Document Document Title
US08643143B2 Semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same
Provided is a semiconductor device including a metal dummy pattern and a thin film resistor. In detail, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin film resistor, and a metal dummy pattern. The thin film resistor disposed over the semiconductor substrate and extending in a first direction relative to the semiconductor substrate. The metal dummy pattern disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the thin film resistor, the metal dummy pattern including a reflective pattern extending in the first direction semiconductor substrate and spatially corresponding to a periphery of the thin film resistor.
US08643142B2 Passive devices for 3D non-volatile memory
Passive devices such as resistors and capacitors are provided for a 3D non-volatile memory device. In a peripheral area of a substrate, a passive device includes alternating layers of a dielectric such as oxide and a conductive material such as heavily doped polysilicon or metal silicide in a stack. The substrate includes one or more lower metal layers connected to circuitry. One or more upper metal layers are provided above the stack. Contact structures extend from the layers of conductive material to portions of the one or more upper metal layers so that the layers of conductive material are connected to one another in parallel, for a capacitor, or serially, for a resistor, by the contact structures and the at least one upper metal layer. Additional contact structures can connect the circuitry to the one or more upper metal layers.
US08643133B2 Thermal detector, thermal detection device, and electronic instrument
A thermal detector includes a substrate, a thermal detection element and a support member. The substrate has a recess part with a bottom surface of the recess part being a curved light-reflecting surface. The thermal detection element has a light-absorbing film. The support member supports the thermal detection element. The substrate and the support member are arranged to form a hollow part therebetween. The support member includes a light-absorbing part in which impurities are dispersed in polycrystalline silicon with the light-absorbing part being arranged in at least a part of a surface of the support member facing toward the hollow part so that the light-absorbing part being irradiated by light.
US08643129B2 MEMS device
A micro-electrical-mechanical device comprises: a transducer arrangement having at least a membrane being mounted with respect to a substrate; and electrical interface means for relating electrical signals to movement of the membrane; in which the transducer arrangement comprises stress alleviating formations which at least partially decouple the membrane from expansion or contraction of the substrate.
US08643128B2 Micro-electro-mechanical-system sensor and method for making same
The present invention discloses an MEMS sensor and a method for making the MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor according to the present invention includes: a substrate including an opening; a suspended structure located above the opening; and an upper structure, a portion of which is at least partially separated from a portion of the suspended structure; wherein the suspended structure and the upper structure are separated from each other by a step including metal etch.
US08643124B2 Oxide-nitride-oxide stack having multiple oxynitride layers
A semiconductor device including a silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the structure comprises: a tunnel oxide layer on a surface of a substrate including silicon; a multi-layer charge storing layer including an oxygen-rich, first oxynitride layer on the tunnel oxide layer in which the stoichiometric composition of the first oxynitride layer results in it being substantially trap free, and an oxygen-lean, second oxynitride layer on the first oxynitride layer in which the stoichiometric composition of the second oxynitride layer results in it being trap dense; a blocking oxide layer on the second oxynitride layer; and a silicon containing gate layer on the blocking oxide layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08643123B2 Method of making a semiconductor structure useful in making a split gate non-volatile memory cell
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate and a select gate structure over a first portion of the semiconductor substrate. The select gate structure comprises a sidewall forming a corner with a second portion of the semiconductor substrate and a charge storage stack over an area comprising the second portion of the semiconductor substrate, the sidewall, and the corner. A corner portion of a top surface of the charge storage stack is non-conformal with the corner, and the corner portion of the top surface of the charge storage stack has a radius of curvature measuring approximately one-third of a thickness of the charge storage stack over the second portion of the substrate or greater. A control gate layer is formed over the charge storage stack. A portion of the control gate layer conforms to the corner portion of the top surface of the charge storage stack.
US08643114B2 Semiconductor device and electronic apparatus
A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a p-type organic transistor including an organic semiconductor layer arranged on or above the substrate; and an n-type inorganic transistor including an inorganic semiconductor layer arranged on or above the organic transistor, wherein a channel region of the inorganic transistor overlaps a channel region of the organic transistor at least partially in a plan view.
US08643107B2 Body-tied asymmetric N-type field effect transistor
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an asymmetric N-type field effect transistor includes: a source region coupled to a drain region via a channel; a gate structure overlying at least a portion of the channel; a halo implant disposed at least partially in the channel, where the halo implant is disposed closer to the source region than the drain region; and a body-tie coupled to the channel. In a further exemplary embodiment, the asymmetric N-type field effect transistor is operable to act as a symmetric N-type field effect transistor.
US08643104B1 Lateral diffusion metal oxide semiconductor transistor structure
A lateral diffusion metal-oxide-semiconductor (LDMOS) transistor structure comprises a barrier layer, a semiconductor layer, a source, a first drain and a guard ring. The barrier layer with a first polarity is disposed in a substrate. The semiconductor layer with a second polarity is disposed on the barrier layer. The source has a first polarity region and a second polarity region both formed in the semiconductor layer. The first drain is disposed in the semiconductor layer and has a drift region with the second polarity. The guard ring with the first polarity extends downward from a surface of the semiconductor layer in a manner of getting in touch with the barrier layer and to surround the source and the drain, and is electrically connected to the source.
US08643102B2 Control device of semiconductor device
A control device of a semiconductor device is provided. The control device of a semiconductor device is capable of reducing both ON resistance and feedback capacitance in a hollow-gate type planar MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided or a trench MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided. In the control device controlling driving of a hollow-gate type planar MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided or a trench MOSFET to which a second gate electrode is provided, a signal of tuning ON or OFF is outputted to a gate electrode in a state of outputting a signal of turning OFF to the second gate electrode.
US08643098B2 Method for fabricating semiconductor device with side contact
A semiconductor device includes an active region having a side contact region in a sidewall thereof, wherein the side contact has a bulb shape, an ohmic contact region formed over a surface of the side contact region, and a bitline connected to the active region through the ohmic contact.
US08643094B2 Method of forming a self-aligned contact opening in MOSFET
A method of forming a contact opening in a semiconductor substrate is presented. A plurality of trench gates each having a projecting portion are formed in a semiconductor substrate, and a stop layer is deposited over the semiconductor substrate extending over the projecting portions, wherein each portion of the stop layer along each of the sidewalls of the projecting portions is covered by a spacer. By removing the portions of the stop layer not covered by the spacers by utilizing a relatively higher etching selectivity of the stop layer to the spacers, the openings between adjacent projecting portions with an L-type shape on each sidewall can be formed, and a lithography process can be performed to form self-aligned contact openings thereafter.
US08643087B2 Reduced leakage memory cells
Methods and structures are described for reducing leakage currents in semiconductor memory storage cells. Vertically oriented nanorods may be used in the channel region of an access transistor. The nanorod diameter can be made small enough to cause an increase in the electronic band gap energy in the channel region of the access transistor, which may serve to limit channel leakage currents in its off-state. In various embodiments, the access transistor may be electrically coupled to a double-sided capacitor. Memory devices according to embodiments of the invention, and systems including such devices are also disclosed.
US08643082B2 Thickened sidewall dielectric for memory cell
Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.
US08643076B2 Non-volatile memory device and method for fabricating the same
A non-volatile memory device includes a substrate including a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, a first insulation layer formed over the substrate to cover the peripheral circuit region thereof, and interlayer dielectric patterns and first conductive patterns alternately formed over the substrate of the cell region. Each of the interlayer dielectric patterns and the first conductive patterns includes a horizontal part extending along a surface of the substrate and a vertical part extending along a sidewall of the first insulation layer.
US08643073B2 Solid state imaging device
A plurality of pixels PX include effective pixels and optical black pixels. Signal lines VL are provided corresponding to each column of the pixels PX and supplied with output signals of the pixels PX of the corresponding column. Clip transistors CL are provided corresponding to the respective signal lines VL and limit a potential of the corresponding vertical signal lines VL based on a gate potential. At least in a predetermined operating mode, a potential Vclip_dark is supplied to a gate of one of the clip transistors CL corresponding to at least one pixel column formed of the optical black pixels when reading a noise level from the pixels PX corresponding to the clip transistors CL and when reading a data level from the pixels PX corresponding to the clip transistors CL.
US08643071B2 Integrated snubber in a single poly MOSFET
A MOSFET device includes one or more active device structures and one or more dummy structures formed from semiconductor drift region and body regions. The dummy structures are electrically connected in parallel to the active device structures. Each dummy structure includes an electrically insulated snubber electrode formed proximate the body region and the drift region, an insulator portion formed over the snubber electrode and a top surface of the body region, and one or more electrical connections between the snubber electrode and portions of the body region and a source electrode. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08643070B2 Chip package and method for forming the same
An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface; a drain region located in the semiconductor substrate; a source region located in the semiconductor substrate; a gate located on the semiconductor substrate or at least partially buried in the semiconductor substrate, wherein a gate dielectric layer is between the gate and the semiconductor substrate; a drain conducting structure disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the drain region; a source conducting structure disposed on the second surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the source region; and a gate conducting structure disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the gate.
US08643067B2 Strapped dual-gate VDMOS device
Semiconductor devices are described that include a dual-gate configuration. In one or more implementations, the semiconductor devices include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The substrate includes a first and a second body region formed proximal to the first surface. Moreover, each body region includes a source region formed therein. The substrate further includes a drain region formed proximal to the second surface and an epitaxial region that is configured to function as a drift region between the drain region and the source regions. A dual-gate is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The dual-gate includes a first gate region and a second gate region that define a gap there between to reduce the gate to drain capacitance. A conductive layer may be formed over the first gate region and the second gate region to lower the effective resistance of the dual-gate.
US08643063B2 Multidirectional two-phase charge-coupled device
A charge transfer device formed in a semiconductor substrate and including an array of electrodes distributed in rows and columns, wherein: each electrode is formed in a cavity with insulated walls formed of a groove which generally extends in the row direction, having a first end closer to an upper row and a second end closer to a lower row; and the electrodes of two adjacent rows are symmetrical with respect to a plane orthogonal to the sensor and comprising the direction of a row.
US08643062B2 III-N device structures and methods
A III-N device is described with a III-N layer, an electrode thereon, a passivation layer adjacent the III-N layer and electrode, a thick insulating layer adjacent the passivation layer and electrode, a high thermal conductivity carrier capable of transferring substantial heat away from the III-N device, and a bonding layer between the thick insulating layer and the carrier. The bonding layer attaches the thick insulating layer to the carrier. The thick insulating layer can have a precisely controlled thickness and be thermally conductive.
US08643061B2 Structure of high-K metal gate semiconductor transistor
A semiconductor structure is provided. The structure includes an n-type field-effect-transistor (NFET) being formed directly on top of a strained silicon layer, and a p-type field-effect-transistor (PFET) being formed on top of the same stained silicon layer but via a layer of silicon-germanium (SiGe). The strained silicon layer may be formed on top of a layer of insulating material or a silicon-germanium layer with graded Ge content variation. Furthermore, the NFET and PFET are formed next to each other and are separated by a shallow trench isolation (STI) formed inside the strained silicon layer. Methods of forming the semiconductor structure are also provided.
US08643055B2 Series current limiter device
Semiconductor protection devices, and related methods and systems, especially devices for providing series current limiting. The device typically comprises two regenerative building blocks and/or MOSFETs connected back-to-back in series, where one of the MOSFETs/Regenerative Building Blocks has an extra voltage probe electrode that provides a regenerative signal with self-limited voltage to the other via coupling to its gate electrode.
US08643054B2 Light-emitting device
A light-emitting device includes a semiconductor light-emitting stack; a current injected portion formed on the semiconductor light-emitting stack; an extension portion having a first branch radiating from the current injected portion and a second branch extending from the first branch; an electrical contact structure between the second branch and the semiconductor light-emitting stack and having a first width; and a current blocking structure located right beneath the electrical contact structure and having a second width larger than the first width.
US08643053B2 Light emitting device
Disclosed is a light emitting device including a substrate, a light emitting structure arranged on the substrate, the light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and an active layer arranged between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, a first electrode electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode electrically connected to the second semiconductor layer, wherein the light emitting structure has a top surface including a first side and a second side which face each other, and a third side and a fourth side which face each other.
US08643050B2 Light emitting element and image display apparatus using the light emitting element
A light emitting element which can emit light in a uniform polarization state at a high efficiency and a higher luminance level is realized. The light emitting element of the present invention is a light emitting element including an active layer for generating light, the light emitting element including: a polarizer layer including a first region that transmits polarized light in a first direction and reflects other light from among the light generated at the active layer, and a second region that transmits polarized light in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and reflects other light; a wave plate layer including a third region and a fourth region that allow the lights exited from the first region and the second region to enter, and to exit as light in the same polarization state; and a reflection layer that reflects the lights reflected at the first region and the second region.
US08643046B2 Semiconductor light-emitting element, method for producing the same, lamp, lighting device, electronic equipment, mechanical device and electrode
Disclosed is a semiconductor light-emitting element including a substrate; a laminated semiconductor layer in which an n-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer are laminated on the substrate in this order; one electrode joined with the p-type semiconductor layer; and another electrode joined with the n-type semiconductor layer, wherein one or both of the one and other electrodes has a structure such that an ohmic contact layer, a metal reflection layer, a first anti-diffusion layer and a first adhesion layer are laminated in this order, and the first adhesion layer has an outer peripheral portion which extends so as to be in contact with the laminated semiconductor layer, so as to completely cover the first anti-diffusion layer.
US08643043B2 LED lighting device
An LED lighting device A1 includes a plurality of LED chips 32, an LED unit 2 in which the LED chips 32 are mounted, and a mount 1 holding the LED unit 2. This arrangement allows the appearance or structure of the LED lighting device to be adapted for various applications. For instance, the LED lighting device may be mounted on an indoor ceiling to illuminate the floor surface or an upper part of a wall surface.
US08643041B2 Light emitting device package
A light emitting device package is provided comprising a substrate, a light source unit disposed on the substrate and a dam unit spaced apart from the light source unit and disposed on the substrate, wherein the dam unit including silicon resin and metal oxide, and the metal oxide is contained in an amount of 5 wt % to 150 wt % based on a total amount of the silicon resin.
US08643036B2 Semiconductor light-emitting device
A semiconductor light-emitting diode, and method of fabricating same, wherein an indium (In)-containing light-emitting layer, as well as subsequent device layers, is deposited on a textured surface. The resulting device is a phosphor-free white light source.
US08643031B2 Liquid crystal panel and pixel structure thereof
There is provided a pixel structure of a liquid crystal panel including a transparent substrate, and a gate line, a data line, a switching transistor, a first electrode, a second electrode and a shield layer formed on the transparent substrate. The gate line is substantially perpendicular to the data line. The switching transistor is located adjacent to a crossing point of the gate line and the data line, and is configured to input a display voltage of the data line to the second electrode according to the control of the gate line. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged in such a way that the display voltage forms a transverse electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode. The shield layer overlaps at least a part of the gate and is electrically isolated from the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08643027B2 Milled particle compositions and related methods and structures
Small particle compositions including nanoparticle compositions are provided. The particle compositions, in some cases, are characterized by having an extremely small average particle size (e.g., 150 nanometers or less). The small particles may comprise a semiconductor material and/or a light-emitting material. In some embodiments, the particles may be in the form a preferred shape including platelets, amongst others. The small particle compositions may be produced in a milling process. In some embodiments, the milling process uses preferred types of grinding media to form milled particles having desired characteristics (e.g., particle size, shape). The small (or nano) particle compositions may be used in a variety of different applications including light-emitting applications. In certain applications, it may be desirable to form thin films from the small particle compositions.
US08643024B2 In-situ defect reduction techniques for nonpolar and semipolar (Al, Ga, In)N
A method for growing reduced defect density planar gallium nitride (GaN) films is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) growing at least one silicon nitride (SiNx) nanomask layer over a GaN template, and (b) growing a thickness of a GaN film on top of the SiNx nanomask layer.
US08643020B2 Light-emitting device, lighting device, and electronic device
It is an object to provide a flexible light-emitting device with high reliability in a simple way. Further, it is an object to provide an electronic device or a lighting device each mounted with the light-emitting device. A light-emitting device with high reliability can be obtained with the use of a light-emitting device having the following structure: an element portion including a light-emitting element is interposed between a substrate having flexibility and a light-transmitting property with respect to visible light and a metal substrate; and insulating layers provided over and under the element portion are in contact with each other in the outer periphery of the element portion to seal the element portion. Further, by mounting an electronic device or a lighting device with a light-emitting device having such a structure, an electronic device or a lighting device with high reliability can be obtained.
US08643019B2 Organic light emitting display device and manufacturing method for the same
An organic light emitting display device may comprises a thin film transistor including an active layer, a gate electrode including a gate lower electrode and a gate upper electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, and an organic light emitting device electrically connected to the thin film transistor. A pixel electrode formed of the same material and in the same layer as the gate lower electrode, an intermediate layer including a light emitting layer, and an opposed electrode are sequentially deposited. A first pad electrode is formed in the same layer as the gate lower electrode, a second pad electrode is formed on at least a part of the first pad electrode and in the same layer as the gate upper electrode, and a third pad electrode contacts at least a part of the second pad electrode and is formed in the same layer as the source electrode.
US08643018B2 Semiconductor device comprising a pixel portion and a driver circuit
An object is to improve the aperture ratio of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit portion and a display portion (also referred to as a pixel portion) over the same substrate. The driver circuit includes a channel-etched thin film transistor for driver circuit and a driver circuit wiring formed using metal. Source and drain electrodes of the thin film transistor for the driver circuit are formed using a metal. A channel layer of the thin film transistor for the driver circuit is formed using an oxide semiconductor. The display portion includes a bottom-contact thin film transistor for a pixel and a display portion wiring formed using an oxide conductor. Source and drain electrode layers of the thin film transistor for the pixel are formed using an oxide conductor. A semiconductor layer of the thin film transistor for the pixel is formed using an oxide semiconductor.
US08643009B2 Transistor, semiconductor device including the transistor, and manufacturing method of the transistor and the semiconductor device
To suppress deterioration in electrical characteristics in a transistor including an oxide semiconductor layer or a semiconductor device including the transistor. In a transistor in which a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor, a silicon layer is provided in contact with a surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. Further, the silicon layer is provided in contact with at least a region of the oxide semiconductor layer, in which a channel is formed, and a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer are provided in contact with regions of the oxide semiconductor layer, over which the silicon layer is not provided.
US08643004B2 Power diode including oxide semiconductor
With a non-linear element (e.g., a diode) with small reverse saturation current, a power diode or rectifier is provided. A non-linear element includes a first electrode provided over a substrate, an oxide semiconductor film provided on and in contact with the first electrode and having a concentration of hydrogen of 5×1019 atoms/cm3 or less, a second electrode provided on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film covering the first electrode, the oxide semiconductor film, and the second electrode, and third electrodes provided in contact with the gate insulating film and facing each other with the first electrode, the oxide semiconductor film, and the second electrode interposed therebetween or a third electrode provided in contact with the gate insulating film and surrounding the second electrode. The third electrodes are connected to the first electrode or the second electrode. With the non-linear element, a power diode or a rectifier is formed.
US08643003B2 Light emitting device
An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting element or a light emitting device that can be formed without any regard for a work function of an electrode. Another object of the invention is to provide a light emitting element or a light emitting device in that the range of choice for a material of an electrode can be widened. In an aspect of the invention, a light emitting device includes first, second and third layers between mutually-facing first and second electrodes. The first layer has a donor level. The second layer is a single layer or a laminated body containing a light emitting substance. The third layer has an acceptor level. When a potential of the second electrode is set higher than that of the first electrode, holes generated in the second layer are injected in the third layer.
US08643002B2 Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode display includes a substrate, a display unit that includes a common power line and a common electrode, an encapsulation substrate that is attached to the substrate by an adhering layer enclosing the display unit and includes a resin matrix and a plurality of carbon fiber. The display includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. The first conductive portion is on a first inner surface region, a first side surface region, and a first outer surface region of the encapsulation substrate. The first conductive portion is adapted to supply a first electrical signal to the common power line. The second conductive portion is on a second inner surface region, a second side surface region, and a second outer surface region of the encapsulation substrate. The second conductive portion is adapted to supply a second electrical signal to the common electrode.
US08642993B2 Nonpolar III-nitride light emitting diodes with long wavelength emission
A III-nitride film, grown on an m-plane substrate, includes multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with a barrier thickness of 27.5 nm or greater and a well thickness of 8 nm or greater. An emission wavelength can be controlled by selecting the barrier thickness of the MQWs. Device fabricated using the III-nitride film include nonpolar III-nitride light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a long wavelength emission.
US08642985B2 Memory Cell
A memory cell includes a memory element, a current-limiting element electrically coupled to the memory element, and a high-selection-ratio element electrically coupled to the current-limiting element. The memory element is configured to store data as a resistance state. The current-limiting element is a voltage-controlled resistor (VCR) having a resistance that decreases when a voltage applied thereto increases. The high-selection-ratio element has a first resistance that is small when a voltage applied to the memory cell is approximately equal to a selection voltage of the memory cell, and has a second resistance that is substantially larger than the first resistance when the voltage applied to the memory cell is approximately equal to one-half of the selection voltage.
US08642983B2 Electromagnetic wave emission device
An electromagnetic wave emission device includes a nonlinear crystal, a prism, and a cylindrical lens. The nonlinear crystal has an optical waveguide, receives exciting light having at least two wavelength components, and outputs an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to or more than 0.01 [THz] and equal to or less than 100 [THz] by means of the Cherenkov phase matching. The prism includes an electromagnetic wave input surface receiving the electromagnetic wave from the optical waveguide and an electromagnetic wave transmission surface through which the electromagnetic wave which has entered from the electromagnetic wave input surface passes. The cylindrical lens has two bottom surfaces opposed to each other, a flat surface intersecting with the two bottom surfaces, and a curved surface intersecting with the two bottom surfaces and the flat surface, wherein the flat surface is in contact with the electromagnetic wave transmission surface.
US08642977B2 Article including semiconductor nanocrystals
An article comprising an array of semiconductor nanocrystals arranged in a predetermined pattern, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystals are capable of generating light of one or more predetermined wavelengths in response to ambient light. In one embodiment the semiconductor nanocrystals emit light of different predetermined wavelengths.
US08642974B2 Encapsulation of electrodes in solid media for use in conjunction with fluid high voltage isolation
An inductively-coupled plasma source for a focused charged particle beam system includes a conductive shield that provides improved electrical isolation and reduced capacitive RF coupling and a dielectric fluid that insulates and cools the plasma chamber. The conductive shield may be enclosed in a solid dielectric media. The dielectric fluid may be circulated by a pump or not circulated by a pump. A heat tube can be used to cool the dielectric fluid.
US08642971B2 Neutron dosimeter
The invention relates to a neutron dosimeter comprising a neutron moderator (12), a first radiation detector (14), which is situated in the neutron moderator (12) and is surrounded by a first metal body (28) containing material that can be activated by neutrons, a second radiation detector (16), which is situated in the neutron moderator (12) close to the first radiation detector (14) and is surrounded by a second metal body (30) that substantially cannot be activated by neutrons. The first metal body (28) and the second metal body (30) are designed in such a way that they substantially have the same degree of absorption of photons. The dosimeter also comprises an evaluation circuit, which is connected to the radiation detectors and is equipped to suppress electrical impulses generated by ionising radiation using a pulse intensity that lies below a predefined pulse intensity threshold.
US08642968B2 Tomographic image generating apparatus and tomographic image generating method
A tomographic image of a subject is generated from projection image data acquired in a series of image capturing processes carried out by a radiation detector based on radiation emitted from a radiation source and transmitted through the subject. An extrapolating process is performed on each of the projection image data along a prescribed direction, and a smoothing process is performed on each of the projection image data along a direction perpendicular to the prescribed direction, thereby determining values of a plurality of pixels in non-detecting regions, which do not belong to a detecting region of the radiation detector. The determined values of the pixels also are used to generate the tomographic image.
US08642962B2 Dual narrow-broad focus sensing of proximity
A proximity detection system is described among devices in a unified communications network. A narrow beam LED and a diffuse beam LED, both located near a first object, such as a computer monitor, provide a light illumination pattern detected by a narrow beam light detector and a broad beam light detector, both located near a second device, such as a headset. A processor calculates the ratio of measured intensity from the narrow beam LED compared to the broad beam LED as measured by the broad beam detector to provide an estimate for how far off axis the second object (e.g., a user of the headset) is with respect to the centerline in front of the second object (e.g., the computer monitor). The processor also calculates the ratio of measured intensity of the narrow IR beam detector to the broad IR beam detector to provide an estimate of the second object's orientation (e.g., the headset user's head) with respect to the first object to determine if the second object is facing the first object.
US08642959B2 Method and system of performing three-dimensional imaging using an electron microscope
A method and electron microscope system of performing three-dimensional imaging using an electron microscope. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising generating an electron beam, and creating a hollow-cone electron beam (by passing the electron beam through an annular aperture), focusing the hollow-cone electron beam to form a probe, scanning a specimen using the probe; and performing three-dimensional imaging based on the scanning.
US08642952B2 Apparatus and methods for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
The invention provides improved apparatus for, and methods of, ionizing analyte molecules in a flow of gas, typically at or around atmospheric pressure. The invention may be used to facilitate mass spectrometric analysis of analytes comprised in the effluent form a gas chromatograph. Ionization may be effected by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization or by atmospheric pressure photo ionization.
US08642945B2 Arrangement for a removable ion-optical assembly in a mass spectrometer
A device for use in a mass spectrometer allows an ion-optical assembly to be removed, cleaned and reinserted with relatively high positioning accuracy. In particular, the device obviates the need for complex adjustments requiring special knowledge after the reinsertion. The objective is achieved by an arrangement comprising a receptacle and a mount for a removable ion-optical assembly in a mass spectrometer. Favorable implementations provide a mount and a receptacle with three pairs of complementary support elements, the three support elements on the receptacle form a support plane, and, when the mount is inserted into the receptacle, at least two pairs of support elements are engaged and the mount is aligned with respect to the support plane with the aid of the third pair of support elements.
US08642938B2 Shared time of flight pixel
A time of flight pixel includes a photodiode that accumulates charge in response to light incident upon the photodiode. A first transfer transistor is couple between the photodiode and a first charge storage device to selectively transfer charge to the first charge storage device from the photodiode. A second transfer transistor coupled between the photodiode and a second charge storage device to selectively transfer charge to the second charge storage device from the photodiode. An enable transistor is coupled between the first charge storage device and a readout node coupled to the second charge storage device to selectively couple the first charge storage device to the readout node. An amplifier transistor having a gate is also coupled to a readout node.
US08642933B2 Microwave pellet furnace and method
One aspect is a microwave furnace including a conveyor for conveying a first material layer, and a second material layer carried on the first material layer, through the furnace. A microwave heating zone is configured for heating the second material layer with a microwave generator as the conveyer conveys the layers through the microwave heating zone. The second material layer consists of a metal-containing material. A direct heat zone is configured for heating the second material layer with a direct heat source as the conveyer conveys the layers through the direct heat zone. A discharge is provided for discharging the material layers out of the microwave furnace.
US08642927B2 Heater and image heating apparatus having the heater installed therein
The image heating apparatus includes first and second lines having a first and second heat generation blocks, the first and second lines being disposed at different positions in a transverse direction, wherein the first and second lines are arranged so that a whole of first heat generation block in the first line and a whole of second heat generation block in the second line overlap with each other in the longitudinal direction, and a whole of second heat generation block in the first line and a whole of first heat generation block in the second line overlap with each other in the longitudinal direction. By the virtue of the present invention, it achieves to be capable of suppressing a temperature rise in a non-sheet feeding area in a case of printing a sheet smaller in size than a maximum size supported by the image heating apparatus.
US08642926B2 Electric heating system, in particular for use as an auxiliary heating system for automobiles
An electric heating system, in particular an auxiliary heating system in automobiles, in which the heating system has several heating rods (1), arranged side-by-side; the heating rods (1) are connected to each other by means of alike metal plates (4) that are slid onto the heating rods (1); the heating rods (1) have for this purpose a series of slotted holes (3) that extend in the longitudinal direction (10) of the metal plates (4); the slotted holes (3) have longitudinal edges, facing each other, that clamp the heating rods (1) between them; and at least one part of the slotted holes (3) in each metal plate (4) is longer by more than the manufacturing tolerance, than the width of the heating rods (1) measured in the longitudinal direction (10) of the metal plates (4).
US08642921B2 Welder having a wireless receiver for remote control
Welding apparatus includes a welding machine that generates welding electric power and an input unit that includes input switches for controlling the operations of the welding machine. The welding apparatus also includes a wireless receiver unit that is electrically connected to the inputs of the input unit to receive wireless instructions for controlling the operations of the welding machine.
US08642918B2 Adaptive optic beamshaping in laser processing systems
A laser processing system quickly and flexibly modifies a processing beam to determine and implement an improved or optimum beam profile for a particular application (or a subset of the application). The system reduces the sensitivity of beam shaping subsystems to variations in the laser processing system, including those due to manufacturing tolerances, thermal drift, variations in component performance, and other sources of system variation. Certain embodiments also manipulate lower quality laser beams (higher M2 values) to provide acceptable shaped beam profiles.
US08642915B2 Wire electric discharge machining apparatus
An object is to enable highly accurate machining by correcting machining conditions by referring to a programmed trajectory to obtain a desired machining shape. A wire electric discharge machining apparatus includes a machining-condition correcting unit that corrects machining conditions in each machining stage corresponding to a circular arc radius of a portion corresponding to a corner portion of a programmed trajectory, in the corner portion formed by changing a direction of relatively moving a wire electrode, when the wire electrode is moved on a wire center trajectory, which is offset from the programmed trajectory prestored in order to obtain a desired machining shape to perform finish machining in each machining stage with an offset amount being changed.
US08642911B2 Route enhanced dispatch module
A route enhanced mail sorting and dispatch system and method sorts mail based on carrier route and then arranges the mail into delivery point order in a single pass that accommodates both letter and flat format mail. Mail sorting based on carrier routes and arrangement into delivery point order is achieved through a plurality of route enhanced dispatch modules. Each dispatch module has upper and lower helical mail conveyors. The lower helical mail conveyor is linearly translatable and can moved to a plurality of positions. Mail sorted based on carrier route is held in the upper helical mail conveyor before being placed or dropped into an allocated position in the lower helical mail conveyor by a put away shuttle. The lower helical mail conveyor can then be rotated to dispatch the mail in delivery point order.
US08642910B2 Selective-sorting harvesting machine and sorting chain including one such machine
A selective-sorting berry-harvesting machine includes a supply system which supplies a computer vision system, a computer vision system including an artificial vision device for acquiring images of harvest components originating from the supply system and a processing device for analyzing said images so that the harvest components can be recognised and differentiated according to pre-established criteria, and a system for selectively separating whole, ripe and healthy berries from other components of the harvest, controlled by the processing device. The supply system is configured such that the harvest can be spread out to form a single layer, harvest components can be isolated individually and the harvest components, particularly the whole, ripe and healthy berries, can be moved rectilinearly at a controlled speed so that they are conveyed individually through the computer vision system. The computer vision system is configured to individualize and locate each element to control the selective separation system.
US08642908B2 Electronic device having a hidden input key and method of manufacturing an electronic device
An electronic device comprises a housing having an outer face and an inner face. A key is provided on the housing, which comprises a micro hole formed in the housing and a conductive material extending within the micro hole to the outer face of the housing. A sensor is coupled to the conductive material to detect whether an object is brought into contact or out of contact with the micro hole at the outer face.
US08642907B2 Electrical switching apparatus and opening assembly therefor
An opening assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus having a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a poleshaft. The opening assembly includes a spring link comprising a first portion structured to be pivotably coupled to the poleshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion. A number of opening springs each include a fixed end fixedly coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of the spring link. The spring link is movable between an open position, wherein the opening springs bias the spring link and poleshaft to maintain full separation of the separable contacts, and a closed position, wherein the opening springs do not bias the poleshaft.
US08642906B2 Relay for electric vehicle
Disclosed is a relay for an electric vehicle capable of guiding a precise assembly of a cover assembly and a supporting plate. The supporting plate comprises a position guiding portion protruding from an upper surface thereof so as to guide the cover assembly to be located on a predetermined position of the supporting plate when assembling the cover assembly and the supporting plate to each other.
US08642905B2 Charging assembly with over rotation control and electrical switching apparatus employing same
A charging assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The charging assembly includes a stored energy mechanism, such as a closing spring, which is movable between charged and discharged positions. A cast member is coupled to the closing spring and moves therewith. The cast member includes a projection. A cam shaft is pivotably coupled to the housing, and includes a number of cams. A catchment, which is also pivotably coupled to the housing, includes an impact surface and a protrusion. The impact surface cooperates with a corresponding one of the cams to resist over rotation of the cam shaft. The protrusion of the catchment cooperates with the projection of the cast member to maintain the desired relationship between the catchment and the cam.
US08642896B2 Printed circuit board, printed circuit board fabrication method, and electronic device including printed circuit board
A printed circuit board include: a printed circuit board main body having a mounting area on a first surface of the printed circuit board main body and a recess being provided at a recess area on a second surface that is a back side of the first surface of the printed circuit board main body, the electronic component being mounted on the mounting area, the recess area being provided to correspond to the mounting area; and a thermal expansion control element being placed in the recess and having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the printed circuit board main body.
US08642893B2 Copper foil for printed circuit and copper-clad laminate
A copper foil for a printed circuit having a roughened layer on a surface of a copper foil by way of copper-cobalt-nickel alloy plating, a cobalt-nickel alloy plated layer formed on the roughened layer, and a zinc-nickel alloy plated layer formed on the cobalt-nickel alloy plated layer, wherein the total amount of the zinc-nickel alloy plated layer is 150 to 500 pg/dm2, the lower limit of the nickel ratio in the alloy layer is 0.16, the upper limit thereof is 0.40, and the nickel content is 50 pg/dm2 or more.
US08642891B2 Closure and interconnect systems and methods of using dry silicone gels in closure and interconnect systems
Methods and systems are provided for a dry silicone gel in a closure or interconnect system. The dry silicone gel may be made by reacting a crosslinker, a chain extender, and a vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. The reaction may be conducted in the presence of a catalyst. In certain embodiments, the dry silicone gel may comprise: (1) a hardness between 100 g and 300 g, (2) a stress relaxation between 30% and 60% when subjected to a deformation of 50% of the original size of the gel, (3) a compression set between 4% and 20% after 50% strain has been applied to the gel for 1000 hours at 70° C., and/or (4) less than 10% oil bleed out under compression of 1.2 atm after 60 days at 60° C.
US08642890B2 Method and apparatus for communicating between a cab and chassis of a truck
An apparatus for communicating between a cab and a chassis of a truck comprises a multi-conductor cable having a plurality of circuits. The multi-conductor cable is of a length to extend substantially the length of the chassis, to carry various communication functions between the cab and a distal end of the chassis.
US08642883B2 Heterojunction solar cell
A solar cell including a base semiconductor layer having a first bandgap, an emitter semiconductor layer having a second bandgap and a depletion semiconductor layer positioned between the base semiconductor layer and the emitter semiconductor layer, the depletion semiconductor layer having a third bandgap, wherein the third bandgap is greater than the first bandgap and the second bandgap.
US08642878B2 Pickup assemblies, systems and methods for stringed instruments
A pickup assembly is provided comprising a bridge defining an elongated slot, a saddle at least partially disposed within the slot, and at least one transducer. The slot has a slot end surface and two side walls. The saddle has a string contact surface, a saddle end surface generally opposite the string contact surface, and two opposing side surfaces. The at least one piezoelectric transducer may be located on a side wall of the slot, and have a contact surface in contact with a side surface of the saddle. The at least one transducer may be located on the slot end surface of the slot, and the contact surface contacts the saddle end surface of the saddle. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the bridge and engageable with the transducer. The transducer is adjustable relative to the saddle such that when the adjustment mechanism engages the transducer the force between the transducer and the saddle is adjusted.
US08642877B1 Vibration applying assembly
A vibration applying assembly (VAA) 10 having a base from where extends a vertical tube having attached to its upper end a hollow forked structure and near its lower end a forked cradle. The structure and the cradle are dimensioned to releasably retain a stringed musical instrument such as an acoustic guitar inserted into the hollow forked structure are a pair of vibrator motors that when energized produce a vibration that permeates through the VAA and an attached acoustic guitar. The applied vibrations provide the means by which an acoustic guitar is pre-maturely aged to enhance the guitar's resonance and the tonal quality.
US08642871B2 Instructional music reading and instrument playing system and method
A system and method is provided for instructing students and players to read music notation and to play an instrument. The method includes presenting an interactive display including a graphical representation of at least a portion of a musical instrument and a plurality of lines having spaces therebetween. The plurality of lines and spaces represent a staff of musical notation. The method includes associating the lines and spaces with placement of at least one of a student's fingers to the instrument. The method further includes presenting, on the interactive display, a musical score including a plurality of notes by streaming each of the notes on one of the lines and spaces such that when each of the notes meets a portion of the graphical representation of the musical instrument the student, in response, manipulates a corresponding one of their fingers to play the instrument.
US08642868B1 Beater bracket and variable drive lever system with variable pivot point spring rotor for bass drum foot pedals
Described is a bass drum foot pedal having a variable drive lever linkage with variable arc ratios connecting the foot pedal to a beater bracket. The beater bracket is formed with a mounting surface that tips a beater shaft forward to create a forward beater angle that maximizes the beater impact against a bass drum.
US08642859B1 Stringed instrument bending stress relief
A stringed musical instrument including a body connected to a neck and including a stress modification system for reducing bending stress in the neck. The stress modification system includes a first anchor and second anchor, each mounted at a proximal end of the neck on a top and bottom surface, respectively. The system further includes a diverter for guiding the string from the first anchor to the second anchor and for equalizing the tension along the string from the first anchor to the second anchor. The diverter may include one of a pulley, a roller, a wheel, and a low-friction pad. The first anchor or second anchor may include a tensioner for modifying the tension in the string. The bottom surface of the neck may include a recessed channel in which the string is disposed. In certain other embodiments, at least a portion of the neck is hollow.
US08642854B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV568858
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV568858. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV568858, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV568858 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV568858 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV568858.
US08642853B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV489341
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV489341. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV489341, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV489341 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV489341 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV489341.
US08642852B2 Plants and seeds of corn variety CV651587
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV651587. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV651587, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV651587 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV651587 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV651587.
US08642846B2 Barley with low levels of hordeins
The present invention relates to methods of producing a food or malt-base beverage suitable for consumption by a subject with Coeliac's disease. In particular, the present invention relates to methods of producing a food or malt-based beverage with low levels of hordeins. Also provided are barley plants which produce grain that can be used in the methods of the invention.
US08642845B2 Disease resistant pepper plants
The present invention relates to pepper plants resistant to powdery mildew disease as well as to infection by potyviruses, particularly potato virus Y (PVY). Specifically, the present invention relates to pepper plants comprising a viral resistance allele and a powdery mildew resistant allele in cis configuration on the same chromosome, such that the two resistance alleles are in coupling phase.
US08642841B2 Lettuce line RS 16890990
The invention provides seed and plants of the lettuce line designated RS 16890990. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of lettuce line RS 16890990, and to methods for producing a lettuce plant produced by crossing a plant of lettuce line RS 16890990 with itself or with another lettuce plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of lettuce line RS 16890990, including the gametes of such plants.
US08642840B2 Nitrogen-efficient monocot plants
Methods of increasing nitrogen utilization efficiency in monocot plants through genetic modification to increase the levels of alanine aminotransferase expression and plants produced there from are described. In particular, methods for increasing the biomass and yield of transgenic monocot plants grown under nitrogen limiting conditions compared to non-transgenic plants are described. In this way, monocot plants may be produced that maintain a desired yield while reducing the need for high levels of nitrogen application.
US08642839B2 Method for the transient expression of nucleic acids in plants
Compositions and methods for transiently expressing proteins in a plant are provided. The compositions comprise plants, seeds, plant tissues, and plant parts expressing a protein, wherein the protein is expressed transiently and the transient expression of the protein can be used as a predictive model of how said protein will be expressed in stable transgenic plants in regards to qualitative and quantitative data. The predictive model may be used but is not limited to: promoter evaluation, evaluation of expression cassette construction for best performance (e.g. addition of enhancers or gene silencing suppressors), evaluation of best ways to express heterologous genes (e.g. point mutations, targeting), fast evaluation of endogenous gene knockout, evaluation of protein expression levels, cellular targeting, tissue targeting, transcriptional enhancers, translational enhancer protein toxicity and metabolic profiling. Further provided are methods of use.
US08642837B2 Method to increase pathogen resistance in plants
The invention provides a method for enhancing resistance in plants by providing these plants with a gene construct comprising a DNA sequence coding for a receptor for a systemic signal compound, wherein such a systemic signal compound is one or more of the group consisting of salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and brassinosteroids. The resistance can the be induced by contacting said plants with said signal compound. Preferably, the receptor is an RKS receptor, salicylic acid receptor or jasmonic acid receptor. Also combinations and/or chimaeric receptors can be applied.
US08642829B2 Storage container for spent nuclear fuel with improved closing
A container for confining nuclear waste, including a sleeve of longitudinal axis closed at a first longitudinal end by a base and a second longitudinal free end via which the container is designed to be loaded, a plug configured to close the second longitudinal free end tightly, a flange fixed on the inner face of the sleeve to the side of the second longitudinal free end, the plug having at least one external diameter substantially equal to at least one internal diameter of the flange, the plug configured to be welded on the flange such that the welding zone is offset radially towards an interior of the container, relative to an inner face of the sleeve.
US08642827B2 Method for cooling in distillation and polymerisation process by absorption refrigeration
Processes for the separation of a hydrocarbon-containing feed streams are described herein. The processes generally include cooling the hydrocarbon-containing feed stream using a first absorption refrigeration cycle to form a cooled feed stream, introducing the cooled feed stream into a first distillation zone for subjecting the cooled feed stream to distillation conditions adapted to remove a first bottom stream including co-monomer and a first overhead stream including hydrocarbon diluents, olefin monomer and further components selected from H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, formaldehyde and combinations thereof, passing the overhead stream from the first distillation zone to a second distillation zone for subjecting the overhead stream to distillation conditions adapted to remove a second bottom stream including substantially olefin-free hydrocarbon diluents, a side stream including hydrocarbon diluent and a second overhead vapor stream including olefin monomer, diluents and further components selected from H2, N2, O2, CO, CO2, formaldehyde and combinations thereof, cooling the second overhead vapor stream using a second absorption refrigeration cycle to form a cooled overhead vapor stream and separating olefin monomer from diluents in the cooled overhead vapor stream.
US08642825B2 Membrane-supported catalysts and the process of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane using the same
The present invention provides a continuous process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene using a mixed oxide catalyst supported onto a ceramic membrane by supplying an oxygen containing gas (air or pure oxygen) and pure ethane to the opposite sides of the membrane, so that the paraffin and the oxygen do not directly mix in the reactor.
US08642823B2 UZM-39 aluminosilicate zeolite
A new family of coherently grown composites of TUN and IMF zeotypes have been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. NanMmk+TtAl1-xExSiyOz where “n” is the mole ratio of Na to (Al+E), M represents a metal or metals from zinc, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and or the lanthanide series of the periodic table, “m” is the mole ratio of M to (Al+E), “k” is the average charge of the metal or metals M, T is the organic structure directing agent or agents, and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to TNU-9 and IM-5 but are characterized by unique compositions and synthesis procedures and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes and separation properties for carrying out various separations.
US08642822B2 Processes for converting gaseous alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons using microchannel reactor
A process for converting gaseous alkanes to olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes may be thermally or catalytically reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide. Poly-brominated alkanes present in the alkyl bromides may be further reacted with methane over a suitable catalyst to form mono-brominated species. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrogen bromide may then be reacted over a suitable catalyst at a temperature sufficient to form olefins, higher molecular weight hydrocarbons or mixtures thereof and hydrogen bromide. Various methods and reactions are disclosed to remove the hydrogen bromide from the higher molecular weight hydrocarbons, to generate bromine from the hydrogen bromide for use in the process, to store and subsequently release bromine for use in the process, and to selectively form mono-brominated alkanes in the bromination step. One or more of the reactions of the processes of the present invention may be conducted in a microchannel reactor.
US08642821B2 Bromination of telomer mixtures derived from toluene and styrene
This invention relates to novel and useful toluene and styrene derived telomer distributions, such distributions being desirable substrates for the preparation of brominated flame retardants.
US08642818B2 Process for the manufacture of hydrofluoroolefins
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf, CF3—CF═CH2) from 1,1,3,3-tetrachlororopropene (1230za, CCl2═CH—CHCl2) and/or 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloropropane (240fa, CCl3CH2CHCl2). The process comprises an isomerization step of 1-chloro-3,3,3 trifluoropropene (1233zd, CF3—CH═CHCl) to 2-chloro-3,3,3 trifluoropropene (1233xf or CF3—CCl═CH2).
US08642815B2 Fragrance and methods for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6, 10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one, and 2-isopropyl-6, 10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1, 6-dien-8-one
The present invention is directed to novel methods for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone, 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethylspiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one, which are useful for their fragrant qualities. Provided are methods for production of premnaspirodiene from a terpene substrate, methods for production of 5-epi-β-vetivone from premnaspirodiene as starting material, and methods for production of 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-2,6-dien-8-one and 2-isopropyl-6,10-dimethyl-spiro[4.5]deca-1,6-dien-8-one from premnaspirodiene as starting material.
US08642812B2 Frustrated Lewis pair compositions
A compound having the formula (I) where each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is independently C6-C18 aryl-, C5-C8 cycloalkyl-, C6-C18 aryl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C5-C8 cycloalkyl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C4-C20 branched alkyl-, C16-C20 linear alkyl-, RO—, —NRR′, —PRR′, —SR, fluoro substituted forms thereof, and perfluoro forms thereof: and R5 is C6-C18 aryl-, C3-C8 cycloalkyl-, C6-C18 aryl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C5-C8 cycloalkyl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C3-C20 branched alkyl-, C2-C30 linear alkyl-, fluoro substituted forms thereof, and perfluoro forms thereof; where R and R′ are each independently C6-C18 aryl-, C5-C8 cycloalkyl-, C6-C18 aryl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C5-C8 cycloalkyl having at least one C1-C20 alkyl substituent, C4-C20 branched alkyl-, C2-C30 linear alkyl-, fluoro substituted forms thereof, and perfluoro forms thereof; A is N, P, S, or O with the proviso that when A is S, R2 is a nullity; and M is B, Al, Ga or In.
US08642810B2 Method for the direct amination of hydrocarbons into amino hydrocarbons, including electrochemical separation of hydrogen and electrochemical reaction of the hydrogen into water
Process for the direct amination of hydrocarbons to aminohydrocarbons by reaction of a feed stream E comprising at least one hydrocarbon and at least one aminating reagent to form a reaction mixture R comprising aminohydrocarbon and hydrogen in a reaction zone RZ and electrochemical separation of at least part of the hydrogen formed in the reaction from the reaction mixture R by means of a gastight membrane-electrode assembly having at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane and at least one electrode catalyst on each side of the membrane, where at least part of the hydrogen is oxidized to protons at the anode catalyst on the retentate side of the membrane and the protons pass through the membrane and on the permeate side are reacted with oxygen to form water, where the oxygen originates from an oxygen-comprising stream O which is brought into contact with the permeate side of the membrane, over the cathode catalyst.
US08642809B2 Methods of synthesis of certain hydroxamic acid compounds
The present invention pertains to the general field of chemical synthesis, and more particularly to methods for the synthesis of certain hydroxamic acid compounds, and in particular, (E)-N-hydroxy-3-(3-phenylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-acrylamide, also known as PXD101 and Belinostat®, comprising, for example, the steps of: (SAF) sulfonamide formation; (PURC) optional purification; (AAA) alkenyl-acid addition, comprising: either (i): the steps of, in order: (ACAEA) alkenyl-carboxylic acid ester addition; (PURE) optional purification; and (CAD) carboxylic acid deprotection; or (ii): the step of: (ACAA) alkenyl-carboxylic acid addition; (PURF) optional purification; (HAF) hydroxamic acid formation; and (PURG) optional purification.
US08642808B2 Bis-aryl sulfonamides
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of chemokine receptors. The compounds are generally aryl sulfonamide derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of chemokine receptor-mediated diseases, and as controls in assays for the identification of chemokine antagonists.
US08642807B2 Crystallized diacetylenic indicator compounds and methods of preparing the compounds
Crystallized diacetylenic compounds having certain crystallographic and other characteristics; diacetylenic compounds and mixtures crystallized from diacetylenic solutions; methods of preparing and identifying solvent systems for dissolving diacetylenic compounds; diacetylenic solutions; methods of recrystallizing diacetylenic compounds; crystals of 2,4-hexadiyn-1,6-bis(alkylurea) compounds; and ambient condition indicators and time-temperature condition indicators comprising crystallized diacetylenic compounds.
US08642805B2 Method of producing phthaloyl dichloride compound, catalyst for use in the method, and method of forming the catalyst
A method of producing a phthaloyl dichloride compound, the method including: providing a compound represented by the following formula (1) and a compound represented by the following formula (2); and bringing the compound represented by the following formula (1) and the compound represented by the following formula (2) into reaction, so as to form a compound represented by the following formula (3), in the presence of at least one compound selected from a zirconium compound, a hafnium compound, and zinc oxide; wherein, in formulae, X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a methyl group, or a methoxy group; when the X is plural, Xs may be the same or different from each other; n represents an integer of from 0 to 2; R represents a halogen atom, a chlorocarbonyl group, a low carbon number alkyl group, or a halogen-substituted low carbon number alkyl group; when the R is plural, Rs may be the same or different from each other; and m represents an integer of from 0 to 2.
US08642801B2 Methods and compositions for treating amyloid-related diseases
Methods, compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and kits are described for treating or preventing amyloid-related disease.
US08642800B2 Preparation method of acylbenzenes
A process for the production of acylbenzenes, comprising reacting diacetoxybenzoyl chloride with a Grignard reagent in the presence of an iron-containing catalyst. The acylbenzenes are useful intermediates in a multistep process for the preparation of resveratrol.
US08642794B1 Biosurfactant compounds produced by Aureobasidium pullulans
Disclosed are novel compounds having biosurfactant activity that are produced by an Aureobasidium pullulans L-3-GPY strain. The chemical structure of the novel compounds having biosurfactant activity has been analyzed by using a spectrophotometer, and it has been confirmed that the compounds produced by the above strain show excellent surfactant activity.The active ingredient of the biosurfactant according to the present invention can be applied in various fields such as a cleansing and purifying compositions. Further, the active ingredient of the biosurfactant can be used in numerous industrial fields where chemical surfactants have been conventionally used such as medical, foods, cosmetics, purification of oil contaminated land and seawater, milk fat degradation, and the like.
US08642793B1 Biosurfactant produced by Aureobasidium pullulans
Disclosed is a novel compound having biosurfactant activity that is produced by Aureobasidium pullulans L-3-GPY strains (KCCM11200P).The novelty of the structure of the compound having biosurfactant activity was evaluated using spectroscopy, and it was determined that the biosurfactant produced by the strains has excellent surfactant activity.Active ingredients of the biosurfactant may be used for various purposes, for example, for producing a composition for washing and cleaning agents. Furthermore, they can be used in a variety of industrial fields where chemically synthesized surfactants are used such as medicines, foods, cosmetics, onshore and offshore oil decontamination, degradation of oil and fat in treatment tanks, and the like where chemically synthesized surfactants are used.
US08642792B2 Method for the synthesis of omega-amino-alkanoic acids
The invention relates to a method for the synthesis of amino acids/esters of general formula NH2—(CH2)n—COOR in which n is an integer between 5 and 14, and R is either H or an alkyl radical including from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, from natural long-chain mono-unsaturated fatty acids or esters including at least 10 adjacent carbon atoms per molecule, said method comprising: first converting, if necessary, said natural long-chain fatty acid or ester into a monounsaturated fatty acid/ester of general formula R1—(CH2)m—CH═CH—(CH2)p—COOR in which R1 is H, CH3 or a COOR radical, m is an integer between 0 and 14 and p is an integer between 2 and 11, then submitting the latter to a crossed catalytic metathesis reaction with a compound of formula R2—CH═CH—R3 in which R2 is either H or CN and R3 is CN or CH2NH2, provided that if R2 is CN, R3 can be only CN, and finally converting the resulting product of the general formula R3—CH═CH—(CH2)p—COOR into an amino-acid, either by hydrogenation, or by hydrogenation of the triple terminal bond, or by amination of the double terminal bond.
US08642788B2 Activators of executioner procaspases 3, 6 and 7
The present invention provides compounds as activators of procaspases 3, 6 and/or 7 and related derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, methods for their use, and methods for preparing these compounds. In one aspect, the compounds are useful for treating cancers and neoplastic diseases.
US08642787B2 Surface modified nanoparticles, methods of their preparation, and uses thereof for gene and drug delivery
A composition comprises a surface modified nanoparticle comprising a core comprising a material selected from the group consisting of organic materials, organometallic materials, inorganic materials, metals, metal oxides, and combinations thereof; and a surface branch covalently linked to the core having the general formula (3):
US08642785B2 Photolabile dinitroindolinyl based compounds
The present invention relates to photolabile or photoreleasable compounds including a caging moiety linked to an effector moiety, wherein the compounds are capable of releasing the effector moiety on irradiation, typically by flash irradiation with UV light. These compounds are particularly suitable for focal 2-photon uncaging The photoreleasable compounds can be used to deliver effector moieties such as carboxylic acids, preferably, neuroactive amino acids to sites where their activity is required. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the caging moiety is based on 4-carboxymethoxy-5,7-dinitroinlinyl and derivatives thereof.
US08642783B2 Process for preparing chiral compounds
The present invention is directed to a 2-deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase (DERA) chemoenzymatic process for making chiral compounds.
US08642782B2 Carbazole derivative, light-emitting element material and organic semiconductor material
An object is to provide a novel carbazole derivative that has an excellent carrier-transport property and can be suitably used for a transport layer or as a host material of a light-emitting element. Another object is to provide an organic semiconductor material and a light-emitting element material each using the carbazole derivative. As the carbazole derivative that can achieve the above objects, a carbazole derivative in which a carbazolyl group whose either 2- or 3-position of carbazole is substituted by the 4-position of a dibenzothiophene skeleton or a dibenzofuran skeleton is bonded to aromatic hydrocarbon that has 14 to 70 carbon atoms and includes a condensed tricyclic ring, a condensed tetracyclic ring, a condensed pentacyclic ring, a condensed hexacyclic ring, or a condensed heptacyclic ring has been able to be synthesized.
US08642778B2 Ionic liquids
The present invention relates to chemical compounds comprising a [Y(CHRa)n—CH(Ra)SO3]− anion, their preparation and application. The chemical compounds are preferably ionic liquids.
US08642776B2 Indazole, benzisoxazole, and benzisothiazole kinase inhibitors
Compounds having the formula are useful for inhibiting protein tyrosine kinases. The present invention also discloses methods of making the compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment using the compounds.
US08642770B2 Indole derivative
The present invention provides an indole derivative having a melanin-concentrating hormone receptor antagonistic action, which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of obesity and the like.The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US08642768B2 Dimethyl-benzoic acid compounds
The present invention provides a compound of the Formula II: wherein A is: R1 is CH3, CF3, or F; R2 is H, CH3, or F; R3 is CH3, OCH3, OH, F; R4 is OH or CH2OH; and X is CH or N; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08642767B2 Process for the preparation of 6-(7-((1-aminocyclopropyl)methoxy)-6-methoxyquinolin-4-yloxy)-N-methyl-1-naphthamide and synthetic intermediates thereof
A process for the preparation in high yields and purity of the compound 6-(7-4(1-aminocyclopropyl)methoxy)-6-methoxyquinolin-4-yloxy)-N-methyl-1-naphthamide of formula (I) and of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is described. The process has various advantages over those previously described, in particular it avoids the use of acyl azide intermediates and their Curtius rearrangement. Novel intermediates useful for the preparation of compound (I) are also described.
US08642766B2 Synthesis of (+) cortistatin A and related compounds
An in vitro synthesis of (+) cortistatin A from readily available precursors is disclosed, as are the syntheses of related 17-aryl substituted compounds, the 17-aryl substituted compounds themselves and novel compounds useful in their preparation.
US08642763B2 Ni complex and its derivatives, producing method, and the use thereof as an antioxidant
The present invention relates to a novel nickel complex and its derivatives, which mimic the active site of Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD). The five-coordinate Ni(II) and Ni(III) complexes or their derivatives, and six-coordinate derivatives have the following structures of formula (I) and (II): The nickel complexes and their derivatives of the invention act as anti-oxidants or free radical scavengers. The invented nickel complexes can be used in the preparation of medicines, health foods or cosmetics for human, animals and plants, or can be used in environmental or soil protection.
US08642762B2 Methods for producing materials with photo- and electroluminescence properties and systems using such materials
The invention is directed to a method of preparing polymeric metallomacrocycles having measurable photo- and electroluminescence properties and devices using such materials. In an embodiment, an O-hexyl-3,5-bis(terpyridine)phenol ligand has been synthesized and transformed into a hexagonal Zn(II)-metallomacrocycle by a facile self-assembly procedure capitalizing on terpyridine-Zn(II)-terpyridine connectivity. The material is usable in an OLED device based on the photo- and electro-luminescence characteristics thereof.
US08642760B2 Low hygroscopic aripiprazole drug substance and processes for the preparation thereof
The present invention provides low hygroscopic forms of aripiprazole and processes for the preparation thereof which will not convert to a hydrate or lose their original solubility even when a medicinal preparation containing the anhydrous Aripiprazole crystals is stored for an extended period.
US08642759B2 Benzene sulfonamide thiazole and oxazole compounds
The present invention provides thiazole sulfonamide and oxazole sulfonamide compounds, compositions containing the same, as well as processes for the preparation and methods for their use as pharmaceutical agents.
US08642754B2 Photoresponsive nucleic acid manufacturing method
The present invention provides a manufacturing method that can easily manufacture a compound known as photoresponsive (photocoupling) nucleic acids at high yield in a shorter period of time than that of the conventional technology. The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a photoresponsive nucleic acid which includes a step of reacting a nucleic acid having groups represented by the Formula I, the Formula III, the Formula IV, or the Formula V and a compound represented by the Formula II, or reacting a nucleic acid having groups represented by the Formula VI, the Formula VIII, the Formula IX, or the Formula X and a compound represented by the Formula VII by heating them by microwaves in the presence of a metal catalyst, a basic substance, and a solvent.
US08642750B2 Method of measuring adaptive immunity
A method of measuring immunocompetence is described. This method provides a means for assessing the effects of diseases or conditions that compromise the immune system and of therapies aimed to reconstitute it. This method is based on quantifying T-cell diversity by calculating the number of diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) beta chain variable regions from blood cells.
US08642745B2 Method for making multispecific antibodies having heteromultimeric and common components
The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. The invention also relates to the heteromultimers prepared using the method. Generally, the method provides a multispecific antibody having a common light chain associated with each heteromeric polypeptide having an antibody binding domain. Additionally the method further involves introducing into the multispecific antibody a specific and complementary interaction at the interface of a first polypeptide and the interface of a second polypeptide, so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation; and/or a free thiol-containing residue at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding free thiol-containing residue in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that a non-naturally occurring disulfide bond is formed between the first and second polypeptide. The method allows for the enhanced formation of the desired heteromultimer relative to undesired heteromultimers and homomultimers.
US08642744B2 Crosslinking reagent for analysis of protein-protein interaction
Crosslinking reagents and methods for using the same for analysis of protein-protein interactions, are provided. The crosslinking reagents include a trifunctional scaffold that links two protein linking groups to each other and branches to link an affinity tag, where the protein linking groups can be fragmented from the scaffold. The distance between the two protein linking groups can be selected to crosslink two proteins of a protein complex via accessible amino acid residues. Also provided are crosslinked polypeptide compounds and kits that include crosslinking reagents. These reagents and methods find use in a variety of applications in which crosslinking of proteins in desired.
US08642740B2 Antibodies to lymphotoxin-alpha
The invention provides various antibodies that bind to lymphotoxin-α, methods for making such antibodies, compositions and articles incorporating such antibodies, and their uses in treating, for example, an autoimmune disorder. The antibodies include murine, chimeric, and humanized antibodies.
US08642738B2 Modified vitamin K-dependent polypeptides
The invention provides vitamin K-dependent polypeptides with enhanced membrane binding affinity. These polypeptides can be used to modulate clot formation in mammals. Methods of modulating clot formation in mammals are also described.
US08642736B2 Casein complexes
Complexes comprising resveratrol and a casein, a process for their manufacture, their uses and compositions comprising them.
US08642733B2 T-cell stimulating protein B and methods of use
Polypeptides that can elicit antibodies that bind to T-cell stimulating protein B (TspB) of N. meningitidis, and methods of use, are provided.
US08642732B2 Polymer-conjugated glycosylated neublastin
The following class of molecule is disclosed: a dimer containing a first neublastin polypeptide and a second neublastin polypeptide, wherein: (a) at least one of the polypeptides is glycosylated; (b) at least one of the polypeptides is conjugated at its N-terminus to a water-soluble synthetic polymer; and (c) neither of the polypeptides is conjugated to a water-soluble synthetic polymer at a position other than the N-terminus. Such dimers possess the biological activity of wild-type neublastin while displaying enhanced serum half-life and enhanced potency relative to wild-type neublastin.
US08642729B2 Opiorphin peptide derivatives as potent inhibitors of enkephalin-degrading ectopeptidases
The present invention relates to modified opiorphin peptides as new inhibitors of metallo-ectopeptidases.
US08642725B2 Process for production of peptide thioester
A process for chemically converting a peptide chain into a peptide thioester includes, when a —C(═X)—R1 group is introduced to the thiol group of the cysteine residue and then the resulting peptide is reacted with a compound having a leaving group represented by the formula: —NH—C(═Y)NHR3 in an organic solvent, the —NH—C(═Y)NHR3 group binds via addition reaction to the carboxyl group of the N-terminal-side peptide bond of the cysteine residue, whereby the peptide bond is cleaved and the C-terminal-side peptide fragment is cut off. Further, when the resulting peptide chain having the —NH—C(═Y)NHR3 group is reacted with a thiol in a buffer solution, a thiol exchange reaction occurs, namely, the thiol group of the thiol binds to the carbonyl carbon to which the —NH—C(═Y)NHR3 group has bound, whereby the —NH—C(═Y)NHR3 group is eliminated.
US08642722B2 Preparation method of polybenzimidazole
Disclosed is a method of preparing porous polybenzimidazole. The method includes providing polyaminoimide by reacting aromatic amine including at least two ortho-positioned amino groups and acid dianhydride, obtaining polypyrrolone from the polyaminoimide, subjecting the polypyrrolone to alkaline treatment, and subjecting the alkaline-treated polypyrrolone to heat treatment. The polybenzimidazole shows permeability and selectivity for various gases due to a fractional free volume and well-connected picopores.
US08642717B2 Aliphatic polyester resin and a process for producing it
The present invention is an aliphatic polyester resin in which a polyhydroxy acid skeleton is a main component, manufactured using a polymerization catalyst, characterized in that a specific organophosphorus compound is copolymerized in the resin. Activity of the polymerization catalyst contained in the aliphatic polyester resin of the present invention after the polymerization is well lowered and a lactide is hardly produced even by heating after the polymerization or after the manufacture.
US08642715B2 Polyester film and method for producing same, backsheet for solar cell, and solar cell module
A polyester film containing a polyester resin having an intrinsic viscosity IV of from 0.73 to 0.9 dL/g in which the polyester film has a specific heat change at 85° C. to 135° C. (ΔCp) of from 0.06 to 0.1 J/g, has an excellent weather resistance, a good planar surface state and a low thermal shrinkage.
US08642712B2 Actinically-crosslinkable siloxane-containing copolymers
The invention provide a class of actinically-crosslinkable silicone-containing prepolymers obtained by functionalizing an intermediary copolymer to have two or more thiol or ethylenically-unsaturated groups covalently attached thereto, wherein the intermediary copolymer is an atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) product of a reactive mixture comprising a polysiloxane ATRP macroinitiator and at least one hydrophilic vinylic monomer. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from a prepolymer of the invention and methods for making the contact lenses in a cost-effective way and with high consistency and high fidelity to the original lens design.
US08642708B2 Silane-crosslinking compositions
The invention provides curable adhesives of high tensile sheer strength, which contain an α-silane-terminated polyurethane prepolymer containing low molecular weight polyether or polyester groups in the polymer backbone, and a silane-terminated polyether polymer containing polyether groups of higher molecular weight.
US08642704B2 Hysteresis elastomeric compositions comprising polymers terminated with isocyanato alkoxysilanes
A functionalized polymer terminated by using an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent. A method of preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the step of contacting a living polymer with an isocyanato alkoxysilane terminating agent.
US08642700B2 Thermoplastic composition having low gloss and low temperature impact performance
A thermoplastic composition suitable for making articles having low gloss and good impact resistance at low temperatures is disclosed. The composition contains (A) 10 to 90 percent relative to the weight of the composition (pbw) of an aromatic (co)poly(ester)carbonate, (B) 10 to 90 pbw of first graft (co)polymer containing a graft base selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, silicone, ethylene-propylene diene rubbers, ethylene propylene rubbers, acrylate rubbers, diene rubbers, and polychloroprene, and a grafted phase, (C) 1 to 20 pbw of a linear glycidyl ester functional polymer comprising repeating units derived from one or more glycidyl ester monomers and (D) 1 to 20 pbw of a second graft (co)polymer containing a core and shell wherein the core contains an interpenetrated network of poly(meth)alkyl acrylate and polyorganosiloxane, and wherein the shell contains poly(meth)acrylate.
US08642699B2 Fluidity improver for aromatic polycarbonate resin, process for producing the fluidity improver for aromatic polycarbonate resin, aromatic polycarbonate resin composition, and molded product
A fluidity improver for a PC resin that improves the melt fluidity during molding without impairing the excellent properties of the PC resin, and also yields a molded product in which external appearance defects are unlikely. The fluidity improver for an aromatic polycarbonate resin according to the present invention is including a first polymer obtained by polymerizing 0.5 to 99.5 parts by mass of a monomer first mixture including 0.5 to 99.5% by mass of styrene and 0.5 to 99.5% by mass of phenyl (meth)acrylates, in the presence of a second polymer obtained by polymerizing 0.5 to 99.5 parts by mass of a second monomer mixture containing 0.5 to 50% by mass of α-methylstyrene, 0.5 to 99% by mass of styrene and 0.5 to 99% by mass of phenyl (meth)acrylates, wherein the combined total of both monomer mixtures is 100 parts by mass.
US08642693B2 Scratch-resistant flameproof thermoplastic resin composition with improved compatibility
Disclosed herein is a scratch-resistant flameproof thermoplastic resin composition, the resin composition comprising a base resin including (A) about 50 to about 90% by weight of a polycarbonate resin; (B) about 1 to about 50% by weight of a methacrylic copolymer resin with a refractive index of about 1.495 to about 1.590; and (C) about 0 to about 49% by weight of a (meth)acrylic resin, and (D) about 5 to about 40 parts by weight of a flame retardant, based on about 100 parts by weight of the base resin comprising (A)+(B)+(C). The resin composition of the present invention can have good flame retardancy, scratch resistance, colorability, and good appearance due to its improved compatibility. The resin composition of the invention can be used to produce plastic molded articles which can exhibit better physical properties than products produced using conventional resin compositions.
US08642686B2 Paste composition and printed circuit board
A conductor layer is formed on one surface of a base insulating layer. The conductor layer is composed of a pair of rectangular collector portions and drawn-out conductor portions extending in long-sized shapes from the collector portions, respectively. Cover layers are formed on the base insulating layer to cover respective given portions of the conductor layer. A paste composition containing a compound represented by the formula (1) is used as a material for the cover layer.
US08642685B2 Liquid hardening
Curing agents for air-drying alkyd-based resins, coatings, such as paint, varnish or wood stain, inks and linoleum floor coverings, based on an iron/manganese complex containing tetradentate, pentadentate or hexadentate nitrogen donor ligands are disclosed.
US08642681B2 Surface-coated metallic pigment, water base paint containing the same, and coated product to which water base paint has been applied
A surface-coated metallic pigment according to the present invention includes base particles and a coating layer constituted of one layer, or two or more layers formed on a surface of the base particles, the coating layer having an outermost layer composed of a first compound obtained by polymerizing one monomer or oligomer, or two or more monomers or oligomers having one or more polymerizable double bonds, the outermost layer having a surface to which one surface modifier or two or more surface modifiers is/are bonded, and the surface modifier being a monomer or an oligomer having a bridged ring structure containing 9 to 12 carbon atoms and having one or more polymerizable double bonds.
US08642680B2 Active radiation curable ink composition for inkjet recording, printed matter, method of manufacturing printed matter, molded article of printed matter, and method of manufacturing molded article of printed matter
The present invention provides an active radiation curable ink composition for inkjet recording, the active radiation curable ink composition including: (A) a polymer containing a repeating unit having a radically polymerizable group and having a bicyclo ring structure or a tricyclo ring structure at a site forming a part of a main chain thereof, (B) a photopolymerization initiator, and (C) a radically polymerizable compound having a structure different from that of the (A) radical polymer.
US08642677B2 Phosphine-containing hydrogel contact lenses
Hydrogel contact lenses that are derived from a polymerizable composition including at least one hydrophilic monomer and at least one phosphine-containing component are described. The hydrogel of the contact lenses can be a silicone hydrogel or a non-silicone hydrogel. Use of polymerizable compositions comprising a phosphine-containing component can be cured under both inert and air atmospheres, and can be used to form hydrogel contact lenses having improved shape retention properties, having improved resistance to discoloration. Batches of hydrogel contact lenses and methods of making hydrogel contact lenses are also described.
US08642674B2 Method for curing addition curable organopolysiloxane composition
A method for curing an addition curable organopolysiloxane composition is provided. This method uses a UV activatable platinum catalyst (complex), and this method has enabled consistent curing of the parts where UV exposure is impossible as well as consistent curing of a thick article. This method cures an addition curable organopolysiloxane composition comprising (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least 2 alkenyl groups bonded to silicon atoms per molecule, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having at least 2 hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms per molecule, and (C) an effective amount of a photoactivatable platinum complex curing catalyst, and the method comprises the first step of exposing the composition to UV to increase catalytic activity of the component (C), and the second step of applying the composition obtained in the first step to a desired position and curing the composition.
US08642673B2 Radiation-curable formulations
The present invention relates to the use of alkoxysilane components in the presence of acid-generating photoinitiators in radiation-curable, free-radically crosslinkable formulations which in the cured state offer a particular degree of corrosion control for metallic substrates.
US08642668B2 Polymer-dispersed polyol and process for producing flexible polyurethane foam
To provide a process for producing a flexible polyurethane foam having a higher biomass degree than a conventional flexible polyurethane foam and excellent in foam physical properties and its appearance.A polymer-dispersed polyol obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer in the presence of the following polyol (a1) derived from a natural fat/oil and/or the following polyoxyalkylene polyol (a2) is used: Polyol (a1) derived from a natural fat/oil: a polyol derived from a natural fat/oil, which is obtained by providing a natural fat/oil with hydroxy groups by chemical reaction, and which has a hydroxy value of from 20 to 250 mgKOH/g and a molecular weight distribution of at least 1.2; Polyoxyalkylene polyol (a2): a polyoxyalkylene polyol which is produced by ring-opening polymerization of an alkylene oxide (c) with the polyol (a1) derived from a natural fat/oil in the presence of at least one polymerization catalyst (b) selected from the group consisting of a coordination anionic polymerization catalyst and a cationic polymerization catalyst.
US08642666B2 Biodegradable block copolymeric compositions for drug delivery
An improved drug delivery composition and method of use is disclosed. The composition comprises one or more biodegradable block copolymer drug carriers; and a reconstitution enhancing and enabling agent comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG), a PEG derivative or a mixture of PEG and a PEG derivative. The composition can be administered as is or after being be dissolved or rapidly reconstituted in an aqueous vehicle to afford a homogeneous solution or uniform colloidal systems.
US08642664B2 Composition for solubilizing tissue and cells comprising N-tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate and polyoxyethylene (10) cetyl ether
Solubilizing compositions are provided. The compositions comprise at least one zwitterionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant. In one embodiment, the compositions may be useful for solubilizing and remodeling and/or removing tissue on or beneath a patient's skin, optionally in conjunction with the application of energy to a region of interest on the skin. In one embodiment, at least one analyte may be collected and analyzed from the solubilized tissue.
US08642663B2 Acetals as insect repellant agents
This invention relates to a new type of insect repellent which contains an acetal as the active component.
US08642660B2 Method for altering the lifespan of eukaryotic organisms
A method for altering the lifespan of a eukaryotic organism. The method comprises the steps of providing a lifespan altering compound, and administering an effective amount of the compound to a eukaryotic organism, such that the lifespan of the organism is altered. In one embodiment, the compound is identified using the DeaD assay.
US08642659B2 Hair treatment product and hair after-treatment product containing ether guanidines as active substances, for protecting from damage caused by chemical treatment and for repairing already damaged hair
The invention relates to ether guanidines of the general formulae (I) and/or salts or hydrates thereof, in which R1=—CH2—CH2—CH2—O—R3 where R3 is, independently of the others, hydrocarbon radicals having greater than or equal to 10 carbon atoms, where part of the ether guanidines has radicals R3 which are branched and part of the ether guanidines has radicals R3 which are unbranched, and R2=independently of the others H or an optionally branched, optionally double-bond-containing hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and use thereof in hair treatment compositions and hair aftertreatment compositions, in particular for preventing damage by chemical treatment compositions and for repairing hair which is already damaged.
US08642654B2 Hydroxybutyrate ester and medical use thereof
A compound which is 3-hydroxybutyl 3-hydroxybutyrate enantiomerically enriched with respect to (3R)-hydroxybutyl (3R)-hydroxybutyrate of formula (I) is an effective and palatable precursor to the ketone body (3R)-hydroxybutyrate and may therefore be used to treat a condition which is caused by, exacerbated by or associated with elevated plasma levels of free fatty acids in a human or animal subject, for instance a condition where weight loss or weight gain is implicated, or to promote alertness or improve cognitive function, or to treat, prevent or reduce the effects of neurodegeneration, free radical toxicity, hypoxic conditions or hyperglycaemia.
US08642652B2 Cosmetic compositions containing esters based on 2-propylheptanol
Esters of 2-propylheptanol with linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C5-C36 carboxylic acids and C4-C36 dicarboxylic acids, compositions comprising these esters, and to the use of esters of 2-propylheptanol with linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C5-C36-carboxylic acids and/or C4-C36-dicarboxylic acids in cosmetic and/or topical pharmaceutical preparations.
US08642647B2 N1-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-N2-substituted biguanide derivative, preparation method thereof, and pharmaceutical composition containing same
The present invention provides an N1-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-N2-substituted biguanide derivative of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a method for preparing same, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising same as an active ingredient. The inventive N1-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-N2-substituted biguanide derivative exhibits improved blood glucose level- and lipid level-lowering effects even with a reduced dosage as compared to conventional drugs, and thus, it is useful for preventing or treating diabetes, metabolic syndromes such as insulin-independent diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis, or a P53 gene defect-related cancer.
US08642646B2 Method and composition for treating acne using lignan compounds
The present invention relates to a method and composition for treating acne using lignan compounds represented by Formula 1. More particularly, the invention relates to an antibacterial composition against acne-causing bacteria, containing lignan compounds represented by Formula 1, as well as a method for treating acne using the same. The lignan compounds represented by Formula 1 are excellent not only in the antibacterial activity of inhibiting the growth of acne-causing bacteria, but also in thermal stability. Accordingly, the lignan compounds may be useful as antibacterial agents against the acne-causing bacteria, and acne treatment agents.
US08642637B2 Salts of bicyclo-substituted pyrazolon azo derivatives, preparation method and use thereof
The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of bicyclo-substituted pyrazolon azo derivatives represented by the general formula (I), their preparation methods, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same and their use as a therapeutic agent, especially as thrombopoietin (TPO) mimetics and their use as agonists of thrombopoietin receptor. The definitions of substituents in the general formula (I) are the same as the description.
US08642636B2 Dimeric 1-arylpyrazole derivatives for use against ectoparasites, agricultural pests, and household pests
This invention provides for dimeric1-arylpyrazole compounds, of formulas (I), (II), and (III): or salts thereof, and the use of these compounds against ectoparasites such as insects, arthropods and acarina. The resulting compounds may be used in veterinary formulations such as, for example, spot-on and pour-on formulations, which may be used for treatment, controlling and preventing of parasitic infections in warm-blooded animals and birds.
US08642632B2 Selective androgen receptor modulators
This invention provides compounds as described herein or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound as described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, methods of modulating the androgen receptor using the compounds or compositions described herein, methods of treating diseases beneficially treated by an androgen receptor modulator (e.g., sarcopenia, prostate cancer, contraception, type 2 diabetes related disorders or diseases, anemia, depression, and renal disease) using the compounds and compositions described herein and processes for making compounds described herein and intermediates useful in the preparation of same.
US08642631B2 Methods of treating mammals with eustachian tube dysfunctions
The invention relates to methods of medically treating mammals with Eustachian tube dysfunctions, such as Ménière's disease, vertigo, Otitis Media (including Otitis Media with Effusion (OME), Acute Otitis Media (AOM) and Aerotitis Media (AM)) as well as other disorders which are characterized by ET dysfunction.
US08642630B2 Endogeneous repair factor production accelerators
It relates to an endogenous repair factor production accelerator which comprises one or at least two selected from prostaglandin (PG) I2 agonist, EP2 agonist and EP4 agonist. Since prostaglandin (PG) I2 agonist, EP2 agonist or EP4 agonist has various endogenous repair factor production accelerating action, angiogenesis acceleration action and stem cell differentiation induction action, it is useful as preventive and/or therapeutic agents for ischemic organ diseases (e.g., arteriosclerosis obliterans, Buerger disease, Raynaud disease, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, diabetic neuropathy, spinal canal stenosis, cerebrovascular accidents, cerebral infarction, pulmonary hypertension, bone fracture, Alzheimer disease, etc.) and various cell and organ diseases.
US08642629B2 Naphthylacetic acids
The invention is concerned with the compounds of formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein W, X, Y, and R1-R7 are defined in the detailed description and claims. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula I as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula I are antagonists or partial agonists at the CRTH2 receptor and may be useful in treating diseases and disorders associated with that receptor such as asthma.
US08642627B2 Formulation and use thereof
Provided are liquid pharmaceutical formulations comprising nicotine in any form for administration essentially to the lungs being acidified and/or alkalized by buffering and/or pH regulation providing for a tmax of nicotine in arterial blood of a subject within a short period of time after administration. The administration is preferably accomplished by spraying an aerosol into the oral cavity for further distribution essentially into the lungs. Methods for manufacturing the formulation is also disclosed, as are uses of the formulation in therapy, such as therapy for treating addiction to tobacco.
US08642626B2 Ethinyl-pyrazole derivative
Provided is a novel compound represented by formula [I] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof having antagonistic activity against group II metabolism-type glutamic acid (m-Glu) receptors. The compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases such as new mood disorders (depressive and bipolar disorders), anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, specific phobias, and acute stress disorder), schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive dysfunction, dementia, drug dependence, convulsions, tremors, pain, sleep disorders, and the like.
US08642623B2 Vanilloid receptor ligand compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a method of producing them and the use thereof to treat pain and various other conditions
Compounds corresponding to formula I: which act as vanilloid receptor ligands, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, a method for producing the compounds, and the use of such compounds to treat pain and various other conditions.
US08642619B2 Quinolone compound and pharmaceutical composition
The present invention provides a quinolone compound represented by General Formula (1) or a salt thereof, wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, etc.; R2 represents a hydrogen atom, etc.; R3 represents a phenyl group optionally being substituted with one or more substituents, etc.; R4 represents a halogen atom; R5 represents a hydrogen atom or halogen atom; R6 represents a hydrogen atom; and R7 represents a hydroxyl group, etc. The quinolone compound have a functional improvement effect, which suppresses progression of neurological dysfunction by inhibiting the chronic progression of Parkinson's disease or protecting dopamine neurons from the disease etiology, thereby prolonging the period before first administration begins.
US08642618B2 Carbostyril derivatives including cilostazol for treating fatty liver
The invention relates to a medicament for preventing and/or treating fatty liver which comprises as an active ingredient cilostazol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08642616B2 Lower dosage strength imiquimod formulations and short dosing regimens for treating genital and perianal warts
Pharmaceutical formulations and methods for the topical or transdermal delivery of 1isobutyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]-quinolin-4-amine or 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5 c]quinolin-4-amine, i.e., imiquimod, to treat genital/perianal warts with shorter durations of therapy than currently prescribed for the commercially available for Aldara® 5% imiquimod cream, as now approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”), are disclosed and described. More specifically, lower dosage strength imiquimod formulations to deliver an efficacious dose of imiquimod for treating genital/perianal warts with an acceptable safety profile and dosing regimens that are shorter and more convenient for patient use than the dosing regimen currently approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) for Aldara® 5% imiquimod cream to treat genital/perianal warts are also disclosed and described.
US08642608B2 Quinazoline derivatives as VEGF inhibitors
The invention relates to quinazoline derivatives of formula (I), wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3; R1 represents halogeno or C1-3alkyl; X1 represents —O—; R2 is selected from one of the following three groups: 1) C1-5alkylR3 (wherein R3 is piperidinyl-4-yl which may bear one or two substituents selected from hydroxy, halogeno, C1-4alkyl, C1-4hydroxyalkyl and C1-4alkoxy; 2) C2-5alkenylR3 (wherein R3 is as defined hereinbefore); 3) C2-5alkynylR3 (wherein R3 is as defined hereinbefore); and wherein any alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group may bear one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, halogeno and amino; and salts thereof; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient. The compounds of formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof inhibit the effects of VEGF, a property of value in the treatment of a number of disease states including cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
US08642607B2 4H-chromen-4-one compounds as modulators of protein kinases
The present invention provides PI3K protein kinase modulators, methods of preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of kinase mediated diseases or disorders with them.
US08642606B2 ZAP-70 active compounds
Compounds of Formula I: and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described. In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof are active on one or more protein kinases, including a Zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP-70), and any mutations thereof. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions, including diseases and conditions associated with increased expression of ZAP-70 cancer, B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, aggressive B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, an allergy-related disease or an allergic inflammation.
US08642604B2 Substituted pyrazolo[3,2-d]pyrimidines as anti-cancer agents
The present invention provides novel compounds that are antagonists of PI3 kinase, PI3 kinase and tyrosine kinase, PI3 kinase and mTOR, or PI33 kinase, mTOR and tyrosine kinase.
US08642603B2 Substituted dihydro and tetrahydro oxazolopyrimidinones, preparation and use thereof
The present invention relates to a series of substituted dihydro and tetrahydro oxazolopyrimidinones, specifically, to a series of 2-substituted-2,3-dihydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-7-ones and 2-substituted-2,3,5,6-tetra-hydro-oxazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-7-ones of formula (I): Wherein p, n, X, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are as defined herein. This invention also relates to methods of making these compounds including novel intermediates. The compounds of this invention are modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), particularly, mGluR2 receptor. Therefore, the compounds of this invention are useful as pharmaceutical agents, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of a variety of central nervous system disorders (CNS), including but not limited to acute and chronic neurodegenerative conditions, psychoses, convulsions, anxiety, depression, migraine, pain, sleep disorders and emesis.
US08642586B2 1,4-benzothiazepine-1-oxide derivative and pharmaceutical composition utilizing the same
Provided are novel compound that is useful as a treatment agent or a prophylactic agent for cardiac failure, cardiac failure due to dystelectasis, left ventricular diastolic impairment, angina or cardiac infarct, hypertension, ischemic cardiac disease, and myocardial relaxation impairment recognized in cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmia, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The invention pertains to a 1,4-benzothiazepine-1-oxide derivative represented by general formula [I] (In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group.) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same [I].
US08642585B2 Indanyloxydihydrobenzofuranylacetic acids
The present invention relates to compounds of general formula I, wherein the groups R1, R2 and m are defined as in claim 1, which have valuable pharmacological properties, in particular bind to the GPR40 receptor and modulate its activity. The compounds are suitable for treatment and prevention of diseases which can be influenced by this receptor, such as metabolic diseases, in particular diabetes type 2.
US08642578B2 Elastin protective polyphenolics and methods of using the same
Dermal fibroblasts permanently loose their ability to synthesize elastin, the major component of elastic fibers, shortly after puberty. This progressive loss of elastic fibers cannot be replaced, resulting in the physical signs of aging. The present invention provides methods and compositions containing the polyphenols ellagic acid and/or tannic acid for protection against degradation of cutaneous elastic fibers by the elastolytic enzymes. The use of ellagic acid and/or tannic acid increased the overall deposition of elastic fibers in healthy and damaged skin cells. The protection of both intra-tropoelastin and extra-cellular mature elastic fibers from proteolytic enzymes by ellagic acid and tannic acid caused an increase in the net deposition of elastic fibers. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide methods and composition for the treatment of skin and prevention and treatment of degradation of dermal elastic fibers.
US08642577B2 Compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of poxvirus infections
The present application provides methods and compositions for combination therapy with antiviral compounds for the treatment of poxvirus infections, such as orthopox virus infections. In one embodiment, a method of treatment of a poxvirus infection is provided that comprises administering to a host in need thereof cidofovir, cyclic cidofovir, or a salt, ester, or prodrug thereof in combination or alternation with at least a second anti-poxvirus agent. The second anti-poxvirus agent is, for example, a biologic, such as a pegylated interferon.
US08642575B2 Method of inhibiting formation of volatile aldehydes and/or decomposition of fatty acids and use thereof
The present invention has objects to provide a method for inhibiting the formation of volatile aldehydes and/or the decomposition of fatty acids and use thereof. These objects are attained by establishing a method which comprises incorporating an α-oligoglucosyl α,α-trehalose(s) to a target product to inhibit the formation of volatile aldehydes per se and/or the decomposition of fatty acids per se in fatty acid-containing products; an inhibitory agent for inhibiting the formation of volatile aldehydes and/or the decomposition of fatty acids, which contains an α-oligoglucosyl α,α-trehalose(s) as an effective ingredient; and use thereof to thereby obtain various compositions such as food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and their materials and intermediates each having a high quality and stability.
US08642572B2 Cytidine derivative-containing antitumor agent for continuous intravenous administration
A method for administering ECyd to a patient that realizes a continuous therapy without expressing peripheral neurotoxicity caused by ECyd and that exhibits an excellent therapeutic effect and prolongs patient survival. An antitumor agent containing ECyd or a salt thereof and a method of administering it to a cancer patient through continuous intravenous administration at a dose of 1.30 to 8.56 mg/m2 in terms of ECyd, for each administration period of 2 to 336 hours.
US08642568B2 Method of diagnosing and therapeutically treating a patient for a traumatic brain injury
Known or suspected traumatic brain injuries may be treated therapeutically by administering a therapeutically effective dose of resibufogenin. A preferred method for determining if a patient has a traumatic brain injury includes obtaining a body specimen from the patient, determining the concentration of marinobufagenin in the body specimen, comparing the concentration of marinobufagenin to the concentration in such body specimens in normal patients, and if the marinobufagenin concentration is substantially above the concentration of a normal patient, concluding traumatic brain injury exists. In a preferred embodiment, a substantial elevation is deemed to be an increase of about 30 percent above the marinobufagenin concentration of a normal patient. The body specimen may be blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. If a substantial elevation is deemed to exist, the magnitude of the departure from the concentration of a normal patient may be employed in determining the timing and nature of treatment provided to the patient. The method may be repeated at predetermined intervals to monitor changes in the marinobufagenin with time.
US08642564B2 Compositions for drug administration
A composition having at least one alkyl glycoside and at least one therapeutic agent, wherein the alkylglycoside has an alkyl chain length from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and wherein the therapeutic agent is an oligonucleotide.
US08642563B2 Mixture and infusion or drink solution
The invention relates to a mixture, wherein the mixture contains ribose, alanine and glycine. The mixture furthermore can contain glutamine and one or more of the following substances: valine, leucine, isoleucine, 5-hydroxy-tryptophan, tryptophan, cysteine, serine. Alternatively or in addition, the mixture furthermore can contain asparagine, arginine, proline and lysine. The invention furthermore relates to a mixture which contains ribose, glycine, proline, lysine, arginine and asparagine.
US08642554B2 Smac mimetic dimers and trimers useful as anti-cancer agents
The invention provides small molecule mimics of the Smac peptide that are dimer-like or trimer-like compounds having two or three amide-containing domains connected by a linker. These compounds are useful to promote apoptosis. The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods to use them to treat conditions including cancer and autoimmune disorders.
US08642550B2 Chimeric natriuretic peptides without hypotensive inducing capability
This document provides natriuretic polypeptides. For example, this document provides polypeptides having a natriuretic activity. In some cases, a polypeptide provided herein can have natriuretic activities without lowering blood pressure. Methods and materials for inducing natriuretic activities within a mammal also are provided.
US08642546B2 FGF21 mutant fusion polypeptides and uses thereof
The invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding FGF21 mutant fusion polypeptides comprising mutations at positions 98, 171, 179, 180 or 181, FGF21 mutant polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions comprising FGF21 mutant polypeptides, and methods for treating metabolic disorders using such nucleic acids, polypeptides, or pharmaceutical compositions.
US08642544B2 N-terminus conformationally constrained GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds
The disclosure provides N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds, which may comprise peptide mimetics and/or amino acid substitutions, which may be used in peptides, such as GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds, to induce a β-turn secondary structure at the N-terminus. The N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds may be used for research purposes; to produce GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds having improved GLP-1 receptor binding activity, enzymatic stability, or in vivo glucose lowering activity; and to develop GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds which have fewer amino acid residues. The disclosure also provides GLP-1 receptor agonist compounds, such as exendins, exendin analogs, GLP-1 (7-37), GLP-1 (7-37) analogs, comprising the N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds. The compounds are useful for treating various diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. The disclosure also provides methods for chemically synthesizing the N-terminus conformationally constrained compounds.
US08642538B2 Macrocyclic hepatitis C serine protease inhibitors
The present invention relates to novel macrocyclic compounds and methods of treating a hepatitis C infection in a subject in need of such therapy with said macrocyclic compounds. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
US08642534B2 Proteins and polynucleotides of Vibrio cholerae
Therapeutic, diagnostic and environmental monitoring methods employing proteins encoded by the rbmBCDEF gene cluster and by bap1.
US08642532B2 Excipients for protein stabilization
This invention is a method of using a class of excipients for protein formulation to reduce and/or eliminate protein aggregation in solutions or solids. This class of compounds contains carbonyl group(s) to form Schiff base(s) with amino groups of proteins and also contains moieties to keep protein molecules spatially separated. This method has never been disclosed anywhere in the literature.
US08642531B2 Influenza antigen delivery vectors and constructs
The present invention relates to fluorocarbon vectors for the delivery of influenza antigens to immunoresponsive target cells. It further relates to fluorocarbon vector-influenza antigen constructs and the use of such vectors associated with antigens as vaccines and immunotherapeutics in animals, including humans.
US08642528B2 Alkyl lactyllactates and processes of making the same
Provided are alkyl lactyllactate compositions that can be prepared from (1) lactide or alternatively lactic acid, and (2) a hydroxyl containing compound such as an alcohol, preferably a fatty alcohol or an alkoxylated alcohol, with (3) an acid catalyst. Preferably, the fatty alcohol contains from about 6 to 18 carbon atoms, such as lauryl alcohol. The alkyl lactyllactates can be used as surfactants, emulsifiers, skin feel agents, film formers, thickeners, rheological modifiers, etc., for personal care and other application areas. Compositions containing at least one alkyl lactyllactate are also provided. The compositions can further contain at least one surfactant.
US08642523B2 Method for improving the fuel efficiency of engine oil compositions for large low and medium speed engines by reducing the traction coefficient
The present invention is directed to a method for improving the fuel efficiency of engine oil compositions by reducing the traction coefficient of the oil by formulating the oil using a blend of one or more first base stock(s) selected from Group II base stock, Group III base stock and Group IV base stock and a second base stock selected from polyisobutylene (PIB) and, preferably, additized with a detergent.
US08642517B2 Lubricant oil composition
The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition comprising: a lubricating base oil including a lubricating base oil component having a urea adduct value of 4% by mass or less, a kinematic viscosity of 25 mm2/s or less at 40° C. and a viscosity index of 120 or greater, wherein the amount of the lubricating base oil component is 10 to 100% by mass based on a total mass of the lubricating base oil, and a poly(meth)acrylate based viscosity index improver including a structural unit represented by general formula (1): wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and R2 represents a straight or branched hydrocarbon group with 16 or more carbon atoms, and wherein the proportion of the structural unit represented by general formula (1) is 0.5 to 70% by mole, the lubricating oil composition having a kinematic viscosity of 4 to 12 mm2/s at 100° C. and a viscosity index of 140 to 300.
US08642513B2 Method for preparing immunoglobulin libraries
The invention relates to the generation of immunoglobulin libraries and the identification and production of immunoglobulins having a specific functionality of interest.
US08642510B2 Inhibitors for brassinosteroid signalling
The invention describes a compound having the formula (I), wherein X is F, Cl, Br, or I; R1 is CH3, C2H5, C2H4R3, C2H3R3R4, C3H7, C3H6R or C3H5R3R4; R is H, CH3, C2H5, C2H4R3 or C2H3R3R4; and R3 and R4 are, independently, X, OH or NH2 for the treatment of plants, for increasing plant growth.
US08642508B2 Complex for use in stabilizing herbicidal compositions and methods for synthesizing and using
The present invention is directed to the discovery, isolation, identification and methods of synthesis of a novel chemical complex that can be used to stabilize mixtures of different chemical compounds, and in particular mixtures of different herbicidal compounds.
US08642507B1 Fertilizer formulation for reduction of nutrient and pesticide leaching
In one aspect the invention provides matrix based fertilizer formulations that reduce plant nutrient leaching into water sources. In another aspect, the invention provides matrix based formulations that reduce pesticide leaching into water sources. In still another aspect the invention provides matrix based fertilizer formulations comprising both fertilizers and pesticides wherein the formulation reduces pesticide and plant nutrient leaching into water sources. The invention also provides methods for the application of matrix based fertilizer formulations.
US08642498B2 Catalysts for producing acrylic acids and acrylates
In one embodiment, the invention is to a catalyst composition comprising vanadium, titanium; and at least one oxide additive. The at least one oxide additive is present in an amount of at least 0.1 wt % based on the total weight of the catalyst composition. The molar ratio of titanium to metal additive in an active phase of the catalyst composition is at least 0.05:1.
US08642496B2 Method for forming a catalyst comprising catalytic nanoparticles and a catalyst support
The present invention relates to a method for forming a catalyst comprising catalytic nanoparticles and a catalyst support, wherein the catalytic nanoparticles are embedded in the catalyst support, comprising forming the catalytic nanoparticles on carbon particle, dispersing the carbon particle in a solution comprising precursors of the catalyst support to form a suspension, heating the suspension to form a gel, subjecting the gel to incineration to form a powder, and sintering the powder to form the catalyst.
US08642495B2 Catalyst, production process therefor and use thereof
Catalysts of the invention are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential and have excellent durability and high oxygen reducing ability. A catalyst includes a metal oxycarbonitride containing niobium and at least one metal M selected from the group consisting of tin, indium, platinum, tantalum, zirconium, copper, iron, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, hafnium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, manganese, cerium, mercury, plutonium, gold, silver, iridium, palladium, yttrium, ruthenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium and nickel. A process for making the catalyst involves a heat treatment.
US08642493B2 Process for producing lower-hydrocarbon aromatization catalyst and lower-hydrocarbon aromatization catalyst
[Task] To improve activity of a lower hydrocarbon aromatization catalyst and the catalyst stability.[Solving Means] In a method for producing a lower hydrocarbon aromatization catalyst to produce an aromatic compound by a catalytic reaction using a lower hydrocarbon as a raw material, the catalyst includes a metallosilicate on which molybdenum is supported, a silane in 0.75 weight % or more relative to the metallosilicate component is supported, and the catalyst is prepared by conducting a compressive shaping without adding an inorganic binder that binds particles of the catalyst. As a result, the lower hydrocarbon aromatization catalyst maintains a sufficient shape-retaining property even by a compressive shaping in a binderless manner. Stability of the catalyst and activity of the catalyst improve by subjecting the lower hydrocarbon aromatization catalyst to a compressive shaping in a binderless manner. Its advantageous effect is conspicuous when the amount of addition in terms of silicon oxide is 0.75 weight %.
US08642491B2 Fining of boroalumino silicate glasses
Glasses are disclosed which can be used to produce substrates for flat panel display devices, e.g., active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glasses have MgO concentrations in the range from 1.0 mole percent to 3.0 mole percent and Σ[RO]/[Al2O3] ratios greater than or equal to 1.00, where [Al2O3] is the mole percent of Al2O3 and Σ[RO] equals the sum of the mole percents of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO. These compositional characteristics have been found to improve the melting properties of batch materials used to produce the glass, which, in turn, allows the glasses to be fined (refined) with more environmentally friendly fining agents, e.g., tin as opposed to arsenic and/or antimony.
US08642490B2 Fluorophosphate glass, precision press molding preform, optical element blank, optical element and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a fluorophosphate glass containing more than 3 cationic % and 30 cationic % or less of a phosphorus ingredient in terms of P5+, the glass having a ratio I(1)/I(0) of equal to or less than 0.08 in which I(0) is a strength of a resonance peak generated near a reference frequency of 31P in a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and I(1) is a strength of a first-order side band peak of the resonance peak. The glass of the invention is reduced in volatility and erosiveness.
US08642489B2 Airbag fabric and airbag
An object of the present invention is to provide an airbag module ensuring that when an airbag fabricated using a fabric composed of a polyamide yarn excellent in heat resistance is deployed by an inflator gas, the deployment occurs without loss of the gas and an excessive amount of generated gas is not necessary, as a result, the inflator is reduced in weight, and the airbag module of the present invention comprises an airbag fabric composed of a polyamide yarn, wherein the air permeability of the fabric under a pressure of 200 kPa is from 10 to 200 cc/cm2/sec and in the thermal stress of the constituent yarn as measured under the conditions of an initial load of 0.02 cN/dtex, a yarn length of 25 cm and a temperature rise rate of 80° C./min, the summed thermal stress of the total of the warp yarn and the weft yarn at 230° C. is from 0.33 to 1.20 cN/dtex.
US08642484B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a film containing boron on a semiconductor substrate, forming a film containing silicon oxide on the film containing boron, patterning the film containing silicon oxide and etching the film containing boron with a gas containing chlorine by using the patterned film containing silicon oxide as a mask.
US08642483B2 Substrate processing with shrink etching step
A substrate processing method that processes a substrate including a processing target layer, an intermediate layer, and a mask layer as stacked in that order. The intermediate layer includes an Si-ARC (Si-containing Anti-Reflection Coating) film and the mask layer has an opening exposing a part of the Si-ARC. The substrate processing method includes a shrink etching step during which an opening width reduction process and an etching process are performed concurrently. In the opening width reduction process, deposits are formed on a sidewall surface of the opening of the mask layer by a plasma generated from a gaseous mixture of an anisotropic etching gas and one of a depositive gas and H2 gas. And in the etching process, the Si-ARC film forming a bottom portion of the opening are etched.
US08642481B2 Dry-etch for silicon-and-nitrogen-containing films
A method of etching exposed silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor and an oxygen-containing precursor. Plasma effluents from the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents react with the exposed regions of silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material. The plasmas effluents react with the patterned heterogeneous structures to selectively remove silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material from the exposed silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material regions while very slowly removing other exposed materials. The silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material selectivity results partly from the presence of an ion suppression element positioned between the remote plasma and the substrate processing region. The ion suppression element reduces or substantially eliminates the number of ionically-charged species that reach the substrate. The methods may be used to selectively remove silicon-and-nitrogen-containing material at more than twenty times the rate of silicon oxide.
US08642479B2 Method for forming openings in semiconductor device
A method for forming an opening in a semiconductor device is provided, including: providing a semiconductor substrate with a silicon oxide layer, a polysilicon layer and a silicon nitride layer sequentially formed thereover; patterning the silicon nitride layer, forming a first opening in the silicon nitride layer, wherein the first opening exposes a top surface of the polysilicon layer; performing a first etching process, using gasous etchants including hydrogen bromide (HBr), oxygen (O2), and fluorocarbons (CxFy), forming a second opening in the polysilicon layer, wherein a sidewall of the polysilicon layer adjacent to the second opening is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the silicon oxide layer, wherein x is between 1-5 and y is between 2-8; removing the silicon nitride layer; and performing a second etching process, forming a third opening in the silicon oxide layer exposed by the second opening.
US08642478B2 Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus
There is provided a plasma processing apparatus capable of optimizing a plasma process in response to various requirements of a micro processing by effectively controlling a RF bias function. In this plasma processing apparatus, a high frequency power RFH suitable for generating plasma of a capacitively coupling type is applied to an upper electrode 48 (or lower electrode 16) from a third high frequency power supply 66, and two high frequency powers RFL1 (0.8 MHz) and RFL2 (13 MHz) suitable for attracting ions are applied to the susceptor 16 from first and second high frequency power supplies 36 and 38, respectively, in order to control energy of ions incident onto a semiconductor wafer W from the plasma. A control unit 88 controls a total power and a power ratio of the first and second high frequency powers RFL1 and RFL2 depending on specifications, conditions or recipes of an etching process.
US08642477B2 Method for clearing native oxide
A method for clearing native oxide is described. A substrate is provided, including an exposed portion whereon a native oxide layer has been formed. A clearing process is performed to the substrate using nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and ammonia (NH3) as a reactant gas, wherein the volumetric flow rate of NF3 is greater than that of NH3.
US08642475B2 Integrated circuit system with reduced polysilicon residue and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit system includes: providing a substrate; forming a polysilicon layer over the substrate; forming an anti-reflective coating layer over the polysilicon layer; etching an anti-reflective coating pattern into the anti-reflective coating layer leaving an anti-reflective coating residue over the polysilicon layer; and etching the anti-reflective coating residue with an etchant gas mixture comprising hydrogen bromide, chlorine, and oxygen to remove the anti-reflective coating residue for mitigating the formation of a polysilicon protrusion.
US08642468B2 NMOS metal gate materials, manufacturing methods, and equipment using CVD and ALD processes with metal based precursors
Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods for depositing metal-containing materials and compositions thereof. The methods include deposition processes that form metal, metal carbide, metal silicide, metal nitride, and metal carbide derivatives by a vapor deposition process, including thermal decomposition, CVD, pulsed-CVD, or ALD. In one embodiment, a method for processing a substrate is provided which includes depositing a dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than 10, forming a feature definition in the dielectric material, depositing a work function material conformally on the sidewalls and bottom of the feature definition, and depositing a metal gate fill material on the work function material to fill the feature definition, wherein the work function material is deposited by reacting at least one metal-halide precursor having the formula MXY, wherein M is tantalum, hafnium, titanium, and lanthanum, X is a halide selected from the group of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, and y is from 3 to 5.
US08642464B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first interconnection and a second interconnection above a semiconductor substrate, forming a first sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the first interconnection, and a second sidewall insulating film on a side wall of the second interconnection, forming a conductive film above the semiconductor substrate with the first interconnection, the first sidewall insulating film, the second interconnection and the second sidewall insulating film formed on, and selectively removing the conductive film above the first interconnection and the second interconnection to form in a region between the first interconnection and the second interconnection a third interconnection formed of the conductive film and spaced from the first interconnection and the second interconnection by the first sidewall insulating film and the second sidewall insulating film.
US08642462B2 Interconnection designs and materials having improved strength and fatigue life
Methods and designs for increasing interconnect areas for interconnect bumps are disclosed. An interconnect bump may be formed on a substrate such that the interconnect bump extends beyond a contact pad onto a substrate. An interconnect bump may be formed on a larger contact pad, the bump having a large diameter.
US08642460B2 Semiconductor switching device and method of making the same
A switching device including a first dielectric layer having a first top surface, two conductive features embedded in the first dielectric layer, each conductive feature having a second top surface that is substantially coplanar with the first top surface of the first dielectric layer, and a set of discrete islands of a low diffusion mobility metal between the two conductive features. The discrete islands of the low diffusion mobility metal may be either on the first top surface or embedded in the first dielectric layer. The electric conductivity across the two conductive features of the switching device increases when a prescribed voltage is applied to the two conductive features. A method of forming such a switching device is also provided.
US08642454B2 Low temperature selective epitaxy of silicon germanium alloys employing cyclic deposit and etch
Cyclic deposit and etch (CDE) selective epitaxial growth employs an etch chemistry employing a combination of hydrogen chloride and a germanium-containing gas to provide selective deposition of a silicon germanium alloy at temperatures lower than 625° C. High strain epitaxial silicon germanium alloys having a germanium concentration greater than 35 atomic percent in a temperature range between 400° C. and 550° C. A high order silane having a formula of SinH2n+2, in which n is an integer greater than 3, in combination with a germanium-containing precursor gas is employed to deposit the silicon germanium alloy with thickness uniformity and at a high deposition rate during each deposition step in this temperature range. Presence of the germanium-containing gas in the etch chemistry enhances the etch rate of the deposited silicon germanium alloy material during the etch step.
US08642444B2 Method of manufacturing bonded substrate, bonded substrate, method of manufacturing solid-state imaging apparatus, solid-state imaging apparatus, and camera
Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a bonded substrate, including the steps of: forming a first bonding layer on a surface on one side of a semiconductor substrate; forming a second bonding layer on a surface on one side of a support substrate; adhering the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer to each other; a heat treatment for bonding the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer to each other; and thinning the semiconductor substrate from a surface on the other side of the semiconductor substrate to form a semiconductor layer.
US08642442B2 Memory device having three-dimensional gate structure
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a nonvolatile memory device having a recess structure and methods of fabricating same.
US08642439B2 Semiconductor device and method of formation
A system and method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. An embodiment comprises forming a silicide region on a substrate along with a transition region between the silicide region and the substrate. The thickness of the silicide precursor material layer along with the annealing conditions are controlled such that there is a larger ratio of one atomic species within the transition region than another atomic species, thereby increasing the hole mobility within the transition region.
US08642436B2 Method of manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor device
A first impurity region is formed by ion implantation through a first opening formed in a mask layer. By depositing a spacer layer on an etching stop layer on which the mask layer has been provided, a mask portion having the mask layer and the spacer layer is formed. By anisotropically etching the spacer layer, a second opening surrounded by a second sidewall is formed in the mask portion. A second impurity region is formed by ion implantation through the second opening. An angle of the second sidewall with respect to a surface is 90°±10° across a height as great as a second depth. Thus, accuracy in extension of an impurity region can be enhanced.
US08642435B2 Performing treatment on stressors
A method includes forming a gate stack over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the gate stack includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A portion of the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate stack is recessed to form a recess. A semiconductor region is epitaxially grown in the recess. The semiconductor region is implanted with a p-type impurity or an n-type impurity. A dry treatment is performed on the semiconductor region.
US08642432B2 N-dopant for carbon nanotubes and graphene
A composition and method for forming a field effect transistor with a stable n-doped nano-component. The method includes forming a gate dielectric on a gate, forming a channel comprising a nano-component on the gate dielectric, forming a source over a first region of the nano-component, forming a drain over a second region of the nano-component to form a field effect transistor, and exposing a portion of a nano-component of a field effect transistor to dihydrotetraazapentacene to produce a stable n-doped nano-component, wherein dihydrotetraazapentacene is represented by the formula: wherein in the dihydrotetraazapentacene chemical structure, each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 can be hydrogen, an alkyl group of C1 to C16 carbons, an alkoxy group, an alkylthio group, a trialkylsilane group, a hydroxymethyl group, a carboxylic acid group or a carboxylic ester group.
US08642420B2 Fabrication of a semiconductor device with extended epitaxial semiconductor regions
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device structure begins by forming a layer of oxide material overlying a first gate structure having a first silicon nitride cap and overlying a second gate structure having a second silicon nitride cap. The first gate structure corresponds to a p-type transistor to be fabricated, and the second gate structure corresponds to an n-type transistor to be fabricated. The method continues by performing a tilted ion implantation procedure to implant ions of an impurity species in a channel region of semiconductor material underlying the first gate structure, during which an ion implantation mask protects the second gate structure. Thereafter, the ion implantation mask and the layer of oxide material are removed, and regions of epitaxial semiconductor material are formed corresponding to source and drain regions for the first gate structure. Thereafter, the first silicon nitride cap and the second silicon nitride cap are removed.
US08642417B2 Method of manufacturing strained source/drain structures
A method includes forming a gate structure over a semiconductor substrate. The gate structure defines a channel region in the semiconductor substrate. Trenches are formed in the semiconductor substrate, and the trenches are interposed by the channel region. A first semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown in the trenches, and the first semiconductor layer has a first dopant with a first dopant concentration. A second semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown over the first semiconductor layer, and the second semiconductor layer has a second dopant with a second dopant concentration. The second dopant has an electrical carrier type opposite to an electrical carrier type of the first dopant.
US08642416B2 Method of forming three dimensional integrated circuit devices using layer transfer technique
A method for formation of a semiconductor device including a first wafer including a first single crystal layer comprising first transistors and first alignment mark, the method including: implanting to form a doped layer within a second wafer; forming a second mono-crystalline layer on top of the first wafer by transferring at least a portion of the doped layer using layer transfer step, and completing the formation of second transistors on the second mono-crystalline layer including a step of forming a gate dielectric followed by second transistors gate formation step, wherein the second transistors are horizontally oriented.
US08642415B2 Semiconductor substrate with transistors having different threshold voltages
A method of creating a semiconductor integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes forming a first field effect transistor (FET) device and a second FET device on a semiconductor substrate. The method includes epitaxially growing raised source/drain (RSD) structures for the first FET device at a first height. The method includes epitaxially growing raised source/drain (RSD) structures for the second FET device at a second height. The second height is greater than the first height such that a threshold voltage of the second FET device is greater than a threshold voltage of the first FET device.
US08642408B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device and method is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method comprising placing a first semiconductor chip on a carrier. After placing the first semiconductor chip on the carrier, an electrically insulating layer is deposited on the carrier. A second semiconductor chip is placed on the electrically insulating layer.
US08642407B2 Devices having reduced susceptibility to soft-error effects and method for fabrication
A semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and fabrication methods include a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) and an n-type field effect transistor (NFET). Each of the PFET and the NFET include a transistor body of a first type of material and source and drain regions. The source and drain regions have a second type of material such that an injection charge into the source and drain region is greater than a parasitic charge into the transistor body to decrease parasitic bipolar current gain, increase critical charge (Qcrit) and reduce sensitivity to soft errors.
US08642404B2 Thin film transistor liquid crystal display array substrate and manufacturing method thereof
A TFT LCD array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method includes the steps of: forming a thin film transistor on a substrate to form a gate line and a gate electrode connected with the gate line on the substrate; forming a gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer on the gate electrode; forming an ohmic contact layer on the semiconductor layer; forming a transparent pixel electrode layer and a source/drain electrode metal layer in sequence on the resultant substrate, wherein the transparent pixel electrode layer is electrically insulated from the gate line and the gate electrode, and the transparent pixel electrode layer forms an ohmic contact with two sides of the semiconductor layer via the ohmic contact layer; and performing masking and etching with a gray tone mask with respect to the resultant substrate to form a transparent pixel electrode, a source/drain electrode and a data line simultaneously.
US08642403B1 Replacement contacts for all-around contacts
In one aspect, a method of forming contacts to source and drain regions in a FET device includes the following steps. A patternable dielectric is deposited onto the device so as to surround each of the source and drain regions. The patternable dielectric is exposed to cross-link portions of the patternable dielectric that surround the source and drain regions. Uncross-linked portions of the patternable dielectric are selectively removed relative to the cross-linked portions of the patternable dielectric, wherein the cross-linked portions of the patternable dielectric form dummy contacts that surround the source and drain regions. A planarizing dielectric is deposited onto the device around the dummy contacts. The dummy contacts are selectively removed to form vias in the planarizing dielectric which are then filled with a metal(s) so as to form replacement contacts that surround the source and drain regions.
US08642402B2 Thin film transistor manufacturing method, thin film transistor, thin film transistor substrate and image display apparatus, image display apparatus and semiconductor device
To provide a method for producing a thin film transistor improved in stability, uniformity, reproducibility, heat resistance, durability or the like, a thin film transistor, a thin film transistor substrate, an image display apparatus, an image display apparatus and a semiconductor device.In the semiconductor device, a crystalline oxide is used as an N-type transistor and the electron carrier concentration of the crystalline oxide is less than 2×1017/cm3. Furthermore, the crystalline oxide is a polycrystalline oxide containing In and one or more positive divalent elements selected from Zn, Mg, Cu, Ni, Co and Ca, and the atomic ratio In [In] and the positive divalent element [X][X]/([X]+[In]) is 0.0001 to 0.13.
US08642400B2 Method of manufacturing semiconductor device including capacitor element
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming a first metal film on an insulating film over a substrate; forming a capacitor lower electrode by patterning the first metal film; and forming a dielectric film on upper and side surfaces of the capacitor lower electrode and on the insulating film. The method further includes: forming a conductive protection film on the dielectric film; patterning the conductive protection film into a shape of covering the capacitor lower electrode; forming a capacitor dielectric film in a shape of covering the upper and side surfaces of the capacitor lower electrode, by patterning the dielectric film so that the patterned conductive protection film covers an upper surface of the capacitor dielectric film; forming a second metal film on the patterned conductive protection film; and forming a capacitor upper electrode that covers at least an upper surface of the patterned conductive protection film.
US08642391B2 Self-assembly of chips on a substrate
A method of forming, on a surface of a substrate, at least one hydrophilic attachment area for the purpose of self-assembling a component or a chip, in which a hydrophobic area, which delimits the hydrophilic attachment area, is produced.
US08642388B2 Method for manufacturing light emitting diodes including forming circuit structures with a connecting section
A method for manufacturing LEDs includes following steps: forming circuit structures on a substrate, each circuit structure having a first metal layer and a second metal layer formed on opposite surfaces of the substrate and a connecting section interconnecting the first and second metal layers; cutting through each circuit structure along a middle of the connecting section to form first and second electrical connecting portions insulated from each other via a gap therebetween; arranging LED chips on the substrate and electrically connecting the LED chips to the first and second electrical connecting portions; forming an encapsulation on the substrate to cover the LED chips; and cutting through the substrate and the encapsulation between the first and second electrical connecting portions of neighboring circuit structures to obtain the LEDs.
US08642371B2 Method and system for fabricating ion-selective field-effect transistor (ISFET)
The various embodiments herein provide a method for fabricating Ion-Selective Field-Effect Transistor (ISFET) with a nano porous poly silicon layer on a gate region. The method includes providing a p-type silicon substrate and forming a silicon dioxide layer on the p-type silicon substrate. A poly silicon layer is deposited on the silicon dioxide layer. The poly silicon layer is patterned to form a gate region, a source region and a drain region in the silicon dioxide layer. A passivation layer is deposited on the gate region, source region and the drain region. The passivation layer is etched using a buffered HF to transform the poly silicon layer into a nano porous layer on the gate region by a sequential reactive ion etching process.
US08642370B2 Cavity open process to improve undercut
A process of forming a MEMS device with a device cavity underlapping an overlying dielectric layer stack having an etchable sublayer over an etch-resistant lower portion, including: etching through at least the etchable sublayer of the overlying dielectric layer stack in an access hole to expose a lateral face of the etchable sublayer, covering exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer by protective material, and subsequently performing a cavity etch. A cavity etch mask may cover the exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer. Alternatively, protective sidewalls may be formed by an etchback process to cover the exposed surfaces of the etchable sublayer. Alternatively, the exposed lateral face of the etchable sublayer may be recessed by an isotropic etch, than isolated by a reflow operation which causes edges of an access hole etch mask to drop and cover the exposed lateral face of the etchable sublayer.
US08642364B2 Thin film transistor structure, method of manufacturing the same, and electronic device
A high-performance thin film transistor structure which is easily manufactured is provided. The thin film transistor structure includes: a first electrode; second and third electrodes apart from each other in a hierarchical level different from that of the first electrode; first, second, and third wirings connected to the first, second, and third electrodes, respectively; a main stack body disposed so as to be opposed to the first electrode with an interlayer insulating layer in between, between the first electrode, and the second and third electrodes; and a sub stack body including an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer, disposed so as to be opposed to the first wiring with the interlayer insulating layer in between, between the first and second wirings in a position where the first and second wirings overlap and/or between the first and third wirings in a position where the first and third wirings overlap.
US08642363B2 Monolithic full-color LED micro-display on an active matrix panel manufactured using flip-chip technology
A high-resolution, Active Matrix (AM) programmed monolithic Light Emitting Diode (LED) micro-array is fabricated using flip-chip technology. The fabrication process includes fabrications of an LED micro-array and an AM panel, and combining the resulting LED micro-array and AM panel using the flip-chip technology. The LED micro-array is grown and fabricated on a sapphire substrate and the AM panel can be fabricated using PMOS process, NMOS process, or CMOS process. LED pixels in a same row share a common N-bus line that is connected to the ground of AM panel while p-electrodes of the LED pixels are electrically separated such that each p-electrode is independently connected to an output of drive circuits mounted on the AM panel. The LED micro-array is flip-chip bonded to the AM panel so that the AM panel controls the LED pixels individually and the LED pixels exhibit excellent emission uniformity. According to this constitution, incompatibility between the LED process and the PMOS/NMOS/CMOS process can be eliminated.
US08642361B2 Method and system for large scale manufacture of thin film photovoltaic devices using multi-chamber configuration
A method for large scale manufacture of photovoltaic devices includes loading a substrate into a load lock station and transferring the substrate in a controlled ambient to a first process station. The method includes using a first physical deposition process in the first process station to cause formation of a first conductor layer overlying the surface region of the substrate. The method includes transferring the substrate to a second process station, and using a second physical deposition process in the second process station to cause formation of a second layer overlying the surface region of the substrate. The method further includes repeating the transferring and processing until all thin film materials of the photovoltaic devices are formed. In an embodiment, the invention also provides a method for large scale manufacture of photovoltaic devices including feed forward control.
US08642357B2 Semaphorin 7A plays a critical role in TGF-β1-induced pulmonary fibrosis and alveolar destruction
The present invention provides methods of treating a subject diagnosed with, or at risk for developing, pathogenic fibrosis, particularly pulmonary fibrosis. The method of the invention comprises administering to the subject a compound or composition which inhibits semaphorin (SEMA) 7A, SEMA 7A receptors, or downstream effectors. A SEMA 7A inhibitor comprises an antibody, a soluble SEMA 7A receptor, an siRNA, a ribozyme, an antisense, an aptamer, a peptidomimetic, a small molecule, a soluble receptor, or any combinations thereof.
US08642354B2 Fluid processing device for oligonucleotide synthesis and analysis
The present teachings provide a fluid processing device adapted to produce different oligomers in a plurality of respective reaction sites. The fluid processing device can comprise a first manifold for delivering reactants to the plurality of reaction sites, and a second manifold for removing waste from, and optionally delivering wash fluid to, the plurality of reaction sites. Surface tension control valves can be disposed in fluid communication with the first manifold and can selectively allow reactants and/or fluids into the reaction sites. A method of making oligonucleotides is also provided.
US08642353B2 Microfluidic device for inducing separations by freezing and associated method
A microfluidic device is provided for inducing the separation of constituent elements from a microfluidic sample by introducing phase changes in the microfluidic sample while contained in a microfluidic channel in the device. At least a portion of the microfluidic sample is frozen to cause fractional exclusion of the constituent element from the frozen portion of the microfluidic sample. Different portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in different sectors and at different times in order to cause movement in a desired direction of the separated constituent element. Portions of the microfluidic sample may be frozen in a sequential order of adjacent sectors within the microfluidic channel in order to cause sequential movement of the excluded constituent element toward one portion of the microfluidic channel. The frozen portion of the microfluidic sample is then thawed, wherein the separated constituent element remains substantially separated from the thawed, purified microfluidic sample.
US08642349B1 Artificial neural network proteomic tumor classification
Here the inventors describe a tumor classifier based on protein expression. Also disclosed is the use of proteomics to construct a highly accurate artificial neural network (ANN)-based classifier for the detection of an individual tumor type, as well as distinguishing between six common tumor types in an unknown primary diagnosis setting. Discriminating sets of proteins are also identified and are used as biomarkers for six carcinomas. A leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) method was used to test the ability of the constructed network to predict the single held out sample from each iteration with a maximum predictive accuracy of 87% and an average predictive accuracy of 82% over the range of proteins chosen for its construction.
US08642348B2 Direct method and reagent kits for fatty acid ester synthesis
Provided are efficient, cost-effective and water tolerant methods (e.g., single-vial methods) for preparing fatty acid esters from organic matter, including: obtaining organic matter having at least one fat substituent, contacting the organic matter in a reaction mixture with a basic solution under conditions suitable to provide for hydrolytic release of monomeric fatty acids from the at least one fat substituent to provide a base-treated reaction mixture, and esterifying the monomeric fatty acids of the base-treated reaction mixture by acidification of the reaction mixture and treating in the presence of an organic alcohol to provide fatty acid esters. The methods optionally further include, prior to esterifying, neutralizing the base-treated reaction mixture to provide for neutralized fatty acids, separating the neutralized fatty acids from the neutralized reaction mixture, and dissolving the separated fatty acids in the esterification reaction mixture. Also provided are related methods and kits for fat analysis.
US08642347B2 Urinary CA125 peptides as biomarkers of ovarian cancer
The present invention is directed to diagnostic methods based upon the detection of peptides derived from the degradation of CA125. In particular, it is concerned with assays of urine samples collected from women for the purpose of determining whether they are at increased risk for having ovarian cancer, have decreased their risk as the result of clinical or non-clinical procedures, to monitor the efficacy of a treatment method, or to determine whether cancer has recurred or advanced.
US08642344B2 Method for measuring substrate concentration
The present invention provides a method for measuring a substrate concentration by accumulating an energy resulting from a reaction between a biocatalyst and a substrate recognized by the biocatalyst to a certain level; and using a dependency of an accumulation rate on the substrate concentration as an index; and a apparatus therefor. In particular, the present invention provides a method in which the measurement of the accumulation rate is carried out by measuring a frequency of an energy release in a certain amount of time when the energy accumulated in the capacitor reaches the certain level and is then released.
US08642343B2 Blood separating agent and blood collection container
Provided is a blood separating agent that can form an excellent partition wall in an intermediate layer between clot and serum or between blood cell components and plasma even under low-temperature centrifugation conditions, is less likely to form crevices in the partition wall, is less likely to have any effect on test values, and offers stable performance even after long-term storage. The blood separating agent contains: a polymer for the blood separating agent which is composed of a (meth)acrylic acid ester-based polymer and has a viscosity of 10 to 200 Pa·s at 25° C. and a ratio of viscosity at 15° C. to viscosity at 25° C. of below 4.6; an inorganic powder; and a polyalkylene glycol having a number average molecular weight of 700 or more, wherein the polyalkylene glycol is mixed at a concentration of 5% by weight or less of the total weight of the blood separating agent.
US08642340B2 Plant cell culture for production of natural products with reduced glucosinolate contamination
Disclosed are methods for obtaining a natural product preparation with reduced glucosinolate contamination from a plant of Brassicaceae. The methods can include cultivating a plant callus from a plant capable of producing a desired natural product, selecting a callus with reduced glucosinolate production, and cultivating the selected callus in a liquid medium. The method can also include recovering the natural product from the culture. Also disclosed are methods for obtaining cabbage anthocyanin with reduced glucosinolate contamination. The methods can include cultivating a red cabbage plant callus with reduced glucosinolate production in a liquid medium to obtain a suspension culture and cultivating the suspension culture in a medium lacking a nitrogen source. The method can also include recovering the anthocyanin with reduced glucosinolate contamination from the culture. Finally, several specific low-glucosinolate cell lines are described.
US08642339B2 Culture medium for epithelial stem cells and organoids comprising the stem cells
The invention relates to a method for culturing epithelial stem cells, isolated tissue fragments comprising the epithelial stem cells, or adenoma cells, and culturing the cells or fragments in the presence of a Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) inhibitor, a mitogenic growth factor, and a Wnt agonist when culturing epithelial stem cells and isolated tissue fragments. The invention further relates to a cell culture medium comprising a BMP inhibitor, a mitogenic growth factor, and a Wnt agonist, to the use of the culture medium, and to crypt-villus organoids, gastric organoids and pancreatic organoids that are formed in the culture medium.
US08642332B2 Identification and isolation of multipotential neural progenitor cells from the subcortical white matter of the adult human brain
The present invention is directed to a method of producing neuronal progenitor cells by providing an isolated population of progenitor cells from human brain white matter and permitting the isolated population of cells to differentiate to neuronal progenitor cells. Alternatively, neuronal progenitor cells can be produced by providing an isolated population of glial progenitor cells and permitting the isolated population of glial progenitor cells to differentiate to neuronal progenitor cells.
US08642328B2 Derivation of embryonic stem cells
This present invention provides novel methods for deriving embryonic stem cells, those cells and cell lines, and the use of the cells for therapeutic and research purposes without the destruction of the embryo. It also relates to novel methods of establishing and storing an autologous stem cell line prior to implantation of an embryo, e.g., in conjunction with reproductive therapies such as IVF.
US08642326B1 System for the production and harvesting of algae
A system for the production and harvesting of algae including one or more of the following components: A turbulator for dissolving carbon dioxide in water to form an algae growth media, a photobioreactor having a serpentine flow path for the algae growth media through spaced apart high and low baffles with an associated light source, a dewatering device for the algae slurry harvested from the photobioreactor, a turbulator for breaking up the cells in the algae sludge coming off the dewatering device, a cooker for cooking the broken up algae cells under pressure and a settling tank for separating the cooked cells into oil, spent media and biomass fractions.
US08642325B1 Advanced photobioreactor deep pond system
An apparatus for cultivating algae integrates a deep pond approach with an advanced photobioreactor concept. The apparatus comprises a deep (one foot or deeper) pond with a v-shaped or trough bottom, where, through gravity, algae will settle to the bottom of the trough and be pumped through a clear pipe located near or submerged under the surface of aqueous algae fluid via a heating pipe, which is also located near the surface of the algae fluid and be sprayed out into the air through spraying pipes distributed throughout the pond. With the combination of a v-shaped bottom deep pond, gravity, and clear pipes under aqueous algae fluids, algae can be exposed to sunlight much longer than the conventional approaches without being over exposed or heated and can thereby provide substantially better yields. The invention also introduces an electro-mechanical scrubbing ball that can be used to clean the piping system remotely.
US08642317B2 Bacterial isolate and methods for detoxification of trichothecene mycotoxins
The invention provides a bacterial isolate defined by accession number 180507-1 filed with the International Depository Authority of Canada. The bacteria are capable of degrading trichothecene mycotoxins. Also provided are compositions comprising the bacteria and methods of preventing or treating food, foodstuffs, crops and harvested crops that are contaminated or susceptible to contamination with trichothecene mycotoxins. Kits are also provided.
US08642316B2 Leptospirosis culture process
A process for the culture of Leptospires in a protein-free culture medium and without any fatty acid source in the culture medium, wherein a fatty acid source is fed continuously or intermittently.
US08642314B2 Optimization of expression of parvoviral rep and cap proteins in insect cells
The present invention relates to the improved production of recombinant parvoviral virions in insect cells. In particular, the invention relates to an improved process for the production of recombinant parvoviral virions in insect cells, wherein the full/empty parvoviral virion ratio is increased. The invention also relates to the production of parvoviral vectors that may be used in gene therapy and to improvements in expression of the viral Rep proteins that increase the productivity of parvoviral vectors.
US08642311B2 Thymidine kinase
A polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a thymidine kinase wherein at least one of the nucleotides corresponding to the splice donor site nucleotides is replaced by another nucleotide and wherein the nucleotides of the splice acceptor sites are not altered.
US08642309B2 Polymers comprising a majority of amphiphilic monomers intended for trapping and manipulating membrane proteins
The invention relates to an amphiphilic polymer comprising at least 75% of amphiphilic monomers of formula (I), the average molar mass of the polymer being between 800 and 100 000, and also water-soluble complexes between the polymer according to the invention and a hydrophobic or amphiphilic compound, in particular a membrane protein, a concentrated aqueous solution of one or more such complex(es), a product comprising one or more such complex(es) attached to a substrate by means of the polymer according to the invention, and various uses of these products.
US08642301B2 Methods for increasing the production of ethanol from microbial fermentation
A stable continuous method for producing ethanol from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of a gaseous substrate containing at least one reducing gas involves culturing in a fermentation bioreactor anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria in a liquid nutrient medium; supplying the gaseous substrate to the bioreactor; and manipulating the bacteria in the bioreactor by reducing the redox potential, or increasing the NAD(P)H TO NAD(P) ratio, in the fermentation broth after the bacteria achieves a steady state and stable cell concentration in the bioreactor. The free acetic acid concentration in the bioreactor is maintained at less than 5 g/L free acid. This method allows ethanol to be produced in the fermentation broth in the bioreactor at a productivity of greater than 10 g/L per day. Both ethanol and acetate are produced in a ratio of ethanol to acetate ranging from 1:1 to 20:1.
US08642299B2 Continuous single vessel butanol synthesis by fermentation
The present invention describes a method for producing butanol by fermentation of carbohydrates using mixed populations of acidogenic-phase cells and solventogenic-phase cells of Clostridium in a solitary vessel. The present system as described does not require intermittent adjustment of pH or venting of headspace gases. The method provides a process for removal of the butanol product which does not irreversibly harm the cells and conditions are described where such cells may resume butanol synthesis in the same solitary vessel. The invention also describes compositions and biologically pure cultures which comprise the Clostridium cells as disclosed.
US08642298B2 Production of itaconic acid
The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an itaconate transporting Major Facilitator Superfamily Transporter (MFST) gene sequence and the protein encoded thereby. Preferably said sequence is the nucleic acid that comprises the sequence of ATEG_09972.1 of Aspergillus terreus or homologues thereof. Overexpression of the protein enhances the production of itaconic acid in microorganisms.
US08642295B2 Circular chromosome conformation capture (4C)
The present invention relates in one aspect to a method for analyzing the frequency of interaction of a target nucleotide sequence with one or more nucleotide sequences of interest (eg. one or more genomic loci) comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sample of cross-linked DNA; (b) digesting the cross-linked DNA with a primary restriction enzyme; (c) ligating the cross-linked nucleotide sequences; (d) reversing the cross linking; (e) optionally digesting the nucleotide sequences with a secondary restriction enzyme; (f) optionally ligating one or more DNA sequences of known nucleotide composition to the available secondary restriction enzyme digestion site(s) that flank the one or more nucleotide sequences of interest; (g) amplifying the one or more nucleotide sequences of interest using at least two oligonucleotide primers, wherein each primer hybridises to the DNA sequences that flank the nucleotide sequences of interest; (h) hybridising the amplified sequence(s) to an array; and (i) determining the frequency of interaction between the DNA sequences.
US08642293B2 Disposable device for analyzing a liquid sample containing a nucleic acid with a nucleic acid amplification apparatus
The invention is directed to a disposable sample holding and processing device (1) dimensioned for being operated in a nucleic acid amplification apparatus for analyzing a liquid sample containing a nucleic acid by a nucleic acid amplification technique. The device (1) comprises chambers (15, 16) and channels (44) designed to perform the steps of capturing, amplification and detection of the nucleic acid within the device (1), and optionally also a lysis chamber (3). The binding chamber (15) contains a solid phase (14) for immobilization of a component of the sample to be analyzed, and the amplification chamber (16) is connected to the binding chamber (15) by a fluid channel (44). The device (1) comprises a rigid body (42) and at least one channel (44), the binding chamber (15) and the amplification chamber (16) are situated on side-surfaces (50) of the body (42), each of those side-surfaces (50), on which a channel (44), the binding chamber (15) or the amplification chamber (16) is situated, is covered by at least one wall (41) and these side-surfaces (50) are substantially vertical planes when the device (1) is operated in the nucleic acid amplification apparatus.
US08642291B2 Method for producing proteins comprising non-natural amino acids incorporated therein
Producing proteins incorporating non-natural amino acids can involve introducing genes into and knocking inherent genes out of eukaryote-type cells. Genes to be introduced include genes encoding eukaryote-type aminoacyl tRNA synthetase mutants having enhanced specificity to non-natural amino acids, compared with specificity to similar natural amino acids, and tRNA genes for non-natural amino acids capable of binding to the non-natural amino acids in the presence of the eukaryote-type aminoacyl tRNA synthetase mutants. Inherent genes to be knocked out include genes encoding aminoacyl tRNA synthetase having specificity to natural amino acids and tRNA genes capable of binding to the natural amino acids in the presence of the inherent aminoacyl tRNA synthetase.
US08642288B2 Methods for viscoelastic focusing of particles
Provided is a method of focusing particles. The method includes: providing a suspension of the particles in a suspending medium; and flowing the suspension along a channel, such that the flowing suspension occupies a certain volume that has at least one cross-sectional dimension smaller than 100 μm. The suspending medium has such viscoelastic properties, that flowing the suspension in the channel directs at least some of the particles towards a focus region, enclosed in said certain volume.
US08642280B2 Teneurin and cancer
The present invention relates to a method for treating cancer, for instance brain tumors, in a subject by inhibiting a teneurin by administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of said teneurin, for example a specific antibody or a siRNA. The present invention also encompasses methods of diagnosing cancer by measuring levels of teneurin.
US08642275B2 Immunological tests for the presence of bacteria which make use of antibodies obtained using a specific method
The use of a bacterial antigen obtained from bacterial cells in the production of antibodies for immunological assays for detecting bacterial cells.
US08642273B2 Ligand sensing fluorescent acetylcholinesterase for detection of organophosphate activity
Disclosed are methods for the preparation and use of labeled AChE and labeled AChE inhibitory conjugate compositions for detecting accumulation of toxic materials such as organophosphates, insecticides, and other nerve agents. Also disclosed are methods for the use of labeled AChE and labeled AChE inhibitory conjugate compositions in a variety of areas, including the detecting of toxic materials in biological samples, in the area of food and water analysis, in environmental monitoring, and in industrial settings.
US08642271B2 Aberrant methylation of C6Orf150 DNA sequences in human colorectal cancer
This application describes methods and compositions for detecting and treating C6Orf150-associated neoplasia. Differential methylation of the C6Orf150 nucleotide sequences has been observed in C6Orf150-associated neoplasia such as colon neoplasia.
US08642270B2 Prognostic biomarkers to predict overall survival and metastatic disease in patients with triple negative breast cancer
The present invention relates to a method for prognosing cancer in a subject with triple negative (TN) breast cancer, whose tumors lack expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), the progesterone receptor (PR) and normal (not amplified) levels of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Methods and biomarkers are disclosed that are useful for predicting the overall survival (OS) potential of cancer in a subject with triple negative breast cancer or for predicting metastatic disease in a subject with triple negative breast cancer. For example, the method comprises detecting in a sample from a subject one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of ANK3, CD24, EIF1, KLF6, KRAS, KRT1, MAP2K4, SDC4, SLC2A3, STK3, TFAP2C, and WRN. An increase or decrease in one or more biomarkers as compared to a standard is prognostic of OS of TN breast cancer. Likewise, in another example, the method comprises detecting in a sample from a subject one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of ANG, DICER1, EIF1, and MSH6. An increase or decrease in one or more biomarkers as compared to a standard is prognostic of metastasis of TN breast cancer.
US08642266B2 Single cell MRNA quantification with real-time RT-PCR
The present invention is directed to a method for performing an RT-PCR for amplifying a target RNA comprising the steps of a) lysis of a cellular sample which is supposed to contain the target RNA with a lysis buffer comprising between 0.2 M and 1 M guanidine thiocyanate, b) diluting the sample to an extend such that guanidine thiocyanate is present in a concentration of about 30 to 50 mM, c) reverse transcribing in the presence of a mixture of first strand cDNA synthesis primers, the mixture consisting of oligo dT primers and random primers, and d) subjecting the sample to multiple cycles of a thermocycling protocol and monitoring amplification of the first strand cDNA in real time.
US08642264B2 Method of quantifying target and reference nucleic acid
The invention provides methods for the detection of the amount of a nucleic acid in a sample. The described methods exploit the ability to disrupt and redirect a PCR direction, and the ability to physically pair nucleic acid molecules in a sample that have a reference sequence with nucleic acid molecules in the sample that have a target sequence. The redirection of the PCR reaction enables partial amplification as a preparatory step to other techniques within the same tube. The pairing can result in the presence of unpaired target or reference sequence indicating a difference in the amount of the target sequence versus the reference sequence. The methods are broadly applicable for the determination of differences in the amount of nucleic acids in diagnostic and research applications.
US08642259B2 Method for identifying substances capable of modulating the activity of a target molecule
The present invention relates to methods for identifying substances capable of influencing the activity of a target molecule affecting cellular proliferation.
US08642255B2 Materials and methods for hypothermic collection of whole blood
The present invention relates to materials and methods for hypothermic collection of whole blood, and components thereof, which can extend the holding time of blood beyond the current useable limit. Additionally, blood can be drawn directly into a hypothermic preservation solution without the addition of standard anticoagulants. This is enabled by providing sustained cellular viability under hypothermic conditions using a nutrient matrix devoid of animal proteins and containing energy substrates, free-radical scavengers, and impermeants that is ionically balanced for storage of biologic materials at low temperatures to prevent cellular stress-induced apoptosis.
US08642253B2 Resist composition for negative tone development and pattern forming method using the same
To provide a resist composition for negative tone development, which can form a pattern having a good profile improved in the pattern undercut and moreover, can reduce the line edge roughness and enhance the in-plane uniformity of the pattern dimension, and a pattern forming method using the same.A resist composition for negative tone development, comprising (A) a resin capable of increasing the polarity by the action of an acid to increase the solubility in a positive tone developer and decrease the solubility in a negative tone developer, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid having an acid dissociation index pKa of −4.0 or less upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, and (C) a solvent; and a pattern forming method using the same.
US08642252B2 Methods for fabrication of an air gap-containing interconnect structure
Methods for producing air gap-containing metal-insulator interconnect structures for VLSI and ULSI devices using a photo-patternable low k material as well as the air gap-containing interconnect structure that is formed are disclosed. More particularly, the methods described herein provide interconnect structures built in a photo-patternable low k material in which air gaps are defined by photolithography in the photo-patternable low k material. In the methods of the present invention, no etch step is required to form the air gaps. Since no etch step is required in forming the air gaps within the photo-patternable low k material, the methods disclosed in this invention provide highly reliable interconnect structures.
US08642251B2 Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a display apparatus. The liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a pixel electrode formed on the first substrate and having a plurality of branches. A plurality of alignment sections are interposed among the branches. An auxiliary liquid crystal layer having discotic liquid crystals is formed on the pixel electrode and the alignment sections. A main liquid crystal layer having a vertical alignment mode is formed on the auxiliary liquid crystal layer. A common electrode is formed on the main liquid crystal layer to apply an electric field to the main liquid crystal layer together with the pixel electrode. A second substrate is formed on the common electrode.
US08642249B2 Micro-fluid ejection devices with a polymeric layer having an embedded conductive material
Micro-fluid ejection devices, methods for making a micro-fluid ejection device, and methods for reducing a size of a substrate for a micro-fluid ejection head. One such micro-fluid ejection device has a polymeric layer adjacent a substrate and at least one conductive layer embedded in the polymeric layer. The polymeric layer comprises at least two layers of polymeric material.
US08642247B2 Ink composition, inkjet recording method, printed material, method for producing planographic printing plate, and planographic printing plate
The invention provides an ink composition having at least (A) a polymerization initiator, (B) an ester or amide of (meth)acrylic acid having a 1,3-dioxolane ring skeleton or a 1,3-dioxane ring skeleton or (B′) an ester or amide of (meth)acrylic acid having a 1,3-diketone structure, and (C) a colorant. The invention further provides an inkjet recording method and a method for producing a planographic printing plate, each of which includes at least (I) ejecting the ink composition onto a hydrophilic support and (II) curing the ink composition by irradiating the ejected ink composition with active radiation so as to form a hydrophobic image region on the hydrophilic support. The invention furthermore provides a planographic printing plate formed by the method for producing a planographic printing plate.
US08642244B2 Resist composition for immersion exposure, method of forming resist pattern using the same, and fluorine-containing compound
A resist composition for immersion exposure, including a base component that exhibits changed solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid, an acid generator component that generates acid upon exposure, and a fluorine-containing compound represented by a general formula (c-1) that is decomposable in an alkali developing solution: wherein R1 represents an organic group which may contain a polymerizable group, with the proviso that said polymerizable group has a carbon-carbon multiple bond, and the carbon atoms forming the multiple bond are not directly bonded to the carbon atom within the —C(═O)— group in general formula (c-1); and R2 represents an organic group having a fluorine atom.
US08642234B2 Photosensitive resin, curable resin composition containing the same, dry film thereof, and printed circuit board using them
A carboxyl group-containing photosensitive resin is obtained by reacting an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated group-containing monocarboxylic acid (c) with a phenolic compound (a) containing the structure represented by the following general formula (I) and having at least two phenolic hydroxyl groups in its molecule, wherein part or the whole of the phenolic hydroxyl groups being modified into an oxyalkyl group, and further reacting a polybasic acid anhydride (d) with the resultant reaction product; wherein R1 represents either one of a hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 11 carbon atoms, a SO2 group, an oxygen atom and sulfur atom, R2 represents a hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 11 carbon atoms, “a” represents an integer of 0 to 3, “n” represents an integer of 1 to 2, and “m” represents an integer of 1 to 10.
US08642232B2 Method of direct writing with photons beyond the diffraction limit
Direct-write lithography apparatus and methods are disclosed in which a transducer image and an image of crossed interference fringe patterns are superimposed on a photoresist layer supported by a substrate. The transducer image has an exposure wavelength and contains bright spots, each corresponding to an activated pixel. The interference image has an inhibition wavelength and contains dark spots where the null points in the crossed interference fringes coincide. The dark spots are aligned with and trim the peripheries of the corresponding bright spot to form sub-resolution photoresist pixels having a size smaller than would be formed in the absence of the dark spots.
US08642227B2 Fuel cell stack flow hood
The present invention is concerned with improved fuel cell stack assemblies, and methods of operation of a fuel cell stack assembly, particularly with improved gas flow and thermal management.
US08642220B2 Method to improve fuel cell system performance using cell voltage prediction of fuel cell stack
A system and method for determining the maximum allowed stack current limit rate for a fuel cell stack that considers cell voltage. The method includes estimating a fuel cell stack voltage based on a fuel cell resistance value, stack variables and a current request signal. The fuel cell resistance value can be modeled based on stack temperature and stack relative humidity. The stack variables can include exchange current density and mass transfer coefficient. The method then uses the estimated fuel cell voltage and a look-up table based on estimated voltage to determine a current rate limit value for changing the current of the stack. The method then adds the current rate limit value and the current request signal to obtain the current set-point.
US08642210B2 Negative electrode mixture for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, negative electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A negative electrode mixture for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries that can form a mixture layer showing excellent peel strength with a collector in the manufacturing of negative electrodes for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries is provided. The negative electrode mixture for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries includes at least one inorganic substance selected from hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, sulfuric acid and inorganic salts represented by Formula (A) below, an electrode active material, a polar group-containing vinylidene fluoride polymer and an organic solvent, the inorganic substance being contained at 10 to 500 ppm based on 100 wt % of the electrode active material; MX . . . (A), wherein M is an alkali metal, and X is Cl or Br.
US08642203B2 Round cell battery including dissipation element and insulating thermoplastic elastomer
A round cell rechargeable battery includes a plurality of round cells arranged next to one another and a dissipation element that is electrically insulated from the round cells and connects a group of round cells in thermally-conductive fashion so as to dissipate heat. The dissipation element is in the form of a rod and is bent in such a way that it runs in zigzag fashion alternately in each case along a lower side, an adjoining side wall, and an upper side of the round cells. The battery also includes an electrically-insulating, thermally-conductive, rubber-elastic thermoplastic elastomer, which is arranged at least partially between the dissipation element and the round cells to insulate the dissipation element electrically from the round cells and to dissipate heat from the round cells to the dissipation element.
US08642197B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a case containing the electrode assembly; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a current collecting member fixed to the electrode assembly; and a connection member electrically connecting the electrode assembly and the terminal, and the connection member includes a first end fixed to one of the current collecting member or the terminal, a second end spaced apart from the first end and contacting the other of the current collecting member or the terminal, and a fuse portion between the first end and the second end, the fuse portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than a surrounding portion of the connection member.
US08642196B2 Rechargeable battery
A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case in which the electrode assembly is installed, a cap plate coupled with the case, a short-circuit member provided in a short-circuit hole formed in the cap plate and deformed to electrically connect the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a valve member provided under the short-circuit hole and controlling connection between an internal space of the case and the short-circuit hole.
US08642194B2 Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system has an inlet shutoff valve provided in a main route forming an oxidized gas supply flow path, a humidifier bypass valve provided in a humidifier bypass route which is a route bypassing the main route, a fuel cell bypass valve provided in a fuel cell bypass route bypassing a fuel cell stack, and fuel cell bypass valve controlling unit. Under abnormal conditions in which one of the inlet shutoff valve and the humidifier bypass valve does not function even if the pressure in a valve opening pressure chamber of the one of the valves is at a first pressure value, the fuel cell bypass valve controlling unit restrict the opening of the fuel cell bypass valve to increase the pressure in the valve opening pressure chamber.
US08642192B2 Secondary battery
A secondary battery includes a bare cell comprising an electrode assembly; a protection circuit module electrically coupled to the bare cell; an upper case including a first case and a second case opposite to the first case joined together, the upper case generally encompassing the protection circuit module; and at least one support rib on at least one of the first case and the second case supporting the protection circuit module.
US08642191B2 Fused polycyclic compound and organic light-emitting element
A fused polycyclic compound is represented by general formula [1]: wherein at least one of R1 to R16 is selected from a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a substituted amino group, an aryl group which may have a substituent, and a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent. An organic light-emitting element includes the fused polycyclic compound.
US08642188B2 Phenanthroline compounds and electroluminescent devices using the same
In OLEDs, improved efficiency is obtained by using compounds of formula [Ar](CH═CH—R1)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4; [Ar] is a polycyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic scaffold optionally substituted with one or more alkyl or alkoxy groups; and R1 is a 5-membered heteroaryl group optionally substituted with methyl, methoxy, aryl or heteroaryl, or is phenyl or naphthyl optionally substituted with methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl or cyano or is biphenyl or substituted biphenyl. The compounds are believed to be novel and can be made by condensing a compound of formula wherein [Ar] and n are as defined above with a compound of formula [Ar](CH3)nR1CHO in the presence of an acid catalyst e.g. an anhydride of an organic acid.
US08642187B2 Structural member to be used in apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor or flat display, and method for producing the same
A structural member for a manufacturing apparatus has a metal base member mainly composed of aluminum, a high-purity aluminum film formed on the surface of the metal base member, and a nonporous amorphous aluminum oxide passivation film which is formed by anodizing the high-purity aluminum film. A method for producing a structural member for a manufacturing apparatus, includes forming a high-purity aluminum film on the surface of a metal base member mainly composed of aluminum, and anodizing the high-purity aluminum film in a chemical conversion liquid having a pH of 4-10 and containing a nonaqueous solvent, which has a dielectric constant lower than that of water and dissolves water, thereby converting at least a surface portion of the high-purity aluminum film into a nonporous amorphous aluminum oxide passivation film.
US08642186B2 Decorative plate and method for manufacture thereof
Provided is a thermosetting resin decorative plate comprising a decorative sheet comprising a base material and a picture layer formed thereon, wherein the base material is a nonwoven fabric comprising chemical fibers or a mixed paper of chemical fibers and pulps, and the above decorative plate makes it possible to work a three-dimensional form.
US08642182B2 Glossing system for paper and paperboard coating
This invention is directed to a paper coating or binding formulation, comprising an aqueous emulsion which comprises a copolymer derived from one or more monomers, and an ultra fine kaolin pigment. In certain embodiments, this invention is directed to a blend of high T9 latex (substantially non-film forming) and ultrafine kaolin. This invention is also directed to a paper comprising a fiber matrix and a coating or binding composition comprising an aqueous emulsion which comprises a copolymer deviced from one or more monomers, and an ultrafine kaolin pigment.
US08642179B2 Insulating varnish and production method therefor and insulated electric wire using same and production method therefor
An insulating varnish includes a polyamide-imide resin including a repeat unit represented by Formula (1) below derived from a synthesis reaction between a resin component (X) and a diisocyanate component (Y). The resin component (X) is derived from a synthesis reaction between a diamine component including aromatic diamines including g a divalent aromatic group (R) including three or more aromatic rings, and an acid component in the presence of an azeotrope solvent. The diisocyanate component (Y) includes a 2,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (Y1) and a 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (Y2). In Formula (1), R denotes the divalent aromatic group including three or more aromatic rings, and m and n denote an integer of from 1 to 99.
US08642178B2 Vehicle member and process for producing the same
Disclosed is a vehicle member comprising a resin substrate and a protective film formed on at least a part of the surface of the resin substrate. The protective film is produced by curing a curable coating agent composition, wherein the curable coating agent composition comprises 95 to 65 parts by mass of a component (A) comprising an urethane adduct compound having weather resistance, 5 to 35 parts by mass of a component (B) comprising a specific organosilicon compound, 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of a component (C) which is a radical polymerization initiator, 1 to 12 parts by mass of a component (D) which is an ultraviolet ray absorber, and 10 to 1,000 parts by mass of a component (E) which is an organic solvent, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the components (A) and (B) in total.
US08642175B2 Glass substrate and method for manufactring the same
A glass substrate chemically strengthened, includes a primary surface that has a compressive stress layer formed in an uppermost surface layer thereof. The compressive stress layer is configured to enhance strength of the glass substrate due to a compressive stress generated in the compressive stress layer. The compressive layer consists of a layer of a potassium ion concentration equal to or less than 5000 parts per million (ppm).
US08642174B2 Near-infrared-absorbing particles, process for their production, dispersion, and article thereof
To provide near-infrared-absorbing particles which have a high transmittance in the visible light region and a low transmittance in the near infrared region and which, when incorporated, can give a near-infrared-absorbing coating film wherein the transmittance sharply changes in the wavelength range of from 630 to 700 nm; a process for their production; and their dispersion. Near-infrared-absorbing particles consisting essentially of crystallites of A1/nCuPO4 and having a number average aggregated particle size is from 20 to 200 nm, wherein A is at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs), alkaline earth metals (Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) and NH4, and n is 1 when A is an alkali metal or NH4, or 2 when A is an alkaline earth metal.
US08642168B2 Composite structure having reinforced core and method of making the same
A polymer-based composite sandwich includes a reinforced core bonded between a pair of composite facesheets. The core includes a truss formed by groups of composite pins held in place by a layer of structural foam. The pins in the groups are radially arranged around nodes. The ends of the pins are splayed and sandwiched between the foam layer and the facesheets.
US08642165B2 Organic-inorganic hybrid composition
An organic-inorganic hybrid composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and inorganic fine particles, wherein the thermoplastic resin is a resin comprising a repeat unit in which a structure unit represented by the following formula (1) is contained in the main chain of the repeat unit: wherein R represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group or hydroxyl group; and A0 represents oxygen atom, sulfur atom or selenium atom.
US08642160B2 Fiberglass mesh scrim reinforced cementitious board system
A cementitious board system which is reinforced on its opposed surfaces by an improved glass fiber mesh scrim with thicker yarn and larger mesh openings to provide a cementitious board with improved handling properties while retaining tensile strength and long term durability. The fabric is constructed as a mesh of high modulus strands of bundled glass fibers encapsulated by alkali and water resistant material, e.g. a thermoplastic material. The composite fabric also has suitable physical characteristics for embedment within the cement matrix of the panels or boards closely adjacent the opposed faces thereof. The fabric provides a board system with long-lasting, high strength tensile reinforcement and improved handling properties regardless of their spatial orientation during handling. Included as part of the invention are methods for making the reinforced board.
US08642157B2 One-dimensional arrays of block copolymer cylinders and applications thereof
Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microstructures in one-dimensional arrays utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US08642156B2 System and method for forming a support article
A collapsible support article having a bi-directional corrugated structure is defined by folding along folds lines in an accordion style resulting in peak and valley rows with first and second connections points being defined along the folds lines to generate a second direction of the structure. The first connection points are connected at each peak or valley and each second connection point is connected to adjacent peak or valley rows to define the structural unit. The material used as well as spacing between connection points and the distance between the fold lines determine the strength of and the visibility through the structural unit. The structural unit may be used as a single unit for packing material, as a travel pillow or a plurality of joined structural units to define a sleep suit. Variations in the structural unit may result in a curved support article or a contoured support article.
US08642155B2 Information storage medium using nanocrystal particles, method of manufacturing the information storage apparatus including the information storage medium
Provided is an information storage medium using nanocrystal particles, a method of manufacturing the information storage medium, and an information storage apparatus including the information storage medium. The information storage medium includes a conductive layer, a first insulating layer formed on the conductive layer, a nanocrystal layer that is formed on the first insulating layer and includes conductive nanocrystal particles that can trap charges, and a second insulating layer formed on the nanocrystal layer.
US08642154B2 Silicon carbide crystal ingot, silicon carbide crystal wafer, and method for fabricating silicon carbide crystal ingot
A silicon carbide crystal ingot having a surface greater than or equal to 4 inches, having an n-type dopant concentration greater than or equal to 1×1015 atoms/cm3 and less than or equal to 1×1020 atoms/cm3, a metal atom concentration greater than or equal to 1×1014 atoms/cm3 and less than or equal to 1×1018 atoms/cm3, and not exceeding the n-type dopant concentration, and a metal atom concentration gradient less than or equal to 1×1017 atoms/(cm3·mm), a silicon carbide single crystal wafer produced using the ingot, and a method for fabricating the silicon carbide crystal ingot.
US08642146B2 Coating liquid and gas barrier laminate
Provided are aqueous coating liquids that contain ultrafine inorganic compound particles with good dispersibility, and gas barrier laminates of excellent transparency and gas barrier properties that have a layer formed from the coating liquid. The coating liquid includes ultrafine inorganic compound particles, a polyester resin, a sodium polycarboxylate and water. The gas barrier laminate includes a substrate and a gas barrier layer formed on the substrate, wherein the gas barrier layer has a layer (A) formed from the coating liquid and a layer (B) containing a polycarboxylic acid polymer.
US08642135B2 Systems and methods for plasma doping microfeature workpieces
Systems and methods for plasma doping microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of implanting boron ions into a region of a workpiece includes generating a plasma in a chamber, selectively applying a pulsed electrical potential to the workpiece with a duty cycle of between approximately 20 percent and approximately 50 percent, and implanting an ion specie into the region of the workpiece.
US08642133B2 Structure and its method for hydrophobic and oleophobic modification of polymeric materials with atmospheric plasmas
The present invention fabricates a hydrophobic and oleophobic polymer fabric through two stages of modification using atmospheric plasmas. The modified fabric has a rough surface and a fluorocarbon functional group having the lowest surface free energy. The fabric has a grafted fluorocarbon monomer layer to enhance the graft efficiency of the fluorocarbon functional groups and its wash fastness. The atmospheric plasmas can be mass produced and less expensively. Hence, the present invention can rapidly modify surfaces of polymeric materials with low cost and good environment protection.
US08642132B2 Method of forming carbon particle-containing film, heat transfer member, power module, and vehicle inverter
A method of depositing a carbon particle-containing film that contains carbon particles includes: manufacturing film deposition slurry by mixing liquid into film deposition powder that contains carbon powder formed of the carbon particles; and depositing the carbon particle-containing film by spraying the film deposition slurry to a surface of a base material so that the liquid is vaporized.
US08642131B2 Deflecting air ring and corresponding coating process
A deflecting air ring includes a plurality of deflecting air nozzles for discharging a deflecting air jet onto a spray jet of a vaporizer in order to shape the spray jet. The deflecting air nozzles are configured such that the deflecting air jet is substantially laminar within a first region, while the deflecting air nozzles also generate turbulence in a second region situated downstream of the first region of the deflecting air jet.
US08642130B2 Topical polyurethane foam oxidative and photooxidative stabilizer
Methods for inhibiting oxidation and photooxidation in polyurethane foams are disclosed. The method involves spraying onto the surface of a polyurethane foam one of the following compositions: a solvent-based composition comprising: an organic solvent; an ultraviolet (UV) light inhibiting compound; and an antioxidant; or an emulsion comprising: water; an emulsifier; an ultraviolet (UV) light inhibiting compound; and an antioxidant.
US08642128B2 Enhanced scavenging of residual fluorine radicals using silicon coating on process chamber walls
Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for substrate processing includes a process chamber having a chamber body defining an inner volume; and a silicon containing coating disposed on an interior surface of the chamber body, wherein an outer surface of the silicon containing coating is at least 35 percent silicon (Si) by atom. In some embodiments, a method for forming a silicon containing coating in a process chamber includes providing a first process gas comprising a silicon containing gas to an inner volume of the process chamber; and forming a silicon containing coating on an interior surface of the process chamber, wherein an outer surface of the silicon containing coating is at least 35 percent silicon.
US08642126B2 Carbon nanotube device and process for producing the same
A carbon nanotube device has a substrate (1), a layer (3) having a space (5) which penetrates in the vertical direction of the substrate (1), and carbon nanotubes (7) formed on the surface of the substrate facing the space (5) in such a manner as to have number density distributions successively changed according to the distances from the center of the space (5), the supply amount of catalyst substances is diluted by supplying the catalyst substances through an opening of a coating film (4) opposite to the substrate (1) and the hole (5), a catalyst having a nominal thickness distribution according to the way how the space (5) appears is formed on the substrate (1) facing the space (5), and a carbon source is supplied, thereby forming carbon nanotubes having the number density distribution are formed on the substrate (1).
US08642118B2 Pattern electrode manufacturing method and pattern electrode
The present invention can easily provide a method of manufacturing a pattern electrode with excellent electroconductivity and excellent transparency and a pattern electrode manufactured according to the method. The method of manufacturing a pattern electrode is characterized in that it comprises the steps of forming on a substrate an electroconductive layer containing metal nanowires, and carrying out pattern printing on the electroconductive layer employing a metal nanowire removing solution, followed by washing with water.
US08642116B2 Cartridge block for multilayer ceramic screening
A cartridge block for screening a multilayer ceramic with a conductive paste includes a threaded paste cartridge attachment located at a top of the cartridge block, the threaded paste cartridge attachment being configured to receive a paste cartridge containing the conductive paste; a paste routing section, the paste routing section located underneath the threaded paste cartridge attachment, the paste routing section comprising a flared section located at a bottom of the cartridge block, the paste routing section being configured to receive the conductive paste from the threaded paste cartridge attachment and route the paste through the flared section.
US08642115B2 Photovoltaic device and manufacturing method thereof
A photovoltaic device with a low degradation rate and a high stability efficiency. In one aspect, the photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate; at least one photoelectric transformation layer disposed on the first electrode, the photoelectric transformation layer including a light absorbing layer; and a second electrode disposed on the photoelectric transformation layer; and wherein the light absorbing layer included in at least the one photoelectric transformation layer includes a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer, each of which includes hydrogenated amorphous silicon based material and a crystalline silicon grain respectively.
US08642111B2 Functionalizing a sensing ribbon on a whispering gallery mode microresonator using light force to fabricate a whispering gallery mode sensor
Methods using light force to fabricate WGM sensors including microresonators having target receptors selectively and substantially provided at only ribbon area of the microresonators.
US08642109B2 High protein nuggets and applications in food products
The present invention relates to food materials containing a high concentration of protein and processes for their manufacture. More particularly, the present invention relates to protein extrudates containing high concentrations of soy protein, dairy protein, and mixtures thereof and low concentrations of carbohydrates, processes for manufacturing such protein extrudates, and the use of such protein extrudates as functional food ingredients.
US08642108B2 Method for producing fatty acid ester from flattened oleaginous grains
The invention relates to a method for preparing fatty acid esters particularly used as bio-diesel fuel from whole oleaginous grains, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: preheating the whole non-husked grains; flattening the oleaginous grains; drying the flattened grains in order to obtain a water content and a volatile material content between 0.5 and 2.5%, and preferably between 1.5% and 2%; performing a transesterification by contacting the dried, flattened grains with an alcoholic medium in the presence of a catalyst; separating the liquid and solid phases resulting from the transesterification; neutralising the liquid phase from step d); and removing the alcohol and separating the glycerine from the fatty acid esters.
US08642107B2 Water formulation with herbal hint and a process therefor
A method and formulation for drinking water with herbal hint, in particular for packaged drinking water with herbal hint, is provided. The formulation includes water, wherein the water satisfies the pre-specified standards of drinking water. Further, the formulation includes one or more herbal ingredients. Also, the formulation includes essential oil of Rosemary to stabilize the formulation and hence to increase its shelf life.
US08642105B2 Butter making device
The present invention relates to a butter making device comprising a butter containing section containing a basic butter product to be processed further, a dosing unit for adding additives to the basic butter product, and a flow restricting and generating device disposed at the butter containing section for passing butter from the butter containing section for further processing the basic butter product to the dosing unit, wherein at least one further dosing unit and at least one further flow restricting and generating device disposed at the butter containing portion for passing basic butter containing section to the at least one further dosing unit.
US08642103B2 Process for preparing chewable honey without loss of its nutritional values and honey chew bar obtained through such process
A process for the preparation of chewable honey without loss of its nutritional values and a honey chew bar obtained through such process, said chewable honey bar providing sustained energy to the consumer without loss of nutritional values and flavor of natural honey. During the process, an additional flavor may be added, comprising of additives, natural flavor, artificial flavor and nature identical flavor for example being selected of strawberry, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, rose, cloves or any other such flavor to the Honey.
US08642102B2 Thermoplastic tray
A solid thermoformed plastic tray (10) provided with a base (11), a plurality of sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) extending upwardly and slightly outwardly from said base (11), a primary flange (20) integrally joined to the upper edges of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15) and extending outwardly all around the upper periphery of the sidewalls (12, 13, 14, 15), a rim (21), i.e., a downward flap extending downwardly and tapering slightly outwardly from the outer periphery of the primary flange (20), and a secondary flange (22), i.e., an overhanging portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of the rim (21), said tray being characterized in that a plurality of strengthening ribs (23) extend substantially vertically along the rim (21) and outwardly with respect to the tray body. The trays (10) according to the present invention have an improved rigidity and improved resistance to deformation and bending, improvements that have been achieved without increasing the amount of plastic material used for the manufacture of the tray (10) but relying only on a specific geometry thereof.
US08642099B2 Method for preparing ginkgo extracts having a low content of 4′-O-methyl pyridoxine and/or biflavones
The present invention relates to an improved multi-step method for preparing an extract from ginkgo biloba having a reduced content of 4′-O-methyl pyridoxine and/or biflavones, wherein the depletion is carried out by filtration over an adsorber resin and/or an ion exchanger and the substances to be removed are retained on the resin. The invention further relates to an extract from ginkgo biloba having a reduced content of 4′-O-methyl pyridoxine and/or biflavones, which is obtainable by the method according to the present invention, as well as to its use.
US08642096B2 Pharmaceutical composition containing herbal extract for prevention or treatment of nephritis
The present invention relates to a novel use of herbal extracts in a pharmaceutical composition for prevention and treatment of nephritis and, more particularly, to a pharmaceutical composition and a health functional food for prevention and/or treatment of nephritis that contains at least one herbal extract selected from the group consisting of a Crataegi Fructus extract, a Cinnamomi Cortex extract, a Prunella Spica extract, and an Equiseti Herba extract, a method for prevention and/or treatment of nephritis using the herbal extract, and a use of the herbal extract in preparation of a composition for prevention and/or treatment of nephritis. The herbal extract has a good therapeutic effect for nephritis on a nephritis model of which the nephritis is induced by a drug such as gentamicin, cisplatin, etc., and a good inhibitory activity on the growth of mesangial cells in kidneys, thereby providing a very useful means for prevention and/or treatment of nephritis.
US08642095B2 Dietary composition and method of using the same
According to one aspect of the present invention, a dietary composition is provided. In at least one embodiment, the dietary composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of an admixture including a caffeine ingredient and a vasodilator ingredient. In at least another embodiment, the admixture further includes an additive selected from the group consisting of taurine, rhodiola, green tea extract, dimethylethanolamine, inositol, vitamin C, one or more B vitamins, a flowing agent, citrulline malate, and combinations thereof. In certain particular embodiments, the caffeine ingredient includes dicaffeine malate. In certain other embodiments, the vasodilator ingredient includes diarginine malate.
US08642093B2 Methods and systems for use of photolyzable nitric oxide donors
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for use of photolyzable nitric oxide donors for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.
US08642091B2 Method for producing solid-lipid composite drug particles
A method of producing solid composite lipid/drug nanoparticles that includes the steps of: (1) dissolving a lipid and a drug in a suitable organic solvent to form a solution; (2) emulsifying the solution in a liquid to form an emulsion having a discontinuous phase of micelles comprising the organic solvent, the drug and the lipid, and a continuous phase comprising the liquid; and (3) contacting the emulsion with a supercritical fluid under conditions suitable to keep the supercritical fluid in a supercritical state, whereby the supercritical fluid extracts the organic solvent from the micelles, causing them to precipitate as organic-solvent free solid composite lipid/drug nanoparticles suspended or dispersed in the liquid.
US08642083B2 Controlled release complex composition comprising angiotensin-II-receptor blockers and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Disclosed herein is a lag time delayed-release combination pharmaceutical composition comprising of an angiotensin-II-receptor blocker and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, as well as a preparation method thereof. The composition is designed based on chronotherapy in which active ingredients are administered to have different onset times, such that the release of each active ingredient of the composition in body can be lag time delayed to a specific rate. Also, the composition is very effective for the treatment of hypertension and the prevention of complications in patients having metabolic syndromes which show diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery diseases and the like. More specifically, the composition is a drug delivery system designed such that the release of each drug is controlled to a specific rate, and it can show the most ideal effect, when it is absorbed in body.
US08642081B2 Chewable, suckable and swallowable tablet containing a calcium-containing compound as an active substance
The present invention relates to a nutriceutical and/or pharmaceutical composition for oral use containing a calcium-containing compound. The composition is in the form of tablets that are designed so that they have an acceptable taste and mouthfeel, whereby the tablets are chewable or suckable, and at the same time the tablets fulfill the requirements with respect to technical properties in order to ensure that the tablets can be dispensed by means of a dose-dispensing machine. In a preferred embodiment, the tablet comprises calcium carbonate and sorbitol with a mean particle size of 38 or 110 microns. In another embodiment, the tablets comprise calcium carbonate and Vitamin D as active ingredients.
US08642079B2 Solid formulations of ospemifene
This invention relates to a solid drug formulation comprising granulates containing a therapeutically active compound of the formula (I) or a geometric isomer, a stereoisomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester thereof or a metabolite thereof, in combination with one or more intra-granular excipients.
US08642075B2 Lipid-based compositions of antiinfectives for treating pulmonary infections and methods of use thereof
A system for treating or providing prophylaxis against a pulmonary infection is disclosed comprising: a) a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a mixture of free antiinfective and antiinfective encapsulated in a lipid-based composition, and b) an inhalation delivery device. A method for providing prophylaxis against a pulmonary infection in a patient and a method of reducing the loss of antiinfective encapsulated in a lipid-based composition upon nebulization comprising administering an aerosolized pharmaceutical formulation comprising a mixture of free antiinfective and antiinfective encapsulated in a lipid-based composition is also disclosed.
US08642072B2 Membrane
The invention relates to a membrane for supporting cells, especially RPE cells. The membrane is useful in the treatment of conditions such as age related macular degeneration.
US08642066B2 Sustained drug delivery system
Disclosed is a drug delivery system for delivering a drug at a sustained constant rate for a long period, which can be transplanted into an affected part safely and in a simple manner and can deliver a drug to the affected part for a long period. Specifically disclosed is a sustained drug delivery system in which an implant is implanted into a body, wherein the implant is a PEG capsule comprising a box-shaped PEG and a porous PEG sheet.
US08642062B2 Implantable device having a slow dissolving polymer
The present invention provides an implantable device having a coating including a slow dissolving polymer or material and the methods of making and using the same.
US08642060B2 Controlled release systems and methods for osteal growth
A device includes a first reservoir configured to include a degradation agent, a second reservoir configured to include an osteogenerative agent, and a controller configured to selectively initiate access to the first reservoir or the second reservoir.
US08642054B2 Sterilant system
A two-part sterilant system comprises a first part comprising a first reagent in a carrier medium and a second part which is miscible with the first part and which comprises a second reagent in a carrier medium. The first reagent and the second reagent will react when mixed to provide a sterilizing composition. The first part is contained in a pump dispenser (2) whereby it may be dispensed as a fluid, and the second part is absorbed or impregnated in at least one fabric member (18) in a sealed container (20).
US08642052B2 Ceramide dispersion and method for producing same
The present invention provides a ceramide dispersion which includes (1) ceramide-containing particles which contains a ceramide, which are dispersed in an aqueous phase as an oil-phase component, and which have a volume average particle diameter from 1 nm to 100 nm; and (2) a fatty acid component which is at least one of a fatty acid having a melting temperature not higher than 30° C. or a fatty acid salt; the amount of nonionic surfactant being 0 or not more than 0.1 times the total mass of the ceramide; the amount of an ionic surfactant other than the fatty acid component being 0 or less than 0.05 times the total mass of the ceramide; and the pH being from 6 to 8.
US08642050B2 Gonococcal proteins and nucleic acids
The invention provides proteins from gonococcus (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics. They are also useful for distinguishing between gonococcus and meningococcus and, in particular, between gonococcus and serogroup B meningococcus.
US08642045B2 Recombinant virus vector originating in HHV-6 or HHV-7, method of producing the same, method of transforming host cell using the same, host cell transformed thereby and gene therapy method using the same
It is intended to provide a virus vector by which an exogenous nucleotide sequence can be inserted and easily transferred into a mammalian host cell and a gene encoded by the exogenous nucleotide sequence can be expressed in the host cell, and which has a low risk of pathogenicity and is appropriately usable in gene therapy of mammals. Namely, a recombinant vector originating in HHV-6 which has an exogenous nucleotide sequence in a portion corresponding to at least one region selected from the group consisting of U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U24, and U25 regions of HHV-6; or a recombinant vector originating in HHV-7 which has an exogenous nucleotide sequence in a portion corresponding to at least one region selected from the group consisting of U2, U3, U4, U7, U8, U24, U24a, and U25 regions of HHV-7.
US08642039B2 Method of treating a staphylococcus infection in a patient having a low-level pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
This invention provides methods of treating patients having a Staphylococcus infection where the patient also has a low level of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The methods comprise administering an antagonist of the Pseudomonas Type III Secretion System, e.g., an anti-PcrV antibody antagonist.
US08642038B2 Isolated egg protein and egg lipid materials, and methods for producing the same
A method for separating proteins and fats from an egg mixture is disclosed herein. The method includes a step of microfiltration of the egg mixture, wherein microfiltration includes pumping across a filter an egg mixture containing egg yolk and egg whites (albumen). An egg powder obtained from egg and a high gel strength egg powder are also disclosed.
US08642037B2 Antibodies to insulin-like growth factor I receptor
The present invention relates to antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR), which is preferably human IGF-IR. The invention also relates to human anti-IGF-IR antibodies, including chimeric, bispecific, derivatized, single chain antibodies or portions of fusion proteins. The invention also relates to isolated heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules derived from anti-IGF-IR antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such molecules. The present invention also relates to methods of making anti-IGF-IR antibodies, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies and compositions thereof for diagnosis and treatment. The invention also provides gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light immunoglobulin molecules that comprise the human anti-IGF-IR antibodies. The invention also relates to gene therapy methods and transgenic animals comprising nucleic acid molecules of the present invention.
US08642036B2 Treatment with anti-ErbB2 antibodies
The present invention concerns the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of ErbB2. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer overexpressing ErbB2 with a combination of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a chemotherapeutic agent other than an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin or epirubicin. The invention further provides a method of treating cancer in a human patient comprising administering effective amounts of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a cardioprotectant to the patient.
US08642035B2 Anti-TrkB antibodies
The present invention provides improved antibodies or antigen-binding molecules that specifically recognize and agonize the tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor, and methods of their use. Also provided in the invention are polynucleotides and vectors that encode such molecules and host cells that harbor the polynucleotides or vectors.
US08642026B2 Methods and compositions for contributing to the treatment of cancers
Methods and compositions for contributing to the treatment of cancers, especially ovarian tumors, are disclosed. The methods and compositions utilize an endothelin B agonist (ETB) to enhance the delivery and resulting efficacy of chemotherapeutic agent(s) (e.g., cisplatin and/or cyclophosphamide).
US08642023B2 Skin cosmetic
Problem To provide a skin cosmetic which exerts a feeling of ameliorating effect on skin wrinkles and sagging by application, and is free from uncomfortable feelings in use, such as stickiness, twisting of the cosmetic applied on the skin, and squeakiness.Means for Solution A skin cosmetic is provided, which comprises an aqueous liquid of an anionic or amphoteric urethane resin dissolved or dispersed in water and wherein the anionic or amphoteric urethane resin is prepared by reacting (a) an isocyanate compound with (b) a polyol compound containing the following components (b-1) to (b-3) or the following components (b-1) to (b-4) and having a ratio of (b-1)/(b-2) of 0.15-3.0 (by mass, in terms of charge): [(b-1): cyclohexanedimethanol, (b-2): polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1000-3000, (b-3): a compound having an active hydrogen and a carboxyl group in one molecule, (b-4): a compound having an active hydrogen and a tertiary amino group in one molecule.].
US08642021B2 Conditioning composition for hair
The present invention is about conditioning compositions for hair comprising spray dried yoghurt powder and at least one cationic conditioning agent. With the compositions of the present invention hair properties such as smoothness, elasticity, volume and body and shine is improved. According to the present invention the yoghurt powder comprising compositions can be applied to hair as a shampoo, conditioner either leave in and/or rinse off types.
US08642016B2 Medicinal delivery system, and related methods
A method is provided of making a medicinal delivery system which satiates a craving in an individual when the medicinal delivery system is administered orally to the individual. A coating composition is applied on a saliva-soluble powder to establish a coated powder, the coating composition featuring an at least partially solubilized craving satiation medicinal compound. The coated powder is combined with an edible carrier base to establish a medicinal delivery system that rapidly releases medicine and buffer preferably followed by slower, sustained release.
US08642015B2 Treatment of active infections and related compositions
The present invention is directed to the treatment of infections and the associated symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis and related neurological disorders of the cranial cavity and facial tissue. More specifically, the present invention is directed to aerosols that are used to treat infections and the associated symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis and related neurological disorders of the cranial cavity and facial tissue, compositions from which the aerosols are generated and methods of generating the aerosols. In an aerosol aspect of the present invention, an aerosol for delivery to the sinus cavity of a patient is provided. The aerosol includes at least: a) one or more compounds selected from antibiotics, antifungals, leukotriene antagonists, anti-TNF compounds, antihistamines, steroidal antiinflammatories, mucolytics, estrogen, progesterone and related hormones; and, b) water. The compounds are present in the water at a concentration ranging from 0.01 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg, and the aerosol does not contain a surfactant.
US08642010B2 KDR and VEGF/KDR binding peptides and their use in diagnosis and therapy
The present invention provides polypeptides, peptide dimer, and multimeric complexes comprising at least one binding moiety for KDR or VEGF/KDR complex, which have a variety of uses wherever treating, detecting, isolating or localizing angiogenesis is advantageous. Particularly disclosed are synthetic, isolated polypeptides capable of binding KDR or VEGF/KDR complex with high affinity (e.g., having a KD<1 μM), and dimer and multimeric constructs comprising these polypeptides.
US08642005B2 Method for producing hydrogen via a thermochemical route, based on hydrochlorination of cerium
A method for producing hydrogen via a thermochemical route from water, based on the cerium-chlorine cycle is provided. The method comprises, according to a first reaction scheme, the following reactions: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2;  (A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O;  (B) 2CeCl3+4H2O=2CeO2+6HCl+H2;  (C) or, according to a second reaction scheme, the following reactions: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2;  (A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O;  (B) 2CeCl3+2H2O=2CeOCl+4HCl;  (B′) 2CeOCl+2H2O=2CeO2+2HCl+H2;  (C′) wherein the reaction (B) for chlorination of cerium oxide is conducted in a liquid phase, the cerium chloride passing into solution, and wherein the reaction (B) is catalyzed by fluoride ions.
US08642004B2 Process for the production of hydrogen from ethanol
Using the process described in the present invention, a gas is produced that is rich in methane and hydrogen and has a content of olefins below 1% v/v, which fully meets the necessary requirements for raw materials used for large-scale production of hydrogen or synthesis gas, in steam reforming units that already exist in a great many oil refineries and petrochemical units. Starting from ethanol, steam, nickel-based catalysts and the use of appropriate conditions of temperature, and H2O/ethanol and H2/ethanol molar ratios, the invention teaches the production of hydrogen and synthesis gas from biomass, stably for long periods without loss of catalyst performance over time, permitting its industrial application in new units or in existing units. As a solution for the production of ethanol, the present invention claims the replacement of the ZnO-based and hydrofining catalysts of the feed pre-treatment section, with nickel-based catalysts and process conditions in accordance with the present invention.
US08642000B2 Storage and mixing device
A storage and mixing device is illustrated and described. The device can include first and second separate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity. The first container can be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the second container between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cavities can be substantially sealed from one another. In the second position, a first gas forming ingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the other cavity to form a gas, such as chlorine dioxide gas. The device can have one or more filtered openings to allow gas generated by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients to escape into the ambient environment.
US08641998B2 Procedure for obtaining graphene oxide nano-platelets and derivates and graphene oxide non-platelets thus obtained
A method for manufacturing graphene oxide nanoplatelets and derivative products and the graphene oxide nanoplatelets obtained, comprising two distinct phases, a first phase for obtaining an intermediate material consisting of carbon nanofilaments, each one having a structure comprising continuous ribbon of graphitic material with a small number of stacked monoatomic graphene layers and spirally rolled around and along the main axis of said nanofilaments, and a second phase wherein said carbon nanofilaments are subjected to a high-temperature treatment in order to clean said filaments and increase their degree of crystallinity. Once these nanofilaments are treated, a chemical etching is performed on them comprising an oxidation that causes the fragmentation of the carbon nanofilaments and starts a cleaving method that is completed by physical means in order to obtain graphene oxide nanoplatelets.
US08641997B2 Process for producing shaped articles of inorganic cyanides and products obtainable by the process
The invention relates to a method for producing shaped inorganic cyanide bodies, especially made of alkaline metal cyanides and alkaline earth metal cyanides, by pressing particulate inorganic cyanide obtained by means of a crystallization method. According to the invention, a cyanide crystallate separated from a mother liquor by means of a solid-liquid separation device and containing 2-15 wt. % water is fed to a forming device without the addition of an auxiliary forming agent and placed under pressure and compressed to form shaped bodies containing 0.1-12 wt. % water. The amount of water contained by the shaped bodies is always less than that contained in the crystallates used for the production thereof. Preferably, the crystallite is pressed out of a rotary filter or a centrifuge at a temperature of more than 40° C. to form shaped bodies containing 0.2-6 wt. % residual water. The inventive method can be carried out in a more economical manner than previously known methods using dried cyanide. The invention also relates to shaped inorganic cyanide bodies obtained according to said method.
US08641995B2 Magneto-optic nanocrystalline oxides and methods of forming the same
Rare earth magneto-optical nanocrystalline oxides provide a material that is transparent in the visible range and has a high magnetic response to external magnetic fields. The material can be manufactured using current activated pressure assisted densification (CAPAD). The result is a rare earth magneto-optical nanocrystalline oxide having an average grain size of less than about 100 nm and a Verdet constant greater than or equal to about 300 rad T−1 m−1 for light having a wavelength of about 632.8 nm.
US08641990B2 Storage vessel and a break tool for dividing such vessel
The present invention concerns a breakable multi-specimen storage vessel. The vessel comprises a tubular container comprising a lower end and an upper end. At least said upper end has an open end opening. The length of said container is continuously formed and provided with break portions at predetermined positions alongside thereof. Said container is adapted to be broken into a plurality of specimens. Further, an external surface of said container may be provided with a screw thread. Said screw thread is provided extending longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said tubular container and said internal surface is substantially smooth. The invention further relates to a break tool for breaking off specimens from a multi-specimen storage vessel such as a storage vessel according to the invention.
US08641989B2 Tissue substrate holding device
A substrate holding device is disclosed for use in histological studies. The device includes a tapered groove surface for retaining a tissue substrate. The device may be used with a cryogenic procedure.
US08641983B2 Cleaning apparatus for sanitizing furnishings
A cleaning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a mount member configured for extending along a dimension of an article to be cleaned and maintaining a predetermined distance from an apparatus facing surface of the article to be cleaned. A first engaging member is carried on a first end of the mount member and a second engaging member carried on a second end of the mount member. The first and second engaging members cooperate for engagement about the article to be cleaned. A casing is carried by the mount member and is configured for slideable translation about the mount member along the dimension of the article. The casing also defines an article sanitizing portion on an article facing portion thereof. The article sanitizing portion includes at least one sanitizing device for sanitizing the article to be cleaned.
US08641982B2 Vaporizer for sterilization of plastic containers
A vaporizer for the sterilization of containers, includes a housing, a first opening arranged in the housing for supplying a gaseous medium to the housing, an injection device for injecting into the housing a substance which contains hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). A heating device is arranged inside the housing for vaporizing the hydrogen peroxide, and a second opening is arranged in the housing for discharging a mixture of the gaseous medium and the vaporized hydrogen peroxide from the housing. The injection device extends in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to a plane of the heating device and the first opening is adjoined by a pipe section which extends at least partially in a longitudinal direction (L) of the injection device, wherein the injection device runs at least partially inside the pipe section.
US08641981B2 Device for the disinfection, sterilization and/or maintenance of medical in particular dental, instruments
A device for the disinfection, sterilization and/or maintenance of medical, in particular dental instruments. The device is optimized in various areas, facilitating the fully automatic, reliable and reproducible preparation of dental instruments.
US08641978B2 Power supply including transformer-less high voltage power oscillators for ozone generation
A transformer-less power supply is provided for ozone generation. The power supply advantageously reduces costs and increases reliability of ozone generators. The power supply provides a first AC voltage from a power source to a resonant circuit and the resonant circuit provides a second AC voltage to the ozone generating unit, the second AC voltage being greater than the first AC voltage. A controller for the power supply that adapts to the resonance of the circuit to provide control with a wide tolerance for the high Q circuit component values of the circuit.
US08641976B2 Apparatus for synthesizing nano particles, and method for synthesizing the nano particles using the same
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for synthesizing nano particles. The apparatus for synthesizing nano particles is configured to include: a plasma generator that generates plasma; a recovery device that recovers the synthesized nano particles; and a cooler that is disposed between the plasma generator and the recovery device and includes a cooling path where the nano particles are synthesized, while material supplied from the plasma generator is cooled, wherein the cooling path is set to have lower cooling temperatures for each section as going to the moving direction of the nano particles.
US08641974B2 Device for magnetic detection of individual particles in a microfluid channel
A device dynamically detects particles of a fluid. The device can be miniaturized for detecting and selecting magnetized particles, particularly cells.
US08641965B2 Method and device for controlling the sterilization of products in an autoclave
Method for controlling the sterilization of products in an autoclave, in which products are placed in at least one closed, unsealed and confined container of any type, and according to which inside this same container there is a loaded and autonomous device for measuring in the container at least one sterilization parameter wherein during at least one part of the duration of the sterilization cycle and according to a predefined frequency, at least one representative value of the measurement of the at least one parameter is recorded in the loaded device and at least one of these representative values is transmitted directly through the container that remains closed, through wireless transmission by electromagnetic rays of waves with a frequency of less than 250,000 GHz.
US08641963B2 Economic oxidation and fatigue resistant metallic coating
The present disclosure relates to an improved low-cost metallic coating to be deposited on gas turbine engine components. The metallic coating consists of 1.0 to 18 wt % cobalt, 3.0 to 18 wt % chromium, 5.0 to 15 wt % aluminum, 0.01 to wt % yttrium, 0.01 to 0.6 wt % hafnium, 0.0 to 0.3 wt % silicon, 0.0 to 1.0 wt % zirconium, 0.0 to 10 wt % tantalum, 0.0 to 9.0 wt % tungsten, 0.0 to 10 wt % molybdenum, 0.0 to 43.0 wt % platinum, and the balance nickel.
US08641959B2 Antioxidant doping of crosslinked polymers to form non-eluting bearing components
Methods provide a non-eluting antioxidant doped UHMWPE in the form of an implant bearing component. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a preform; (b) irradiating the preform with γ-irradiation to crosslink the UHMWPE; (c) doping the crosslinked preform by exposing it to an antioxidant composition at a temperature below the melting point of the UHMWPE; (d) removing the doped material from contact with the antioxidant composition; and then (e) annealing by heating the doped material at a temperature above 30° C. and below the melting point of the UHMWPE; followed by (f) making an implant bearing component from the doped material, wherein at least 1 mm but no more than about 15 mm of material are removed to make the component.
US08641958B2 Extrusion reduction in imprint lithography
Devices positioned between an energy source and an imprint lithography template may block exposure of energy to portions of polymerizable material dispensed on a substrate. Portions of the polymerizable material that are blocked from the energy may remain fluid, while the remaining polymerizable material is solidified.
US08641957B2 Molding cosmetic composite panels with visible fibers from ultraviolent light resistant epoxy compositions
One embodiment of the invention provides a method including molding composite panels that are UV resistant, substantially free of fiber readout, and have visible fibers from epoxy compositions comprising resins having aromatic rings.
US08641955B2 Method for forming a molded component for an item
A process for producing molded products having portions formed with two separate materials is provided. The process involves forming a first component over a structural core in a first step, and forming a second component that is secured to the first component and the core in a second step. The second component can be formed directly over the first component or can be secured thereto after formation. The first and second components can additionally be formed with indicia thereon, or with recesses within which inserts containing the desired indicia can be positioned. Additionally, the first component can be formed with a ridge disposed on a projection formed on the first component that effectively seals off a portion of the first component when the second component is formed around the core and the first component to ensure the portion of the first component surrounded by the ridge remains visible after formation of the second component.
US08641951B2 Method for the one-step programming of the three-shape plastics
The invention relates to a method for producing a programmed shape memory polymer, which assumes a first temporary shape and at least two additional stored thermally activatable shapes, namely at least one second temporary shape and a permanent shape, with the steps of: (a) providing a shape memory polymer which has at least two switching segments (A, B), which through phase segregation each form a switching phase having each a corresponding transition temperature (TtransA, TtransB), (b) deforming the shape memory polymer into a shape corresponding to the first temporary shape at a temperature above the upper transition temperature (TtransA), and (c) cooling to a temperature below the lower transition temperature (TtransB) by fixing the first temporary shape. The method of the invention provides a one-step programming method for a triple-shape plastic material.
US08641947B2 Method and extrusion line for producing peroxide-cross-linked polyethylene pipes
A method and extrusion line for producing peroxide-cross-linked polyethylene pipes in an extrusion line having an extruder, a cross-linking furnace and a flue. The extruded tube is subjected to a stretching process, and the cross-linking furnace has a first heating section that extends from its inlet to an actuated deflection roller and a second heating section from the deflection roller to its outlet. The stretching process in the first heating section and the stretching process in the second heating section are monitored and regulated in such a manner that the necessary stretching of the pipe takes place primarily in the first heating section, and the stretching of the pipe in the second heating section is subjected to zero adjustment. In this case, the height of the deflection roller(s) of the cross-linking furnace and the angle of the heating sections to the horizontal plane can be height-adjustable.
US08641945B2 Method of preparing aroma particles
The invention relates to vitreous aroma particles and the preparation thereof, as well as to the use thereof in foods, consumer articles and pharmaceuticals.
US08641942B2 Laser scanning systems and methods for measuring extruded ceramic logs
Laser scanning systems and methods are disclosed herein that can provide quick and efficient measurement of extruded ceramic logs, particularly related to log shape, during manufacture. Two two-dimensional laser scans from respective laser scanners are performed and the resulting laser scan data is combined to form a three-dimensional surface shape measurement of the ceramic log. The systems and methods disclosed herein enable a non-contact measurement of the extruded ceramic log, which reduces the risk of physically damaging the log. The measurement results can be used to adjust the extrusion process of the extruder that forms the extruded ceramic logs.
US08641941B2 Photocatalytic reactions in nano-imprint lithography processes
An imprint lithography template having a photoactive coating adhered to a surface of the template. Irradiation of the photoactive coating promotes cleaning of the template by decomposition of organic material proximate the template (e.g., organic material adsorbed on the template). An imprint lithography system may be configured such that template cleaning is achieved during formation of a patterned layer on an imprint lithography substrate. Cleaning of the template during an imprint lithography process reduces down-time that may be associated with template maintenance.
US08641934B2 Method for fabricating light guide plate
A method for fabricating a light guide plate includes the following steps. Injection molding a light guide plate to obtain a light guide plate with a stub. Cutting away the stub to obtain a light guide plate with a cut edge. Providing a thermal resetting apparatus having an nano release material layer. A thermal melting temperature of the nano release material layer is higher than that of the light guide plate, heating the thermal resetting apparatus to make a temperature of the nano release material layer higher than the thermal melting temperature of the nano release material layer. And resetting the cut edge of the light guide plate by contacting the nano release material layer of the thermal resetting apparatus with the cut edge of the light guide plate to obtain a light guide plate with a smooth edge.
US08641933B2 Composite crystal colloidal array with photochromic member
The invention includes a composite material for use in a security device including a radiation diffracting component that exhibits a first optical effect and a photochromic component that exhibits a second optical effect. The composite material is particularly suited for use in authenticating articles, such as currency.
US08641928B2 Stretched articles suitable for use as EMI absorbers
An exemplary embodiment of a method of making an electromagnetic interference (EMI) absorber includes stretching a material that includes EMI absorbing particles along at least a first axis to align at least some EMI absorbing particles.
US08641924B2 Liquid crystal polyester resin composition
An object is to provide a liquid crystal polyester resin composition capable of producing a molding in which the generation amount of particles is sufficiently reduced.The present invention provides a liquid crystal polyester resin composition including (1) a liquid crystal polyester, and (2) a fiber-shaped filler having a fiber diameter of 5 to 15 μm and a number average fiber length of 30 to 200 μm, wherein the content of a fiber having a fiber length of more than 200 μm is 10% by mass or less based on 100% by mass of the amount of the fiber-shaped filler.
US08641919B2 Piezoelectric compositions
Piezoelectric compositions are provided wherein mechanical and piezoelectric properties can be separately modulated. Preferred compositions include resin blends that comprise: (a) a piezoelectrically active polymer and (b) a matrix polymer, methods of making, and use of such resin blends. Advantages of preferred resin blends of the invention can include high piezoelectricity, mechanical strength and flexibility, convenient fabrication process, and high sensitivity at high temperatures.
US08641916B2 Plasma etching apparatus, plasma etching method and storage medium
A plasma etching method for forming a hole in an etching target film by a plasma processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an RF power supply for applying RF power for plasma generation to at least one of upper and lower electrodes, and a DC power supply for applying minus DC voltage to the upper electrode. A first condition that plasma is generated by turning on the RF power supply and minus DC voltage is applied to the upper electrode and a second condition that the plasma is extinguished by turning off the RF power supply and minus DC voltage is applied to the upper electrode are alternately repeated. Etching is performed by positive ions in the plasma under the first condition and negative ions are supplied into the hole by the DC voltage to neutralize positive ions in the hole under the second condition.
US08641914B2 Methods of improving long range order in self-assembly of block copolymer films with ionic liquids
Methods for fabricating arrays of nanoscaled alternating lamellae or cylinders in a polymer matrix having improved long range order utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
US08641913B2 Fine pitch microcontacts and method for forming thereof
A method includes applying a final etch-resistant material to an in-process substrate so that the final etch-resistant material at least partially covers first microcontact portions integral with the substrate and projecting upwardly from a surface of the substrate, and etching the surface of the substrate so as to leave second microcontact portions below the first microcontact portions and integral therewith, the final etch-resistant material at least partially protecting the first microcontact portions from etching during the further etching step. A microelectronic unit includes a substrate, and a plurality of microcontacts projecting in a vertical direction from the substrate, each microcontact including a base region adjacent the substrate and a tip region remote from the substrate, each microcontact having a horizontal dimension which is a first function of vertical location in the base region and which is a second function of vertical location in the tip region.
US08641909B2 Method and apparatus for disturbing networked pulp
The present invention provides a method (20) of separating pulp from a feed material within a tank (1), the method comprising the steps of (23) introducing the feed material (22) into the tank (1); (24) allowing the feed material (22) to settle in the tank (1); (25) allowing the pulp (21) to form into aggregates (13); (26) allowing the pulp aggregates (13) to settle towards the bottom of the tank (1) and form a networked layer (2) of pulp; and (27) causing a disturbance substantially uniformly across a disturbance zone (16) in an upper region of the networked layer (2), so as to disrupt the networked pulp in the disturbance zone within a predetermined period of time; thereby releasing entrained liquid from the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (16) and increasing the relative density of the pulp below the disturbance zone. The invention also provides a separation device (40) for separating pulp (21) from a feed material (22).
US08641908B2 Method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge
A method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge includes: (a) measuring a solid content in the municipal waste sludge in terms of a volatile suspended solid in the municipal waste sludge; (b) removing supernatant from the municipal waste sludge; (c) freezing the municipal waste sludge; (d) conducting a pretreatment of the municipal waste sludge that has been frozen; (e) adding a surfactant into the pretreated sludge to obtain a slurry; (f) adding a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite solution to the municipal waste sludge obtained in step (e), a ratio of a volume of the sodium hypochlorite solution to the solid content of the municipal waste sludge ranging from 0.67 mg/ml to 1.25 mg/ml and being defined as a liquid-solid ratio; and (g) separating PHAs from non-PHAs substances in the municipal waste sludge obtained in the step (f).
US08641907B2 Method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge
A method of recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from municipal waste sludge includes: (a) removing coarse particles in the municipal waste sludge and measuring a solid content in the municipal waste sludge in terms of a volatile suspended solid in the municipal waste sludge; (b) removing a supernatant from the municipal waste sludge; (c) freezing the municipal waste sludge; (d) adding a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite solution to the municipal waste sludge that has been frozen, a ratio of the solid content of the municipal waste sludge to a volume of the sodium hypochlorite solution added in step (d) ranging from 0.67 mg/ml to 4 mg/ml and being defined as a liquid-solid ratio; and (e) separating PHAs from non-PHAs substances in the municipal waste sludge obtained in the step (d).
US08641906B2 Method and system for distributing and collecting fluids in a multi-stage column
The invention concerns a device for distributing fluids which are to supply a multi-stage column having a succession of plates, each plate supporting a bed of granular solid (2) and being provided with a network for distributing said fluids constituted by substantially horizontal lines (6) having a plurality of degrees of branching from 1 to rank N, the ensemble of lines from rank P to rank N being adherent to the base plane of the plate under consideration, and the lines of the last degree of branching N communicating with mixing chambers (8) disposed immediately below said base plane.
US08641896B2 Filter device, in particular fluid filter, with a heater
Disclosed is a filter device having a filter element disposed in a filter housing and a heater for heating a medium flowing through the filter device. The heater is disposed in the interior of the filter housing and is mounted on the filter element.
US08641895B2 Oil recovery apparatus
A method and apparatus for recovering oil from oil-containing sorbents, such as drill cuttings obtained from drilling with an oil-based mud. The method includes peptizing the substrate with an acid reagent and direct thermal desorption with combustion effluent gases at high temperature under turbulent mixing conditions. Another method disclosed includes upgrading the oil in the substrate to improve one or more of the properties of the recovered oil relative to the oil in the substrate, such as, lower aromatics content, lower sulfur content, lower functional group content, higher saturates, higher viscosity, higher viscosity index, and any combination thereof. The apparatus provides for efficient recovery of oil from the substrate with a short residence time, high throughput, low residual oil content in the treated solids and/or high percentage of oil recovery. The apparatus may be transported to a remote location for on-site treatment of drill cuttings or other oil-containing solids.
US08641894B1 Mini metering and biological balancer control station
A Water and Wastewater Treatment Aerated Mini-Dosing air-lift pump System and filter housing, that replaces the conventional dosing pump, controls and additional Tank. It is adaptable to all access ports and uniquely smaller than a 3″ inspection port and is integrally positioned in an existing or new raw water pretreatment or pump tank. It aerates the source pool thereby mitigating: H2SO4 gases, odors and source pool BOD5. The system communicates with an above ground aerator and optional controls and in it's plurality supplies dissolved and free oxygen to the pump, housing, effluent and the source pool, with surge protection and scum mitigation. Mini-metering and, low pressure, extended cycle durations increase the average microbial production balance and microbial Ratio to nutrients BOD. The raw sewage tank no longer requires gas removal prior to inspection due to oxic and anoxic microbial processes that mitigates H2SO4 gases.
US08641893B2 Floating cell and island with a floating macrophyte filter
A floating cell with a floating macrophyte filter that can be installed in a chamber containing a volume of fluid to be filtered. The cell has: a layer with a floating macrophyte filter between a perimeter and a centre of the island; supporting means with peripheral structural means for defining a periphery; internal structural means for defining a framework; a central node; peripheral connecting means; internal connecting means; central flotation means and peripheral flotation means.
US08641891B1 Multi-chambered container
A multi-chambered container, which reduces backflow and which can include a filter to remove contaminants from a beverage, a first chamber having a first opening disposed adjacent to a top of the container through which fluid enters the first chamber and a second opening disposed adjacent to a bottom of the container through which fluid flows out of the first chamber, a second chamber having a third opening disposed adjacent to the top through which fluid enters the second chamber and a fourth opening disposed adjacent to the top through which fluid is dispensed from the second chamber, and a fluid conduit connecting the second opening of the first chamber to the third opening of the second chamber.
US08641884B2 Mold manufacturing method and electrode structure for use therein
A method of fabricating a motheye mold according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) anodizing a surface of an aluminum film (10a) via an electrode (32a) that is in contact with the surface, thereby forming a porous alumina layer which has a plurality of very small recessed portions; (b) after step (a), allowing the porous alumina layer to be in contact with an etchant, thereby enlarging the very small recessed portions of the porous alumina layer; and (c) after step (b), further anodizing the surface to grow the plurality of very small recessed portions. The aluminum film is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.99 mass % or higher. The electrode includes a first electrode portion (32a1) which is made of aluminum with a purity of 99.50 mass % or lower and a second electrode portion (32a2) which is made of aluminum with a higher purity than the aluminum of the first electrode portion and which is interposed between the surface and the first electrode portion. Step (a) and step (c) are performed with the second electrode portion being in contact with the surface in an electrolytic solution. According to the present invention, a method of efficiently anodizing an aluminum film formed over a large surface substrate and an electrode structure for use in the method.
US08641883B2 Polymer-based high surface area multi-layered three-dimensional structures and method of making same
A method of forming three-dimensional structures includes forming a conductive layer on a substrate and patterning a resist layer over the conductive layer, the resist layer having contained therein a plurality of vias. An electrically conductive polymer is then electro-deposited in the vias. The electro-deposition operation is then stopped to form one or more of posts, posts having bulbous termini (i.e., mushrooms), or a layer atop the resist layer. The resist may be removed to yield the structure which may be further processed. For example, the structure may be pyrolyzed. In addition, biomolecules may also be adhered or otherwise affixed to the structure.
US08641882B2 Capillary column cartridge
Described is a capillary column cartridge. The cartridge can be used to perform separations according to various techniques such as capillary gas chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and capillary liquid chromatography. The cartridge includes a capillary column secured in a cartridge body. The capillary column includes an inlet port and an outlet port that, in some embodiments, are disposed on a planar surface of the body. When the body is engaged to a separation system module, the inlet port is aligned to receive a sample to be separated and the outlet port is aligned to provide the separated sample to the separation system module. The path of the capillary through the body has a non-planar path shape such as a coil shape. Consequently, longer column lengths can be accommodated, leading to an improvement in separation resolution. The body can include a material having a high thermal conductivity to achieve improved thermal performance.
US08641870B2 Method for surface treatment of a titanium dioxide pigment
The invention relates to a method for the surface treatment of a titanium dioxide with aluminum phosphate and hydrous aluminum oxide that leads to pigments with improved greying resistance, while simultaneously maintaining good brightness and opacity. The method is characterized in that phosphoric acid is initially added to a TiO2 suspension with a pH value of at least 8, in which context the pH value drops to 3 or below. An alkaline aluminum compound is subsequently added, in which context the pH rises to at least 5, after which an acid aluminum compound is added, as a result of which a pH value of 4.5 to 7 is obtained. The pigment manufactured by the method according to the invention is eminently suitable for use in decorative laminating paper.
US08641866B2 Screen basket optimized for removal of stickies from adhesives-contaminated recyclable fiber
A screen structure which is unusually effective at removing stickies from recyclable fiber but is tolerant of substantial swings in throughput which result in variations in the flow velocity through the screen—slot velocity. One example of the screen structure is created by forming a very large number of similarly shaped vanes then locking them into a ring structure to form a cylindrical screen basket but equivalent surface configurations can also be formed into sheet stock.
US08641864B2 Funtionalizing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials
Irradiated lignocellulosic or cellulosic materials are provided which contain carboxylic acid groups and/or other functional groups not present in a naturally occurring cellulosic or lignocellulosic material from which the irradiated material was obtained.
US08641861B2 Solar collector devices and methods of assembly
In one embodiment, a method of assembling optical elements is provided. At least a portion of each optical element is disposed against at least a portion of a high precision surface. A structural frame is disposed adjacent the optical elements. At least two portions of the structural frame are aligned relative to each other and to the high precision surface with high precision. Adhesive is applied to adhere the structural frame to the optical elements. The adhesive is cured. In other embodiments, optical element assemblies are provided.
US08641857B2 Process for manufacturing a fuel tank
Process for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank provided with at least one accessory (14) connected to the internal space of the tank via at least one orifice (12) in the wall (10) of the tank, the accessory including a projecting element (24) extending to the outside of the tank, the processing comprising the steps consisting in providing a film (22) that includes a peripheral region (28) and a border region (30) around an opening in the film, in placing the film on the wall of the tank and on the outer surface of the accessory in such a way that the projecting element passes through the film via the opening, in welding the film over its entire peripheral region to the wall of the tank, and in welding the film, over its entire border region, to the outer surface of the accessory.
US08641854B2 Polypropylene film for electron-beam hardening applications
The invention relates to a Co-extruded, multilayer and biaxially-oriented polypropylene film, which comprises of at least one first sealable covering layer and at least one vacuolate layer, having a thickness of at least 5 μm, is further treated by laminating, pasting, printing, varnishing and/or coating; the result registered as follows: after drying or hardening during further treatments using electron-beam irradiation, the vacuolate layer has a thickness of at least 5 μm. Hot tack is not damaged by electron-beam processing.
US08641846B2 Method for sealing fenestration openings
Seal a fenestration opening that contains a gap having a width of greater than 1.6 millimeters by providing a dispersion having the following components dispersed in an aqueous phase: (i) a film-forming polymer binder having a glass transition temperature in a range of −100 degrees Celsius to −20 degrees Celsius; (ii) a shear thinning rheology modifier at a concentration sufficient to cause the dispersion to have a Brookfield viscosity greater than 300,000 centiPoise as measured using spindle #3 at 0.3 revolutions per minute; and (iii) optionally, a filler; and then spraying the dispersion directly onto the building elements within the fenestration opening so as to form a continuous coating over the building elements and gap within the fenestration opening; wherein there is an absence of reinforcement or sealing material filling or spanning the gap prior to spraying the dispersion over the gap.
US08641843B2 Simulant material for primary explosives
The present invention provides a simulant material comprising a primary explosive and a carrier.
US08641838B2 Copper alloy sheet material and method of producing the same
A copper alloy sheet material, having a composition containing any one or both of Ni and Co in an amount of 0.5 to 5.0 mass % in total, and Si in an amount of 0.3 to 1.5 mass %, with the balance of copper and unavoidable impurities, wherein an area ratio of cube orientation {0 0 1} <1 0 0> is 5 to 50%, according to a crystal orientation analysis in EBSD measurement.
US08641836B2 Steel plate for line pipe excellent in strength and ductility and method of production of same
The present invention provides steel plate for line pipe excellent in strength and ductility and a method of production of the same. The steel plate has a steel composition containing, by mass %, C: 0.04 to 0.15%, Si: 0.05 to 0.60%, Mn: 0.80 to 1.80%, P: 0.020% or less, S: 0.010% or less, Nb: 0.01 to 0.08%, and Al: 0.003 to 0.08%, having a balance of iron and unavoidable impurities, and having a value of Ceq shown by the following formula <1> of 0.48 or less, comprised of a mixed structure of ferrite and pearlite or ferrite and pearlite partially containing bainite in which a ferrite percentage is 60 to 95%, having a yield strength of 450 MPa or more, and having an amount of hydrogen contained in the steel of 0.1 ppm or less: Ceq=C+Mn/6+(Cu+Ni)/15+(Cr+Mo+Nb+V+Ti)/5+5B  <1>.
US08641833B2 Corrosion-resistant magnet and method for producing the same
An object of the present invention is to provide an R—Fe—B based sintered magnet having on a surface thereof a chemical conversion film with higher corrosion resistance than a conventional chemical conversion film such as a phosphate film, and a method for producing the same. The corrosion-resistant magnet of the present invention as a means for achieving the object is characterized by comprising a chemical conversion film containing at least Zr, Nd, fluorine, and oxygen as constituent elements and not containing phosphorus directly on a surface of an R—Fe—B based sintered magnet, wherein R is a rare-earth element including at least Nd.
US08641830B2 Gravimetric dispensing system
Apparatus and related methods for continually measuring and dispensing precise amounts of bulk chemical in a car wash application. A gravimetric dispensing assembly can include a load cell and a syringe dosing pump that is suspended below the load cell such that an entire mass of the syringe dosing pump is communicated to the load cell. In this manner, the load cell can measure the actual mass of chemical being dispensed from the syringe dosing pump on a continuous basis without solely relying on the rated volumetric capacity of the syringe dosing pump. The syringe dosing pump can be driven by a stepper motor that can be pulsed as directed by a controller so as to maintain, increase or decrease an amount of bulk chemical being dispensed from the syringe dosing pump.
US08641827B2 Cleaning composition with surface modification polymer
A cleaning composition includes water, glycerine, at least one alkyl polyglycoside and a surface modification polymer. The surface modification polymer acts to provides for initial cleaning or pretreatment of the hard surface and provides a hydrophilic coating or barrier layer on the surface which provides residual cleaning to the hard surface for an extended number of cleanings. The composition has an alkaline pH of from about 8 to 10.
US08641823B2 Reactor designs for use in ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals
Reactor designs for use in ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals. Internal heating is used to enhance and/or engineer fluid motion, gas mixing, and the ability to create solubility gradients within a vessel used for the ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals. Novel baffle designs are used for control and improvement of continuous fluid motion within a vessel used for the ammonothermal growth of group-III nitride crystals.
US08641821B2 Apparatus for manufacturing aluminum nitride single crystal, method for manufacturing aluminum nitride single crystal, and aluminum nitride single crystal
Provided is a manufacturing device of an aluminum nitride single crystal including a crucible. An aluminum nitride raw material and a seed crystal are stored in an inner portion of the crucible. The seed crystal is placed so as to face the aluminum nitride raw material. The crucible includes an inner crucible and an outer crucible. The inner crucible stores the aluminum nitride raw material and the seed crystal inside the inner crucible. The inner crucible is also corrosion resistant to a sublimation gas of the aluminum nitride raw material. The inner crucible includes either, a single body of a metal having an ion radius larger than an ion radius of an aluminum, or includes a nitride of the metal. The outer crucible includes a boron nitride. The outer crucible covers the inner crucible.
US08641817B2 Paint with metallic microwires, process for integrating metallic microwires in paint and process for applying said paint on metallic surfaces
The present invention relates to a paint with metallic microwires, to the process for integrating metallic microwires to obtain such paint, and to a process for applying said paint on metallic surfaces (1).The process for applying paint is performed in several steps: applying a first coat (2) of primer on the metallic surface; applying on the first coat (2) a second coat (3, 3′) of paint; applying on said second coat (3) an active third coat (4) of a paint containing microwires; and sanding said active third coat (4) with fine grain sandpaper to remove the microwires oriented perpendicular to the plane of the metallic surface; the maximum attenuation frequency of the reflectivity of said electromagnetic radiation being determined within of the range of maximum attenuation frequencies given by the composition of the paint with microwires, and by the thicknesses and dielectric constants of the different coats.
US08641809B2 Rotor support system
A system and method for easing the installation and removal of a desiccant rotor from an air handling system. The system and method enabling the installation of a shaft through the center of a rotor, the shaft having a first end portion protruding from the first axial face and a second end portion protruding from the second axial face, supporting the shaft and the rotor with a first support rail and a second support rail, the first and second support rails being positioned on opposite axial sides of the rotor and extending radially outward from a radial center of the rotor in an installed position, placing at least one keeper mechanism on each of the first and second support rails to secure the rotor in the installed position, and removing the at least one keeper mechanism to allow translational movement of the rotor along the first and second support rails.
US08641805B2 Reactor, plant and process
The present invention relates to reactor vessels such as absorbing or stripping columns that are suitable for capturing carbon dioxide from flue gas streams of fossil fuel fired powered stations such as coal fired power stations generating 100 to 500 MW. The side walls of the reactors are made of concrete or structural ceramics that are preferrably steel reinforced. The reactors are on a sufficiently large scale such that a flue gas stream in the order of at least 1,000 t/hr and normally greater than 2,000 or 3,000 t/hr can be scrubbed of carbon dioxide in a single absorption column and then recovered in a stripping column. The absorbing and stripping columns may be free standing structures or, alternatively, the absorbing column may be located at least partially within the stripping column.
US08641803B2 Gas-assisted hydrogen desorption method and apparatus for hydrogen storage material
The present invention relates to a gas-assisted hydrogen desorption method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for desorbing hydrogen from a self-catalyzing hydrogen storage material that is assisted by a carrier gas so as to further enable the portion of hydrogen containing in the self-catalyzing hydrogen storage material that can not be desorbed by conventional hydrogen desorption methods to be desorbed, and thus increase the amount of hydrogen to be released from the a self-catalyzing hydrogen storage material.
US08641801B2 Dross cooling system and cooling method
An aluminum dross cooling head cooperates with a material container to 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.
US08641798B2 One-step synthesis of monodisperse AU-CU nanocubes
A one-step process for synthesizing gold-copper bimetallic nanocubes. The process comprises the step of simultaneously reducing a copper II salt and a gold halide by 1,2-hexadecanediol in diphenyl ether, and 1-dodecanethiol as well as surfactants 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid and 1-hexadecylamine. The copper II salt may be copper (II) acetylacetonate, copper chloride, copper sulfate, or copper phosphate. The gold halide may be chloroauric acid, gold chloride, gold bromide, or tetrabromoauric acid. The reduction may occur at a temperature between about 160 and 180 degrees Celsius. The copper II salt may be copper (II) acetylacetonate and the gold halide may be chloroauric acid.
US08641797B2 Method for producing fulvic acid
The method of the present disclosure includes providing an organic compost material, combining the organic compost material with a crop to be grown, heating the organic compost material, combining the organic compost material with water, and extracting an aqueous liquid comprising humic acid and fulvic acid. The organic compost material may include straw and manure and the straw and manure may be subjected to several days and/or weeks of aerobic composting. The crop may include a variety of plants, trees, vegetables, fruits and fungi. In one embodiment, the crop may include mushroom spores, mycelia, or mushrooms.
US08641796B2 Filter medium and breather filter structure
Thermoplastic bicomponent binder fiber can be combined with other media, fibers and other filtration components to form a thermally bonded filtration media. The filtration media can be used in filter units, such as breather caps. Such filter units can be placed in the stream of a mobile fluid and can remove a particulate and/or fluid mist load from the mobile stream. The unique combination of media fiber, bicomponent binder fiber and other filtration additives and components provide a filtration media having unique properties in filtration applications.
US08641794B2 Air filter and air filter system
An air filter and frame that cooperate to require alignment of the filter in a desired orientation in order for insertion to occur. At least one edge of the filter is offset from a right angle relative to other edges and the faces of the filter, and an obstruction is formed in the frame so that the filter can be inserted into the frame in only the desired orientation. Preferably two opposing edges of the frame are angled, and obstructions, such as small rails, are mounted in opposing sidewalls of the frame.
US08641790B2 Process for the synthesis of hydrocarbons from a carbonaceous fuel
A method of increasing the hydrogen/carbon monoxide (H2/CO) ratio in a syngas stream derived from a carbonaceous fuel including coal, brown coal, peat, and heavy residual oil fractions, preferably coal. The fuel-derived syngas stream is divided into at least two sub-streams, one of which undergoes a catalytic water shift conversion reaction. The so-obtained converted sub-stream is combined with the non-converted sub-stream(s) to form a second syngas stream with an increased H2/CO ratio. The method of the present invention can provide a syngas with a H2/CO ratio more suitable for efficient hydrocarbon synthesis carried out on a given catalyst, such as in one or more Fischer-Tropsch reactors, as well as being able to accommodate variation in the H2/CO ratio of syngas formed from different qualities of feedstock fuels.
US08641788B2 Fuels and fuel additives comprising butanol and pentanol
Disclosed herein are fuels and/or fuel additives comprising butanol and pentanol. In particular, the fuels and/or fuel additives comprise from about 45 vol. % to about 90 vol. % of butanol and from about 10% to about 55% of pentanol, based on the total volume of the fuels or the fuel additive. Also disclosed herein are fuel compositions comprising fuels or fuel additives, which comprise from about 45 vol. % to about 90 vol. % of butanol and from about 10% to about 55% of pentanol. The fuels and/or fuel additives may also comprise minor amounts of methanol, ethanol, propanol, hexanol, heptanol, and/or octanol.
US08641787B2 Production of renewable diesel by pyrolysis and esterification
The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of diesel fuel from feedstocks containing fatty acids, glycerated fatty acids, and glycerin by catalytic and/or non-catalytic pyrolysis followed by esterification. Specifically, the present invention relates to the production of Renewable Diesel having low glycerin, water, and sulfur content.
US08641785B2 Aqueous pigment dispersion and aqueous ink for inkjet recording
An aqueous pigment dispersion containing A and B, wherein A is an azo pigment, an example of which is shown below, and in a crystal form having at least one characteristic peak at Bragg angles (2θ) of 5 to 15° and 20 to 30° in X-ray diffraction with characteristic Cu Kα line, a tautomer, a salt or hydrate thereof; and B is a vinyl polymer containing a specific structural unit, a structural unit derived from a salt-forming group-containing monomer (a), and a structural unit derived from a monomer selected from a styrene series macromer (b) and a hydrophobic monomer (c), provided that the water-insoluble vinyl polymer has at least either of 2 or more hydroxyl groups and 1 or more carboxyl groups at the end of the main chain:
US08641782B2 Compact exoskeleton arm support device to compensate for gravity
A compact exoskeleton arm support device compensates for gravity. The compact exoskeleton arm support device compensating for gravity may include at least five joints. Among the at least five joints, two joints may be driven by actuators, and the remaining joints may be driven by user force. The compact exoskeleton arm support device compensating for gravity effectively uses the actuators, thereby increasing operating efficiency and reducing production costs.
US08641779B1 Prosthetic limb mounting lever and method therefore
A system for securing a residual limb having a sheath, thereabout and a strap emanating therefrom through the socket of a prosthetic limb or the like, utilizing a uniquely configured and operated lever which is specially designed for the task of pulling of the strap from the exterior of the socket to urge the residual limb therein. The system uses the tool, in pivotal communication with the prosthesis, to provide efficient pulling force with less effort, utilizing lever action. The preferred embodiment of the tool comprises an elongated body having specifically formed first and second ends, and has formed therethrough at least one passageway to receive the strap from the sock.
US08641775B2 Viable tissue repair implants and methods of use
Biocompatible tissue implants are provided for repairing a tissue injury or defect. The tissue implants comprise a biological tissue slice that serves as a source of viable cells capable of tissue regeneration and/or repair. The biological tissue slice can be harvested from healthy tissue to have a geometry that is suitable for implantation at the site of the injury or defect. The harvested tissue slice is dimensioned to allow the viable cells contained within the tissue slice to migrate out and proliferate and integrate with tissue surrounding the injury or defect site. Methods for repairing a tissue injury or defect using the tissue implants are also provided.
US08641773B2 Fluted sleeve hip prosthesis for modular stem
An intramedullary implant for mounting within an intramedullary canal of a bone is disclosed. The intramedullary implant includes a lower stem portion, an upper stem portion, and a modular sleeve body. The modular sleeve body is connected to one of the lower stem portion or the upper stem portion. The sleeve body includes an inner portion that covers at least a segment of the upper stem portion and has one or more longitudinally extending bone engagement members for engagement with the bone.
US08641770B2 Prosthesis for the basal joint of the thumb
A basal joint of the thumb prosthesis includes a socket element to be secured to the trapezoid and capitate, and a metacarpal component to be secured to the first metacarpal. A ball on the metacarpal component is received and substantially enclosed by the socket element.
US08641764B2 Spine implant insertion device and method
A spinal implant include a top, wherein at least a portion of the top is configured to contact a first vertebra, a bottom, wherein at least a portion of the bottom is configured to contact a second vertebra, a side having a releasable attachment to receive an insertion device and a cam surface to engage a cam on the insertion device.
US08641762B2 Systems and methods for in situ assembly of an interspinous process distraction implant
An implant system for implantation between adjacent spinous processes for the relief of pain associated with the spine. The implant has a series of spacers which may be inserted over a shaft located between adjacent spinous processes thus allowing the implant to be assembled in situ. The spacers may rotate on the shaft relative to the wings. To minimize trauma to the patient, each spacer has a tapered tissue expander to distract the opening between the spinous processes during assembly. The shaft is connected to a wing, and a second wing or deployable wing may be inserted over the shaft and locked into place.
US08641760B2 Ossicular prosthesis with stabilizer and method of use with intact stapes
A system is provided for stabilized total ossicular replacement in a middle ear having an intact stapes with a capitulum and a footplate. The system includes an ossicular replacement prosthesis including with elongate shaft and a head coupled to the shaft, and a stabilizer that couples the prosthesis to the stapes. The stabilizer has a first portion with a first opening and a second portion with a second opening, said first opening sized to stably engage the shaft of the prosthesis, and said second opening sized to stably engage the capitulum. When the shaft and capitulum are engaged they are retained in an side-by side configuration. The stabilizer may be constructed of an elastic polymer, an elastic metal alloy, a plastic material or a shape memory material.
US08641759B2 Methods and systems for breast reconstruction
Methods for optimal breast reconstruction are disclosed. The methods include steps for performing a mastectomy that preserves a breast skin envelope. A prosthesis may be inserted into the breast and may be inflated to preserve the shape of the breast skin envelope. The prosthesis may include, a base, a balloon coupled to the base, where the balloon may be inflated to preserve the shape of the breast skin envelope. The prosthesis may also include tube coupled to port for filling the balloon to a predetermined volume. A needle-lock system, coupled to the port may be used to inject, for example, fluids into the balloon. If a patient requires post-mastectomy radiation, breast reconstruction may be delayed and the prosthesis may remain in the breast cavity during the treatment. The treatment may be external beam radiation. Alternatively, the treatment may include brachytherapy technique for treating the internal breast cavity.
US08641756B2 Sustained drug-releasing stent
A stent includes a stent body of a cylindrical configuration having outer and inner surfaces, a first coated layer coating at least the outer surface, and a second coated layer coating substantially completely over the first coated layer. The first coated layer is prepared of a first composition comprising a polymer and a vascular intimal hyperplasia inhibitor (preferably argatroban) of a kind, which does not inhibit proliferation of endothelial cells, the weight compositional ratio of the polymer to the inhibitor being within the range of 8:2 to 3:7. On the other hand, the second coated layer is prepared of a polymer alone or a second composition comprising a polymer and a drug, the weight compositional ratio of the drug to 80% by weight of the polymer being less than 20% by weight.
US08641755B2 Prosthesis for treating vascular bifurcations
A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.
US08641752B1 Integrated sheath and deployment
A catheter assembly for endoluminal delivery of a device to a treatment site utilizing a single motion deployment for opening and removal of a flexible protective sleeve or constraining sleeve.
US08641750B2 Stent design with sheath attachment members
A stent is provided having attachment members for allowing attachment of a sheath or sheaths. Accordingly, a practitioner is able to selectively choose a desirable sheath, such as a polymeric sleeve, a biomaterial, or a natural blood vessel, at a point-of-use and attach it to the sheath. The attachment members may be bendable tabs and/or secondary support stents.
US08641749B2 Stent delivery system
The present invention relates to a delivery system for a self-expanding stent with a hollow cylindrical body and a proximal and a distal end. At least the proximal end thereof has projecting loops pointing alternately in the proximal and distal direction, the loops having a shoulder and straight sections. In addition, there is an outer tube which passes through the stent and an inner tube which passes through the outer tube, the inner tube and the outer tube being designed to move axially with respect to one another. In addition, it is fitted with a locking system for the projecting loops at the proximal end of the stent for introduction of the stent into the body vessel, the locking system having a cap element with pin elements fixed to it which point axially in the proximal direction of the delivery system and a first engagement unit for the pin elements which is positioned proximal with respect to the cap element in the delivery system.
US08641744B2 Bone plating system
The present invention relates to a bone plating system and method for fracture fixation of bone. The bone plating system includes a bone plate, at least one locking screw, and at least one non-locking screw. The bone plate has locking holes with threads and non-locking holes. The locking screws have a shaft with a thread for engaging bone and a head with a thread configured and dimensioned to mate with the thread of the locking holes. The non-locking screws have a thread for engaging bone and a non-threaded head. Both the locking and non-locking screws remain seated in their respective holes for substantially as long as the bone plate is implanted. The non-locking screws compress the bone plate against the bone and hold fracture reduction while the locking screws are secured to the plate at a fixed angular relationship. The mixed fixation achieved by this bone plating system and method is particularly useful for treatment of per-articular fractures.
US08641736B2 Vertebral fastener system
A spinal correction system comprises a flexible longitudinal element extending between a first end and a second end. At least one fixation element includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes an inner surface that defines a cavity such that the longitudinal element is disposable therein. The second portion is configured for penetrating tissue. A coupling member is engageable with the first portion of the at least one fixation element and the longitudinal element to connect the longitudinal element with the at least one fixation element. The coupling member includes a penetrating element configured to extend through the longitudinal element. A flexible member is disposed between the longitudinal element and the inner surface of the first portion of the at least one fixation element. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08641734B2 Dual spring posterior dynamic stabilization device with elongation limiting elastomers
A Posterior Dynamic Stabilization (PDS) device that regulates physiologic spinal elongation and compression. Regulation of elongation and compression are critical requirements of Posterior Dynamic Stabilization devices. Elongation and compression of the device allow the pedicles to travel naturally as the spine flexes and extends. This interpedicular travel preserves a more natural center of rotation unlike some conventional PDS devices that simply allow bending. The device incorporates two components: 1) a spring that allows elongation/compression, and 2) a polymer core component that serves to increase the stiffness of the device in shear, bending, and tension, and also prevents soft tissue ingrowth.
US08641726B2 Method for robotic arthroplasty using navigation
A method for robotic surgery on a joint using a robotic system and a navigation system. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation system tracks movement of bones associated with the joint during the surgery. Information related to tracked positions of the bones is communicated from the navigation system to the robotic system. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices.
US08641721B2 Customized patient-specific orthopaedic pin guides
Customized patient-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments are disclosed. Methods for fabricating and using such instruments are also disclosed.
US08641720B2 Orthopedic implant system
A surgical instrument is configured to introduce a spinal fixation rod into a vertebral implant such that once the spinal fixation rod is engaged with the surgical instrument and the surgical instrument is put into a retention configuration, the spinal fixation rod cannot be removed from the surgical instrument until the spinal fixation rod is properly located and oriented with respect to the surgical construct and the surgical instrument is released from the retention configuration. The surgical instrument for introducing a spinal fixation rod includes a surgical instrument body with an actuator, and an engagement assembly at opposing ends and a transfer assembly extending between the actuator and the engagement assembly. The surgical instrument can also be used as part of a method for introducing a spinal fixation rod. Additionally, the surgical instrument can be part of a kit for introducing a spinal fixation rod, the kit including a plurality of spinal fixation rods of varying shapes and sizes.
US08641719B2 Minimally invasive surgical system
A multi-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure and associated instruments are disclosed. First, the surgical site is prepared. After preparation, the bone screws or anchors are attached to the bone. Subsequent to insertion of the screws, a rod or connecting member is positioned within the yoke portion of the bone screw. Caps are then placed in a pre-lock position within the yokes. The bone screws may be compressed together or distracted along the rod or connecting member, thereby setting the final spacing of the bones or bone segments. Finally the caps are moved to a final lock position to fix the screws to the rod or connecting member to maintain the bones in position relative to each other.
US08641717B2 Guidewire insertion methods and devices
Various methods and devices for inserting a guidewire into the body are provided. In one embodiment, a guidewire insertion device is provided and includes and outer sheath having an outer surface and an inner lumen extending therethrough, and a dilator having an inner lumen extending therethrough and having a length greater than a length of the outer sheath. A guidewire can be configured to extend through the inner lumen of the dilator such that the guidewire is removably and replaceably disposable within the dilator and coupled thereto. A locking mechanism can be effective to selectively configure the guidewire between a locked position in which the guidewire is stationary relative to the dilator and an unlocked position in which the guidewire is movable relative to the dilator.
US08641716B2 Joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US08641715B2 Manual intraosseous device
An apparatus for penetrating the bone marrow of a bone is provided. The apparatus includes a handle having a drive shaft, a connector having a first end operable to connect to a drive shaft and a second end operable to connect to a penetrator hub and a penetrator hub having a penetrator that accesses the bone marrow.
US08641712B2 Local optimization of electrode current densities
An end effector assembly for use with a bipolar forceps includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other to grasp tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces. Each tissue sealing surface is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. The forceps also includes an insulator disposed between each pair of electrically conductive sealing surfaces and an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within each insulator and defining a geometrical configuration including a plurality of peaks having a period that is a multiple of an operating frequency of the electrosurgical energy. The cutting elements are adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy to conduct electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue cut.
US08641709B2 Percutaneous pringle occlusion method and device
Methods and devices for occluding a vessel during a percutaneous ablation procedure. An elongated access device having a lumen and a tissue piercing, open distal end in communication with the lumen is used to percutaneously access a vessel that supplied blood to the tissue to be treated. An elongated balloon deployment device is used to deliver a balloon into the interior of the vessel. The balloon is inflated, resulting in the occlusion of the vessel. The tissue to be treated is ablated. Because there is little or no blood to transfer the thermal energy away from the heated tissue, the ablation procedure is performed more efficiently. The balloon may be subsequently deflated allowing normal flow through the vessel to return.
US08641708B2 Measuring weak signals over ablation lines
A medical probe, including an ablation electrode and a first conductor connected to the ablation electrode. The first conductor is configured to convey ablation energy to the ablation electrode. The probe also includes a second conductor which is connected at a junction to the first conductor so as to form a thermocouple at the junction.
US08641707B2 Medical device having a bimaterial valve
Medical devices using fluid or cooling fluids having one or more bimaterial valves positioned at each point of flow control to control the flow of a fluid in response to temperature changes. In particular, devices for ablating tissue having multiple ablation elements or cells include one or more bimaterial valves positioned within or near the ablation cells. The bimaterial valves respond to temperature changes by adjusting the flow rate of a fluid through the valve.
US08641705B2 Method and apparatus for controlling lesion size in catheter-based ablation treatment
A method and apparatus that utilizes a force-time integral for real time estimation of lesion size in catheter-based ablation systems. The apparatus measures the force exerted by a contact ablation probe on a target tissue and integrates the force over an energization time of the ablation probe. The force-time integral can be calculated and utilized to provide an estimated lesion size (depth, volume and/or area) in real time. The force-time integral may also account for variations in the power delivered to the target tissue in real time to provide an improved estimation of the lesion size. In one embodiment, the force metric can be used as feedback to establish a desired power level delivered to the probe to prevent steam popping.
US08641703B2 Disposable electromagnetic energy applicator and method of using it
A skin treatment apparatus that includes, a disposable electrode carrier with a plurality of voltage-applying dome-shaped elements protruding from the surface of the electrode carrier. Further, the protruding elements are spaced apart in a pattern. The apparatus operates to apply a voltage to at least some of the protruding elements. The apparatus applies a voltage to the protruding elements with a magnitude that is sufficient to result in an electrical break down of the skin and thereby cause electric current enabling the desired treatment.
US08641699B2 Systems and methods for hernia repair
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a minimally invasive implant-based ventral hernia repair system including a first and second elongated member in which the second elongated member extends through the internal channel of the first elongated member. A set of arm members are moveably coupled to the distal end of the first elongated member. A set of tension members extends lengthwise along the arm members and is rigidly coupled between the distal most segment of each arm member and the second elongated member. The degree of tension in the tension members corresponds to the configuration of the arm members with respect to the first elongated member. The proximal translation of the second elongated with respect to the first elongated member causes tension on the tension members, which thereby articulates the arm members into a radial extended configuration in which the arm members extend radially and substantially perpendicular to the first elongated member.
US08641695B2 Absorbent article
An absorbent article such as a diaper, pant diaper, a sanitary pant or incontinence garment has at least one first elastic web material which is ultrasonically welded to at least one second web material along at least one weld seam. The second web material is different to the first elastic web material and the second web material has a degree of elasticity which is different to the elasticity of the first elastic web material. The ultrasonic weld seam between the first elastic web material and the second web material is reinforced to have a weld strength in a direction transverse to the weld seam which is at least 5N/25.4 mm.
US08641694B2 Fluid containment pouch
A fluid containment pouch is provided that includes a first layer of material having a first thermal characteristic and a second layer of material having a second thermal characteristic. The first layer of material is thermally compatible with a patient covering upon which it is to be thermally bonded. Thermal bonds between the fluid containment pouch and the patient covering form fluid containment channels that retain expelled body fluids during a patient's operation to help maintain a sterile operating environment.
US08641693B2 Reduced-pressure canisters and methods for recycling
Reduced-pressure canisters and methods for recycling are disclosed. In one instance, a method for performing multiple reduced pressure treatments on one or more patients includes providing a reduced-pressure treatment system that includes a first canister body, a fluid reservoir, and one or more modules, such as a pump control module. The method involves using the reduced-pressure system and then removing one or more modules and placing the one or more modules in fitted shipping receptacle that disallows shipping of the fluid reservoir. The one or more modules may be reconditioned and coupled to a second canister body. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
US08641691B2 Portable wound therapy system
A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject, a portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject and a container for collecting exudates from the wound bed removed under the subatmospheric pressure supplied by the subatmospheric pressure mechanism. The portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing, a subatmospheric pressure source disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the wound dressing to supply subatmospheric pressure to the wound dressing and a power source mounted to or within the housing for supplying power to actuate the subatmospheric pressure source.
US08641688B2 Assemblies for identifying a power injectable access port
An assembly for identifying a power injectable vascular access port, including a vascular access port and an identification feature. The port is structured for power injection and includes a housing and a septum together defining a reservoir. A radiographic feature incorporated into the port is perceivable via x-ray following subcutaneous implantation, the radiographic feature identifying the port as suitable for flowing fluid at a fluid flow rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough. A structural feature of the port is perceivable via palpation following subcutaneous implantation, the structural feature identifying the port as suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi. The identification feature is separated from the port and confirms that the port is both suitable for flowing fluid at a rate of at least 1 mL/sec therethrough and suitable for accommodating a pressure within the reservoir of at least 35 psi.
US08641686B2 Anti-biofilm intravascular catheter
An anti-biofilm catheter comprising a tubing configured to be disposed within a luminal system, wherein the tubing comes in contacting engagement with a blood flow within the luminal system in vivo. The catheter comprises a surface disposed over at least a portion of the tubing, wherein the surface comprises a surface profile having a skewness value of from about −0.01 to about −0.6 such that few or no components of the blood flow is capable of attaching themselves to the surface to encourage biofilm formation. The surface profile further comprises a kurtosis value of from about 2.7 to 3.3.
US08641685B2 Closed male luer device for use with needleless access devices
A medical connector is described which is formed by a body having an inlet port, an outlet port through a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable post extends through the fluid path in the male luer sealing a tip of the male luer thereby closing the fluid path when the connector in not activated. There is a seal between the retractable post and the body that forms a fluid volume within a portion of the cavity. The fluid path passes through the fluid volume. When actuated, the retractable post is forced away from the tip of the male luer, thereby opening the fluid path through the medical connector and decreasing the fluid volume.
US08641683B2 Injection device
An injection device for injection of set doses of medicine from a cartridge has a nut that is screwed up along a threaded piston rod during a dose setting operation. The nut is screwed along the piston rod by rotating a dose setting member. A rotational coupling mechanism includes an axially displaceable coupling member which is rotated as a function of axial displacement. During dose setting, the nut is allowed to rotate relative to the coupling member. During injection, the coupling member is rotationally locked to the nut. This provides a dose setting and injection mechanism wherein the nut member is both rotated during dose setting and during injection.
US08641681B2 Disinfecting caps for medical male luer connectors
Disclosed herein are disinfecting caps that can be used to cover and disinfect a male luer post of a medical connector when not in use or when disconnected from its female connector counterpart. The caps are configured to engage threads of the connector. The caps contain a disinfecting agent disposed in a chamber of the cap.
US08641678B2 Catheter securement device
A medical article securement device holds a medical article in position upon the body of a patient and can be used to inhibit lateral and longitudinal motion of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer with a base and at least one post, and at least one cap. The cap is attached to the base of the retainer by a flexible connection, and can be placed into either a covered or uncovered configuration with respect to the post. The cap includes a recess which can receive a protrusion at the end of the post of the retainer. By placing the post through an appropriate opening in the medical article to be retained and then securing the medical article to the retainer by placing the cap into the covered position over the post, longitudinal and lateral motion of the medical article is inhibited.
US08641677B2 Low-profile intravenous catheter device
An intravenous catheter device and system includes: (a) a medical tubing connector at a first end of the intravenous catheter device; (b) a length of flexible, non-kinking, supported medical tubing, a first end of the non-kinking tubing being connected to a first end of the medical tubing connector; (c) an intravenous catheter portion having a first end attached to a second end of the non-kinking tubing, the non-kinking tubing extending between the intravenous catheter portion and the tubing connector; and (d) a cylindrical-shaped cuff attached to a first outside end portion of the intravenous catheter portion, and a second outside end portion of the non-kinking tubing; wherein a central channel of the intravenous catheter portion is in fluid communication with a channel of the non-kinking, flexible tubing when the intravenous catheter device is in use. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.
US08641674B2 Insertion device for an insertion set and method of using the same
An insertion device and insertion set. The insertion device for inserting at least a portion of at least one piercing member of an insertion set through the skin of a patient includes a device housing, a carrier body and a driver. The carrier body is slidably received within the device housing for movement between an advanced position and a retracted position. The carrier body also includes a receiving structure to support the insertion set in a position with the at least one piercing member oriented for insertion through the skin of the patient at a predetermined or variable angle relative to the skin of the patient upon movement of the carrier body from the retracted position to the advanced position. The driver is operatively coupled between the device housing and the carrier body to urge the carrier body from the retracted position toward the advanced position to place at least a portion of the at least one piercing member of the insertion set thorough the skin of the patient to install the insertion set to the patient. The receiving structure of the carrier body is removable from the insertion set while maintaining the installation of the insertion set to the patient.
US08641671B2 Infusion pump system with disposable cartridge having pressure venting and pressure feedback
Embodiments are directed to portable infusion devices, systems, and methods of using the same for dispensing materials. In some cases, the devices, systems and methods may be used for infusing a material such as medicament, e.g., insulin, into a body in need thereof.
US08641670B2 Portable infusion device with means for monitoring and controlling fluid delivery
A device (1000) for delivering a therapeutic fluid (e.g. insulin) into a body of a patient are provided. In one aspect, the device can be implemented with a help of a patch unit (10) securable to a cradle unit (20) or to the body of the patient. The patch unit can employ a driving mechanism (120), a power source (210), a processor (110), a user interface (14) and a display(12). The processor can be adapted for controlling the driving mechanism by using one or more inputs. The inputs can corresponding to a basal rate and/or a bolus profile. The display can be adapted for displaying the inputs. The user interface can be adapted for adjusting the inputs.
US08641665B2 Medical device with elastomeric bulb
A drainage catheter including a body, a drainage lumen extending between the body proximal end and the body distal end, the drainage lumen including a distal fluid inflow port and a proximal fluid drain coupling, and an inflation lumen extending between the body proximal end and the body distal end, conveying inflating fluid from a proximal fluid supply element to a distal fluid acceptor balloon, the proximal fluid supply element adjacent the proximal fluid drain coupling. A sleeve may be secured about the proximal fluid supply element and the proximal fluid drain coupling to provide a fluid impervious coating.
US08641664B2 Robotic catheter system with dynamic response
An apparatus for maintaining a robotic catheter system in a responsive state includes a catheter, a plurality of linear translatable control elements, and a controller. In an embodiment, the catheter includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and at least two steering wires. The steering wires may be configured at one end to control the movement of at least a portion of the distal portion of the catheter and at the other end for connection to a control member. In an embodiment, each control element may be configured to engage or interface with a respective control member, and the controller may be configured to measure a force exerted on at least one control member by a respective control element and further configured to linearly translate the control element to substantially maintain a force within a predetermined range.
US08641661B2 Mixing system, kit and mixer adapter
A system includes a cylinder having a bore with a piston disposed therein, the piston moveable along the bore of the cylinder and having a passage therethrough. The system also includes a mixer disposed in the passage in the piston and including at least one porous mixing device, the at least one porous mixing device comprising a three-dimensional lattice defining a plurality of tortuous, interconnecting passages therethrough, and having physical characteristics to sufficiently mix the first and second components, which characteristics include a selected one or more of mean flow pore size, thickness and porosity.
US08641656B2 Follow-up of the vascular access of a dialyzed patient
The invention relates to a calculation and control system for the determination of the state of a vascular access of a patient intended to follow successive sessions of extracorporeal blood treatment by extraction and return of the blood via the vascular access, the system comprising: means for determining the value of at least one hemodynamic extracorporeal parameter of the patient for at least two sessions; means for determining the value of the purification effectiveness of the treatment for at least two sessions; programmed means for determining a risk score relating to the state of the vascular access of the patient as a function of at least two values of the hemodynamic extracorporeal parameter and of at least two determined values of the purification effectiveness.
US08641653B2 Compression garment
A compression garment comprises a plurality of longitudinal wales arranged to form a fabric having a length and generally parallel to the length, and a plurality of secondary transverse elastomeric threads connecting adjacent longitudinal wales and equally spaced about a length of the longitudinal wales. In a stretched state, the longitudinal wales are spaced from one another and remain generally parallel to the length.
US08641652B2 Garment with lumbar traction device
A lumbar traction device is operable to be used by a user that has a lumbar region and a lower leg. The device includes a garment that includes at least one coupling member. The device also includes a lumbar support member operable to be worn adjacent to the lumbar region. The device also includes at least one lower leg support to be worn adjacent to the lower leg. Moreover, the device includes at least one connecting member connecting the lumbar support member and the lower leg support. The connecting member is substantially inelastic, and a load applied to the lower leg support is transferred to the lumbar support member via the connecting member to provide distraction to the lumbar region of the user. Moreover, the lumbar support member, the lower leg support, and/or the connecting member is coupled to the garment via the coupling member.
US08641643B2 Sampling module device and method
A tissue penetration device and method of using same that may include a lancet module or sampling module. The sampling module may optionally be in a cartridge configuration and include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated.
US08641637B2 Method of measuring an acoustic impedance of a respiratory system and diagnosing a respiratory disease or disorder or monitoring treatment of same
The present invention provides a method of measuring an acoustic impedance of a respiratory system. The method comprises selecting a frequency range for an acoustic wave, directing the acoustic wave into the respiratory system and receiving an acoustic wave from the respiratory system. The method also comprises determining the acoustic impedance for a plurality of volumes or volume ranges of the respiratory system. Each volume, or the volumes within each volume range, is larger than RV or FRC and smaller than TLC whereby the determined acoustic impedances are specific for respective volumes or volume ranges. Further, the method includes determining a volume, or volume range, dependency of the acoustic impedance of the respiratory system and characterizing the respiratory system by analyzing the dependency of the acoustic impedance on the volume or volume range.
US08641635B2 Methods and devices for central photoplethysmographic monitoring methods
Disclosed herein are methods and devices for delivering gas to a subject and obtaining plethysmograph readings from a subject. Specifically disclosed herein are masks and helmets which comprise one or more pulse oximeter probes associated therewith. The masks and helmets may be used in particular contexts, including, but not limited to, emergency responder personnel, pilots or subjects of medical attention.
US08641634B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging section which emits light to a part of a biologic body at predetermined time intervals and images a vein in the biologic body so as to generate imaged data about the vein, a vein pattern extracting section which extracts vein patterns from the imaged data about the vein, a time change detecting section which detects a time change in the vein patterns, a blood flow volume calculating section which calculates a blood flow volume in the vein based on the time change in the vein patterns, and a processing section which executes a predetermined process based on the time change in the vein patterns and a time change in the blood flow volume.
US08641633B2 Pressure wire assembly
A pressure sensor wire assembly measures pressure inside a body of a patient. The assembly comprises a pressure sensor element for measuring pressure and to generate a pressure sensor signal representative of the pressure, and a pressure sensor wire having the pressure sensor element at its distal portion, and adapted to be inserted into the body in order to position the sensor element within the body. A sensor signal adapting circuitry is an integrated part of the assembly, wherein the pressure sensor signal is applied to the adapting circuitry which is adapted to automatically generate an output pressure signal, related to the sensor signal, in a standardized format such that the measured pressure is retrievable by an external physiology monitor. The assembly further comprises an external pressure sensor to measure the pressure outside the patient's body and to generate external pressure values in dependence thereto.
US08641630B2 Connector for securing ultrasound catheter to transducer
An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer having a transducer housing and a horn provided at the distal end of the transducer housing, an ultrasound transmission member, a sonic connector that is connected to the horn and the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member, and a catheter knob having a proximal end that is coupled to the distal end of the transducer housing. The catheter knob has a proximal bore that houses the sonic connector. The system also includes a nesting piece that is retained inside the proximal bore of the catheter knob. The nesting piece can be moved from a first position where the sonic connector is received inside the nesting piece to a second position where the sonic connector is separated from the nesting piece when ultrasound energy is being propagated through the ultrasound transmission member.
US08641626B2 Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus and ultrasonic diagnosis method
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmitting and receiving section which transmits and receives a first ultrasonic wave that has such a sound pressure as practically does not destroy a contrast agent bubble given to a subject and that is for obtaining a bloodstream circulating image about a target area of the subject and which transmits a second ultrasonic wave that has such a sound pressure as destroys the contrast agent bubble and that is for causing the contrast agent bubble passing through a part of the target area to disappear from the circulating image, a timing specify section which informs the transmitting and receiving section of the timing of the transmission of the second ultrasonic wave, an image generating section which generates an ultrasonic image on the basis of each signal obtained by the transmission and reception of the first ultrasonic wave.
US08641624B2 Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a connection section to which an ultrasound probe having an ultrasound transducer mounted therein is detachably connected, a transmission section that drives the ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound probe connected to the connection section by a transmission signal of a transmission frequency thereof, an echo signal creation section that creates a digital echo signal from an echo signal received by the ultrasound transducer, a signal processing section that carries out signal processing to the digital echo signal, a processing-speed changing section that changes an operation frequency of the signal processing in the signal processing section, and a change control section that controls change of the operation frequency.
US08641623B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic device
The present invention provides ultrasonic diagnostic equipment for accurately determining a three-dimensional picture generation start depth, independently of a turbidity degree of an amniotic fluid and the like, which exist between a three-dimensional picture generation target such as an fetus and the like and a portion that is not the three-dimensional picture generation target such as a placenta or an uterine wall or the like serving as the obstacle of the fetus. In the present invention, the brightness values in the depth direction of an ultrasonic received signal are cumulated, and the depth direction of the ultrasonic received signal is divided into a plurality of depth zones S0 to S9 so that the respective cumulative addition values become the approximately same values, and among the depth zones S0 to S9, the plurality of higher depth zones having the longer zone length are selected as three-dimensional picture generation start candidate zones, and among the three-dimensional picture generation start candidate zones, the three-dimensional picture generation start candidate zone having the shallowest depth is selected as a three-dimensional picture generation start zone S, and a predetermined depth inside the three-dimensional picture generation start zone S is determined as a start depth A of the three-dimensional picture generation.
US08641622B2 Method and system for treating photoaged tissue
A method and system for ultrasound treatment of photoaged tissue are provided. An exemplary method and system are configured for first, ultrasound imaging of the region of interest for localization of the treatment area, second, delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth and pattern to achieve the desired therapeutic effects, and third to monitor the treatment area during and after therapy to assess the results and/or provide feedback. The exemplary treatment method and system can be configured for producing arrays of sub-millimeter and larger zones of thermal ablation to treat the epidermal, superficial dermal, mid-dermal and deep dermal components of photoaged tissue.
US08641619B2 Analyte monitoring device and methods of use
An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.
US08641617B2 In-place display on sensory data
A system for in-place visualization of sensed data is provided. The system includes a formable sheet comprising a display and sensors embedded within the sheet underneath the display. The display will display information relating to sensed data on a portion of the display corresponding to locations of the sensors located underneath the display. As a result, the display displays the information above or directly above the sensors that output data.
US08641615B2 Method and apparatus for machine error detection by combining multiple sensor inputs
One of the most significant safety concerns in the automation of extracorporeal blood treatments such as dialysis is the risk of blood leakage. Extracorporeal blood treatment systems draw blood at such a high rate that a loss of integrity in the blood circuit can be serious. There are a number of mechanisms for detecting and preventing leaks, but none is perfect. This tends to limit the use of such equipment in unsupervised settings, such as the home will be limited. Some leak detection schemes can be made sensitive enough to detect the barest of leaks, but when this is done, they result in too many false positives. The invention combines information from multiple inputs to enhance sensitivity in leak detection and reduce the problem of false positives.
US08641612B2 Method and apparatus for detecting and predicting caloric intake of an individual utilizing physiological and contextual parameters
Various methods and apparatuses for measuring a state parameter of an individual using signals based on one or more sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first set of signals is used in a first function to determine how a second set of signals is used in one or more second functions to predict the state parameter. In another embodiment, first and second functions are used where the state parameter or an indicator of the state parameter may be obtained from a relationship between the first function and the second function. The state parameter may, for example, include calories consumed or calories burned by the individual. Various methods for making such apparatuses are also disclosed.
US08641601B2 Method of implanting a penile prosthetic reservoir with concave major surfaces
A method of implanting a penile prosthetic in a man includes providing a reservoir having a first major surface separated from to a second major surface by a side wall, the first major surface and the second major surface are both concave and form opposed depressions in the reservoir when the reservoir is empty of liquid. The method additionally includes connecting the reservoir to a pump that is connected to a cylinder, implanting the pump in the scrotum, implanting the cylinder in a corpora cavernosum of the penis, and implanting the reservoir in the man.
US08641594B2 Intravascular ventricular assist device
One aspect of an intravascular ventricular assist device is an implantable blood pump where the pump includes a housing defining a bore having an axis, one or more rotors disposed within the bore, each rotor including a plurality of magnetic poles, and one or more stators surrounding the bore for providing a magnetic field within the bore to induce rotation of each of the one or more rotors. Another aspect of the invention includes methods of providing cardiac assistance to a mammalian subject as, for example, a human. Further aspects of the invention include rotor bodies having helical channels formed longitudinally along the length of the body of the rotor where each helical channel is formed between peripheral support surface areas facing radially outwardly and extending generally in circumferential directions around the rotational axis of the rotor.
US08641593B2 Brachytherapy element transfer system
Disclosed herein is a system for transferring brachytherapy elements to a needle, such as seeds, connectors, spacers, and strands. The system comprises a transfer device and, optionally, a stylet and a rack configured to hold one or more transfer devices.
US08641588B2 Elevated reclining exercise chair
A resistance chair includes an elevated stationary seat with a front edge and a back edge. An arm is rotatably engaged with the back edge of the seat and is rotatable to a position below horizontal with respect to the elevated stationary seat. A back support is secured to the arm and supports the back of a user sitting on the elevated stationary seat. At least one resistance element is connected to the elevated stationary seat and urges the first arm to an upright start position and assists a user performing an abdominal crunch to return to an upright abdominal crunch position from a fully extended abdominal crunch position with the arm below horizontal with respect to the elevated stationary seat. The resistance element also resists against rotation of the arm away from the upright start position and resists against the user moving from the upright abdominal crunch position to the fully extended abdominal crunch position.
US08641587B2 Progressive resistance exercise device
A device is provided that includes a post, an arm assembly being pivotably connected to the post at one or more connection points, a set of beams comprising an upper beam set and a lower beam set, wherein the upper beam set and the lower beam set each comprise one or more beams, the set of beams being pivotably connected to the post, wherein the post is connected to the upper beam set and the lower beam set such that the lower beam set and the upper beam set are positioned at a first distance apart from one another at their connection point with the post, a platform being pivotably connected to the set of beams, wherein the platform is connected to the upper beam set and the lower beam set such that the lower beam set and the upper beam set are positioned at a second distance apart from one another at their connection point with the platform and a lift tube having a length and being pivotably connected to the upper beam set at one or more connection points and the arm assembly at one or more connection points.
US08641586B2 Personal stretching device
A personal stretching device is used to move a user's torso toward a distal structure. The personal stretching device includes an elongated tensile member, a shiftable uptake, and a manually-powered drive mechanism. The shiftable uptake is attached to the elongated tensile member at a proximal location, with the uptake operable to move along the elongated tensile member to change an adjustable length dimension defined between the proximal location and the distal structure. The manually-powered drive mechanism is operable to drive the uptake and thereby move the uptake along the tensile member. The drive mechanism includes a driven element attached to the uptake and a pair of drive elements shiftably mounted relative to the uptake. Each of the drive elements is drivingly coupled to the driven element independent of the other of the drive elements so that the user can drive the uptake by powering either one of the drive elements and thereby change the adjustable length dimension.
US08641585B2 Exercise machine
An exercise machine having a rolling platform and adjustable bar members. The platform is supported on frame rails, and is biased by springs towards an end of the machine. The rails have a rectangular cross-section angled 45° to horizontal, and roller assemblies on the platform include wheels angled to engage the surfaces of the rails substantially normal thereto. The adjustable bar assemblies include upwardly extending bars having upper members that are rotatable about a generally vertical axis so that handle portions at the upper ends thereof extend in different direction. At least one of the bar assemblies is also selectively pivotable about a horizontal axis to positions in which it is engaged by a locking assembly on the frame of the machine. The machine enables the user to perform a wide variety of exercises in reclined, prone, seated and standing positions, both on and off the platform.
US08641584B2 Apparatus for kicking exercise
The present invention relates to an apparatus for kicking exercise, and more specifically, to an apparatus for kicking exercise which includes a plurality of hitting parts coupled to a body which is fastened to a gravity center frame or a running machine to enable martial arts exercise such as taekwondo, karate, kickboxing and the like, thereby enabling a user to do martial arts exercise by hitting and kicking the hitting parts with the hand and foot.
US08641579B2 Method for controlling a rolling or coasting function of a vehicle
A method is proposed for controlling a through-connection clutch of a vehicle, in which an interlocking portion of the clutch is opened when the drive-train is virtually free from torque, a shifting operation is then carried out, and after the shifting operation the clutch is closed again. According to the invention, the torque transmitted by the interlocked connection in the clutch is influenced by controlling the motor in order to produce a torque-free condition at the interlocked connection in the clutch, in such manner that the interlocked connection is pre-stressed before the torque-free condition has been reached and separated immediately only when the torque-free condition is reached.
US08641577B2 Continuously variable transmission
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive power roller-leg assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
US08641573B2 Power transmission unit for vehicle
A power transmission unit including: a first prime mover; speed change gear pairs; output members; a differential mechanism, which has a first rotary element connected with the first prime mover, a second rotary element, and a third rotary element selectively outputting the power to the output member, and adapted to perform a differential action among those three rotary elements; and a second prime mover connected with the second rotary element. The speed change gear pair includes at least one pair of first speed change gear pair, arranged between the first rotary element and the output member and allowed to transmit the torque selectively, and at least one pair of second speed change gear pair arranged between the third rotary element and the output member and allowed to transmit the torque selectively. A locking mechanism locks the second prime mover selectively to halt a rotation of the second prime mover.