive paste and multilayer printed wiring board using the same
The present invention provides a conductive paste comprising flake conductive fillers having a 99% cumulative particle size of 25 μm or less and a binder resin as essential components. The flake conductive fillers are metal particles having a silver-copper alloy surface layer. The conductive paste according to the present invention is fused with a part of a copper foil circuit to which the conductive paste is to be connected during connection by heating and pressurization, and has high electrical conductivity and high fill ration in a via hole. Thus, the conductive paste according to the present invention provides a multilayer printed wiring board that has high reliability of connection and excellent interlayer connection.
US08617687B2 Multi-functional aircraft structures
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite structure. A filler material with a barrier material for a channel in the filler material is formed. A composite material and the filler material with the barrier material are laid up onto a tool in a shape of the composite structure. The composite material and the filler material in the shape of the composite structure are cured.
US08617684B2 Vacuum thermal insulating material and thermal insulating box including the same
There are provided a vacuum thermal insulating material that is excellent in terms of a handling property, a thermal insulating property, creep resistance, and productivity; and a thermal insulating box including the vacuum thermal insulating material. A core material was enclosed and sealed in a wrapping material with a gas barrier property. The core material of the vacuum thermal insulating material in which the interior of the wrapping material is in a decompression state, is constituted by one organic fibrous assembly having continuous organic fibers formed sheet-shaped or a stack of the organic fibrous assemblies.
US08617683B2 Decorative accessory
A decorative assembly and a kit for creating a plurality of decorative assemblies including at least one foundation piece, at least one fanciful element and at least one connector to couple the fanciful element to the foundation piece.
US08617682B2 Device housing and method for making the device housing
A device housing is provided. The device housing includes a substrate, a base paint layer formed on the substrate, a silver layer formed on the base paint layer, and a protective layer directly formed on the silver layer. A method for making the device housing is also provided.
US08617672B2 Localized surface annealing of components for substrate processing chambers
A substrate processing chamber component has a structural body with localized surface regions having annealed microcracks. The annealed microcracks reduce crack propagation and increase fracture resistance. In one method of manufacture, the structural body of the component is formed, and a laser beam is directed onto localized surface regions of the body for a sufficient time to anneal the surface microcracks.
US08617667B2 Methods of leveling ink on substrates and apparatuses useful in printing
Methods of leveling ink on substrates and apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods includes irradiating ink disposed on a surface of a porous substrate with radiation emitted by at least one radiant energy source. The radiation heats the ink to at least a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink to allow the ink to flow laterally on the surface to produce leveling of the ink. The ink is heated sufficiently rapidly that heat transfer from the ink to the substrate is sufficiently small during the leveling that ink at the substrate interface is cooled to a temperature below the viscosity threshold temperature thereby preventing any significant ink permeation into the substrate.
US08617664B2 Multi-polymer grip member
A grip member and a method of making such a grip member including at least a polymerized region with two or more polymers. The first and second polymers cooperate to each form a portion of the top surface of the region. The region may be combined with a substrate to form a sheet. The sheet may be formed into a grip interface having any of a number of shapes including a panel shape. In the case of a panel shaped grip interface, the panel can then be attached to an underlisting sleeve to form the grip. Some versions of such a grip reduce impact shock and provide a feeling of tackiness in the manner of a spirally wrapped polyurethane-felt grip while allowing the use of multiple colors being polymerized together. The grip may be easily installed onto a golf club shaft and may further accommodate the use of polymers including various different characteristics including level of tackiness or durometer.
US08617663B2 Coating compositions for cans and methods of coating
A coating composition for a food or beverage can that includes an emulsion polymerized latex polymer formed by combining an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component with an aqueous dispersion of a water-dispersible polymer.
US08617660B2 Removable protective lip on a wiping element
A wiping element made of a rubber-elastic or ductile-elastic material for the protection of components mobile against one another, wherein at least one wiping lip (2) is provided on a wiping ring (1). The wiping element has a protective lip (4), which is or can be fixed in a detachable fashion to the wiping ring (1). In a wiper arrangement (10), the wiping ring (1) is arranged position-stable on a first component and lies with the wiping lip (2) and the protective lip (4) adjacent to a second component. With the use of such a wiper arrangement (10) for the painting of components mobile against one another, at least one component is painted in the fixed state of the protective lip (4) and the protective lip (4) is then detached from the wiping ring (1).
US08617656B2 Liquid processing apparatus, liquid processing method, and storage medium
A liquid processing apparatus processes an object to be processed W including a body part Wi and a plurality of projecting-shape parts Wm disposed on the body part Wi, with an inorganic film and a different film being laminated to each other. The liquid processing apparatus comprises: a support part 50 configured to support the body part Wi; a hydrophobic-liquid supply mechanism 30 configured to supply a hydrophobic liquid to the object to be processed W; and a rinse-liquid supply part 22 configured to supply a rinse liquid to the object to be processed W to which the hydrophobic liquid has been supplied. The hydrophobic-liquid supply mechanism 30 includes: a first hydrophobic-liquid supply part 32 configured to supply a first hydrophobic liquid for making hydrophobic the inorganic film; and a second hydrophobic-liquid supply part 37 configured to supply a second hydrophobic liquid for making hydrophobic the different film.
US08617655B2 Coating device and coating method
A coating device includes a coating mechanism which includes nozzles for ejecting a liquid material onto front and rear surfaces of a substrate while rotating the substrate; and an adjusting mechanism which adjusts the coating state of the liquid material at the outer periphery of the substrate; wherein the adjusting mechanism includes a dip portion which dips the outer periphery of the substrate in a solution while rotating the substrate and dissolves; and a suction portion which suctions the vicinity of the outer periphery of the substrate after dipping in the solution.
US08617652B2 Depositing material on fibrous textiles using atomic layer deposition for increasing rigidity and strength
Embodiments relate to depositing on one or more layers of materials on a fiber or fiber containing material using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to provide or enhance functionalities of the fibers or fiber containing material. A layer of material is deposited coated on the fibers or fiber containing textile by causing the relative movement between a fiber or the fiber containing textile and a source injector. The surface of the material is oxidized, nitrified or carbonized to increase the volume of the deposited material. By increasing the volume of the material, the material is subject to compressive stress. The compressive stress renders the fibers or the fiber containing material more rigid, stronger and more resistant against bending force, impact or tensile force.
US08617650B2 Synthesis of aligned carbon nanotubes on double-sided metallic substrate by chemical vapor depositon
Aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes were grown on both sides of a metallic or metal-coated substrate by water vapor-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Aligned carbon nanotube films of thickness ranging from 1 μm to over 100 μm were obtained. By manipulating various operating factors—position of substrate in the reactor, amount of water vapor, amount of catalyst, reactor temperature, and growth time, the morphology and thickness of these carbon nanotube films could be adjusted.
US08617649B2 Cyclopentadienyl transition metal precursors for deposition of transition metal-containing films
Methods and compositions for depositing a film on one or more substrates include providing a reactor with at least one substrate disposed in the reactor. At least one metal precursor are provided and at least partially deposited onto the substrate to form a metal-containing film.
US08617645B2 Multi-component composite film method for preparing the same
The present invention provides a multi-component composite film comprising a) polymer support layer, and b) porous gellable polymer layer which is formed on one side or both sides of the support layer of a), wherein the support film of a) and the gellable polymer layer of b) are unified without the interface, a method for preparing the same, and a polymer electrolyte system applied the same.
US08617644B2 Method for making a current-perpendicular-to-the-plane (CPP) magnetoresistive sensor containing a ferromagnetic alloy requiring post-deposition annealing
A method for making a current-perpendicular-to the-plane giant magnetoresistance (CPP-GMR) sensor with a Heusler alloy pinned layer on the sensor's Mn-containing antiferromagnetic pinning layer uses two annealing steps. A layer of a crystalline non-Heusler alloy ferromagnetic material, like Co or CoFe, is deposited on the antiferromagnetic pinning layer and a layer of an amorphous X-containing ferromagnetic alloy, like a CoFeBTa layer, is deposited on the Co or CoFe crystalline layer. After a first in-situ annealing of the amorphous X-containing ferromagnetic alloy, the Heusler alloy pinned layer is deposited on the amorphous X-containing ferromagnetic layer and a second high-temperature annealing step is performed to improve the microstructure of the Heusler alloy pinned layer.
US08617643B2 Reprogrammable parallel nanomanufacturing
A method of producing a nanoscale structure having substantially immobilized nanoparticles arranged at a predetermined patterned is generally disclosed. First, a curable polymeric solution is placed within a well defined by a wafer. The curable polymeric solution includes a curable polymeric material and a magnetically coated nanoparticle. The well is positioned adjacent to an atomically-smooth medium. A recording head is moved in a predetermined manner to produce a magnetic field profile that substantially immobilizes the magnetically coated nanoparticle within the curable polymeric solution in the well. The curable polymeric solution is cured such that the magnetically coated nanoparticle remains substantially immobilized after the magnetic field profile is removed.
US08617640B2 Thin-film devices formed from solid group IIIA alloy particles
Methods and devices are provided for forming thin-films from solid group IIIA-based particles. In one embodiment, a method is provided for creating solid alloy particles. The method may include providing a first material containing at least one alloy comprising of: a) a group IIIA element, b) at least one group IB, IIIA, and/or VIA element different from the group IIIA element of a), and c) a group IA-based material. The group IA-based material may be included in an amount sufficient so that no liquid phase of the alloy is present in a temperature range between room temperature and a deposition temperature higher than room temperature, wherein the group IIIA element is otherwise liquid in that temperature range. The method may involve formulating a precursor material comprising of: a) particles of the first material and b) particles containing at least one element from one of the following: a group IB element, a group IIIA element, a group VIA element, alloys containing any of the foregoing elements, or combinations thereof.
US08617636B2 Carbohydrate compositions having a greater impact on the insulinemic response than on the glycemic response, their preparation and their uses
The present invention describes a carbohydrate composition having a greater impact on the insulinemic response than on the glycemic response comprising a soluble dietary fiber and a glucose syrup, process to prepare it and their use in food.
US08617635B2 Chocolate products containing amorphous solids and methods of producing same
The invention relates to novel food, confectionery, and chocolate compositions and methods of producing them. In one embodiment, an amorphous sugar, such as a corn syrup solid, wholly or partially replaces crystalline sugar in the chocolate composition. In a second embodiment, an amorphous sugar is combined with cocoa solids, milk solids and/or fruit purees and incorporated into a chocolate product or composition. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a chocolate composition comprising amorphous sugar and crystallized sugar wherein the ratio of amorphous sugar to crystallized sugar is such that the combination of amorphous sugar and crystallized sugar has a glass transition temperature of at least room temperature and amorphous sugar is detectable in the final product or composition.
US08617633B2 Process for green tea manufacture with microwave roasting
A process of preparing a sencha green tea, including the treatment of fresh tea leaves by steaming, cooling, rolling and drying to give an aracha, followed by roasting to give a sencha, characterized in that (a) prior to roasting, (i) the aracha is finely ground; (ii) water is added to the aracha to the extent of at least 10% by weight; (iii) the aracha is stored for at least 2 days at a maximum temperature of room temperature; and (b) the aracha is then roasted using only microwaves under vacuum conditions, until the beginning of burning of the leaves is observed. The resulting sencha has an especially desirable roasted-green flavor.
US08617632B2 Coffee whitener, process for producing same, and process for producing beverage
Coffee whiteners prepared by using, as the aqueous phase thereof, a casein-containing milk protein solution that has been deamidated with a protein deamidating enzyme, exhibit excellent storage stability and dispersibility in coffee without the use of synthetic emulsifiers.
US08617624B2 Compositions, systems and methods for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders associated with azetidine-2-carboxylic acid
Methods and systems for detecting azetidine-2-carboxylic acid (Aze) in food consumable by humans and animals are provided. Also provided are methods and systems for inactivating Aze in food and byproducts, as well as other methods for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disorders associated with Aze.
US08617621B2 Composition for enhancing immunity containing plant stem cell line derived from cambium of Panax ginseng including wild ginseng or ginseng as an active ingredient
The present invention relates to a composition for enhancing immunity, comprising one or more of the following: a homogenous cell line, and a lysate, an extract and a culture medium thereof as an active ingredient. The homogenous cell line, the lysate, the extract and the culture thereof according to the present invention, which are derived from a natural product, minimize adverse side effects of prior immune enhancing agents and safe for the human body. Further, they effectively increase the activity of NK cells responsible for innate immunity, as well as increase the proliferation rate of lymph node cells when the cells were re-exposed to an antigen in a specific immune reaction to enhance acquired immunity, and thus are useful as an immune enhancing agent. In particular, the homogenous cell line, the lysate, the extract, and the culture thereof according to the present invention also effectively increase the number of hone marrow cells, thus are not only used as an adjuvant in an immune reaction, but also used in the prevention and treatment of anemia through hematopoiesis.
US08617620B2 Piceatannol-containing composition and method of producing piceatannol-containing composition
Provided are a piceatannol-containing composition which is a composition originating in a natural material and containing piceatannol at a high concentration, and a method of producing the piceatannol-containing composition. A piceatannol-containing composition which contains 0.0001 to 99.9% by mass of piceatannol is obtained by extracting passion fruit seeds. The extraction of piceatannol is carried out by grinding the passion fruit seeds, adding at least one solvent selected from an aqueous alcohol-based solvent and an aqueous ketone-based solvent and agitating to thereby extract piceatannol into the above-described solvent. In this case, it is preferable to conduct stepwise extraction by using both of the aqueous alcohol-based solvent and the aqueous ketone-based solvent.
US08617619B2 Calcium carbonate granulation
Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available.
US08617617B2 Methods and kits for co-administration of nutritional supplements
The present invention relates to methods of co-administration of various vitamin and mineral compositions, and in a specific embodiment, said methods comprise co-administering one composition comprising vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and/or copper, and a second composition comprising omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA, to supplement the nutritional needs of individuals within physiologically stressful states; and kits provided for co-administration of various vitamin and mineral compositions, and in a specific embodiment, said kits comprise one composition comprising vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and/or copper, and a second composition comprising omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA, to supplement the nutritional needs of individuals within physiologically stressful states.
US08617615B2 Charged lipoprotein complexes and their uses
The present disclosure provides charged lipoprotein complexes that include as one component a negatively charged phospholipid that is expected to impart the complexes with improved therapeutic properties.
US08617613B2 Polymer-based sustained release device
This invention relates to compositions for the sustained release of biologically active polypeptides, and methods of forming and using said compositions, for the sustained release of biologically active polypeptides. The sustained release compositions of this invention comprise a biocompatible polymer having dispersed therein, a biologically active polypeptide and a sugar.
US08617608B2 Drug loaded polymeric nanoparticles and methods of making and using same
The present disclosure generally relates to nanoparticles having about 0.2 to about 35 weight percent of a therapeutic agent; and about 10 to about 99 weight percent of biocompatible polymer such as a diblock poly(lactic) acid-poly(ethylene)glycol. Other aspects of the invention include methods of making such nanoparticles.
US08617607B2 Sustained release formulations of psychoactive drugs
This invention provides biodegradable, sustained-release pharmaceutical compositions of a psychoactive drug formulated with biocompatible, biodegradable tyrosine-derived polyarylates.
US08617604B2 Pharmaceutical compositions with enhanced performance
Pharmaceutical compositions of a low-solubility drug and lower alkanoate-, phthalate- and trimellitate esters of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and lower alkanoate- and succinate esters of cellulose and methyl cellulose are disclosed that provide enhanced concentrations of the drug in a use environment.
US08617601B2 Methods and formulations for making pharmaceutical compositions containing bupropion
Embodiments of the invention generally provide pharmaceutical drug compositions, methods of preparing oral drug compositions, such as extended release dosage compositions, and methods for treating antidepressant or smoking cessation. In one aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a core, including bupropion and its salt derivatives, and a coating. The coating may include from about 5% to about 99% by weight of the coating of a pharmaceutically acceptable pH-independent polymer. The coating may further include from about 0.001% to about 30% by weight of the coating of a surfactant. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for preparing and administering a pharmaceutical composition in oral dosage form, such as a tablet.
US08617598B2 Pharmaceutical compositions comprising colloidal silicon dioxide
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a macrolide solid dispersion, a disintegrant and colloidal silicon dioxide, wherein the composition comprises 1 to 5% colloidal silicon dioxide by weight.
US08617596B2 Sustained-release tablet production process
A process is provided for efficiently producing sustained-release tablets having superior sustained-release properties capable of inhibiting the initial elution of a drug and allowing the drug to be completely eluted after a prescribed amount of time has elapsed. A process for producing sustained-release tablets comprising: dry granulating a mixture composed of a hydroxyalkyl cellulose (A) having a viscosity of 1 to 50 mPa·s in a 2% by mass aqueous solution at 20° C., a hydroxyalkyl cellulose (B) having a viscosity of 100 mPa·s or more in a 2% by mass aqueous solution at 20° C., an active ingredient and an additive, and forming the resulting granules into tablets.
US08617595B2 Galenic formulations of organic compounds
The present invention relates to a solid oral dosage form comprising a therapeutically effective amount of aliskiren or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and wherein the active ingredient is present in an amount of more than 46% by weight based on the total weight of the oral dosage form.
US08617592B2 Self-assembled particles from zwitterionic polymers and related methods
Zwitterionic block copolymers and zwitterionic conjugates that advantageously self-assemble into particles, particles assembled from the zwitterionic block copolymers and zwitterionic conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions that include the self-assembled particles, and methods for delivering therapeutic and diagnostic agents using the particles.
US08617591B2 Transdermal delivery system for the administration of rotigotine
An improved Transdermal Delivery System (TDS) comprising a backing layer inert to the components of the matrix, a self-adhesive matrix containing rotigotine and a protective foil or sheet to be removed prior to use,characterized in thatthe self-adhesive matrix consists of a solid or semi-solid semi-permeable polymer (1) wherein rotigotine in its free base form has been incorporated, (2) which is saturated with rotigotine and contains said rotigotine as a multitude of microreservoirs within the matrix, (3) which is highly permeable for the free base of rotigotine, (4) which is impermeable for the protonated form of rotigotine, (5) wherein the maximum diameter of the microreservoirs is less than the thickness of the matrix. is provided. Said TDS provides for enhanced flux of rotigotine across the TDS/skin interface.
US08617589B2 Biocompatible film with variable cross-sectional properties
A biocompatible film includes a single layer having a plurality of components, at least one of the plurality of components having a predetermined non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer. The at least one of the plurality of components that has a non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer may have a substantially uniform distribution in the longitudinal and lateral directions of the single layer. The biocompatible film can be made by depositing a fluid composition including a film forming material and at least one other component immiscible with the film forming material and having a density different than the film forming material into a single layer, and drying the single layer such that the at least one other component has a predetermined non-uniform distribution in the thickness direction of the single layer after drying.
US08617587B2 Tasted masked veterinary solid compositions
The present invention relates to the supply and production of an animal medicine consisting of a substrate in pellet or tablet form, which is attractive to livestock and domestic animals, in which fine-grained particles of a neutral-tasting, physiologically compatible, solid carrier material are embedded, which is characterized in that said fine-grained particles of carrier material have an average diameter of 0.09 to 0.8 mm and are coated with an active substance from veterinary medicine, and said active substance layer is covered with a protective layer of a physiologically compatible polymer matrix, and to the production of this animal medicine. It also relates to the usage of said double-coated, fine-grained particles of carrier material in the production of a preparation for veterinary medicine.
US08617583B2 Alpha adrenergic receptor agonists for prevention or treatment of a hematoma, edema, and/or deep vein thrombosis
Effective treatments of hematomas, edema, or other fluid accumulation or deep vein thromboses are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of at least one alpha adrenergic agonist at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat edema, or other fluid accumulation or deep vein thromboses.
US08617582B2 Spot-on pesticide composition
A spot-on pesticide composition for animals, specifically mammals, including dogs and cats, which composition comprises a combination of active components, including fipronil and a pyrethroid, and optionally an insect growth regulator, in doses and proportions which are parasiticidally effective against a variety of insects and pests, and in a formulation which is convenient for local application to the animal's skin, preferably localized over a small surface area.
US08617580B2 Compositions for topical application comprising a peroxide and retinoid
The invention relates to a composition for topical application comprising as an active ingredient a peroxide and a retinoid wherein one of said peroxide and retinoid is in the form of first microparticles comprising a solid particulate matter of the active ingredient coated by a metal oxide layer and the other of said peroxide and retinoid is present in an uncoated free form or in a coated form of the active ingredient. The invention further relates to method for treating a surface condition in a subject using said composition, a method for preparing a composition exhibiting improved stability, and a kit comprising: (a) a first composition comprising a peroxide as a first active ingredient; and (b) a second composition comprising a retinoid as a second active ingredient; at least one of said first and said second active ingredient being coated by a metal oxide layer.
US08617578B2 Compositions containing topical-active agents and pentyleneglycol
Disclosed are cosmetic and dermatological compositions containing hydrocortisone or a derivative thereof, a glycol and a thickening or gelling agent, and methods of making and using them.
US08617577B2 Methods and compositions for treating distress dysfunction and enhancing safety and efficacy of specific medications
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing distress dysfunction, including emotional and physical distress. The invention entails co-administration of at least one Receptor Switcher and at least one Endorphin Enhancer. Additionally, at least one Synergistic Enhance and/or at least one Exogenous Opioid are also administered to enhance or prolong the therapeutic effects.
US08617566B2 Composition comprising VLP and amyloid beta peptide
The present invention relates to novel uses of a construct consisting of virus-like particle (VLP) structure chemically coupled to a fragment of the A beta-1-42 peptide and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts (hereinafter CONSTRUCT), in particular to dosage regimens, modes of and dosage forms for the administration of a CONSTRUCT for the treatment of patients suffering from dementia, in particular dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
US08617565B2 Surface exposed Haemophilus influenzae protein (protein E; pE)
The present invention relates to a surface exposed protein (protein E; pE), a virulence factor, which can be detected in Haemophilus influenzae, having an amino acid sequence as described in SEQ ID NO 1, an immunogenic fragment of said surface exposed protein, and a recombinant immunogenic protein (pE (A)) or truncated variants thereof based on said surface exposed protein. Nucleic acid sequences, vaccines, plasmids and phages, non human hosts, recombinant nucleic acid sequences, fusion proteins and fusion products are also described. A method of producing the said protein or truncated fragments thereof recombinantly is also disclosed.
US08617564B2 Vaccines against herpes simplex virus type 2: compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response
Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) infection is a major health concern. The present disclosure provides, inter alia, certain highly effective vaccines and immunogenic compositions against HSV-2. The antigens can be used therapeutically or prophylactically.
US08617554B2 Anti-human CD52 immunoglobulins
The present invention relates to humanized immunoglobulins, mouse monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antibodies that have binding specificity for human CD52. The present invention further relates to a humanized immunoglobulin light chain and a humanized immunoglobulin heavy chain. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, recombinant vectors and host cells that comprise a sequence which encodes a humanized immunoglobulin or immunoglobulin light chain or heavy chain, and to a method of preparing a humanized immunoglobulin. The humanized immunoglobulins can be used in therapeutic applications to treat, for example, autoimmune disease, cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple sclerosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
US08617551B2 Methods of diagnosing pancreatic inflammation by using chemokine PANEC-1 antibodies
The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode novel expressed chemokines (PANEC-1 and PANEC-2) from human pancreas cells. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode PANEC-1 and PANEC-2, expression vectors for the production of purified PANEC-1 and PANEC-2, antibodies capable of binding specifically to PANEC-1 and PANEC-2, hybridization probes or oligonucleotides for the detection of PANEC-1- or PANEC-2-encoding nucleotide sequences, genetically engineered host cells for the expression of PANEC-1 and PANEC-2, diagnostic tests for chemokine activation based on PANEC-1- and PANEC-2-encoding nucleic acid molecules and antibodies capable of binding specifically to the protein.
US08617549B2 Bispecific nanobodies as a therapeutic for alzheimer's disease
The present invention provides for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. More specifically, a recombinant bispecific antibody fragment that simultaneously blocks beta-secretase activity while also promoting alpha-secretase activity, comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion blocks beta secretase activity and the second portion promotes alpha-secretase activity.
US08617545B2 Methods for use with BAFF antagonists
BAFF plays a central role in acquired immunity. The disclosure identifies BAFF-responsive genes that are substantially upregulated by administration of BAFF and substantially downregulated by treatment with a BAFF antagonist. Specific genes are: NF-κB2, CD23, H2-Mβ (the beta chain of H2-DM), Fig-1, and OBF-1. The disclosure provides methods and compositions for: monitoring the activity of a BAFF antagonist in a mammal; monitoring BAFF activity in a mammal; identifying a mammal to be treated with a BAFF antagonist; and related uses. Such methods include detecting one or more molecules selected from the group consisting of Fig-1 molecule, OBF-1 molecule, and H2-Mβ molecule in a biological sample of the mammal, and optionally further detecting NF-κB2 molecule and/or CD23 molecule in the biological sample.
US08617543B2 Modified mutant collagenase and its use in fat melting and in scar reduction
A Clostridium histolyticum collagenase ColH (Glu451Asp) melts adipose tissue when injected into selected regions of the body. This protein product melts fat pads effectively in fat rat experiments, with very little side effects. Very little hemorrhage was observed. We also invent a new version of ColH mutant by linking a peptide motif CKGGRAKDC-G (varying from 2 to 6 Gs) (SEQ ID NO: 2) in front of ColH (Glu451Asp) (called topical ColH-FM), which can target to white fat vasculature. By combining with novel transdermal technology (such as Hydroxysome technology), we develop a topical protein cream that can melt fat. This product can be used as cellulite cream and for chemical liposuction. This topical ColH-FM can also be injected into adipose tissue as a replacement for liposuction or as an adjunct method with liposuction. Since raise scar is formed by overgrowth of collagen, our topical ColH-FM cream is shown to have application in scar reduction.
US08617538B2 Mesodermal-like cell population for treating ischemia in mammals
Compositions containing an effective amount of mesodermal-like multipotent mammalian mononuclear cells that express both CD34 and M-cadherin cell surface markers are used for preventing, treating or reducing the severity of tissue ischemia or an ischemia associated disorder in a mammal. Such uses may include repopulating an in vivo site with new myocytes and/or vascularizing an ischemic or adjacent tissue. Detection of the level and/or distribution of CD34+/M-cadherin+ mesodermal-like precursor cells in a mammalian tissue sample is used to diagnose, among other things, whether transplantation of autologous CD34+/M-cadherin+ mesodermal-like precursor cells to an ischemic site is indicated.
US08617535B2 Cytotherapeutics, cytotherapeutic units and methods for treatments using them
The present invention provides cytotherapeutic units comprising predetermined numbers of selected types of potent cells. Assurance of the nature and identities of such cells is achieved through assay and certification of said numbers and identities. Therapeutic modalities are provided. Libraries of cell preparations with assayed and preferably certified populations are preferred and the preparation of cell preparations tailored to specific patients or disease states are provided.
US08617534B2 Compositions and method for manipulating PIM-1 activity in circulatory system cells
The invention provides compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising nucleic acids encoding the serine/threonine kinase PIM-1, and methods for making and using them; including methods for inducing cellular proliferation, and protecting cardiac cells from hypoxia and cellular apoptosis. The invention provides compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising nucleic acids encoding PIM-1, and methods for enhancing the regenerative potential of stem cells in the heart.
US08617530B2 Polymer conjugates of opioid antagonists
The invention provides polymer conjugates of opioid antagonists comprising a polymer, such as poly(ethylene glycol), covalently attached to an opioid antagonist. The linkage between the polymer and the opioid antagonist is preferably hydrolytically stable. The invention also includes a method of treating one or more side effects associated with the use of opioid analgesics, such as constipation, nausea, or pruritus, by administering a polymer conjugate of the invention.
US08617528B2 Compositions and methods for stabilizing ingredients using 2,4-pentanedione compounds
Benzylidene substituted 2,4-pentanedione compounds without having phenolic hydroxyl group(s) are found to provide photostability to otherwise photosensitive compounds and compositions.
US08617526B2 Cosmetic composition, a pharmaceutical composition and a process for preparing said compositions
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition and to a pharmaceutical composition that comprise several agents of topical use and optionally sunscreens. This composition comprises an aqueous medium containing at least one highly polar substance without, however, having the inconveniences noticed in similar compositions of the prior art. These compositions combine the benefits from water-soluble active with the properties of softness and texture that are typical of products that comprise oily-alcoholic, oily or oily-waxy base. Further, the present invention relates to a process for preparing said cosmetic composition and pharmaceutical composition.
US08617521B2 Phage antibodies to radiation-inducible neoantigens
A method for identifying a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor in a subject and molecules identified thereby. The method includes the steps of: (a) exposing a tumor to ionizing radiation; (b) administering to a subject a library of diverse molecules; and (c) isolating from the tumor one or more molecules of the library of diverse molecules, whereby a molecule that binds an irradiated tumor is identified. Also provided are therapeutic and diagnostic methods using targeting ligands that bind an irradiated tumor.
US08617517B2 Cromolyn derivatives and related methods of imaging and treatment
Novel cromolyn analogs useful as imaging agents for detecting atherosclerotic plaques and for treating atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease, and methods of making the cromolyn analogs, are disclosed. The cromolyn analogs have the general formula (I), or formula (II); wherein X is OH, C1-C6 alkoxyl, 18F, or 19F; Y and Z are independently selected from a C1-C6 alkyl, CpC6 alkoxyl, halogen, un-substituted or C1-C6 substituted amine, 18F, 19F, or H; and n is 1, 2, or 3; and wherein for structure (I), if n are both 1 and Y and Z are both H, X is not OH.
US08617514B2 Tumor-targeted nanodelivery systems to improve early MRI detection of cancer
The present invention is in the fields of drug delivery, cancer treatment and diagnosis and pharmaceuticals. This invention provides a method of making antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted immunoliposomes for the systemic delivery of molecules to treat and image diseases, including cancerous tumors. The invention also provides immunoliposomes and compositions, as well as methods of imaging various tissues. The liposome complexes are useful for encapsulation of imaging agents, for example, for use in magnetic resonance imaging. The specificity of the delivery system is derived from the targeting antibodies or antibody fragments.
US08617512B2 Water gas shift process
The invention provides a water gas shift process comprising a reaction stage. The reaction stage comprises (a) providing a gas mixture comprising CO, H2O and an acid gas component to a reactor containing an adsorbent, and (b) subjecting the gas mixture to water gas shift reaction conditions to perform the water gas shift reaction. The adsorbent comprises an alkali promoted alumina based material. The acid gas component comprises H2S.
US08617510B2 Porous metal oxide and method of preparing the same
Porous metal oxides are provided. The porous metal oxides are prepared by heat treating a coordination polymer. A method of preparing the porous metal oxide is also provided. According to the method, the shape of the particles of the metal oxide can be easily controlled, and the shape and distribution of pores of the porous metal oxide can be adjusted.
US08617509B1 Thermal reduction of sulfur dioxide to sulfur in a single reaction furnace
Processes for the thermal reduction of sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur in a single reaction furnace are disclosed. The reaction furnace contains an alumina monolith that performs as an active catalyst. The reaction furnace is followed by a Claus conversion zone, wherein H2S and SO2 react to produce additional elemental sulfur. Three methods to eliminate soot formation and two methods to consume produced H2 and CO are described. One or combination of these methods may be employed which consists of a) adding steam (water vapor), b) adding recycled sulfur or c) adding recycled tail gas.
US08617507B2 Semi-continuous vapor grown carbon fiber mat and the producing method thereof
A method for fabricating a continuous vapor grown carbon fiber mat including: (a) providing a substrate which has a catalyst on its surface; (b) placing the substrate in a furnace; (c) introducing hydrogen, ammonia, or combinations thereof into the furnace; (d) adjusting a temperature of the furnace to 400° C. to 900° C. to proceed heat treatment for 15 to 90 minutes; (e) adding a carbon-containing compound into the furnace and adjusting the ratio of the carbon-containing compound and the hydrogen, ammonia, or combinations thereof; (f) adjusting the temperature of the furnace to 600° C. to 1200° C. to crack the carbon-containing compound, and thereby forming a carbon fiber mat, where time for reaction is 1 to 3 hours. A continuous vapor grown carbon fiber mat and a graphitized carbon fiber mat are also provided.
US08617502B2 Ce containing, V-free mobile denox catalyst
A catalyst for removal of NOx from exhaust gas, containing cerium oxide and titanium dioxide, wherein a first portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one agglomerate of cerium oxide crystallites interdispersed in the titanium dioxide, and a second portion of the cerium oxide forms at least one island on a surface of the titanium dioxide, a method for producing the catalyst, a process for selectively reducing NOx levels in an exhaust gas using the catalyst, and an SCR canister containing the catalyst therein.
US08617500B2 Process for removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream
A process for reducing the carbon dioxide concentration of a carbon dioxide-containing gas which process includes, in a first stage, contacting the carbon dioxide-containing gas with a treating solution including an alkali metal carbonate and/or hydroxide and with a catalyst to promote the absorption of carbon dioxide to form a second solution including an alkali metal carbonate and bicarbonate and, in a second stage, contacting the second solution with a carbonatable silicate-containing material including an alkaline earth cation capable of forming an insoluble carbonate to produce silica and a solid carbonate including the cation and to regenerate a solution including alkali metal carbonate.
US08617496B2 Three way conversion catalyst with alumina-free rhodium layer
Provided are exhaust systems and components suitable for use in conjunction with gasoline engines to treat gaseous emissions such as hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxides. Layered three-way conversion (TWC) catalysts comprise an outer layer whose rhodium is supported by an oxygen storage component, such as a ceria-zirconia composite, and the outer layer is substantially free from alumina as a support. The rhodium-containing layer can be free of all other precious metals, such as platinum and palladium. A lower palladium layer is provided where the palladium is supported by a refractory metal oxide. The lower palladium layer can be free of rhodium and platinum and can contain an oxygen storage component that is the same or different from that in the rhodium-containing layer. Methods of making and using these catalysts are also provided.
US08617495B1 Exhaust gas aftertreatment desulfurization control
An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine to control desulfurization of at least one aftertreatment device is provided. The exhaust gas treatment system includes a desulfurization mode trigger module, a desulfurization control module, and an interrupt module. The desulfurization mode trigger module is configured to set a desulfurization request based on one or more trigger conditions. The desulfurization control module is configured to control desulfurization of at least one aftertreatment device based on the desulfurization request. The interrupt module is configured to interrupt the desulfurization of at least one aftertreatment device based on an interrupt condition.
US08617491B2 Device for receiving a solid in a measuring cell
A device for the accommodation of a solid in a measuring cell (24), in which the release of the solid can be determined in a solution medium flowing through the measuring cell (24), has an insert (1) which can be introduced into the measuring cell (24) and which has a recess for the accommodation of a pressed disc (31). The recess for the accommodation of the pressed disc (31) is arranged on a side (16) of the insert (1) which faces the inflowing solution medium. A wall surface (32) of the insert (1) which surrounds the recess for the accommodation of the pressed disc (31) is tilted in the flow direction, so that the inflowing solution medium is transported laterally away from the pressed disc (31). The insert (1) has a housing (2) with a hole (3) through it, a sleeve (4) for the accommodation of the pressed disc (31), which can be accommodated in the hole (3), and a closure device (10). The housing (2) and the closure device (10) essentially consist of a plastic material and the sleeve (4) consists of metal. The insert (1) has flow channels (33) through which the solution medium can pass through the insert (1).
US08617490B2 Reaction cassette, assay device, and assay method
A reaction cassette for biochemical assay, a biochemical assay device including the reaction cassette, and a biochemical assay method performed by using the biochemical assay device are provided. The reaction cassette includes a first space, a second space, a third space, and an inner wall. The first space is configured to accommodate liquid and includes a first opening facing upward. The second space includes a second opening whose direction is perpendicular to the direction of the first opening. The first space and the second space are disposed such that when the reaction cassette is rotated, liquid in the first space can flow into the second space. The third space is located under the first space and includes a third opening whose direction is the same as the direction of the first opening. The inner wall connects the second opening and the third opening, which serves as a liquid flow channel between the second space and the third space.
US08617489B2 Microfluidic interface
The invention allows for the formation of robust, reproducible, non-permanent connections to microchips. The connections are formed using either indexing arms or multiple fitting holder heads which are capable of forming a compression seal to a port located at any position on the surface of the microchip. The sealing force is user-defined and can be tightly controlled with integrated force sensors. In addition, the sealing force is monitored with a force sensor and force compensation mechanism ensuring that the desired force is maintained. The device is compatible with all microchip architectures. Alterations to the microchip surface is avoided as connections are established using instrumentation rather than processing steps. Further, the process is automatable allowing for exchanging microchips and subsequently creating electrical and fluidic connections in an automated fashion. Optionally, the integration of leak sensors to monitor leaks are included.
US08617487B2 Saliva sample collection systems
Saliva sample collection systems are configured with special attention to ease-of-use for the unskilled user and safe transport and delivery by a conventional delivery services such as Federal Express. A sealed cavity is formed by tight coupling of two primary elements: a receiving vessel element and a sealing cap element. The receiving vessel has integrated therewith: a standing means, a fill-line window, a funnel system, a knife, a threadset, and containment tube among others. A complementary cap element includes a cooperating threadset, label receiving surface, gripping surface, seal means and reservoir with piercable thin-film membrane. These two primary elements may be accommodated in an application-specific shipping container which support two shipping modes whereby the system may be shipped safely to and from a donor user each way in a different shipping mode.
US08617486B2 Analytical devices with integrated desiccant
An analytical device for performing an assay to determine the presence or approximate quantity of at least one analyte in a liquid sample is described. The device is manufactured to include an integrated desiccant within at least a test strip of the device. Addition of an integrated desiccant within the device improves signal to noise ratio, eases the manufacturing process, and saves in cost of production of the device.
US08617483B2 Gaseous sterilization of impermeable containers through use of porous material
A gas-impervious container having a gas-permeable porous insert, wherein the insert contacts a flowable biomedical material, for improving access of the sterilant gas to the material.
US08617475B2 Erosion resistant mounting material and method of making and using the same
An erosion resistant mounting material comprises: a mounting material comprising inorganic fibers and having a peripheral edge; and a layer of reinforcing composition inwardly disposed on the inorganic fibers along the peripheral edge. The reinforcing composition comprises at least one compound represented by the formula: (Mm+)d((ZpOq(OH)r)n−)e.(H2O)f M represents a cationic species other than H; O represents oxygen; Z represents boron or phosphorus; f is a real number greater than or equal to zero; d, n, q, and r are integers greater than or equal to zero; e, m, and p are integers greater than or equal to one; and d times m equals e times n. The mounting material is useful in pollution control devices. A method of making the mounting material is also disclosed.
US08617469B2 Nanostructure based methods for detection structure determination separation transport extraction and control of chemical and biochemical material
The invention describes methods that use nanostructures and quantum confinement to detect and manipulate chemical and biochemical molecules. To increase selectivity and sensitivity nanostructures are built to have the density of states similar to that in analyte that will be detected and operated. Using device that incorporates such nanostructures, measuring electrical and optical properties of nanostructures and analyte or charge and energy transfer between the nanostructures and analyte a rapid and sensitive continuous detection in fluids can be achieved. Detection can be further enhanced by controlling external environmental parameters and applying external fields. In addition to be detected analyte can be positioned, moved, separated, extracted, and controlled.
US08617468B2 Platelet aggregation test and device
An assembly for testing platelet aggregation including an electrode subassembly that is mounted in a cuvette subassembly for use with relatively small samples containing platelets.
US08617467B2 High-pressure sterilization to terminally sterilize pharmaceutical preparations and medical products
The present invention provides a process for sterilizing a system, preferably a pharmaceutical preparation such as a dispersion of small particles or droplets of a pharmaceutically active compound using high pressure terminal sterilization techniques and products therefrom.
US08617462B2 Steel for oil well pipe excellent in sulfide stress cracking resistance
A steel for an oil well pipe, having high strength and excellent SSC resistance, consists of, by mass %, C: 0.30 to 0.60%, Si: 0.05 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.05 to 1.0%, Al: 0.005 to 0.10%, Cr+Mo: 1.5 to 3.0%, wherein Mo is 0.5% or more, V: 0.05 to 0.3%, Nb: 0 to 0.1%, Ti: 0 to 0.1%, Zr: 0 to 0.1%, N (nitrogen): 0 to 0.03%, Ca: 0 to 0.01%, and the balance Fe and impurities; P 0.025% or less, S 0.01% or less, B 0.0010% or less and O (oxygen) 0.01% or less. The method involves heating the steel at 1150° C. or more; producing a seamless steel pipe by hot working; water-cooling the pipe to a temperature in a range of 400 to 600° C. immediately after finishing the working; and subjecting the pipe to a heat treatment for bainite isothermal transformation in a range of 400 to 600° C.
US08617461B2 Continuous gas carburizing furnace
A continuous gas carburizing furnace includes a gas carburizing processing chamber (a preheating chamber 2, a heating chamber 3, a carburizing chamber 4, a diffusion chamber 5 and a temperature decrease chamber 6) in which a gas carburizing process is performed on a workpiece 50, an oil quenching chamber 8 in which oil quenching is performed on the workpiece 50, and a gas quenching chamber 7 in which gas quenching is performed on the workpiece 50. The gas carburizing processing chamber includes a temperature decrease chamber 6 in which the temperature of the workpiece heated by a gas carburizing process is lowered. The temperature decrease chamber 6, the gas quenching chamber 7 and the oil quenching chamber 8 are arranged in that order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the workpiece 50, and are adjacent to each other.
US08617459B2 Method and apparatus for manufacturing granular metallic iron
A method for manufacturing granular metallic iron by reducing a raw material mixture including an iron oxide-containing material and a carbonaceous reducing agent, comprises: a step of charging the raw material mixture onto a hearth of a moving hearth-type thermal reduction furnace; a step of reducing the iron oxide in the raw material mixture by the carbonaceous reducing agent through the application of heat, thereby forming metallic iron, subsequently melting the metallic iron, and coalescing the molten metallic iron to granular metallic iron while separating the molten metallic iron from subgenerated slag; and a step of cooling the metallic iron to solidify; wherein the heat-reducing step includes a step of controlling the flow velocity of atmospheric gas in a predetermined zone of the furnace within a predetermined range. This method makes it possible to manufacture the granular metallic iron of high quality.
US08617458B2 Dross cooling system and cooling method
Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.
US08617443B2 Method and equipment for providing the edge of a starting sheet with a dielectric strip
A device for providing the edge of a starting sheet of an electrode used in the electrolytic refining or recovery of metals with a dielectric part comprises a die space, in which the edge of the starting sheet of the electrode can at least partly be fitted, and a feeding device of the dielectric material for feeding the dielectric material into the die space. The device comprises changing members of the volume of the die space for pressing the dielectric material in the die space to that edge of the starting sheet of the electrode, which is at least partly fitted in the die space.
US08617442B2 Connecting fiber-reinforced material to an injection-moulded material
A process for the bonding of a fiber-reinforced material to an injection-molding material and an article produced by the process. The process improves the bond between a fiber-reinforced starting material and a material applied by injection. A further plastics material is inserted under pressure into a fiber-reinforced plastics material. This results in interlock bonding between the further plastics material and the fibers of the fiber-reinforced plastics material. This type of bonding is substantially more stable than known bonding.
US08617440B2 Polyethylene composition for stretched tape products
A polyethylene composition, in particular suitable for the preparation of monofilaments, mono-tapes and stretched tapes, is described. The polyethylene composition of the invention comprises 95.1%-99.5% by weight of polyethylene having a density above 0.930 g/cm3 and a polydispersity Mw/Mn from 2.0 to 5.9, and 4.9%-0.5% by weight of polybutene. The bubble stability and the me-chanical properties of the films prepared from this composition are advantageously improved. The use of a polyethylene composition comprising 90.0%-99.5% by weight of polyethylene having a density above 0.930 g/cm3, and 10.0%-0.5% by weight of polybutene, for preparing monofila-ments, monotapes or stretched tapes is also described.
US08617439B2 Recycling of laminate floorings
Recycling of laminate flooring based on a separation of the panels (1) into particles which are connected with a binder and formed to a new sheet shaped material. A building panel includes a surface layer and a wood fiber based core, and the wood fiber based core includes aluminum oxide particles.
US08617437B2 Flame retardant and flame retardant composition using same, molded article thereof, and electric wire with coating
The flame retardant of the present invention has a flame retardant (a) component, comprising 50 to 97% by mass of a metal hydrate (a-1) component and 3 to 50% by mass of a filler (a-2) component, wherein the filler (a-2) component contains SiO2, Al2O3 and M2/nO. Here, the total of the metal hydrate (a-1) component and the filler (a-2) component is 100% mass, M represents one or more metal elements selected from a group consisting of K, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn, and n represents a valence of the metal element. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a flame retardant capable of providing a molded article and an electric wire with a coating, which are excellent in flame retardancy, abrasion resistance and flexibility, and also have sufficient mechanical strength at low cost.
US08617431B2 Selenolate inks and precursors for photovoltaics
This invention relates to a range of compounds, inks and compositions used to make materials for photovoltaics, including solar cells. In particular, this invention relates to inks containing precursor compounds, as well as the precursor compounds, and materials for preparing photovoltaic layers. The precursor compounds and inks contain compounds having the formula MB(ER)3 wherein MB is In, Ga or Al, which can be deposited and converted to a material form.
US08617416B1 Heat transfer fluids and corrosion inhibitor formulations for use thereof
Disclosed herein is a heat transfer fluid concentrate comprising: greater than or equal to 90 weight percent of a freezing point depressant; 16 to 80 ppm of magnesium ions; an azole compound; an inorganic phosphate; a carboxylate; and an acrylate based polymer, wherein the heat transfer fluid concentrate has a pH of 7-9.5 and the weight ratio of acrylate based polymer to magnesium ions is 1 to 25. The heat transfer fluid concentrate can be used to make a heat transfer fluid.
US08617413B2 Method and device for encapsulating microstructures
A method for encapsulating structures (11) (typically MEMS structures) supported by a carrier substrate (12) (typically made of glass or silicon), includes: application, on the carrier substrate (12), of at least one cover (7) supported by a mould (1, 2, 6), the mould including a catching layer (6), each cover (7) being in contact with the catching layer (6); then fastening of at least one cover (7) onto the carrier substrate (12); and then separation of the mould (1, 2, 6) from the at least one cover (7). The catching layer (6) includes a fluoropolymer. Preferably, the mould (1, 2, 6) is mechanically separated from the at least one cover (7), by pulling the mould (1, 2, 6) away from the at least one cover (7). Thus, the mould (1) can be reused, which considerably simplifies encapsulating operations carried out on an industrial scale.
US08617412B2 Nano-filter and method of forming same, and method of filtration
The disclosure relates generally to nano-filters and methods of forming same, and methods of filtration. The nano-filter includes a substrate and at least one nanowire structure located between an inlet and an outlet. The nanowire structure may include a plurality of vertically stacked horizontal nanowires.
US08617406B2 Device for the actively-controlled and localized deposition of at least one biological solution
The invention relates to a device for the actively-controlled deposition of microdrops of biological solutions. The inventive device includes at least one flat silicon lever comprising a central body and an end area which forms a point, a slit or groove being disposed in said point. The invention is characterized in that it also comprises at least one metallic track which is disposed on one face of the central body and which runs alongside said slit or groove at least partially. The invention also relates to a method of producing the inventive device and a method for the active-controlled deposition and sampling of microdrops of biological solutions using said device.
US08617405B2 Separator and method of separation
A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.
US08617398B2 Method for high efficiency reverse osmosis operation
A process for treatment of water. Hardness and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from feedwaters to an extent sufficient to avoid scaling when concentrated. Sparingly ionizable components in the feedwater are urged toward increased ionization by increasing the pH of the feedwater. In this manner, species such as silica become highly ionized, and (a) their rejection by membranes used in the process is significantly increased, and (b) their solubility in the reject stream from the membrane process is significantly increased. Sparingly ionized species such as boron, silica, and TOC are highly rejected. Recovery ratios of ninety percent (90%) or higher are achievable with many feedwaters, while simultaneously achieving a substantial reduction in cleaning frequency of membranes used in the process.
US08617395B2 Thin film composite membranes and their method of preparation and use
The present invention is a technique to fabricate thin-film composite perm-selective membranes by a transfer method. The composite membranes are useful in separating liquid, vapor or gaseous mixtures by selective permeation and reduce mass transfer resistance of the support layer. Selectivity and flux are improved by reduction of the mass transfer resistance of the support layer.
US08617393B2 Method and device for supply of a dialysis unit with dialysis fluid
A method and a device for supply of a dialyser in a dialysis unit with dialysis fluid is disclosed. At least one dialysis fluid concentrate is mixed with water to produce the dialysis fluid. The dialysis fluid concentrate is prepared in a reservoir unit in a given amount. A control and arithmetic unit calculates the dialysis fluid rate (Qd) such that, after a given treatment time (TB) has passed, a given residual amount of dialysis fluid concentrate or no residual amount remains in the reservoir unit. It is preferable to empty the reservoir unit by the end of treatment.
US08617392B2 Device and system for filtering blood
Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.
US08617391B2 Filter component
A component (5) for filters (10) comprising a plate (50) provided with at least a through-opening (54) in a thickness thereof and a perimeter edge to which a seal (51) is fixed, which seal (51) is destined to be interposed between a beaker-shaped body (21) and a cover (22) of a casing (20) of a filter (10), and a flat filter wall (55) fixed to the plate (50) in such a way as to intercept the at least a through-opening (54) and a hollow shank (53) suitable for accommodating the end of a pipe (56) for removal of the water accumulated on the bottom of the beaker body (21).
US08617390B2 Wastewater system with pressure gradient transport
Wastewater system design, installation, maintenance and use are described and provided. In embodiments, design, installation, and maintenance of pressure gradients in a septic system serve to transport treatment tank gases, or other gases, downstream, towards or into a leach field, bio-filter, drain field, or other environment. Such transport may promote the displacement of gases or the remediation of gases.
US08617389B2 Device for filtering the liquid processing medium used in shaping operations performed by cutting
A device for filtering a liquid processing medium used in cutting has an intake and first filter cells with inlet, filter element, and outlet. The filter elements can be back-flushed. A disposal container as well as a suction conveying device are provided. For filtering, the intake is connected by first valves with first filter cell inlets and first filter cell outlets are connected to a discharge. For back-flushing, inlets of the first filter cells are connected through the first or a further valve to the disposal container. A second filter cell with filter element for contaminated processing medium of the disposal container is disposed above or inside the disposal container. The second filter cell, for filtering, is connected by the suction conveying device to the discharge. A cleaning device for the second filter cell is provided so that waste products removed during cleaning pass directly into the disposal container.
US08617388B2 Sewage reuse system
A sewage reuse system distributes a plurality of reuse water supply sections, each including a water introducing opening formed in a sewer trunk line; a treated sewage tank for storing reuse water; and a water level sensor for measuring a water level of the treated sewage tank, in a demand area of reuse water along the sewer trunk line. The system includes a movable sewage treatment section which moves to any of the plurality of water introducing openings; performs the sewage treatment to generate reuse water; and supplies the generated reuse water to the treated sewage tank, a communication section which transmits the water level data measured by the water level sensor, and a central control section which controls a water storing quantity of the treated sewage tank on the basis of the demand information of reuse water and the water level data.
US08617385B2 Controlling temperature within a catalyst bed in a reactor vessel
A quenching medium is delivered directly to selected regions or locations within a catalyst bed in a hydroprocessing reactor vessel in order to control the reactivity of a hydroprocess occurring in the selected regions or locations separately from other regions or locations. Temperature sensors for providing temperature indications and conduits for delivering the quench medium are distributed throughout the catalyst bed. One or more conduits can be selected for delivery of the quenching medium to selected regions or locations so that separate control of the level of reactivity in each of various regions or locations throughout the bed can be achieved.
US08617382B2 Process and device for emulating a counter-electrode in a monolithically integrated electrochemical analysis system
A sensor array with at least three electrodes and a switching unit is disclosed, as well as a process for operating such a sensor array for implementing an electrochemical analysis process. The at least three electrodes can be selectively switched as counter-electrodes or as a working electrode which can be electrically coupled to an electrolytic analyte. The at least three electrodes are set up in such a way that sensor events occur at an electrode switched as working electrode in the electrolyte solution, in the presence of the electrolytic analyte. The electrodes which are not required as working electrodes at a particular point in time for detecting the electrolytic analyte can thus be switched together to form the counter-electrode of the sensor array, thus dispensing with the need for a separate counter-electrode.
US08617380B2 Electropolishing solution containing a water sequestering agent and methods of use thereof
Substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solutions. The substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solutions described herein do not use water as a solvent; instead, such electropolishing electrolyte solutions use anhydrous alcohols and/or glycols as a solvent. For example, an electropolishing electrolyte solution, as described herein, may include an alcohol, at least one mineral acid, and at least one water sequestering agent. Suitable examples of water sequestering agent include, but are not limited to, polyfunctional alcohols. Methods of electropolishing metal articles using such electropolishing electrolyte solutions are disclosed herein as well.
US08617374B2 Capillary electrophoresis using clear coated capillary tubes
A capillary tube having a hard, optically clear external coating or cladding. In one embodiment, the external clear coating comprises hard-fluoropolymer. The hard-fluoropolymer coating bonds to the fused silica glass, providing higher strength and superior static fatigue performance resulting in vastly improved bending flexibility. The thin hard-fluoropolymer coating of capillaries provides higher initial tensile strength, longer lifetime (resistance to stress corrosion or static fatigue) and superior ability to transmit excitation light and emitted light directly through the coating for fluorescence based detection.
US08617372B2 Array-type NH3 sensor
An array-type sensor that senses NH3 includes non-Nernstian sensing elements constructed from metal and/or metal-oxide electrodes on an O2 ion conducting substrate. In one example sensor, one electrode may be made of platinum, another electrode may be made of manganese (III) oxide (Mn2O3), and another electrode may be made of tungsten trioxide (WO3). Some sensing elements may further include an electrode made of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 and another electrode made of LaCr0.95Mg0.05O3.
US08617371B2 Ion selective electrode cartridge
A wet flow-type ion selective electrode device requires not only a large amount of test solution but also cumbersome management works such as flow path cleaning and device conditioning. Provided is an ion selective electrode cartridge which includes at least one ion selective electrode forming an electrical path with a reference electrode when a test solution is infused, and in which the ion selective electrode and the reference electrode is arranged to surround a container.
US08617370B2 Systems and methods of discriminating between a control sample and a test fluid using capacitance
Methods for distinguishing between an aqueous non-blood sample (e.g., a control solution) and a blood sample are provided herein. In one aspect, the method includes using a test strip in which multiple current transients are measured by a meter electrically connected to an electrochemical test strip. The current transients are used to determine if a sample is a blood sample or an aqueous non-blood sample based on characteristics of the sample (e.g., amount of interferent present, reaction kinetics, and/or capacitance). The method can also include calculating a discrimination criteria based upon these characteristics. Various aspects of a system for distinguishing between a blood sample and an aqueous non-blood sample are also provided herein.
US08617369B2 Rapid analyte measurement assay
The present the invention provides methods, devices and systems for rapidly measuring analytes within a biological sample.
US08617367B2 Electrochemical test sensor with reduced sample volume
An electrochemical test sensor for detecting the analyte concentration of a fluid test sample includes a base, a dielectric layer, a reagent layer and a lid. The base provides a flow path for the test sample having on its surface a counter electrode and a working electrode adapted to electrically communicate with a detector of electrical current. The dielectric layer forms a dielectric window therethrough. The reagent layer includes an enzyme that is adapted to react with the analyte. The lid is adapted to mate with the base and to assist in forming a capillary space with an opening for the introduction of the test sample thereto. At least a portion of the width of the counter electrode is greater than the width of the working electrode.
US08617366B2 Disposable urea sensor and system for determining creatinine and urea nitrogen-to-creatinine ratio in a single device
A disposable urea sensor has a laminated body having a fluid sample inlet end and an electrical contact end, a fluid sample inlet, a substantially flat sample chamber in communication between the fluid sample inlet and a vent opening, the sample chamber being adapted to collect a fluid sample through the fluid sample inlet, a working electrode and a reference electrode within the sample chamber, and a reagent matrix disposed on the working electrode wherein the reagent matrix contains urease.
US08617364B2 Sensors and sensor housing systems
An electrochemical sensor includes a polymeric housing and at least a first electrode within the housing. The first electrode includes an electrochemically active surface. The electrochemical sensor further includes a first connector in electrically conductive connection with the first electrode. The first connector includes a first extending member formed from a conductive loaded polymeric material. The first extending member is formed such that an interior thereof comprises conductive elements within a matrix of the polymeric material so that the interior is electrically conductive and an exterior surface thereof comprises the polymeric material and is less conductive than the conductive interior. The conductive interior of the first extending member is in electrically conductive connection with the first electrode. The first connector further includes a first extending conductive element in electrical connection with the conductive interior. The first extending conductive element extends from the first extending member to pass through the polymeric housing. A sealing bond is formed between the polymeric material of the first extending member and the polymeric housing. The first extending conductive element can, for example, pass through the exterior surface of the first extending member.
US08617361B2 PEM water electrolyser module
A PEM water electrolyser module comprising a plurality of structural plates each having a sidewall extending between opposite end faces with a half cell chamber opening, at least one oxygen degassing chamber opening, and at least one hydrogen gas collection manifold opening, extending through the structural plate between opposite end faces. The structural plates are arranged in face to face juxtaposition between opposite end plates.
US08617360B2 Continuous methods for treating liquids and manufacturing certain constituents (e.g., nanoparticles) in liquids, apparatuses and nanoparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s) resulting therefrom
Methods and devices for the continuous manufacture of nanop∈rticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s) are disclosed. The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e. g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s).
US08617356B2 Compositions and processes for paper
Compositions and processes that enhance the brightness and improve color of pulp or paper when applied during different stages of the papermaking process involving optical brighteners are identified. Used in combination with optical brighteners and/or chelants the described agents produce a synergistic effect not previously identified in the paper process.
US08617354B2 Shaped cellulose manufacturing process combined with a pulp mill recovery system
Provided is a process for manufacturing shaped cellulose materials from lignocellulose where a dissolving grade pulp is manufactured and dissolved in an aqueous alkaline or acidic solvent system forming a solution suitable for shaping new cellulose structures including fibers, films and cellulose derivatives. At least a part of the spent cellulose dissolving or cellulose shaping chemicals are recovered in one or more unit operations in a pulp mill chemical recovery cycle.
US08617352B2 Electrode assembly for the removal of surface oxides by electron attachment
An apparatus and a method comprising same for removing metal oxides from a substrate surface are disclosed herein. In one particular embodiment, the apparatus comprises an electrode assembly that has a housing that is at least partially comprised of an insulating material and having an internal volume and at least one fluid inlet that is in fluid communication with the internal volume; a conductive base connected to the housing comprising a plurality of conductive tips that extend therefrom into a target area and a plurality of perforations that extend therethrough and are in fluid communication with the internal volume to allow for a passage of a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas.
US08617351B2 Plasma reactor with minimal D.C. coils for cusp, solenoid and mirror fields for plasma uniformity and device damage reduction
A plasma reactor for processing a workpiece, includes a vacuum chamber defined by a sidewall and ceiling, and a workpiece support pedestal having a workpiece support surface in the chamber and facing the ceiling and including a cathode electrode. An RF power generator is coupled to the cathode electrode. Plasma distribution is controlled by an external annular inner electromagnet in a first plane overlying the workpiece support surface, an external annular outer electromagnet in a second plane overlying the workpiece support surface and having a greater diameter than the inner electromagnet, and an external annular bottom electromagnet in a third plane underlying the workpiece support surface. D.C. current supplies are connected to respective ones of the inner, outer and bottom electromagnets.
US08617350B2 Linear plasma system
The invention relates to a linear plasma system. The linear plasma system includes a number of troughs of an electrode alternating with a number of peaks of the electrode forming a sawtooth shape, a reactive gas feed, a precursor gas feed, and a power source. The reactive gas feed is disposed on the electrode and configured to continuously release a reactive gas into an array of holes located at the trough apex. The precursor gas feed is disposed on the electrode and configured to continuously release a precursor gas into an array of holes located at the peak apex. The power source is configured to apply radio frequency power to the electrode to simultaneously interact with the reactive gas mixed with the precursor gas to generate plasma, which is used to create a product that is deposited on a substrate.
US08617348B1 Modulating etch selectivity and etch rate of silicon nitride thin films
Etching of nitride and oxide layers with reactant gases is modulated by etching in different process regimes. High etch selectivity to silicon nitride is achieved in an adsorption regime where the partial pressure of the etchant is lower than its vapor pressure. Low etch selectivity to silicon nitride is achieved in a condensation regime where the partial pressure of the etchant is higher than its vapor pressure. By controlling partial pressure of the etchant, very high etch selectivity to silicon nitride may be achieved.
US08617347B2 Vacuum processing chambers incorporating a moveable flow equalizer
A method and apparatus for vacuum processing of a workpiece, the apparatus including a flow equalizer disposed in a vacuum processing chamber between a workpiece support pedestal and a pump port located in a wall of the vacuum processing chamber. In an embodiment, the flow equalizer has a first annular surface concentric about the workpiece support pedestal to provide conductance symmetry about the workpiece support even when the pump port is asymmetrically positioned within the vacuum processing chamber. In an embodiment, the flow equalizer has a second annular surface facing a lower surface of the workpiece support pedestal to restrict conductance as the flow equalizer is moved is response to a chamber pressure control signal. In an embodiment, the apparatus for vacuum processing of a workpiece includes tandem vacuum processing chambers sharing a vacuum pump with each tandem chamber including a flow equalizer to reduce cross-talk between the tandem chambers.
US08617346B2 Process for coating, adhesive bonding and binding of mineral surfaces
A process for coating, for adhesive bonding or for binding of surfaces of mineral materials with a 2-component plastic resin, selected from a hydrophobic polyurethane resin and a hydrophobic epoxy resin, by applying the plastic resin to the surface or binding the surfaces of the mineral materials with the plastic resin and allowing the plastic resin to cure, wherein the plastic resin comprises from 0.01 to 10% by weight of one or more hydroxy- or alkoxyaminosilane compounds of the general formula (I) in which: X independently of one another, are OH, CH3, O[CH2]pCH3; Y is [CH2]t, [CH2]rNH[CH2]s; R, R′ are H, [CH2]tCH3; t is 0-10; n is 1-3; p is 0-5; m is 4-n; r, s independently of one another, are 1-10.
US08617335B2 Miniature cell array structure and manufacturing method of miniaturized composite component using such a miniature cell array structure
A method of manufacturing a cell array structure includes a first step of laminating a deformable layer capable of causing plastic deformation on a substrate, the substrate being formed with plural, mutually separated depressions on a top surface thereof, such that the deformable layer forms a mutually isolated space in each of the plural depressions; and a second step of extending the space in each of the plural depressions by causing plastic deformation in the deformable layer, such that there are formed plural columnar cells respectively in correspondence to the plural depressions.
US08617332B2 Method for forming an insulating glazing unit
A method of applying a spacer to a glass sheet while forming an insulating glazing unit includes the step of integrating the application of the sealant to the spacer body with the automated manufacturing process. The sealant is applied to the spacer body on line so that the sealant-laden spacer body may be applied to the glass without manually handling the sealant.
US08617328B1 Foamed celluloid mortar propellant increment containers
An economical, low residue, mortar increment propellant container manufactured of foamed celluloid, which is composed of 50 to 84% nitrocellulose, having a nitrogen content of from about 10.5 to about 13.5%, and about 15 to about 50% camphor. The burn rate of the foamed celluloid can be enhanced by the addition of energetic additives, such as energetic plasticizers.
US08617326B1 Bipropellants based on chosen salts
Advanced bipropellant fuels with fast ignition upon mixing with storable oxidizer (N2O4, nitric acid) have been synthesized and demonstrated. The bipropellant fuels are based upon salts containing dicyanamide or tricyanomethanide anions and employ at least two hydrazine functionalities in the cations.
US08617322B2 Laminated structure by internal oxidation and forming method thereof
A laminated structure by internal oxidation includes an alloy coating layer structured as columnar grains. The alloy coating layer includes a first metal element and a second metal element, wherein the first metal element is oxidized more easily than the second metal element. The surface layer portion of the alloy coating layer has a plurality of oxide layers and a plurality of metal layers stacked alternately with each other. The material of the oxide layers includes the oxide of the first metal element and the material of the metal layers includes the second metal element.
US08617320B2 System and method for cleaning contaminant collection equipment
A wash system for cleaning the exposed surfaces of a contaminant collection device that includes a source of pressurized cleaning solution and a rinse appliance. The rinse appliance includes a first flow path that is adapted to direct the pressurized cleaning solution against a plurality of interior surfaces of a sampling head of the contaminant collection device and a vacuum tube that couples the sampling head to a collection chamber of the contaminant collection device. The rinse appliance may also include a second flow path that is adapted to direct the pressurized cleaning solution against a plurality of interior surfaces of the collection chamber and a separator filter installed therein. The rinse appliance further includes a dipping tank adapted to receive the cleaning solution after passing through one of the first and second flow paths.
US08617319B2 Dishwasher and method of controlling a dishwasher
A dishwasher is provided which can determine whether a filtering device needs to be cleaned based on the time taken for a drain pump to discharge wash fluid from a sump. The dishwasher can make this determination without a manual examination of food waste collected in the filtering device. A related method of controlling the dishwasher based on such a determination is also provided.
US08617316B2 Energy management of dishwasher appliance
A dishwasher is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current cost of supplied energy. The controller operates the dishwasher in one of a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode based on the received signal. The controller is configured to change the power consuming functions by adjusting one or more of an operation schedule, an operation delay, an operation adjustment, and a selective deactivation of at least one of the one or more power consuming functions to reduce power consumption of the dishwasher in the energy savings mode.
US08617308B1 Fly ash-based cementitious mixture
A cementitious mixture for high-volume production of masonry products comprises a hydraulic binder accounting for 20 wt % or more of the cementitious mixture, the hydraulic binder comprising 75 to 100 wt % Class C fly ash with a CaO equivalent content of at least 15% by weight. The cementitious mixture also comprises one or more aggregates, and a set control system.
US08617307B2 Alkali-activated binder, alkali-activated mortar, concrete products and wet red clay paving material using binder
The present invention relates to an alkali-activated binder which can be used as a binder for replacing cement, and more particularly, to an alkali-activated binder, and to mortar, concrete, concrete products, and wet loess paving material comprising the binder, in which inorganic sodium-free alkaline materials are contained to reduce the total amount of Na2O and K2O in concrete, thus improving the workability and the strength stability and inhibiting the alkali-aggregate reaction.
US08617302B2 White ink composition
A white ink composition contains a white or whitish pigment, an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) resin or a polyolefin wax, and a fluorene resin or a styrene acrylic resin.
US08617298B2 Electrical dust precipitator
An electrostatic precipitator is provided with a ionizing unit and a collecting unit placed on the downstream side of the ionizing unit, and the ionizing unit has discharge electrodes each of which generates a corona discharge and a ground electrode plate connected to the earth, and in this structure, the ground electrode plate is provided with an insulating substrate, a resistor formed on the surface of the insulating substrate and a conductive section that is electrically connected to the resistor on the surface of the insulating substrate, and the discharge electrodes face the resistor of the ground electrode plate at a predetermined interval.
US08617297B2 CO2-facilitated transport membrane and method for producing the same
A CO2-facilitated transport membrane of excellent carbon dioxide permeability and CO2/H2 selectivity, which can be applied to a CO2 permeable membrane reactor, is stably provided. The CO2-facilitated transport membrane is formed such that a gel layer 1 obtained by adding cesium carbonate to a polyvinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid copolymer gel membrane is supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2. More preferably, a gel layer supported by a hydrophilic porous membrane 2 is coated with hydrophilic porous membranes 3 and 4.
US08617295B2 Active-particulate air filter having monolith primary filter and polishing filter
An air filter that includes a primary filter and a polishing filter. The primary filter comprises a monolith 10 that contains active-particulate. The air-to-be-filtered travels through the primary filter in a path generally parallel to the passageways 12. The polishing filter 36 has first and second major surfaces and also contains active-particulate. The polishing filter is generally arranged such that air travels from the first major surface to the second major surface when passing through it. The inventive filter demonstrates extraordinary performance over the same primary and polishing filters taken individually.
US08617294B2 Systems and methods for supplying auxiliary fuel streams during intermittent byproduct discharge from pressure swing adsorption assemblies
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.
US08617289B2 Hardfacing compositions for earth boring tools
A hardfacing composition essentially consisting of from about 50 to 75 percent by weight of a carbide phase having a particle size distribution of ±20% or less of a median particle size; and from about 25 to 50 percent by weight of binder phase is disclosed. Drill bits having such hardfacing compositions disposed thereon are also disclosed.
US08617287B2 Use of a liquid mineral composition for improving the adaptive response of plants to a change in environmental conditions
A liquid mineral composition for leaf spraying to improve the adaptive response of plants to a change in environmental conditions. The composition includes the following formula (I) with percentages based on weight per total weight of the composition: total ammoniacal nitrogen (N %)0.08%to 2% potassium as K203%to 6% magnesium as MgO0.4%to 0.8% sodium as Na201%to 2% calcium as CaO0%to 0.5% total sulphates as SO33% to 6% total phosphorus as P2O50% chlorides Cl1% to 2% hydrogen carbonate (% of HCO3)1.2%to 3.0% boron0.1to 0.2% copper0.018%to 0.03% manganese0.00005%to 0.006% iodine0.02%to 0.04% zinc0.00005%to 0.006% iron (mg/kg)0.0002to 0.003 wateramount sufficient for 100%.
US08617285B2 Nutrient enhanced biosolids pellets
A dry, flowable fertilizer is provided that includes multiple dry, flowable biosolids pellets. Each of the pellets has a pellet surface. Potassium salt grains are adhered to the pellet surfaces and a dust control agent coating is applied to retain the grains on the pellet surfaces. The resultant dry, flowable fertilizer has higher potassium loadings to the potassium salt grains than previous biosolids based fertilizers. A process of forming a fertilizer is also provided that includes tumbling dry, flowable biosolids pellets with powdered potassium salt grains to form a mixture. An aqueous spray is added to adhere the salt grains to the pellet surfaces. With the application of a dust control agent, the salt grains are retained. Potassium levels in NPK units of from 1 to 15 are routinely achieved with greater than 90 elemental % of the potassium is from the surface decorating potassium salt grains.
US08617284B2 Cellulose based sustained release macronutrient composition for fertilizer application
A macronutrient sustained release composition for a plant locus having nitrogen containing macronutrient compound adsorbed on the surface of hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles, and a process for preparation thereof. The macronutrient adsorbed hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles are encapsulated within cavities present in wood such that the biodegradation of the wood releases the adsorbed macronutrient compounds in a slow and sustained manner to the soil. Further, the macronutrient particles are encapsulated within the cell cavities of wood and wood is coated with cellulose modified hydroxyapatite phosphate nanoparticles such that the rupture of the nanocoating initiates the nitrogen release followed by the biodegradation of the wood releases the rest of the adsorbed macronutrient compounds in a slow and sustained manner to the soil.
US08617278B2 Replacement cartridge filter with pleated filter media, automatic filter media advance and wireless communications
A replacement filter deployed within a flow channel with a housing having a first frame member and a second frame member that are detachable with an exposure slot formed within the housing. A filter media storage area is within the housing, having unexposed, folded, pleated filter media stored therein. The unexposed folded, pleated filter media is compactly held within the filter media storage area. A motor is coupled to a power supply and in communication with a controller. The motor moving a movement member that advances an unexposed portion of the stacked pleated filter media into the exposure slot, expanding and exposing the unexposed portion of the media to the flow channel while retaining pleats and creating an exposed portion of the filter media. A containment area is provided where the exposed portion of the pleated filter media is collected folded, restacked and compactly stored and retained.
US08617276B2 Filter cartridge, dust collectors, and methods
An air filter cartridge has Z-media and a gasket arrangement with a perimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face and a side gasket member adjacent to at least a partial extension of a first side panel. The side gasket member includes no portion against second, third, and fourth side panels of the air filter cartridge. The air filter cartridge can be used in a dust collector having a tubesheet and a frame arrangement extending from the tubesheet. The perimeter gasket member seals against the frame arrangement and the side gasket member seals against the tubesheet. A method of servicing includes orienting the air filter cartridge against a guide ramp and moving the filter cartridge until the side gasket member is engaged against the tubesheet sealing surface.
US08617272B2 Abrasive material product containing inclusion compound
To provide an abrasive material product which shows an excellent effect of controlling heat generation in abrasive work and which causes no smearing in abrasive work in dry mode. An abrasive material product comprising a binder and an inclusion compound composed of a host compound and a lubricant contained therein as a guest compound.
US08617270B2 Systems and methods for improving ammonia synthesis efficiency
Systems and methods for producing syngas are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, a hydrocarbon can be reformed in the presence of steam and one or more first catalysts in a first reaction zone to provide an effluent containing a portion of the hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen at a first temperature. The first reaction zone can include one or more catalyst-containing tubes. The effluent can be indirectly heated from the first temperature to a second temperature. The effluent at the second temperature can be reformed in the presence of one or more oxidants and one or more second catalysts at conditions sufficient to provide a syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and less than about 5% mol, dry basis, methane. The syngas can be used to indirectly heat the effluent from the first temperature to the second temperature.
US08617269B2 Catalytic combustor and fuel reformer having the same
A catalytic combustor and a fuel reformer having the same. The catalytic combustor includes a housing having a cylindrical reaction portion and a second reaction portion surrounding the first reaction portion in a double tube shape. The housing has a first opening for supplying a first fuel and an oxidant to the first reaction portion and a second opening through which an exhaust in the second reaction portion is discharged. The first and second openings are disposed at first sides of the first and second reaction portions, respectively. The first and second reaction portions are connected with each other so that the fluid is communicated with the first and second reaction portions at second sides of the first and second reaction portions. A catalyst is disposed in the first reaction portion, and a mesh layer is inserted into the second reaction portion.
US08617261B2 Liquid fuel from aquatic biomass
A process is disclosed for converting aquatic biomass to a bio-oil. The process comprises mixing the aquatic biomass with a particulate catalytic material; subjecting the aquatic biomass to a catalytic cracking reaction to form a reaction mixture comprising a bio-oil; and isolating the bio-oil from the reaction mixture. Preferably the process is integrated with a plant for producing aquatic biomass, so that heat and CO2 generated during the process may be used in the production of aquatic biomass.
US08617259B2 Lithium-iron disulfide cell design
The invention relates to electrochemical cells having a jellyroll electrode assembly that includes a lithium-based negative electrode, a positive electrode with a coating comprising greater than about 94 wt. % of iron disulfide.
US08617254B2 Control system and method for a prosthetic knee
A prosthetic or orthotic system including a magnetorheological (MR) damper. The MR damper may be configured to operate in shear mode. In one embodiment, the MR damper includes a rotary MR damper. A controller is configured to operate the damper. A mobile computing device may be adapted to intermittently communicate configuration parameters to the controller. A method of configuring a prosthetic or orthotic system is also disclosed.
US08617253B2 Vascular wound closure device and method
A method and apparatus for closing a vascular wound includes an apparatus that can be threaded over a guidewire into place at or adjacent the wound. The apparatus includes a chamber that encloses a hemostatic material therein. When the apparatus is positioned adjacent the wound as desired, the hemostatic material is deployed from the chamber. A blocking member distal of the hemostatic material functions as a barrier to prevent the hemostatic material from entering the wound. Blood contacts the hemostatic material, and blood clotting preferably is facilitated by a hemostatic agent within the material. Thus, the vascular puncture wound is sealed by blood clot formation.
US08617252B2 Spinal fusion methods and devices
Methods, devices and compositions for fusing adjacent vertebrae, and otherwise localizing bone growth, are provided. In one form of the invention, a method for fusing adjacent vertebrae includes preparing a disc space for receipt of an intervertebral disc implant in an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae, inserting the implant into the intervertebral disc space and providing an osteoinductive composition that includes an osteoinductive factor in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carrier is advantageously substantially impermeable to efflux of the osteoinductive factor and is released as the carrier is resorbed or biodegraded. Preferred carriers include a hardened, resorbable carrier, such as a calcium phosphate cement that retains at least about 50% of the osteoinductive factors greater than about 2 days. Preferred osteoinductive factors are growth factors and include bone morphogenetic proteins and LIM mineralization proteins. In alternative forms of the invention, the method may be performed without utilization of a load-bearing spinal implant by disposing the osteoinductive composition in the disc space. The method is advantageously performed on lumbar vertebrae by a posterior approach. Intervertebral fusion devices and methods for their preparation are also provided.
US08617250B2 Revision knee tibial locking mechanism
A tibial prosthesis assembly can comprise a tibial tray and a tibial insert. The tibial tray can have an inferior bone engaging surface, a superior surface, and a first retaining feature. The tibial insert can have an inferior tray engaging surface, a superior bearing surface, and a second retaining feature. The first and second retaining features can cooperate to inhibit substantial lift-off of the tibial insert away from the superior surface of the tibial tray while permitting a predetermined amount of rotation of the tibial insert around the superior surface in an assembled position.
US08617248B2 Spinal implant having variable ratios of the integration surface area to the axial passage area
An interbody spinal implant including a body having a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing lateral sides, opposing anterior and posterior portions, and a substantially hollow center in communication with a vertical aperture. The body, vertical aperture, and bone contact surfaces of the implant each have a surface area that may be independently varied to enhance load support and facilitate implant integration with vertebral bone.
US08617243B2 Spinal disc prosthesis and associated methods
A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.
US08617234B2 Flexible vascular occluding device
A vascular occluding device for modifying blood flow in a vessel, while maintaining blood flow to the surrounding tissue. The occluding device includes a flexible, easily compressible and bendable occluding device that is particularly suited for treating aneurysms in the brain. The neurovascular occluding device can be deployed using a micro-catheter. The occluding device can be formed by braiding wires in a helical fashion and can have varying lattice densities along the length of the occluding device. The occluding device could also have different lattice densities for surfaces on the same radial plane.
US08617232B2 Medical catheter apparatus
Present invention is a medical catheter apparatus used for implanting a vascular stent into a vessel of a living body comprising a catheter (2) provided with a balloon (3), on which a vascular stent (4) is mounted, and a sheath into which the catheter is relatively movably inserted. The catheter is provided at the middle portion with a guide wire leading-out opening (11) for leading out the inserted guide wire (9) toward the side direction of the catheter, the sheath is provided at a middle portion with a guide wire drawing-out opening (13) for drawing the guide wire drawn from the catheter out of the sheath, and a guide wire drawing-out guiding mechanism (14) is provided between the guide wire leading-out opening and the guide wire drawing-out opening for guiding the guide wire led out from the guide wire leading-out opening to the guide wire drawing-out opening. The guide wire drawing-out guiding mechanism has a variable length from the guide wire leading-out opening to the guide wire drawing-out opening which varies in accordance with the relative movement of the sheath with respect to the catheter.
US08617226B2 Screw for fixing vertebra
The present invention relates to a screw for fixing vertebra comprising a cage as a prosthesis which can be extended to be protruded beyond an external diameter of a screw, and improving the drawback from detaching from the spine following surgical procedures.
US08617223B2 Bone fastening assembly
A bone fastening assembly for use with a screw and including a bone plate and a bushing having a bore adapted for receiving the screw. The bone plate has a substantially planar portion and is provided with a hole in the portion for receiving the bushing. The portion of the bone plate and the bushing are cooperatively configured for providing pivotal movement of the bushing within the hole about a pivot axis and restricting the pivot axis to a plane extending in the portion of the bone plate. A new bone attachment screw for use with the bone fastening assembly is provided.
US08617222B2 Non-metallic orthopedic plate
A spinal plate comprises a body portion and at least one locking mechanism for engaging the body portion. The body portion is made of a radiolucent material, such as a polymer or polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and includes a plurality of bone screw openings for receiving a plurality of bone screws, such as bone screws. The at least one locking mechanism is for securing at least one of the plurality of bone screws when received into the body portion.
US08617219B2 Arthroscopic bone transplanting procedure, and medical instruments useful therein
Described is an arthroscopic bone transplanting procedure for transplanting a section of a first bone to a second bone. The described procedure is particularly useful for the treatment an anterior shoulder instability, where the first bone is the coracoid and the second bone is the glenoid. Also described is a kit of medical instruments particularly useful in such a procedure.
US08617217B2 Polyaxial screw
The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.
US08617216B2 Fully-adjustable bone fixation device
An orthopedic stabilization system of implants that includes a bone attachment means that provides poly-axial fixation of the system to the vertebrae, and a connector means that connects the bone attachment means to the spinal rod in a fashion that allows variable height adjustment of the spinal rod (dorsal in the case of posterior spinal pedicle fixation). The orthopedic stabilization system includes a locking means with a tightenable ball-joint arrangement that locks a post means to the bone attachment means in a desired relative spatial orientation. Several embodiments are disclosed, some using traditional mechanical locking means such as screw fasteners, taper-locking interfaces and collets. Embodiments are described that use the austenitic transformation of shape memory alloy (SMA) material to effect a locking of both the ball-joint arrangement and the connector means.
US08617211B2 Spine distraction implant and method
A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion.
US08617209B2 Spinal fixation system
A spinal fixation system includes a pedicle screw having a longitudinal axis. A fixation element is configured to connect the pedicle screw to at least one additional pedicle screw. A coupling mechanism includes a pedicle screw securing device adapted to secure the coupling mechanism to the pedicle screw and a fixation element securing device configured to secure the coupling mechanism to the fixation element. A fastening mechanism is configured to fasten both the pedicle screw securing device and the fixation element securing device. The fastening mechanism is located along the longitudinal axis of the pedicle screw.
US08617207B1 Surgical needle with jam cleat
A surgical needle including a jam cleat for preventing slippage of suture. The jam cleat includes a suture engaging V-shaped tapered groove having opposing side walls that meet at a jam point.
US08617206B2 Wound closure device
Biocompatible wound closure devices including an elongate body and a plug member are useful for wound repair. A wound closure device includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plug member having a tissue facing surface and including a first shaped section and a second shaped section, each of the first and second shaped sections having an abutment surface. The first and second shaped sections are movable about a hinge between a collapsed position in which the abutment surfaces extend away from the longitudinal axis of the elongate body and a deployed position in which the abutment surfaces abut and are substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongate body, the abutment surfaces controlling a deployed angle of the tissue facing surface of the plug member with respect to the elongate body.
US08617203B2 Jaw assembly for surgical devices
Surgical devices are disclosed herein that generally include an intracorporeal elbow joint to facilitate translational movement of an end effector while allowing a body portion of the surgical device and a trocar or working channel through which the device is inserted to be maintained in a fixed angular orientation relative to the patient. This allows a plurality of such devices to be used effectively with a single incision or access device. Such devices also generally provide end effector movement with six degrees of freedom, while maintaining a mechanical linkage between the user and the end effector and while mimicking and/or mirroring natural user movement. Various methods related to such devices are also disclosed.
US08617198B2 Tissue expanders and methods of use
Tissue expanders and their methods of use.
US08617194B2 Balanced ultrasonic end effector
A balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transmission rod which is connected to a blade or end effector by a balance portion, which includes first and second balance asymmetries designed to compensate for the imbalances induced by the blade.
US08617193B2 Balloon catheter with improved pushability
Rapid exchange angioplasty catheters and methods of constructing rapid exchange angioplasty catheters including features that provide good pushability and kink resistance. In an illustrative embodiment, a catheter is provided, the illustrative catheter including a proximal hypotube section, which connects to a more distal braided catheter section. The braided catheter section connects to a midshaft portion that includes a guidewire entry port. Distal of the midshaft portion is a distal section having a balloon disposed thereon. An inflation lumen extends the length of the catheter, while a guidewire lumen extends only from the guidewire entry port to the distal end of the catheter. Optionally, a core wire may extend across the joint from the hypotube, to the braided catheter section, and past the guidewire entry port.
US08617192B2 Guide-wire sleeve for facilitation of lesion crossing
Flexible sleeve having a leading (distal) edge that can be advanced over a conventional angioplasty guide-wire to facilitate balloon angioplasty catheter and stent catheter crossing complex coronary lesions such as chronic total occlusions or heavily calcified, non-compliant lesions.
US08617191B2 Probe coupler assembly
An assembly for joining two vessel segments of a patient includes a coupler formed of adjoining coupler halves. Each coupler half includes an aperture for receiving an end of one of the vessel segments. One of the coupler halves includes a connector element configured for connection to the other coupler half. The vessel segments are alignable in the respective coupler halves such that a path for fluid flow is formed therebetween upon connection of the coupler halves. A probe is aligned in engagement with a coupler half for generating a signal corresponding to fluid flow through the path.
US08617189B2 Apparatus and method for manipulating tissue
Apparatus for reconfiguring tissue, the apparatus comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; at least one effector mechanism movably mounted to the distal end of the shaft, each effector mechanism comprising at least one gripping element for gripping tissue to that effector mechanism, the at least one effector mechanism being configured to capture the gripped tissue against said shaft, at least one actuating mechanism mounted to the proximal end of the shaft, and at least one connection mechanism connecting the at least one actuating mechanism to the at least one effector mechanism, whereby a user may utilize the at least one actuating mechanism to actuate the at least one effector mechanism so as to reconfigure tissue.
US08617187B2 Replaceable tip suturing devices, system, and methods for use with differing needles
Medical suturing devices, systems, and methods will be useful for endoscopic or open surgeries, including ear, nose, and throat procedures. Articulation motions may be transferred from a handle to needle grasping jaws using an axial movement of a shaft. Portions of the devices may be disposable, replaceable, and/or reusable, with different needle-grasping jaws and/or different elongate extension bodies having different configurations optionally being selectably coupleably to an articulatable handle and housing so as to allow the user to configure the device for a particular procedure.
US08617185B2 Fixation device
A tissue fixation system is provided for dynamic and rigid fixation of tissue. A fastener connected with an elongate fastening member, such as a cable, wire, suture, rod, or tube, is moved through a passage between opposite sides of tissue. A medical device is used to secure the fastener to the elongate fastening member. The medical device includes a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the elongate fastening member. As crimping mechanism is used to secure the fastener to the elongated member, where a cutting mechanism cut the excess portion of the elongated member.
US08617184B2 Vessel closure system
A power driven vessel closure device is configured for closing a hole in a wall of a body lumen. The vessel closure device can include a power operated drive system and a closure element delivery system. The closure element delivery system can be removably, operably, couplable with the power operated drive system. That is, the closure element system can be directly or indirectly attached to and removed from the power operated drive system, or components thereof. The operation of the power operated drive system can operate the closure element delivery system so as to move the closure element within the vessel closure device and deploy the closure element to close the hole.
US08617183B2 Digital suture fixation system
A digital suture fixation system includes an anchor, an introducer that is attachable to a finger of a person such that at least a distal tip of the finger is available to palpate tissue and identify a landmark within a patient, and a delivery device attached to the introducer. The anchor is removably attached to the delivery device. The anchor is exposed on an exterior of the delivery device and the delivery device is positioned to allow the finger to push the anchor into the landmark.
US08617180B2 Adjustable stereotactic device and method for frameless neurosurgical stereotaxy
The system comprises at least three anchors (2,2′,2″) intended to be attached to the patient and equipped with markers (5,5′,5″), an insertion guide device (6) with an insertion guide (7) intended to be attached to said anchors (2,2′,2″), an external calibration device (8) with at least three calibration markers (10,10′,10″) corresponding to said markers (5,5′,5″) and a planning and imaging software. The planning and imaging software is used to determine the position of a target point in the patient with respect to the markers (5,5′,5″), the calibration device is used to calibrate and orient the insertion guide (7) of the insertion guide device (6) mounted on said calibration markers (10,10′,10″) using the determination of the software before the insertion guide device is mounted on said markers (5,5′,5″) attached to the patient.
US08617175B2 Unicompartmental customized arthroplasty cutting jigs and methods of making the same
Disclosed herein are unicompartmental femoral and tibial arthroplasty jigs for respectively assisting in the performance of unicompartmental femoral and tibial arthroplasty procedures on femoral and tibial arthroplasty target regions. The femoral and tibial unicompartmental arthroplasty jigs each include a first side, a second side and a mating surface. Each second side is generally opposite its respective first side. For the femoral jig, the mating surface is in the first side of the femoral jig and configured to matingly receive and contact a generally planar area of an anterior side of a femoral shaft generally proximal of the patellar facet boarder and generally distal an articularis genu. The first side of the femoral jig is configured to be oriented towards the femoral arthroplasty target region surface when the mating surface of the femoral jig matingly receives and contacts the planar area. For the tibial jig, the mating surface of the tibial jig is in the first side and configured to matingly receive and contact a generally planar area of an anterior side of a tibial shaft distal of the tibial plateau edge and generally proximal of the tibial tuberosity. The first side of the tibial jig is configured to be oriented towards the tibial arthroplasty target region surface when the mating surface of the tibial jig matingly receives and contacts the planar area.
US08617174B2 Method of virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant
A system for virtually planning a size and position of a prosthetic implant for a bone on a patient includes a database containing pre-defined form factor information for a plurality of different implants and a circuit for obtaining surface shape information of the bone. The system further includes a circuit for defining baseline location parameters for an implant location in relation to a virtual representation of the bone based on the surface shape information and a circuit for assessing a fit calculation of each implant in relation to the virtual representation of the bone based on the form factor in formation and a plurality of fit factors at each of a plurality of incremental positions in relation to the bone. Still further, the system includes a circuit for selecting a best fit implant size and position from all of the fit calculations.
US08617171B2 Preoperatively planning an arthroplasty procedure and generating a corresponding patient specific arthroplasty resection guide
Methods of manufacturing a custom arthroplasty resection guide or jig are disclosed herein. For example, one method may include: generating MRI knee coil two dimensional images, wherein the knee coil images include a knee region of a patient; generating MRI body coil two dimensional images, wherein the body coil images include a hip region of the patient, the knee region of the patient and an ankle region of the patient; in the knee coil images, identifying first locations of knee landmarks; in the body coil images, identifying second locations of the knee landmarks; run a transformation with the first and second locations, causing the knee coil images and body coil images to generally correspond with each other with respect to location and orientation.
US08617167B2 Methods and devices for accessing and retracting a capsule of a joint
Devices and methods are disclosed herein for accessing the hip joint. A first device can be securely attached to the capsule of a joint. The first device can tent the capsule to increase the volume of the peripheral compartment. A second device can be biased against the first device to pierce the tented capsule and create a portal. Devices and methods are also disclosed herein for distending the capsule of a joint. A distention device may access a portal established within the capsule. The distention device can expand the capsule by applying an expansive force within the peripheral compartment. The distention device can maintain distention of the peripheral compartment while other devices access the joint.