最新美国发明专利第2014-04-01期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08686117B2	Platelet aggregation inducing substance A platelet aggregation inducing substance containing as an active ingredient a polypeptide having a peptide fragment represented by formula (1) (component A): -(Pro-X-Gly)n- (1) wherein X represents Pro or Hyp; and n represents an integer of from 20 to 5,000.
US08686110B2	Therapeutic pro-apoptotic BH3-like molecules and methods for generating and/or selecting the same The present invention relates generally to therapeutic molecules which are useful for modulating apoptosis in a target cell or cell population. More particularly, the present invention provides therapeutic agents which inhibit pro-survival molecules and which are capable of inducing or facilitating apoptosis of a target cell or cell population such as cancer cells. The present invention further provides methods for generating or selecting the therapeutic molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the therapeutic molecules.
US08686106B2	Polyamic acid solution composition having carbon black dispersed therein, process for production of semiconductive polyimide resin belt using the composition, and semiconductive polyimide resin belt The present invention provides a carbon black-dispersed polyamic acid solution composition having a high solids content and a high carbon black content. The invention further provides an intermediate transfer belt using the polyamic acid solution composition. The carbon black-dispersed polyamic acid solution composition is obtained by uniformly dispersing carbon black in a polyamic acid solution obtained by reacting biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and an aromatic diamine in an organic polar solvent. The biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride includes 2,3,3′,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride. The aromatic diamine includes 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether and p-phenylenediamine. The polyamic acid solution has a solids content of 25 weight % or more.
US08686101B2	Coating liquid for forming low dielectric constant amorphous silica-based coating film and the coating film obtained from the same A coating liquid for forming a low dielectric constant amorphous silica-based coating film with a dielectric constant of 3.0 or below and a film strength (Young's modulus) of 3.0 GPa or more, and also having a smooth surface with an excellent hydrophobicity. The coating liquid contains (1) a silicon compound obtained by hydrolyzing bis(trialkoxysilyl)alkane (BTASA) and alkoxysilane (AS) in the presence of tetraalkylammoniumhydroxide (TAAOH), or (2) a silicon compound obtained by hydrolyzing bis(trialkoxysilyl)alkane (BTASA), alkoxysilane (AS) and tetraalkylorthosilicate (TAOS) in the presence of tetraalkylammoniumhydroxide (TAAOH).
US08686097B2	System and method for processing reactor polymerization effluent A method of treating a polymerization reactor effluent stream comprising recovering the reactor effluent stream from the polymerization reactor, flashing the reactor effluent stream to form a flash gas stream, separating the flash gas stream into a first top stream, a first bottom stream, and a side stream, wherein the side stream substantially comprises hexane, separating the first top stream into a second top stream and a second bottom stream, wherein the second bottom stream substantially comprises isobutane, and separating the second top stream into a third top stream and a third bottom stream; wherein the third top stream substantially comprises ethylene, and wherein the third bottom stream is substantially free of olefins.
US08686095B2	Process for continuous production of epoxy resins An epoxy resin with amine functionality is manufactured continuously through a first reaction zone in which an epoxide-functional resin is made by ring-opening addition, a second reaction zone in which the resin is reacted with amine to make an epoxide-functional product, and a third reaction zone in which the epoxide functional product is reacted with amine to make the epoxy resin with amine functionality. In other embodiments, some amine may be added in the first reaction zone to produce an epoxide functional product, with elimination of the second reaction zone, or all of the amine reactant may be added in the first reaction zone to produce an amine functional product, with elimination of both the second and third reaction zones. Optionally, solvent may be removed in an evaporation zone and recycled into the continuous process and further zones may be included to incorporate crosslinker, additives, and to emulsify the resin.
US08686093B2	Heterophasic polypropylene resin with long chain branching Heterophasic polypropylene resin having a MFR (2.16 kg, 230° C.) of at least 1.0 g/10 min, determined according to ISO 1133, comprising a propylene random copolymer matrix phase (A), and an ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber phase (B) dispersed within the matrix phase, wherein the heterophasic polypropylene resin has a fraction soluble in p-xylene at 25° C. (XCS fraction) being present in the resin in an amount of 15 to 45 wt % whereby the XCS fraction has an ethylene content of 25 wt % or lower, and a fraction insoluble in p-xylene at 25° C. (XCU fraction), said heterophasic polypropylene resin being characterized by a strain hardening factor (SHF) of 1.7 to 4.0 when measured at a strain rate of 3.0 s−1 and a Hencky strain of 3.0.
US08686090B2	Use of urea crystals for non-polymeric coatings The thermosetting, non-polymeric coating composition includes at least one monomeric material having a plurality of carbamate and/or urea groups, at least one crosslinker reactive with the at least one monomeric material, and a sag control agent that is a crystalline reaction product of an amine and an isocyanate.
US08686087B2	Block composites in soft compounds Embodiments of the invention provide block composites and their use in soft compounds.
US08686081B2	Aqueous coating composition An aqueous coating composition containing a polymer which contains calcium or magnesium and polymerized residues of three monomers. The first monomer is a complexing monomer having a log stability constant for calcium or magnesium from 0.3 to 4. The second monomer is methacrylic acid. The third monomer is a crosslinker.
US08686074B2	Nucleating agent masterbatch for polyolefin resin Provided is a nucleating agent masterbatch for polyolefin resin excellent in dispersibility into a polyolefin resin, which nucleating agent masterbatch is capable of improving transparency and mechanical strength of the polyolefin resin, which is a crystalline polymer, which nucleating agent masterbatch is further excellent in resistance to heat coloring; and a polyolefin resin composition using the masterbatch. Specifically, provided is a nucleating agent masterbatch for polyolefin resin, wherein, based on 100 parts by mass of a fully hydrogenated petroleum resin (A) having a softening point of not lower than 100° C., 3 to 150 parts by mass of an aromatic phosphate metal salt (B) represented by the following general formula (1):
US08686072B2	Flame resistant polyester compositions, method of manufacture, and articles therof A thermoplastic polyester composition comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, a chlorine- and bromine-free combination of: from 40 to 60 wt % of a modified poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate); from 25 to 35 wt % of a reinforcing filler; from 2 to 8 wt % of a flame retardant synergist selected from the group consisting of melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, melamine phosphate, and combinations thereof; from 5 to 15 wt % of a phosphinate salt flame retardant; from more than 0 to less than 5 wt % of an impact modifier component comprising a poly(ether-ester) elastomer and a (meth)acrylate impact modifier; from more than 0 to 5 wt % poly(tetrafluoroethylene) encapsulated by a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer; from more than 0 to 2 wt % of a stabilizer; wherein the thermoplastic polyester composition contains less than 5 wt % of a polyetherimide.
US08686071B2	Rubber composition, preparation and tire with component The invention relates to a cured rubber composition, its preparation and a tire with a component of such rubber composition. A reinforcing resin is used to promote stiffness for the cured rubber composition. The elastomer for the rubber composition is primarily comprised of at least one isoprene-containing elastomer.
US08686069B2	Solvent resistance of epoxy resins toughened with polyethersulfone The solvent resistance of epoxy resins toughened with polyethersulfone is improved by using low molecular weight polyethersulfone. The resulting thermoplastic toughened epoxy resins are useful for making prepreg for aerospace applications.
US08686068B2	Polymerizable composition, cross-linkable shaped article, cross-linked shaped article, and cross-linked shaped article composite A polymerizable composition which contains a cycloolefin monomer, metathesis polymerization catalyst, cross-linking agent, and carbon fiber which is brought into contact in advance with a sizing agent which includes a compound having an unsaturated terminal group and a polar group, a cross-linkable shaped article obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable composition, a cross-linked shaped article obtained by cross-linking the cross-linkable shaped article, and a cross-linked shaped article composite which contains the cross-linked shaped article and other members.
US08686059B2	Base and radical generator, composition using same and method for curing same The present invention relates to an aminimide compound having a structure represented by the following general formula (I) in the molecule thereof, relates to a curable composition using the aminimide compound and relates to a method for curing the composition; in which R0 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have an optional substituent, an aryl group which may have an optional substituent, or a heterocyclic residue which may have an optional substituent. R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, or an optional substituent. However, at least two of R1, R2 and R3 may bond to each other to form a cyclic structure.
US08686056B2	Durable foam of olefin polymers, methods of making foam and articles prepared from same Olefin polymer-based, durable, open-cell foam compositions, structures and articles derived from same; methods for preparation of such foams; and use of the dry durable foams in various applications are disclosed. Further described is use of the foams and structures and articles made of same in absorption, filtration, insulation, cushioning and backing applications, and in particular for odor removal, hygiene and medical applications due to, among other properties, good absorption capabilities, softness and/or flexibility of the foams and their recyclable nature.
US08686052B2	Targeting agent for cancer cell or cancer-associated fibroblast Disclosed are a novel therapeutic agent and a novel treatment method for cancer. Specifically disclosed are: a targeting agent for a cell selected from the group consisting of a cancer cell and a cancer-associated fibroblast, which comprises a retinoid; a substance delivery carrier for the cell, which comprises the targeting agent; an anti-cancer composition utilizing the targeting agent or the carrier; an anti cancer-associated fibroblast composition; and a method for treatment of cancer.
US08686051B2	Pharmaceutical composition for treatment of diabetic complications A method for treating diabetic complications by administration of a beta-blocker is disclosed. Diabetic complications arise from diabetes and have few or no existing treatment options. The present invention describes the use of a beta-blocker in the treatment of a diabetic. The present invention also describes the inhibition of aldose reductase, one of the chief causative factors of diabetic complications. Also provided are methods of diabetic wound healing. Compositions for treating diabetic complications, such as diabetic wounds, are disclosed. The present invention includes employing a topical formulation of a beta-blocker, having substantially no antibacterial activity, to improve the process of diabetic wound healing. The present invention also involves increasing the rate of collagen accumulation of the healing epithelialized tissue in the wound of a diabetic individual.
US08686048B2	Immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory compounds The present invention provides dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors, methods of preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of diseases or disorders wherein the inhibition of Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is known to show beneficial effect.
US08686043B2	Heterocyclic sulfonamides, uses and pharmaceutical compositions thereof The invention is directed to a class of compounds, including the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds, having the structure of formula I: as defined in the specification. The invention is also directed to compositions containing and uses of the compounds of formula I.
US08686042B2	GSK-3 inhibitors The invention relates to urea derivatives of formula (I) as inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3β, GSK-3, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which GSK-3 is involved, such as Alzheimer's disease or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
US08686041B2	Inhibition of ornithine aminotransferase for the treatment of proliferative disorders The invention relates to inhibition of ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) for suppression of tumor cells proliferation. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of treatment of proliferative disorders by the selective inhibition of OAT, and further provides the use of OAT inhibitors, specifically, 5-amino-1,3-hexadienyl-carboxylic acid (Gabaculine), and Gabaculine analogue 8, for compositions and methods for the treatment of proliferative disorders such as hepatocellular carcinoma. The invention further provides methods and kits for the diagnosis of a pathologic proliferative disorder in a mammalian subject, based on determining the level of OAT expressed in a biological sample obtained from a subject.
US08686040B2	Method for treating anal pruritis and other perianal disorders The invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of pruritis ani and other perianal disorders. There are currently few treatments for these conditions, many of which have significant side effects. The methods of the invention involve the administration, in a cream or lotion of pregabalin, an anti-epileptic agent that has pain relieving properties. This topical form of pregabalin may also include the addition of other agents such as immunomodulators, antibiotics or agents that enhance wound healing. This method may be useful as a new and safe treatment for pruritis ani, skin conditions and other anorectal disorders. Previous positive clinical experience suggests that this new treatment is promising for these disorders.
US08686039B2	Aqueous nanoemulsion composition containing conjugated linoleic acid The present invention relates to an aqueous nanoemulsion composition comprising conjugated linoleic acid. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aqueous nanoemulsion composition comprising 5 to 50 wt % of conjugated linoleic acid, 0.01 to 5 wt % of lecithin, 0.01 to 5 wt % of ethanol as a dissolution aid, 1 to 15 wt % of coemulsifier, 10 to 40 wt % of glycerine and the balance of water.
US08686036B2	Methods of controlling heart rate while minimizing and/or controlling hypotension A method of treating tachycardia while minimizing and/or controlling hypotension associated with such treatment includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the S-isomer of esmolol to a subject in need thereof.
US08686033B2	Phosphoric acid esters containing phosphorus atoms bridged by diol units Phosphoric esters comprise A) one or more structural units derived from substances of component a), the substances of component a) being selected from orthophosphoric acid and one or more of its derivatives, B) one or more structural units derived from substances of component b), the substances of component b) being selected from one or more compounds of formula (I) R2—O—(CH2CH2O)u(C3H6O)v(DO)w—H (I) and C) one or more structural units derived from substances of component c), the substances of component c) being selected from one or more diols of formula (II) HO—(CH2CH2O)a(C3H6O)b(DO)c—H (II) where the sum total a+b+c is ≧1, and the phosphoric ester contains 2 or more phosphorus atoms per molecule which are bridged via a structural unit derived from the compounds of formula (II). The phosphoric esters of the invention are very useful in the manufacture of cosmetic, pharmaceutical and dermatological compositions.
US08686032B2	Enzyme inhibitors Compounds of formula (I) are inhibitors of histone deacetylase activity, and are useful in the treatment of, for example, cancers:
US08686025B2	Therapeutic lactams Disclosed herein is a compound having a structure Therapeutic methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US08686021B2	Use of a benzoyl derivative of 3-aminocarbazole for the treatment of a disorder associated with the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) Use of a benzoyl derivative of 3-aminocarbazole to produce a drug for the preventive or therapeutic treatment of a disorder selected form the group comprising inflammatory processes, pain, fever, tumors, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Method for the preventive or therapeutic treatment of a disorder selected from the group comprising inflammatory processes, pain, fever, tumors, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis in which a therapeutically effective quantity of a benzoyl derivative of 3-aminocarbazole according to the invention is administered to an individual.
US08686018B2	Pharmaceutical composition The present invention provides compounds of Formula I: along with pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof in subjects in need of treatment.
US08686010B2	Aryl- or heteroaryl-sulfonyl compounds as acid secretion inhibitors The present invention provides a compound having a superior acid secretion inhibitory action, an antiulcer activity and the like.A proton pump inhibitor containing a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein ring A is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring group optionally having, as a ring-constituting atom besides carbon atom, 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, ring-constituting atoms X1 and X2 are each a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, a ring-constituting atom X3 is a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, R1 is an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, R2 is an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, R3 is an aminomethyl group optionally substituted by 1 or 2 lower alkyl groups, which is a substituent on a ring-constituting atom other than X1, X2 and X3, and ring A optionally further has substituent(s) selected from a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group and an oxo group, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof.
US08686009B2	Prodrugs of NH-acidic compounds The invention provides a method of sustained delivery of a lactam, imide, amide, sulfonamide, carbamate or urea containing parent drug by administering to a patient an effective amount of a prodrug compound of the invention wherein upon administration to the patient, release of the parent drug from the prodrug is sustained release. Prodrug compounds suitable for use in the methods of the invention are labile conjugates of parent drugs that are derivatized through carbonyl linked prodrug moieties. The prodrug compounds of the invention can be used to treat any condition for which the lactam, imide, amide, sulfonamide, carbamate or urea containing parent drug is useful as a treatment.
US08686007B2	Certain heterocycles, compositions thereof, and methods for their use Provided are compounds of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, X, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and m are as defined herein. Also provided is a pharmaceutically acceptable composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.Also provided are methods of using a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08686006B2	Pharmaceutical composition for improving intestinal absorption An object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition that improves intestinal absorption of a compound having a structure represented by the general formula [1]. The composition containing a compound represented by the general formula [1] or a salt thereof and (b) a lipophilic substance improves intestinal absorption of the compound. In the formula, A represents —(NR4)—, —(CR5R6)— or the like; B represents an alkylene group or an alkenylene group; R1 represents an alkyl group, an alkenyl group or the like; R2 represents an adamantylalkyl group or the like; R3 represents an unsaturated heterocyclic ring; R4, R5 and R6 each represent a hydrogen atom or the like; and X represents an oxygen atom or the like.
US08686005B2	Tricyclic compound derivatives useful in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, inflammatory disorders and immunomodulatory disorders Provided are compounds of the formula (I): or a stereoisomer, tautomer, salt, hydrate or prodrug thereof that modulate tyrosine kinase activity, compositions comprising the compounds and methods of their use.
US08686000B2	Herbicidally active ketosultams and diketopyridines Ketosultams and diketopyridines of the formula (I) and use thereof as herbicides are described. In this formula (I), G, X, Y and Z are each radicals such as hydrogen and organic radicals such as alkyl. W represents organic radicals such as alkyl. A represents a heterocycle.
US08685998B2	Tacrolimus for improved treatment of transplant patients An extended release oral dosage form comprising as active substance tacrolimus or a pharmaceutically active analogue thereof for a once daily immunosuppressive treatment of a patient in need thereof, preferable a kidney or liver transplant patient. The dosage form releases the active substance over an extended period of time. It also provides improved pharmacokinetic parameters due to an extended and constant in vivo release including substantial decreased peak concentrations, despite increased bioavailability, substantial extended times for maximal concentration, and higher minimal concentrations when compared with conventional immediate release dosage forms and a recent modified release tacrolimus dosage form.
US08685997B2	Camptothecin derivatives and their use New camptothecin derivatives with the following structure of the formula (I), their use and the pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. The compounds of the present invention have good anti-tumor activities and good solubility in water, and can be used in development of medicines.
US08685996B2	Methods for making 3-O-protected morphinones and 3-O-protected morphinone dienol carboxylates Disclosed are methods for making aldehydes and ketones comprising allowing the corresponding primary or secondary alcohol to react in the presence of trichoroisocyanuric acid, a compound of formula R1SR2 and a base. In one embodiment, the alcohol is a compound of formula (I): wherein R3 is a protecting group. Also disclosed are methods for making 3-O-protected morphine dienol carboxylates comprising allowing a compound of formula (I) to oxidize in the presence of a chlorine-containing compound and a compound of formula R1SR2; and allowing the product of the oxidation step to react with an acylating agent.
US08685990B2	Pyrimidine compounds as delta opioid receptor modulators Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula I as follows: wherein R1, R2, R3, and L, A, and Ra are defined herein.
US08685979B2	Oligomer-diarylpiperazine conjugates The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-diarylpiperazine conjugates and related compounds. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over previously administered un-conjugated diarylpiperazine compounds.
US08685972B2	Pyrimidine derivatives for treatment of alzheimer's disease The invention encompasses pyrimidine derivatives as gamma secretase modulators, useful for treating diseases associated with the deposition of beta-amyloid peptide in the brain, such as Alzheimer's disease, or of preventing or delaying the onset of dementia associated with such diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are included.
US08685969B2	Carboline carboxamide compounds useful as kinase inhibitors Compounds having formula (I), and enantiomers, and diastereomers, stereoisomers, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, formula (I) are useful as kinase modulators, including Btk modulation.
US08685968B2	Pharmaceutical compounds Provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition that comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent and, as an active ingredient, the compound 2-(1H-indazol-4-yl)-6-(4-methanesulfonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-4-morpholin-4-yl-thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidine bismesylate.
US08685966B2	GRP94 inhibitors The present disclosure provides a series of compounds which exhibit isoform selective inhibition of GRP94, a homologue of Hsp90 that is localized to the endoplasmic recticulum. Through GRP94 inhibition, these compounds are likely to manifest anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastasis, and immunosuppressive activities, as well as utility in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes.
US08685963B2	Compounds that inhibit NFκB and BACE1 activity The present invention relates to compounds with activity as BACE1 and NFκB modulators, and methods for treating, preventing, or ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. The present invention is also directed to the treatment of diseases related to dysfunction of cell proliferation, the immune system and/or inflammation using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions containing such candidate compounds.
US08685961B2	Diazepan orexin receptor antagonists The present invention is directed to diazepan compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors, and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US08685959B2	Substituted benzimidazoles and benzopyrazoles as CCR(4) antagonists Benzimidazole, benzopyrazole and benzotriazole compounds are provided which bind to CCR(4) and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases, graft rejection and cancer.
US08685958B2	Therapeutic agents Disclosed herein are azetidinyl compounds of formula I, as described herein, pharmaceutical compositions comprising an azetidinyl compound, and a method of using an azetidinyl compound in the treatment or prophylaxis of a melanin-concentrating hormone related disease or condition.
US08685957B1	Tazobactam arginine compositions This disclosure provides compositions containing solid forms of tazobactam arginine, and methods of manufacturing and using these compositions.
US08685955B2	Neuroprotective iron chelators and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them Novel iron chelators exhibiting neuroprotective and good transport properties are useful in iron chelation therapy for treatment of a disease, disorder or condition associated with iron overload and oxidative stress, e.g., a neurodegenerative or cerebrovascular disease or disorder, a neoplastic disease, hemochromatosis, thalassemia, a cardiovascular disease, diabetes, an inflammatory disorder, anthracycline cardiotoxicity, a viral infection, a protozoal infection, a yeast infection, retarding aging, and prevention and/or treatment of skin aging and skin protection against sunlight and/or UV light. The iron chelator function is provided by a 8-hydroxyquinoline, a hydroxypyridinone or a hydroxamate moiety. The neuroprotective function is imparted to the compound, e.g., by a neuroprotective peptide. A combined antiapoptotic and neuroprotective function is provided by a propargyl group.
US08685954B2	Methods and compositions for treating cancer using proteasome inhibitors The present invention relates to therapeutic compositions for treating cancer or preventing the growth of cancer cells, e.g., tumor growth, in a subject. The present invention also relates to methods for treating cancer, e.g., inhibiting tumor growth, in a subject who has become resistant to treatment, by administering to a subject an effective amount of a proteasome inhibitor and an effective amount of a therapeutic agent, e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent. The present invention further relates to methods for purging bone marrow, i.e., removing cancer cells from bone marrow, by exposing the bone marrow cells to a proteasome inhibitor and a therapeutic agent, e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent.
US08685950B2	Use of aromatase inhibitors for treatment of ectopic pregnancy Following a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, at least one aromatase inhibitor, is administered to a patient, either alone or in combination with other aromatase inhibitors or therapeutic agents or as an adjuvant to conservative surgical treatment, such as laparoscopy, to prevent the establishment and/or continuation of the ectopic pregnancy. In certain preferred embodiments, the aromatase inhibitor is administered in conjunction with methotrexate.
US08685948B2	Intravenous formulation with water-soluble cocrystals of acetylsalicylic acid and theanine A method of treating rheumatoid arthritis using a water-soluble cocrystal composition contains a quantity of acetylsalicylic acid and a quantity of a theanine enantiomer selected from an alpha variant of theanine or a beta variant of theanine or other form of theanine.
US08685947B2	Compositions and methods for loop diuretics with consistent bioavailability Diuretic bioactivity profiles of phase inversion micronized furosemide and furosemide co-precipitated with Eudragit L100, and mixtures of those formulations with stock furosemide, reduced or eliminated the rapid spike in diuresis associated with immediate release formulations and maintained cumulative urine output. Of the formulations tested, each of a mixture of micronized furosemide with stock furosemide, and Eudragit L100 polymer with stock furosemide demonstrated optimal diuretic bioactivity profiles in subjects.
US08685939B2	Vaccine targeting cellular death receptor DR5 The invention provides therapeutics and methods to induce a mammalian host, including a human, to produce antibodies, which agonize death receptors and cause the apoptotic death of target cells within the host's body. The therapeutics are vaccine compositions, including genetic vaccines encoding death receptor antigens of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. Also provided are means and methods for overcoming host immunological tolerance to death receptors. The vaccines are useful against cancer cells and other death receptor bearing target cells within the host, and can be used in both therapeutic and prophylactic settings. The vaccines are also useful for diagnostic testing of the immunocompetence of a host.
US08685935B2	Use of flavonoids to increase the bioavailability of hesperetin The present invention relates generally to the field of hesperetin bioavailability. One embodiment of the present invention is directed at a composition that allows to increase the bioavailability of hesperetin and consequently to maximize the beneficial health effects of hesperetin.
US08685929B2	Detecting CYP24 expression level as a marker for predisposition to cancer This invention pertains to the discovery that an amplification of the CYP24 gene or an increase in CYP24 activity is a marker for the presence of, progression of, or predisposition to, a cancer (e.g., breast cancer). Using this information, this invention provides methods of detecting a predisposition to cancer in an animal. The methods involve (i) providing a biological sample from an animal (e.g. a human patient); (ii) detecting the level of CYP24 within the biological sample; and (iii) comparing the level of CYP24 with a level of CYP24 in a control sample taken from a normal, cancer-free tissue where an increased level of CYP24 in the biological sample compared to the level of CYP24 in the control sample indicates the presence of said cancer in said animal.
US08685928B2	Antagonists of MUC1 The present invention is directed to improved compositions for cellular delivery of peptides. Using segments of only 3-5 positively-charged residues, one can effectively transfer peptides, including therapeutic peptides, into cells. Also provided are modified peptides such as those include stapled and cyclized peptide technology, as well as peptoids/peptidomimetics.
US08685927B2	Cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition comprising a relieving peptidic hydrolyzate A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition that includes a peptide hydrolyzate which is enriched in soothing bioactive peptide in a physiologically acceptable medium is described. Methods for applying such compositions to the skin are also described, in particular where the active principle activates 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in skin cells to treat skin irritations.
US08685921B2	Inhibitors of beta integrin-G protein alpha subunit binding interactions Provided herein are compounds that inhibit a binding interaction between a β integrin and a G protein subunit, as well as compositions, e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the same, and related kits. In some embodiments, the compound is an antibody or antibody analog, and, in other embodiments, the compound is a peptide or peptide analog. Also provided are methods of using the compounds, including methods of treating or preventing a medical condition, such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, or inflammation.
US08685915B2	Modified agrin-fragment capable of restoring muscle strength for use as a medicament Modified agrin fragment having in vivo activity, comprising at least the domains LG2 and LG3 of human agrin in covalently interlinked form and modified in such a way that the fragment cannot be cleaved by neurotrypsin for use as medicament.
US08685914B2	L-alanyl-L-glutamine crystal The present invention provides: (1) crystals of a dipeptide which do not substantially comprise a dipeptide comprising D-amino acid as a constituent or a polypeptide consisting of three or more amino acids; and (2) crystals of a dipeptide which do not substantially comprise a dipeptide comprising D-amino acid as a constituent, a polypeptide consisting of three or more amino acids, or an amino acid amide; and a process for producing the dipeptide crystals.
US08685912B2	Detergent for metal A detergent composition for metal according to the present invention contains a specific non-ionic surfactant, a specific nitrogen-containing organic compound, a specific carboxylic acid or salt thereof, and a specific alkanol amine, and has a pH of at least 9 that is measured at 25° C. when the detergent composition is diluted to 1% by mass of an aqueous solution. According to the present invention, the detergent composition for metal having excellent corrosion inhibition properties, excellent effluent treatment properties, excellent foaming suppressing properties and excellent liquid stability in addition to high detergent properties for metal, can be provided.
US08685909B2	Antioxidants for post-CMP cleaning formulations An cleaning composition and process for cleaning post-chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) residue and contaminants from a microelectronic device having said residue and contaminants thereon. The cleaning compositions include novel corrosion inhibitors. The composition achieves highly efficacious cleaning of the post-CMP residue and contaminant material from the surface of the microelectronic device without compromising the low-k dielectric material or the copper interconnect material.
US08685907B2	Makeup remover gel containing jojoba oil Composition containing an aqueous phase, at least 35% by weight of jojoba oil relative to the total weight of the composition, and at least one sucrose fatty acid ester. The composition is preferably in the form of a gel. It may be used, in particular, for removing makeup from the skin and/or the eye area and/or the lips.
US08685903B2	Lost circulation compositions and associated methods An embodiment includes a method of servicing a well bore. The method may comprise introducing a lost circulation composition into a lost circulation zone, the lost circulation composition comprising hydraulic cement, nano-particles, amorphous silica, clay, and water. The method further may comprise allowing the lost circulation composition to set in the lost circulation zone. Another embodiment includes a lost circulation composition. The lost circulation may comprise hydraulic cement, nano-particles, amorphous silica, clay, and water.
US08685898B2	Adaptive immunity profiling and methods for generation of monoclonal antibodies Methods are provided for producing monoclonal antibody candidates using adaptive immunity profiling. In some aspects, the method provides for the use of massively parallel signature sequencing.
US08685897B2	Methods of generating libraries and uses thereof This invention relates to methods for the generation of humanized antibodies, particularly a humanized antibody heavy chain protein and a humanized antibody light chain protein. The method comprises using cells that express or can be induced to express Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AID).
US08685893B2	Phage display The transformation yield of electroporation is increased by using higher DNA concentrations and DNA affinity purification. Fusion proteins of a viral coat protein variant and a heterologous polypeptide are useful in phage display systems.
US08685890B2	Multispecific peptides The invention relates to a method for providing a multispecific peptide ligand comprising a polypeptide covalently linked to a molecular scaffold at three or more amino acid residues and capable of binding to two or more separate targets, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first repertoire of polypeptides, each polypeptide comprising two or more reactive groups capable of covalent linkage to a molecular scaffold, and at least one loop which comprises a sequence of two or more amino acids subtended between two of said reactive groups; (b) providing a second repertoire of polypeptides as described in (a); (c) joining at least one loop of one or more members of the first repertoire to at least one loop of one or more members of the second repertoire to form at least one polypeptide comprising two loops, and (d) conjugating the composite polypeptide(s) to a molecular scaffold at at least three amino acid positions.
US08685883B2	Porous body precursors, shaped porous bodies, processes for making them, and end-use products based upon the same The present invention provides porous body precursors and shaped porous bodies. Also included are catalysts and other end-use products based upon the shaped porous bodies and thus the porous body precursors. Finally, processes for making these are provided. The porous body precursors comprise a precursor alumina blend capable of enhancing one or more properties of a shaped porous body based thereupon. The need to employ modifiers to achieve a similar result may thus be substantially reduced, or even avoided, and cost savings are thus provided, as well as savings in time and equipment costs.
US08685879B2	Emulsion process for improved large spherical polypropylene catalysts Disclosed are spherical magnesium-based catalyst supports and methods of using the same in a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system for the polymerization of an olefin. The spherical magnesium-based catalyst supports are made by reacting a magnesium halide, a haloalkylepoxide, and a phosphate acid ester in an organic solvent that does not have to contain substantial amounts of toluene.
US08685877B2	Doping of nanostructures A catalyst particle for use in growth of elongated nanostructures, such as e.g. nanowires, is provided. The catalyst particle comprises a catalyst compound for catalyzing growth of an elongated nanostructure comprising a nanostructure material without substantially dissolving in the nanostructure material and at least one dopant element for doping the elongated nanostructure during growth by substantially completely dissolving in the nanostructure material. A method for forming an elongated nanostructure, e.g. nanowire, on a substrate using the catalyst particle is also provided. The method allows controlling dopant concentration in the elongated nanostructures, e.g. nanowires, and allows elongated nanostructures with a low dopant concentration of lower than 1017 atoms/cm3 to be obtained.
US08685876B2	Supported platinum catalyst A supported platinum catalyst comprising an open-pored support material and platinum of oxidation state 0, wherein an XRD spectrum of the catalyst is free of signals of elemental platinum.
US08685870B2	Extensible absorbent composites Absorbent sheet materials are produced from a coformed blend of absorbent fibers and extensible meltblown polymer fibers. Laminates of these extensible coforms are prepared with layers of extensible polymeric fibers or filaments. The absorbent sheet materials are incrementally stretched to improve softness and drape.
US08685867B1	Premetal dielectric integration process Provided herein are novel pre-metal dielectric (PMD) integration schemes. According to various embodiments, the methods involve depositing flowable dielectric material to fill trenches or other gaps between gate structures in a front end of line (FEOL) fabrication process. The flowable dielectric material may be partially densified to form dual density filled gaps having a low density region capped by a high density region. In certain embodiments, the methods include further treating at least a portion of the gap fill material after subsequent process operations such as chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) or contact etching.
US08685866B2	Method of manufacturing semiconductor device and substrate processing apparatus A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including alternately repeating a process of forming a first metal oxide film including a first metal element and a process of forming a second metal oxide film including a second metal element on a substrate accommodated in a processing chamber, so as to form a third metal oxide film including the first and second metal elements with a predetermined composition ratio on the substrate. One of the first and second metal elements of the third metal oxide film has a concentration higher than a concentration of the other, and one of the first and second metal oxide films including the higher-concentration metal element is formed in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) mode or an atomic layer deposition (ALD) saturation mode, and the other of the first and second metal oxide films is formed in an ALD unsaturation mode.
US08685862B2	Method of forming micropattern, die formed by this method of forming micropattern, transfer method and micropattern forming method using this die A micropattern is joined to a substrate (W1) by: a first group of covering step and micropattern forming step by etching in a transfer step; and a second group of covering step and micropattern forming step by etching in the transfer step.
US08685860B2	Semiconductor structure and manufacturing method thereof A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a semiconductor substrate having an active surface and a back surface is provided. The active surface is opposite to the back surface, and the semiconductor substrate includes at least one grounding pad disposed on the active surface. Secondly, at least one through silicon via is formed through the semiconductor substrate from the back surface to the active surface thus exposing the grounding pad. Then, a conductive layer is formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate and filled into the through silicon via to electrically connect to the grounding pad and the semiconductor substrate.
US08685856B2	Solid-state imaging device, fabrication method thereof, imaging apparatus, and fabrication method of anti-reflection structure A fabrication method of an anti-reflection structure includes the steps of: forming a resin film having micro-particles dispersed therein on a surface of a substrate; forming a protrusion dummy pattern on the resin film by etching the resin film using the micro-particles in the resin film as a mask while gradually etching the micro-particles; and forming a protrusion pattern on the surface of the substrate by etching back the surface of the substrate together with the resin film having the protrusion dummy pattern formed thereon, and transferring a surface shape of the protrusion dummy pattern formed on a surface of the resin film to the surface of the substrate.
US08685852B2	Method of forming metal line of semiconductor device A semiconductor device and a method of forming a metal line of a semiconductor device includes a first insulating layer formed over a semiconductor substrate an etch-stop layer formed over the first insulating layer, contact holes formed by etching the etch-stop layer and the first insulating layer, Contact plugs formed within the contact holes and a second insulating layer formed over the contact plugs and the etch-stop layer. The second insulating layer is etched in order to form trenches through which the contact plugs are exposed. Metal lines are formed within the trenches. Accordingly, since a hard mask with a high dielectric constant does not remain between the metal lines, the capacitance of the metal lines can be reduced.
US08685849B2	Semiconductor device with buffer layer A semiconductor device in one embodiment includes a depletion junction, a peripheral region adjacent the depletion junction, and a buffer layer. The buffer layer is adapted to reduce localization of avalanche breakdown proximate the interface between the depletion junction and the peripheral region.
US08685848B2	Manufacturing method of silicon carbide semiconductor device A silicon oxide film is formed on an epitaxial layer by dry thermal oxidation, an ohmic electrode is formed on a back surface of a SiC substrate, an ohmic junction is formed between the ohmic electrode and the back surface of the SiC substrate by annealing the SiC substrate, the silicon oxide film is removed, and a Schottky electrode is formed on the epitaxial layer. Then, a sintering treatment is performed to form a Schottky junction between the Schottky electrode and the epitaxial layer.
US08685844B2	Sub-10 nm graphene nanoribbon lattices A graphene lattice comprising an ordered array of graphene nanoribbons is provided in which each graphene nanoribbon in the ordered array has a width that is less than 10 nm. The graphene lattice including the ordered array of graphene nanoribbons is formed by utilizing a layer of porous anodized alumina as a template which includes dense alumina portions and adjacent amorphous alumina portions. The amorphous alumina portions are removed and the remaining dense alumina portions which have an ordered lattice arrangement are employed as an etch mask. After removing the amorphous alumina portions, each dense alumina portion has a width which is also less than 10 nm.
US08685839B2	Workpiece dividing method In a semiconductor wafer with a supporting tape attached to the back side of the wafer, a coating member having a refractive index close to that of the supporting tape is formed on a pear-skin surface of the supporting tape to thereby planarize the pear-skin surface. Thereafter, a pulsed laser beam is applied from the upper side of the coating member to the semiconductor wafer in the condition where the focal point of the pulsed laser beam is set at a predetermined depth in the semiconductor wafer. Accordingly, the pulsed laser beam can be sufficiently focused inside the semiconductor wafer to thereby well form a modified layer inside the semiconductor wafer.
US08685837B2	Transfer method, method for manufacturing semiconductor device, and semiconductor device After depressed portions (4) have been formed in advance in that surface of a Si substrate (1) on which Si single films (8) are to be formed, that surface of the Si substrate (1) on which the Si single films are to be formed and an intermediate substrate (5) are bonded together, and elements are separated from each other by grinding the Si substrate (1) from the bottom wall side of the depressed portions (4).
US08685836B2	Method for forming a silicon layer on any substrate using light irradiation A method for forming a silicon layer according to inventive concept comprises: preparing an SOI substrate; applying an etchant or vapor of the etchant to the SOI substrate; and irradiating a light to the SOI substrate.
US08685831B2	Trenches with reduced silicon loss An isolation trench in a substrate of a semiconductor device includes a first shallow portion with a dielectric sidewall and a second deeper portion without a dielectric sidewall. The isolation trench is formed by forming a first shallow portion of the trench, forming dielectric sidewalls on the first shallow portion, and then etching the substrate below the first shallow portion to form the second deeper portion. Shallow isolation trenches may be formed simultaneously with the etching of the second deeper portion.
US08685830B2	Method of filling shallow trenches A method of filling shallow trenches is disclosed. The method includes: successively forming a first oxide layer and a second oxide layer over the surface of a silicon substrate where shallow trenches are formed in; etching the second oxide layer to form inner sidewalls with an etchant which has a high etching selectivity ratio of the second oxide layer to the first oxide layer; growing a high-quality pad oxide layer by thermal oxidation after the inner sidewalls are removed; and filling the trenches with an isolation dielectric material. By using this method, the risk of occurrence of junction spiking and electrical leakage during a subsequent process of forming a metal silicide can be reduced.
US08685828B2	Method of forming a capacitor A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device are disclosed. The method comprises forming a trench in a substrate, partially filling the trench with a first semiconductive material, forming an interface along a surface of the first semiconductive material, and filling the trench with a second semiconductive material. The semiconductor device includes a first electrode arranged along sidewalls of a trench and a dielectric arranged over the first electrode. The semiconductor device further includes a second electrode at least partially filling the trench, wherein the second electrode comprises an interface within the second electrode.
US08685826B2	Method for manufacturing nano-crystalline silicon material from chloride chemistries for the semiconductor integrated circuits A method for forming a nanocrystalline silicon structure for the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, e.g., memory, dynamic random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, microprocessors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate including a surface region. The method forms an insulating layer (e.g., silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride) overlying the surface region. In a specific embodiment, the method includes forming an amorphous silicon material of a determined thickness of less than twenty nanometers overlying the insulating layer using a chloro-silane species. The method includes subjecting the amorphous silicon material to a thermal treatment process to cause formation of a plurality of nanocrystalline silicon structures derived from the thickness of amorphous silicon material less than twenty nanometers.
US08685825B2	Replacement source/drain finFET fabrication A finFET is formed having a fin with a source region, a drain region, and a channel region between the source and drain regions. The fin is etched on a semiconductor wafer. A gate stack is formed having an insulating layer in direct contact with the channel region and a conductive gate material in direct contact with the insulating layer. The source and drain regions are etched leaving the channel region of the fin. Epitaxial semiconductor is grown on the sides of the channel region that were adjacent the source and drain regions to form a source epitaxy region and a drain epitaxy region. The source and drain epitaxy regions are doped in-situ while growing the epitaxial semiconductor.
US08685824B2	Hybrid high voltage device and manufacturing method thereof The present invention discloses a hybrid high voltage device and a manufacturing method thereof. The hybrid high voltage device is formed in a first conductive type substrate, and includes at least one lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device region and at least one vent device region, wherein the LDMOS device region and the vent device region are connected in a width direction and arranged in an alternating order. Besides, corresponding high voltage wells, sources, drains, body regions, and gates of the LDMOS device region and the vent device region are connected to each other respectively.
US08685821B2	Vertical channel memory devices with nonuniform gate electrodes and methods of fabricating the same A mold stack including alternating insulation layers and sacrificial layers is formed on a substrate. Vertical channel regions extending through the insulation layers and sacrificial layers of the mold stack are formed. Gate electrodes are formed between adjacent ones of the insulation layers and surrounding the vertical channel regions. The gate electrodes have a greater thickness at a first location near sidewalls of the insulation layers than at a second location further away from the sidewalls of the insulation layers.
US08685812B2	Logic switch and circuits utilizing the switch A logic switch intentionally utilizes GIDL current as its primary mechanism of operation. Voltages may be applied to a doped gate overlying and insulated from a pn junction. A first voltage initiates GIDL current, and the logic switch is bidirectionally conductive. A second voltage terminates GIDL current, but the logic switch is unidirectionally conductive. A third voltage renders the logic switch bidirectionally non-conductive. Circuits containing the logic switch are also described. These circuits include inverters, SRAM cells, voltage reference sources, and neuron logic switches. The logic switch is primarily implemented according to SOI protocols, but embodiments according to bulk protocols are described.
US08685809B2	Semiconductor structures having improved contact resistance Self-assembled polymer technology is used to form at least one ordered nanosized pattern within material that is present in a conductive contact region of a semiconductor structure. The material having the ordered, nanosized pattern is a conductive material of an interconnect structure or semiconductor source and drain diffusion regions of a field effect transistor. The presence of the ordered, nanosized pattern material within the contact region increases the overall area (i.e., interface area) for subsequent contact formation which, in turn, reduces the contact resistance of the structure. The reduction in contact resistance in turn improves the flow of current through the structure. In addition to the above, the inventive methods and structures do not affect the junction capacitance of the structure since the junction area remains unchanged.
US08685807B2	Method of forming metal gates and metal contacts in a common fill process The method described herein involves a method of forming metal gates and metal contacts in a common fill process. The method may involve forming a gate structure comprising a sacrificial gate electrode material, forming at least one conductive contact opening in a layer of insulating material positioned adjacent the gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate electrode material to thereby define a gate electrode opening, and performing a common deposition process to fill the conductive contact opening and the gate electrode opening with a conductive fill material.
US08685806B2	Silicon-on-insulator substrate with built-in substrate junction A method of forming a SOI substrate, diodes in the SOI substrate and electronic devices in the SOI substrate and an electronic device formed using the SOI substrate. The method of forming the SOI substrate includes forming an oxide layer on a silicon first substrate; ion-implanting hydrogen through the oxide layer into the first substrate, to form a fracture zone in the substrate; forming a doped dielectric bonding layer on a silicon second substrate; bonding a top surface of the bonding layer to a top surface of the oxide layer; thinning the first substrate by thermal cleaving of the first substrate along the fracture zone to form a silicon layer on the oxide layer to formed a bonded substrate; and heating the bonded substrate to drive dopant from the bonding layer into the second substrate to form a doped layer in the second substrate adjacent to the bonding layer.
US08685804B2	Enhancement of charge carrier mobility in transistors Transistor devices including stressors are disclosed. One such transistor device includes a channel region, a dielectric layer and a semiconductor substrate. The channel region is configured to provide a conductive channel between a source region and a drain region. In addition, the dielectric layer is below the channel region and is configured to electrically insulate the channel region. Further, the semiconductor substrate, which is below the channel region and below the dielectric layer, includes dislocation defects at a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, where the dislocation defects are collectively oriented to impose a compressive strain on the channel region such that charge carrier mobility is enhanced in the channel region.
US08685802B2	Graphene formation on dielectrics and electronic devices formed therefrom Methods of forming a graphene-based device are provided. According to an embodiment, a graphene-based device can be formed by subjecting a substrate having a dielectric formed thereon to a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process using a cracked hydrocarbon or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process using a graphite source; and performing an annealing process. The annealing process can be performed to temperatures of 1000 K or more. The cracked hydrocarbon of the CVD process can be cracked ethylene. In accordance with one embodiment, the application of the cracked ethylene to a MgO(111) surface followed by an annealing under ultra high vacuum conditions can result in a structure on the MgO(111) surface of an ordered graphene film with an oxidized carbon-containing interfacial layer therebetween. In another embodiment, the PVD process can be used to form single or multiple monolayers of graphene.
US08685791B2	Ribbon bonding in an electronic package A flexible conductive ribbon is ultrasonically bonded to the surface of a die and terminals from a lead frame of a package. Multiple ribbons and/or multiple bonded areas provide various benefits, such as high current capability, reduced spreading resistance, reliable bonds due to large contact areas, lower cost and higher throughput due to less areas to bond and test.
US08685790B2	Semiconductor device package having backside contact and method for manufacturing A method and apparatus for forming a backside contact, electrical and/or thermal, for die encapsulated in a semiconductor device package are provided. Die of varying thicknesses can be accommodated within the semiconductor device package. Embodiments of the present invention provide a conductive pedestal coupled to a backside contact of a die, where the coupling is performed prior to encapsulating the die within the package. In addition, conductive pedestals coupled to varying die within a semiconductor device package are of such a thickness that each conductive pedestal can be exposed on the back side of the package without exposing or damaging the backside of any encapsulated die. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the conductive pedestals being made of electrically or thermally conductive material and coupled to the device die contact using an electrically and/or thermally conductive adhesive.
US08685789B2	Ribbon bonding in an electronic package A flexible conductive ribbon is ultrasonically bonded to the surface of a die and terminals from a lead frame of a package. Multiple ribbons and/or multiple bonded areas provide various benefits, such as high current capability, reduced spreading resistance, reliable bonds due to large contact areas, lower cost and higher throughput due to less areas to bond and test.
US08685788B2	Nanowire tunneling field effect transistor with vertical structure and a manufacturing method thereof The present invention belongs to the technical field of semiconductor devices and specifically relates to a method for manufacturing a nanowire tunneling field effect transistor (TFET). In the method, the ZnO nanowire required is developed in a water bath without the need for high temperatures and high pressure, featuring a simple solution preparation, convenient development and low cost, as well as constituting MOS devices of vertical structure with nanowire directly, thus omitting the nanowire treatment in the subsequent stage. The present invention has the advantages of simple structure, convenient manufacturing, and low cost, and control of the nanowire channel developed and the MOSFET array with vertical structure made of it though the gate, so as to facilitate the manufacturing of large-scale MOSFET array directly.
US08685785B2	Planar phase-change memory cell with parallel electrical paths A method of manufacturing a phase change memory cell on a substrate. The method includes: etching a first trench in the substrate; depositing a first conductor layer in the first trench; depositing a first insulator layer over the first conductor layer in the first trench; etching a second trench in the substrate at an angle to the first trench; depositing a second insulator layer in the second trench; depositing a second conductor layer over the second insulator layer in the second trench; and depositing phase change material. The deposited phase change material is in contact with the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer.
US08685784B2	Conductive channel of photovoltaic panel and method for manufacturing the same An electrically conductive ribbon, which is soldered on an electrically conductive busbar of a photovoltaic panel, includes a cooper core and a tin based solder. The tin based solder fully wraps an outer surface of the cooper core, and has a convex solder surface, which has a first curvature to be fitted with a second curvature of a concave solder surface of the electrically conductive busbar.
US08685780B2	Method for manufacturing flexible organic thin film solar cell by ion beam treatment and solar cell manufactured by the same The present invention provides a method for an organic thin film solar cell and an organic thin film solar cell manufactured by the same, which can reduce manufacturing cost by simplifying manufacturing process, ensure long-lasting durability and stability, and improve energy conversion efficiency of the solar cell. In certain preferred aspects, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an organic thin film solar cell by ion beam treatment, the method including: forming a nanopattern having a concavo-convex structure by irradiating an ion beam onto the surface of a flexible plastic film substrate; and sequentially stacking a bottom electrode layer, a photoactive layer for photoelectric conversion, and a top electrode layer, which have a nanoscale thickness, on the nanopattern of the substrate such that an electron donor and an electron acceptor in the photoactive layer, where electrons and holes are separated, form a nanopattern by the concavo-convex structure of the substrate, thus forming a bulk heterojunction structure.
US08685777B2	Method for fabricating a fixed structure defining a volume receiving a movable element in particular of a MEMS The fabrication of a semiconductor fixed structure defining a volume, for example of a MEMS micro electro-mechanical system includes, determining thicknesses beforehand depending on the functional distances associated with elements. At least one element is formed on a substrate by thermal oxidation of the substrate so as to form an oxide layer followed by selective etching of the oxide layer so as to define the volume in an etched portion by baring the underlying substrate so as to define the element in an unetched portion, and later oxidation of the substrate so as to form an oxide layer, in order to obtain the elements at the functional distances.
US08685775B2	Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device and production method therefor On a light-emitting layer, a p cladding layer of AlGaInN doped with Mg is formed at a temperature of 800° C. to 950° C. Subsequently, on the p cladding layer, a capping layer of undoped GaN having a thickness of 5 Å to 100 Å is formed at the same temperature as employed for a p cladding layer. Next, the temperature is increased to the growth temperature contact layer in the subsequent process. Since the capping layer is formed, and the surface of the p cladding layer is not exposed during heating, excessive doping of Mg or mixture of impurities into the p cladding layer is suppressed. The deterioration of characteristics of the p cladding layer is prevented. Then, on the capping layer, a p contact layer is formed at a temperature of 950° C. to 1100° C.
US08685774B2	Method for fabricating three-dimensional gallium nitride structures with planar surfaces A method is provided for fabricating three-dimensional gallium nitride (GaN) pillar structures with planar surfaces. After providing a substrate, the method grows a GaN film overlying a top surface of the substrate and forms cavities in a top surface of the GaN film. The cavities are formed using a laser ablation, ion implantation, sand blasting, or dry etching process. The cavities in the GaN film top surface are then wet etched, forming planar sidewalls extending into the GaN film. More explicitly, the cavities are formed into a c-plane GaN film top surface, and the planar sidewalls are formed perpendicular to a c-plane, in the m-plane or a-plane family.
US08685771B2	Optimized process for fabricating light-emitting devices using artificial materials The present invention relates to a process for fabricating light-emitting device. More particularly, the aim of the invention is to allow the fabricating of light emitters with improved efficiency by using artificial materials, enabling antireflection or high-reflectivity treatments to be carried out. For this purpose, subwavelength structures are etched on one of the ends of an emissive cavity, enabling external face to be controlled. The invention applies to any light emitter, and therefore notably to lasers and more particularly still to QCLs (quantum cascade lasers). Moreover, the fabrication process according to the invention is preferably a wafer-scale process.
US08685764B2	Method to make low resistance contact Techniques for fabricating contacts on inverted configuration surfaces of GaN layers of semiconductor devices are provided. An n-doped GaN layer may be formed with a surface exposed by removing a substrate on which the n-doped GaN layer was formed. The crystal structure of such a surface may have a significantly different configuration than the surface of an as-deposited p-doped GaN layer.
US08685762B2	Light emitting device and display A light emitting device comprises: an LED chip having a quantum well structure and a light emitting layer made of a gallium nitride compound semiconductor; a first transparent material covering the LED chip; a second transparent material for protecting the LED chip and the first transparent material; and a phosphor for absorbing a part of the light from the LED chip and emitting a light having a wavelength different from the light from the LED chip; wherein the phosphor is included in second transparent material, and the light from the LED chip and the light from said phosphor are mixed to make a white light.
US08685760B2	Contact resistance test structure and method suitable for three-dimensional integrated circuits A contact resistance test structure, a method for fabricating the contact resistance test structure and a method for measuring a contact resistance while using the contact resistance test structure are all predicated upon two parallel conductor lines (or multiples thereof) that are contacted by one perpendicular conductor line absent a via interposed there between. The test structure and related methods are applicable within the context of three-dimensional integrated circuits.
US08685757B2	Method for fabricating magnetic tunnel junction A method for fabricating a magnetic tunnel junction element includes forming a magneto resistance layer including a first magnetic layer, an insulation layer and a second magnetic layer on a substrate, forming a magnetic loss area by doping a magnetic loss impurity into a region of the magneto resistance layer to cause a magnetic loss, and etching the magnetic loss area to form a magnetic tunnel junction element.
US08685755B2	Combinatorial multidomain mesoporous chips and a method for fractionation, stabilization, and storage of biomolecules A new fractionation device shows desirable features for exploratory screening and biomarker discovery. The constituent MSCs may be tailored for desired pore sizes and surface properties and for the sequestration and enrichment of extremely low abundant protein and peptides in desired ranges of the mass/charge spectrum. The MSCs are effective in yielding reproducible extracts from complex biological samples as small as 10 μl in a time as short as 30 minutes. They are inexpensive to manufacture, and allow for scaled up production to attain the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples. The MSCs are multiplexed, label-free diagnostic tools with the potential of biological recognition moiety modification for enhanced specificity. The MSCs may store, protect and stabilize biological fluids, enabling the simplified and cost-effective collection and transportation of clinical samples. The MSC-based device may serve as a diagnostic tool to complement histopathology, imaging, and other conventional clinical techniques. The MSCs mediated identification of disease-specific protein signatures may help in the selection of personalized therapeutic combinations, in the real-time assessment of therapeutic efficacy and toxicity, and in the rational modulation of therapy based on the changes in the protein networks associated with the prognosis and the drug resistance of the disease.
US08685750B2	High throughput screening employing combination of dispensing well plate device and array tape High throughput screening is performed by directing an array tape (60) provided with a plurality of wells arranged in rows and columns into a dispensing well plate device (25) having various row and column actuators (40, 50). With the wells containing samples to be tested, activating select ones of row and column actuators (40, 50) of the dispensing well plate device (25), as well causing relative shifting between the actuators (40, 50) and the array tape (60), enables fluid to be dispensed from one or more nozzles of the dispensing well plate device (25) into predetermined ones of the plurality of wells in a wide range of patterns.
US08685747B2	Porous materials for biological sample collection Methods, apparatuses, and systems for collecting samples using hybrid porous materials that include an organic material and an inorganic material. A method for sample collection includes contacting a hybrid porous material and a biological sample to the porous material. The hybrid porous material includes an inorganic material and an organic material. The method includes placing the porous material with the attached sample in a liquid medium, wherein the sample is separated from the porous material in the liquid medium to form a separated sample, and collecting the separated sample in the medium.
US08685740B2	Methods to determine susceptibility to treatment with leukotriene modifiers The present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to treatment with a leukotriene modifier by determining the subject's cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) level and the subject's level of eosinophilic airway inflammation and identifying a subject with a high ratio of CysLT levels to eosinophilic airway inflammation as susceptible to treatment with the leukotriene modifier. Also discussed is a method of treatment of subjects who are susceptible to treatment that includes administering a leukotriene modifier to such a subject.
US08685737B2	Methods for genomic modification Provided herein are methods of integrating one or more exogenous nucleic acids into one or more selected target sites of a host cell genome. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise contacting the host cell genome with one or more integration polynucleotides comprising an exogenous nucleic acid to be integrated into a genomic target site, and a nuclease capable of causing a double-strand break near or within the genomic target site.
US08685734B2	Viral purification methods The present invention is directed to an improved method of purifying virus, particularly reovirus. Infectious virus can be extracted from a cell culture with a detergent to produce high titers of virus, and the virus can then be purified by simple steps such as filtration and column chromatography. Viruses and compositions comprising the viruses prepared according to the present invention are also provided.
US08685733B2	Cell sheet having good dimensional stability, method for production thereof, and cell culture carrier for use in the method It is an object of the present invention to provide a cell culture carrier for producing a cell sheet that can be readily detached from a cell culture carrier and is inhibited from contracting after being detached.The cell culture carrier 1 of the present invention comprises: a support-held culture membrane 4 comprising an organic thin film 2 having cell adhesion properties and biodegradability and a frame-like support 3 fixed on the periphery of the organic thin film for maintaining the dimensions of the organic thin film; and a base substrate 6 having a surface 5 with a static water contact angle of 45° or less, wherein the support-held culture membrane 4 is detachably placed on the surface 5 of the base substrate.
US08685726B2	Small molecules supporting pluripotent cell growth and methods thereof The present invention relates to compositions and methods for maintaining undifferentiated pluripotent stem cell cultures.
US08685719B2	Polynucleotide constructs for increased lysine production The invention relates to production of lysine, and provides several isolated polynucleotide molecules useful for the production of L-lysine. One such polynucleotide encodes an aspartate kinase (ask), an aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) and a dihydrodipicolinate reductase (dapB). Other polypeptides encode ask, asd, dapB and a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (ddh); ask, asd, dapB, ddh and an ORF2 poypeptide; and ask, asd dapB, ddh, ORF2 and a diaminopimelate decarboxylase (lysA). The invention further provides methods of making and using the polynucleotides, and methods to increase the production of L-lysine.
US08685717B2	Thermal cycler for PCR An apparatus comprising an assembly and a cover. The assembly comprises a sample block configured to receive a microtiter tray having a plurality of vials, each vial comprising a cap having a surface and a perimeter. The cover comprises a platen, vertically and horizontally displaceable in relationship to the sample block, the platen having a plurality of recesses. Each recess corresponds to a respective vial and is shaped and arranged to clear the surface of its respective cap when the cover is displaced onto the sample block. The cover includes a skirt in contact with and surrounding a perimeter of the platen. The skirt is configured for mating with a perimeter of a microtiter tray when a microtiter tray is received in the sample block, and also configured such that the cover contacts a microtiter tray when a microtiter tray is received in the sample block.
US08685715B2	Agglutination reaction system The present invention provides an agglutination based assay system for determining the presence and/or amount of analyte in a sample comprising a test device having one or more capillary pathways comprising detection regions adapted for non-visual detection of a sample which is releasably engageable with a reader which comprises detection means for detecting the sample at the detection regions in each of said capillary pathways and electronic means for indicating the presence and/or amount of analyte.
US08685713B2	Blood testing bottomed tube, stopper for blood testing bottomed tube and blood testing container The present invention relates to a blood testing bottomed tube, which comprises a tubular member having an open one end and closed another end, and a coating layer formed on at least a part to be contacted with blood on said tubular member, said coating layer being made of a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether or a polyoxyalkylene glycol ether, the present invention also relates to a stopper for a blood testing bottom tube and a blood testing container.
US08685711B2	Methods and compositions for highly sensitive detection of molecules Disclosed are methods, kits, and compositions for the highly sensitive detection of molecules. The methods, kits, and compositions are useful in determining concentrations of molecules in samples to levels of 1 femtomolar, 1 attomolar, or lower. The methods, kits, and compositions also allow the determination of concentration over a wide range, e.g., 7-log range, without need for sample dilution.
US08685710B2	Photodetector and measurement object reader A photodetector detects fluorescence emitted from a sample placed on a substrate of a DNA chip. There is an irradiation optical system for guiding irradiation light by a first optical waveguide, gathering the irradiation light by a first lens and irradiating the sample. A reception optical system gathers fluorescence at an input-side end surface of a second optical waveguide by a second lens and guides the fluorescence to a measuring unit. The irradiation optical system and the reception optical system are separate light guiding paths. The reception optical system is of a confocal optical system in which a focal point on the sample is identical to a focal point at the input-side end surface of the second optical waveguide of the reception optical system.
US08685706B2	Arid land soil crust restoration The present invention relates to a process for restoring disturbed arid land soil crust. According to the process, site-sourced biological soil crusts (BSC) serve as sources for liquid suspension inoculants onto degraded arid lands. The BSC are gathered from near the disturbed site, and organisms from them are cultured, replicated and multiplied many times, preferably off-site. Then, this inoculant resulting from the indigenous population is distributed live and active in a liquid suspension over the entire area of the disturbed site.
US08685697B1	Listeria monocytogenes bacteriophages and uses thereof The present invention is directed to isolated bacteriophages having specificity and lytic activity against strains of Listeria species, methods of using the bacteriophages, progeny and derivatives derived therefrom, to control the growth of Listeria species in various settings (e.g., food safety, sanitation, probiotics).
US08685696B2	Salmonella bacteriophage and uses thereof The present invention is directed to isolated bacteriophages having specificity and lytic activity against strains of Salmonella species, methods of using the bacteriophages, progeny and derivatives derived therefrom, to control the growth of Salmonella species in various settings (e.g., food safety, sanitation, probiotics).
US08685695B2	Method for producing a mixture of bacteriophages and the use thereof in the therapy of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci The invention relates to a method for producing a mixture of bacteriophages, wherein at least two different bacteriophage strains have been reproduced separately, wherein a staphylococcus strain is grown in an preculture with each of strains of a bacteriophage that can lyse staphylococci and is then further reproduced in a main culture, and is then purified, and the different strains are then mixed, wherein the mixture of bacteriophages used comprises at least two different serotypes of bacteriophages that lyse specifically bacteria of the species Staphylococcus.
US08685693B2	Degradable clostridial toxins The specification discloses Clostridial toxins or Clostridial toxin chimeras comprising an inactivation cleavage site, polynucleotide molecules encoding such toxins or chimeras, compositions comprising such toxins or chimeras, and method of producing such toxins or chimeras.
US08685687B2	Chimeric zinc finger recombinases optimized for catalysis by directed evolution The present invention is directed to chimeric recombinases comprising a serine recombinase operatively linked to a zinc finger nucleotide binding domain such that the chimeric recombinase protein catalyzes site-specific recombination at a DNA site specifically bound by the zinc finger nucleotide binding domain. The serine recombinase can be one of several naturally occurring serine recombinases. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding the chimeric recombinases, vectors including the nucleic acids, host cells transformed or transfected with the vectors, methods of using the chimeric recombinases to carry out recombination, methods of using substrate-linked protein evolution to generate additional chimeric recombinases, methods of using the chimeric recombinases for gene therapy, and pharmaceutical compositions.
US08685686B2	Biofuels processes integrating photobioreactors with anaerobic digestion In the present invention, integrated processes for producing a biofuel are disclosed. Specifically, processes integrating photobioreactors with anaerobic digestion are disclosed. Anaerobic digestion can convert biomass into a biofuel. However, anaerobic digestion also produces carbon dioxide (CO2). Because it is a greenhouse gas, the production of carbon dioxide is not desirable. Algae can be grown in a photobioreactor as long as light, carbon dioxide, and water are provided. In the present invention, the anaerobic digestion process is integrated with the photobioreactor process thereby providing a useful solution for the carbon dioxide that is generated and providing a source of carbon dioxide for the photobioreactor.
US08685682B2	Docosahexaenoic acid producing strains of yarrowia lipolytica An engineered strain of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 5.6% docosahexaenoic acid acid (DHA, an w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the total oil fraction is described. This strain comprises various chimeric genes expressing heterologous desaturases, elongases and acyltransferases and optionally comprises various native desaturase and acyltransferase knockouts to enable synthesis and high accumulation of DHA. Production host cells are claimed, as are methods for producing DHA within said host cells.
US08685680B2	Method for producing fats or oils The present invention is directed to improving productivity of an enzymatic method for producing esterified, transesterified or interesterified fats or oils. Specifically, a method that can greatly improve the productivity of enzymatic esterification, transesterification or interesterification by purifying the substrate oil to extend the useful life of the enzyme is disclosed.
US08685679B2	Acyltransferase regulation to increase the percent of polyunsaturated fatty acids in total lipids and oils of oleaginous organisms Methods to increase the percent of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) within the total lipids and oils of PUFA-producing oleaginous organisms are provided herein, by regulating the activity of specific acyltransferases. Specifically, since oil biosynthesis is expected to compete with polyunsaturation during oleaginy, it is possible to reduce or inactivate the activity of an organism's DAG ATs (e.g., phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) and/or diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) and/or diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2)) to thereby reduce the overall rate of oil biosynthesis while concomitantly increasing the percent of PUFAs that are incorporated into the lipid and oil fractions. The teachings herein will thereby enable one to engineer a wide variety of oleaginous organisms to produce oils with very specific fatty acid compositions.
US08685678B2	Increasing confidence of allele calls with molecular counting Aspects of the present invention include methods and compositions for determining the number of individual polynucleotide molecules originating from the same genomic region of the same original sample that have been sequenced in a particular sequence analysis configuration or process. In these aspects of the invention, a degenerate base region (DBR) is attached to the starting polynucleotide molecules that are subsequently sequenced (e.g., after certain process steps are performed, e.g., amplification and/or enrichment). The number of different DBR sequences present in a sequencing run can be used to determine/estimate the number of different starting polynucleotides that have been sequenced. DBRs can be used to enhance numerous different nucleic acid sequence analysis applications, including allowing higher confidence allele call determinations in genotyping applications.
US08685677B2	Detection of AAD-12 soybean event 416 The invention relates in part to methods of detecting an AAD-12 soybean event. The subject invention provides assays for detecting the presence of the subject event in a sample (of soybeans, for example). Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are also provided. More specifically, the present invention relates in part to an endpoint TaqMan PCR assay for the AAD-12 soybean event. Some embodiments are directed to assays that are capable of high throughput zygosity analysis. The subject invention further relates, in part, to the discovery of a preferred reference gene for use in determining zygosity. This invention also relates in part to plant breeding using any of the subject methods. In some embodiments, said event/polynucleotide sequence can be “stacked” with other traits. The subject procedures can be used to uniquely identify soybean lines comprising the event of the subject invention.
US08685670B2	Isolated chimeric proteins of modified lumazine synthase Isolated chimeric proteins including up to ten copies of peptides, polypeptides or protein domains inserted in the amino termini of the Brucella spp. Lumazine synthase enzyme. Isolated nucleotide sequences codifying the chimeric proteins. Vectors, plasmids and transformed cells used for expressing the proteins. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies induced by the chimeric proteins. Hybridomas producing the monoclonal antibodies. Vaccines and pharmaceutical compounds including the chimeric proteins, nucleotide sequences and antibodies. A method to induce an immune response in higher organisms including the administration of effective amounts of the vaccines and pharmaceutical compounds. Biosensors including the chimeric proteins. Protein conjugates formed by the chimeric proteins and a ligand bound by means of covalent and noncovalent bonds. Uses of the chimeric proteins, nucleotide sequences, vectors, plasmids, transformed cells, antibodies, hybridomas, conjugates, biosensors, vaccines and pharmaceutical compounds. The quaternary structure of the chimeric proteins.
US08685667B2	Nucleic acid encoding a self-assembling split-fluorescent protein system The invention provides a protein labeling and detection system based on self-complementing fragments of fluorescent and chromophoric proteins. The system of the invention is exemplified with various combinations of self-complementing fragments derived from Aequorea victoria Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), which are used to detect and quantify protein solubility in multiple assay formats, both in vitro and in vivo.
US08685665B2	ADAMTS-13 mutant A method of enhancing an enzymatic activity of a disintegrin-like domain, and metalloprotease, with an isolated human thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS-13) by substituting on or more positions in the isolated human ADAMTS-13.
US08685661B2	Reagent and kit for classifying and counting leukocytes, the preparation thereof, and process for classifying and counting leukocytes A reagent for classifying and counting leukocytes containing (1) a cyanine fluorescent dye; and (2) a glycoside compound; a reagent kit containing the reagent for classifying and counting leukocytes as well as its preparation process; and a process for classifying and counting blood cells using the reagent or kit are provided. Using the reagent, kit and/or process provided, leukocytes can be classified and counted in four groups with a high degree of differentiation and a better classification among each subpopulation of leukocytes, especially in that it successfully addresses the indistinct classification between lymphocytes and monocytes and between the eosinophils and neutrophils in a scattergram.
US08685659B2	Method for diagnosis and prognosis of epithelial cancers The present invention is based on the discovery that three proteins, Cystatin B, Chaperonin 10, and Profilin are present in the urine of patients with bladder cancer, a cancer of epithelial origin. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to methods for prognostic evaluation of cancers of epithelial origin and to methods for facilitating diagnosis of cancers of epithelial origin by monitoring the presence of these markers in biological samples. The invention is also directed to markers for therapeutic efficacy.
US08685658B2	Compositions and methods for the treatment of diseases associated with aberrant cilia assembly and regulation Compositions and methods are provided for identifying agents which have efficacy for the treatment of disorders related to aberrant cilial structure and function, including polycystic kidney disease.
US08685657B2	Methods of evaluating BAFF The present disclosure provides compositions and methods relating to the evaluation of BAFF in a biological sample from a subject.
US08685655B2	Dissociation method and dissociation agent for avidin and biotin derivatives A method for dissociating avidin or streptavidin efficiently from a biotin derivative, thereby making it possible to isolate a target material efficiently under a mild condition in a short period, and a dissociation agent for use thereof, are provided.The method for dissociating avidin or streptavidin from a biotin derivative, includes mixing a combination of avidin or streptavidin with desthiobiotin with a water-soluble polymer to which biotin or a derivative thereof is bound.
US08685652B2	Targets and compounds for therapeutic intervention of HIV infection Novel drug targets and antiviral agents are provided for the therapeutic intervention of lentiviral diseases, in particular AIDS.
US08685650B2	Method for the identification of the clonal source of a restriction fragment The present invention relates to a high throughput method for the identification and detection of molecular markers wherein restriction fragments are generated and suitable adaptors comprising (sample-specific) identifiers are ligated. The adapter-ligated restriction fragments may be selectively amplified with adaptor compatible primers carrying selective nucleotides at their 3′ end. The amplified adapter-ligated restriction fragments are, at least partly, sequenced using high throughput sequencing methods and the sequence parts of the restriction fragments together with the sample-specific identifiers serve as molecular markers.
US08685649B2	RT-LAMP assay for the detection of pan-serotype dengue virus The invention relates to a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of dengue virus. The assay is capable of simultaneous detection of dengue 1-4 serotypes in a single reaction.
US08685644B2	Method and device for determining a concentration of ligands in an analysed sample The invention relates to a method for determining a concentration of ligands in an analyzed sample. The inventive method consists in immobilizing receptors specifically boundable with said ligands on a support. At least one measured value of the occupation of the support surface by the receptors is determined by means of a sensor for the surface occupation. Afterwards, the sample is put in contact with the receptors. At least one measured value of the frequency of liaisons between the ligands and the receptors is determined by means of at least one detector. The concentration of ligands in the sample can be determined with the aid of the measured values of the occupation of the surface and frequency of ligands/receptors liaisons.
US08685638B2	Cellular microarrays for screening differentiation factors Provided is a microarray platform for the culture of cells atop combinatorial matrix mixtures; enabling the study of differentiation in response to a multitude of microenvironments in parallel.
US08685636B2	Heparin-insensitive method for determining direct coagulation factor inhibitors The invention is in the field of coagulation diagnostics and relates to a heparin-insensitive method for determining direct coagulation factor inhibitors in a sample, in particular direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors.
US08685634B2	Neural scaffolds Disclosed herein are compositions and methods useful for preparing neural scaffolds. The scaffolds comprise tissue taken from the spinal cord and/or dura mater of vertebrate and can be processed to form gels or sheets. Methods of treating patient with CNS injury are also presented.
US08685630B2	Methods of forming a pattern in a material and methods of forming openings in a material to be patterned Methods of forming a pattern in a material and methods of forming openings in a material to be patterned are disclosed, such as a method that includes exposing first portions of a first material to radiation through at least two apertures of a mask arranged over the first material, shifting the mask so that the at least two apertures overlap a portion of the first portions of the first material, and exposing second portions of the first material to radiation through the at least two apertures. The first portions and the second portions will overlap in such a way that non-exposed portions of the first material are arranged between the first portions and second portions. The non-exposed or exposed portions of the first material may then be removed. The remaining first material may be used as a photoresist mask to form vias in an integrated circuit. The pattern of vias produced have the capability to exceed the current imaging resolution of a single exposure treatment.
US08685628B2	Large area patterning using interferometric lithography Exemplary embodiments provide methods for patterning large areas, beyond those accessible with the limited single-area exposure techniques, with nanometer scale features. The methods can include forming a grating pattern to make a first interferometric exposure of a first portion of a photosensitive material disposed over a substrate by interfering two or more laser beams, wherein the two or more laser beams comprise an apodized intensity profile having a continuous intensity variation. The method can further include aligning and overlapping the grating pattern to expose a second portion of the photosensitive material such that the first portion and the second portion form a continuous grating pattern.
US08685627B2	Method for manufacturing a semiconductor device A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an etch-target layer over a semiconductor substrate having a lower structure, forming a first mask pattern over the etch-target layer, forming a spacer material layer with a uniform thickness over the etch-target layer including the first mask pattern, forming a second mask pattern on an indented region of the space material layer, and etching the etch-target layer with the first mask pattern and the second mask pattern as an etch mask to form a fine pattern.
US08685626B2	Method of measuring a characteristic During a multiple patterning process every nth element of the pattern is removed. The removal of the elements of the patterns happens after the pattern has been printed into the radiation sensitive material or etched into substrate. Advantageously, the original mask is not varied, and another exposure step is used to remove the elements of the pattern.
US08685622B2	Method for preparing a lithographic printing plate a method for preparing a lithographic printing plate that includes imagewise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a coating provided on a support having a hydrophilic surface, the coating containing thermoplastic polymer particles and an infrared radiation absorbing dye characterized in that the coating further comprises a phenolic stabilizer.
US08685619B2	Resist composition and method for producing resist pattern A resist composition having a resin having a structural unit represented by the formula (I), a resin being insoluble or poorly soluble in alkali aqueous solution, but becoming soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid and not including the structural unit represented by the formula (I), and an acid generator represented by the formula (II), wherein R1, A1, A13, A14, X12, R23, R24, R25, X21 and Z1+ are defined in the specification.
US08685618B2	Resist composition and method for producing resist pattern A resist composition having; (A1) a resin having a structural unit represented by the formula (I), (A2) a resin having a structural unit represented by the formula (II) and being insoluble or poorly soluble in alkali aqueous solution, but becoming soluble in an alkali aqueous solution by the action of an acid and not including the structural unit represented by the formula (I) and (B) an acid generator. wherein R1, A1, A13, X12, A14, R3 and ring X1 are defined in the specification.
US08685615B2	Photosensitive resist underlayer film forming composition A resist underlayer film forming composition used in a lithography process includes: a polymer (A) containing a unit structure having a hydroxy group, a unit structure having a carboxy group, or combination thereof; a crosslinkable compound (B) having at least two vinyl ether groups; a photoacid generator (C); a C4-20 fluoroalkylcarboxylic acid or a salt of the fluoroalkylcarboxylic acid (D); and a solvent (E). The polymer (A) includes a unit structure selected from unit structures of Formula (1), Formula (2), and Formula (3);
US08685612B2	Continuous emulsification-aggregation process for the production of particles A continuous emulsion aggregation process for the production of particles is presented including a plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR). The plurality of continuous stirred-tank reactors includes a first reactor and a second reactor for facilitating an aggregation process; a third reactor for facilitating a shell addition process; a fourth reactor for facilitating a freeze process; a fifth reactor for facilitating a chelating process; a sixth reactor for facilitating a ramp-up process; and a seventh reactor for facilitating a coalescence process. The reactors are sequentially assembled in a series configuration, each of the reactors cooperating with an overhead stirrer. In other embodiments, a CSTR system of the present disclosure possesses five reactors sequentially assembled in a series configuration to form toner particles.
US08685608B2	Two-component developer, developer cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus A two-component developer includes: a toner; a carrier having a surface energy of from about 23 dyne/cm to about 37 dyne/cm; and an external additive having a shape factor SF1 of from about 130 to about 150 and a number-average particle diameter of from about 80 nm to about 1 μm; and an existence ratio A of the external additive on a surface of the toner and an existence ratio B of the external additive on a surface of the carrier satisfying the relationship of the following Expression 1: 0.04≦B/A≦0.4.
US08685603B2	Electrostatic charge image developer, process cartridge and image forming apparatus An electrostatic charge image developer includes a toner containing an external additive and a carrier comprising a resin-coated layer formed on a surface of a core material. The average shape factor SF1 of the toner is from 125 to 135, the number of particles having shape factor SF1 of less than 125 is from 5% to 30% by number with respect to the total number of toner particles, the number of particles having shape factor SF1 of greater than 135 is from 5% to 30% by number with respect to the total number of toner particles, the scratch line width in a scratch strength test of the resin used in the resin-coated layer is from 80 μm to 200 μm, and the scratch depth is from 60 μm to 150 μm.
US08685596B2	Semi-transparent film grayscale mask A grayscale mask made from semi-transparent film layers is provided, along with an associated fabrication method. The method provides a transparent substrate, such as quartz, with a surface. A first layer of a semi-transparent film having a surface with a first surface area, is formed overlying the substrate surface. At least a second layer of the semi-transparent film having a surface with a second surface area greater than the first surface area, is formed overlying the first layer. A first vertical region is formed having a light first attenuation parameter through the combination of substrate, first layer, and second layer. A second vertical region is formed having a light second attenuation parameter through the combination of the first layer and substrate, and a third vertical region is formed having a light third attenuation parameter through the substrate.
US08685595B2	Prepolymer-based polyurethane formulations for the production of holographic films The present invention relates to a novel holographic photopolymer based on prepolymer-based polyurethane compositions, the preparation of said photopolymer and its use for a very wide range of optical applications.
US08685589B2	Fuel cells with enhanced via fill compositions and/or enhanced via fill geometries A fuel cell and method for manufacturing the fuel cell are described herein. Basically, the fuel cell is formed from an electrode/electrolyte structure including an array of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes disposed on opposing sides of an electrolyte sheet, the anode and cathode electrodes being electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof by electrical conductors that traverse via holes in the electrolyte sheet. Several different embodiments of electrical conductors which have a specific composition and/or a specific geometry are described herein.
US08685587B2	Gas-liquid separator for fuel cell system A discharge port is located at a lower portion of the case of a gas-liquid separator. A discharge valve is located at the discharge port. A water retaining portion is located at the bottom of the case. The water retaining portion is located at a position lower than the discharge valve. An upward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The upward inclination surface is inclined upward toward the discharge valve. A downward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The downward inclination surface is inclined downward toward the upward inclination surface. A cover portion is located in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The cover portion defines a gas passage in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The gas passage is open at a portion closer to the inlet and connected to the discharge valve.
US08685585B2	Fuel cell and method for connecting current connectors thereto In a planar-array cell structure, an area required by interconnectors is reduced and a fuel cell is made further compact. A connection part which connects adjacent cells in series is provided within a sealing member provided in a peripheral edge part of an electrolyte membrane where multiple cells are formed in a planar arrangement. For each cell, an anode terminal of a current collector is disposed counter to a cathode terminal of the current collector via the electrolyte membrane. The connection part penetrates the electrolyte membrane and connects the anode terminal of one of the adjacent cells to the cathode terminal of the other of the adjacent cells.
US08685581B2	Evaporatively cooled fuel cell system and method for operating an evaporatively cooled fuel cell system A fuel cell system (10) comprises a fuel cell (14) and an evaporative cooling system (16), which is in thermal contact with the fuel cell (14), in order that heat generated by the fuel cell (14) during operation of the fuel cell (14) is absorbed through evaporation of a cooling medium and is removed from the fuel cell (14). The fuel cell system (10) further comprises a device (22) for sensing the pressure in the evaporative cooling system (16). A control unit (24) is adapted to control the operating temperature of the fuel cell (14) in dependence on signals that are supplied to the control unit (24) from the device (22) for sensing the pressure in the evaporative cooling system (16), in such a way that the cooling medium of the evaporative cooling system (16) is transferred from the liquid to the gaseous state of matter by the heat generated by the fuel cell (14) during operation of the fuel cell (14).
US08685578B2	Fuel cell system for a vehicle, method for monitoring a fuel cell system A fuel cell system for a vehicle includes a fuel cell arrangement that is coupleable to a vehicle drive as a primary load, and to a plurality of secondary loads. A control apparatus which controls the primary load and the secondary loads includes a monitoring circuit that is operable in a special operating mode of the fuel cell system, with the secondary loads being switched on and/or off as a manipulated variable in order to maintain the output voltage, as a reference variable, at a low voltage value that is formed by a cell voltage of the fuel cells of less than 0.45 V on average.
US08685571B2	Method for producing separator, method for producing molten salt battery, separator, and molten salt battery A separator of a molten salt battery made of a porous resin sheet. The separator is improved in wettability to a molten salt by giving hydrophilicity to the resin sheet. In the case of a fluororesin sheet, the sheet is impregnated with water, and irradiated with ultraviolet rays so that C—F bonds in the fluororesin are cleaved and the resultant reacts with water to generate hydrophilic groups, such as OH groups, in each surface layer thereof. The separator gains hydrophilicity through the hydrophilic groups. The separator made of the resin can be made into a bag form. In a molten salt battery having the bag-form separator, the growth of a dendrite is prevented.
US08685570B2	Method of manufacturing positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery At least one of an aqueous solution A containing lithium, an aqueous solution B containing iron, manganese, cobalt, or nickel, and an aqueous solution C containing a phosphoric acid includes graphene oxide. The aqueous solution A is dripped into the aqueous solution C, so that a mixed solution E including a precipitate D is prepared. The mixed solution E is dripped into the aqueous solution B, so that a mixed solution G including a precipitate F is prepared. The mixed solution G is subjected to heat treatment in a pressurized atmosphere, so that a mixed solution H is prepared, and the mixed solution H is then filtered. Thus, particles of a compound containing lithium and oxygen which have a small size are obtained.
US08685566B2	Process to induce polymerization of an organic electronically conductive polymer A process to induce polymerization of an organic electronically conductive polymer in the presence of a partially delithiated alkali metal phosphate which acts as the polymerization initiator.
US08685559B2	Rechargeable battery and battery module A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having positive and negative electrodes and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, a case for receiving the electrode assembly, and a plurality of projections formed on an outer surface of the case.
US08685557B2	Electrode assembly including mandrel having a removable portion Provided is an electric storage battery including a jelly roll type electrode assembly having a mandrel. The mandrel includes a positive portion, a negative portion and a removable portion. In some embodiments, the mandrel is planar having two faces with a groove on each of the positive and negative portions. The grooves can be on the same or different faces of the mandrel. The grooves are dimensioned to accommodate a positive and negative feedthrough pin. The electrodes are wrapped around the mandrel using the removable portion to wind the mandrel. Once wrapped, the removable portion can be detached. The positive portion and the negative portion are left in the electrode assembly insulated from each other. The mandrel allows tighter wrapping of the jelly roll assembly, increasing battery miniaturization and also results in electrode assemblies in which after-placement of tabs does not result in burrs or shorting.
US08685556B2	Electricity storage module An electricity storage module according to the present invention includes: a battery case that includes a cooling medium intake port, a cooling medium outlet port, and a cooling flow passage through which a plurality of battery cells housed therein in a parallel array pattern are cooled; and a duct detachably mounted at the cooling medium intake port of the battery case.
US08685553B2	Mobile electronic device having a fuel cell surrounded by a solid-state battery According to one aspect, a mobile electronic device having a fuel cell configured to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for the mobile electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to store fuel and provide fuel to the fuel cell, and a solid-state battery configured to provide power to the mobile device. The solid-state battery is sized and shaped to at least partially surround at least one of the fuel cell and the fuel tank.
US08685550B2	Bacteria/transition metal oxides organic-inorganic composite and method for manufacturing the same The present invention relates to an organic-inorganic composite comprising bacteria and transition metal oxides and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an organic-inorganic composite comprising bacteria and transition metal oxides manufactured by attaching cationic transition metal precursor to bacterial surface, wherein the bacteria with high negative charge on its surface is used as a template, refluxing the bacteria and transition metal ions at room temperature in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4), and inducing reduction/spontaneous oxidation, thereby having an excellent high capacity electrochemical properties, and a method of manufacturing the same.Therefore, the method of manufacturing the organic-inorganic composite according to the present invention has advantages that it enables to reduce manufacturing cost and the time required therein, mass production, low temperature synthesis, synthesis of uniform nano-structures, control of one dimensional type, be applied to other metal oxides, thus being expected to be used as parts in other electrochemical fields including lithium secondary batteries, super capacitor, nanoelectro-optical system, catalyst and the like.
US08685549B2	Nanocomposites for ultra high density information storage, devices including the same, and methods of making the same A nanocomposite article that includes a single-crystal or single-crystal-like substrate and heteroepitaxial, phase-separated layer supported by a surface of the substrate and a method of making the same are described. The heteroepitaxial layer can include a continuous, non-magnetic, crystalline, matrix phase, and an ordered, magnetic magnetic phase disposed within the matrix phase. The ordered magnetic phase can include a plurality of self-assembled crystalline nanostructures of a magnetic material. The phase-separated layer and the single crystal substrate can be separated by a buffer layer. An electronic storage device that includes a read-write head and a nanocomposite article with a data storage density of 0.75 Tb/in2 is also described.
US08685539B2	Graft composition having long chain branched olefins for improved layers A tie layer adhesive composition for multilayer structures made up of graft composition compounded with a base resin, such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and a polyethylene having long chain branching, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), and optionally one or more additives. The graft composition can be made up of a blend of a grafted polyolefin and an olefin elastomer and/or the reaction product of a live, grafted polyolefin and an olefin elastomer.
US08685535B2	Surface protective film A surface protective film that exhibits superior adhesiveness to an adherend and exhibits only small differences in peel strength according to the surface state of an adherend is provided. The surface protective film 10 is provided with an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer 2 on one side of a support 1, and satisfies the following conditions: a thickness reduction ratio (indentation strain E1) when a compressive stress of 0.195 MPa is applied for 10 minutes to a laminate 20 obtained by laminating 24 of the protective films 10 is 7.0% or more, and a ratio (E1/E2) of E1 to a thickness reduction ratio (permanent strain) E2 that remains 10 minutes after the stress is released is 30 or less; and a peel strength S1 on a plain TAC polarizing plate is two times or less a peel strength S2 on a TAG polarizing plate that has been subjected to AG treatment.
US08685534B2	High thermal conductivity materials aligned within resins In one embodiment the present invention provides for a high thermal conductivity resin that comprises a host resin matrix 32 a high thermal conductivity filler 30. The high thermal conductivity filler forms a continuous organic-inorganic composite with the host resin matrix, and the fillers have an aspect ratio of between 3-100. The fillers are substantially evenly distributed through the host resin matrix, and are aligned in essentially the same direction. In some embodiments the resins are highly structured resin types.
US08685531B2	Surface-coated cutting tool Provided is a surface-coated cutting tool combining superior heat resistance, superior wear resistance, and superior lubricity with high adhesion between a substrate and a coating. A surface-coated cutting tool of the present invention includes a substrate and a coating formed on the substrate, and the coating is characterized in that the coating is formed by physical vapor deposition and includes one or more layers, that at least one of the one or more layers is a first coating layer, that the first coating layer contains aluminum and nitrogen, has a thermal effusivity of 2,000 to 5,000J·sec−1/2·m−2·K−1, and has a thickness of 0.2 to 5μm, that the first coating layer includes an amorphous region and a crystalline region in order from the substrate side, that the amorphous region is amorphous and has a thickness of 0.01 to 2μm, and that the crystalline region has a crystal structure including a hexagonal structure.
US08685528B2	Shape memory polymer and adhesive combination and methods of making and using the same One exemplary embodiment includes a thermo-reversible polymer adhesive including a dry adhesive layer and shape memory polymer layer, the shape memory polymer material capable of transitioning from a first shape to a second shape upon heating and imposition of a load to conform to the surface topography of a substrate to which the adhesive is applied.
US08685523B2	Surface protection film and optical film with surface protection film There are provided an optical surface protection film capable of permitting even a visual inspection of a coated body having a fine roughness, such as a prism sheet, to be performed under the condition that the protection film is attached to the coated body and excelling in adhesion reliability without an optical adverse effect on the coated body, and an optical film with the surface protection film. The optical surface protection film (1) has a base material layer (10) and an adhesive layer (12) stacked on one surface of the base material layer. The surface of the base material layer (10) on the side of the adhesive layer (12) has an arithmetic surface average roughness (Ra2) of 0.65 μm or less. The other surface of the base material layer (10) has an arithmetic surface average roughness (Ra1) of 0.6 μm or more.
US08685522B2	Non-slip surface and process for making same A non-slip surface is provided comprising a surface having at least one arcuate lug, said arcuate lug comprising a raised center portion and raised and twisted side portions for preventing slippage. Additionally, a process is provided comprising the steps of cutting an arc into a surface, raising and twisting said arc in relation to said surface by bending said surface along a secant perpendicular to a line connecting the midpoint of said arc and the secant, creating at least one arcuate lug in said surface.
US08685512B2	Synthetic resin bottle having a gradation pattern, and process for injection molding the preform for use in such a bottle The technical problem to be solved is to change the thickness of the colored resin layer of the preform gradually in the upward or downward direction, by utilizing a tendency of gradual decrease in the thickness of the colored resin layer caused by the flow of the main resin inside the preform mold when the main resin and the colored resin are injected into the mold. This involves adjusting the injection pattern including the time of starting and ending the supply of the main resin and the colored resin, and pressure or velocity profiles, reducing the thickness of the colored resin layer gradually upstream or downstream, injection-molding the preform in which a color-gradated portion associated with the thickness of the colored resin layer has been formed, and biaxially drawing and blow molding this preform into a bottle having a color-gradated portion.
US08685511B2	Pet container and compositions having enhanced mechanical properties and gas barrier properties A container comprising a polyester composition with enhanced mechanical properties is provided. The polyester composition comprises a polyester and a creep control agent. In particular embodiments, the polyester composition comprises a polyester, a creep control agent, and a gas barrier additive. In particular embodiments, the creep control agents are molecules or polymers comprising dianhydrides, bis-lactams, bis-oxazoles, and epoxides.
US08685509B2	Casing for a writing instrument and method of manufacturing the same using a dual injection molding A casing for a writing instrument comprises an outer shaft, an inner shaft, and a nib. The outer shaft is formed using dual injection molding. An outer surface of the outer shaft includes a raised hard part and a raised soft part. The inner shaft is formed of a thin-wall tube having an upper end and a lower end, the inner shaft being configured for insertion inside the outer shaft. The inner shaft further includes a fastener protruding on its upper end that engages an upper end of the outer shaft. The nib is configured to engage the lower end of the inner shaft to help secure the inner shaft within the outer shaft. The raised hard or soft parts on the outer surface of the outer shaft may include an oblique loop-shaped part, a strip-shaped part, and/or an arc-shaped part.
US08685505B2	Tear-resistant paperboard laminate and structure There is provided a dimensionally stable laminated paperboard material having a tear-resistant polymer film core. The tear-resistant paperboard laminate is a multi-layer paperboard laminate with an integral polymer core having a tear resistance a thickness of at least 1 mil and a tear resistance of at least 350 grams of force in machine direction and 400 grams of force in cross direction, as measured by the Elmendorf tear propagation test. Two paperboard substrates are bonded on respective opposite sides of the polymer core, to provide printability, facilitate adherence and prevent frictional resistance. The multi-layer paperboard-polymer-paperboard laminate is particularly useful for child-resistant, senior-friendly and pilfer-proof packaging and may be printed on, hot-stamped, embossed, die-cut and glued using conventional printing and converting techniques. An adhesive laminating process and an extrusion laminating process for manufacturing the laminate are also disclosed.
US08685503B2	Paper with surface treatment A surface-treated paper produced by applying a surface sizing composition to at least one surface of a base paper, wherein said surface sizing composition comprises a non-film-forming polymer latex and a metallic salt, said non-film-forming polymer latex has a minimum film-forming temperature (MFFT) of greater than 70° C., and said surface sizing composition does not form a continuous film on the treated surface.
US08685501B2	Co-continuous metal-metal matrix composite material using timed deposition processing A direct manufacturing technique involving rapid solidification processing uses a reaction between a metallic molten pool and a reactant gas in an inert atmosphere to form alloys with improved desired properties. By utilizing rapid solidification techniques, solubility levels are increased resulting in alloys with unique mechanical and physical properties. Laser deposition of alloys in atmospheres of varying reactant content produce compositions with intermingled and significantly improved overall properties.
US08685500B2	Method for depositing a thin-film polymer in a low-pressure gas phase The invention relates to a method for depositing one or more thin layers. In said method, a process gas forming a polymer streams into a deposition chamber (8) along with a carrier gas by means of a gas inlet element (3) in order to deposit a thin layer, in particular in the form of a polymer, on the surface (7′) of a substrate (7) which lies on a supporting surface (4′) of a susceptor, said supporting surface (4′) lying opposite the gas inlet element (3), at a distance therefrom. In order to allow the coating process to be carried out at substrate temperatures that only slightly exceed the temperature of the supporting surface of the susceptor, the gas inlet element (3) and/or the supporting surface (4′) are/is temperature-controlled in such a way that the temperature (TS) of the supporting surface (4′) is lower than the temperature (TG) of the gas inlet element (3). More particularly, at a first pressure (P1) prevailing in the deposition chamber (8) before the process gas penetrates into the deposition chamber (8), the substrate (7) lying on the supporting surface (4′) is stabilized, by dissipating heat to the susceptor (4), to a substrate temperature (TD) that only slightly exceeds the temperature (TS) of the supporting surface (4′) but is significantly lower than the temperature (TG) of the gas inlet element (3), whereupon the pressure (P1) in the deposition chamber (8) is reduced to a process pressure (P2), and the process gas penetrates into the deposition chamber (8) when the process pressure (P2) has been reached.
US08685496B2	Method of fabricating alignment layer of liquid crystal display device and testing the alignment layer An alignment layer is tested using an AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) and a FT-IR (Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscope) under various process conditions so that inferiority of the alignment layer can be detected and optimum process conditions can be obtained, thereby minimizing the inferiority of the alignment layer by applying the optimum process conditions.
US08685493B2	Process for forming a non-stick surface on the interior surface of a pipe The present invention relates to a vessel, in particular a pipe, especially an oil pipe, having a preformed film adhered onto the interior surface of the pipe, the interior surface of the preformed film reducing the deposition of at least one of asphaltenes, paraffin wax, and inorganic scale by at least 40% as compared to the interior surface of said oil pipe without said preformed film being present. In a preferred embodiment, the preformed film is adhered to the interior surface of the pipe with a primer layer with an optional barrier layer between the primer layer and the preformed film.
US08685484B2	Oil compositions of stearidonic acid Provided herein are oil compositions comprising an interesterified structured lipid component, the component being an interesterifcation reaction product of an amount of a medium chain triglyceride, an amount of a long chain domestic oil, and an amount of a source of stearidonic acid. Also provided are methods for making the compositions. The structured lipid component can be used in edible oil compositions. The oil compositions can contain an amount of a phytosterol ester component. The oil compositions disclosed herein have good stability and also have other properties useful for an edible oil composition.
US08685482B2	Gluten-free food compositions comprising cheese, starch, and gluten-free flour and methods for making the same Disclosed herein is a composition for making a gluten-free food product, wherein the composition can include, as its main ingredients, one or more types of cheese, one or more types of starch, and one or more types of gluten-free flour, wherein the one or more types of cheese includes 20% to 40% by weight of the composition, the one or more types of starch includes 20% to 40% by weight percent of the composition, and the one or more types of gluten-free flour includes 1% to 10% by weight of the composition. The composition can further include other ingredients for flavor, structure, texture, and the like. In some embodiments, the gluten-free food product can be, for example, a cracker, a cookie, a cake, a chip, a bread-stick, and the like. Some embodiments of the invention provide methods for making gluten-free food products.
US08685477B2	Method for blending a beverage in a single serving cup A method and apparatus for preparing a single serving of a frozen slurry beverage in a disposable drink container or cup by preparing a supply of fine frozen particles of water in the form of ice flakes and/or ice nuggets of compressed ice flakes, depositing a predetermined quantity or amount of the fine frozen particles of partially frozen water into a disposable single serving drinking cup or container, dispensing or adding a predetermined quantity or amount of flavored liquid beverage mix into the disposable single serving drinking cup or container and blending the fine frozen particles of partially frozen water and the flavored liquid beverage mix into a substantially uniform frozen slurry beverage of a predetermined consistency.
US08685473B2	Pawpaw and/or peach derived composition There is provided a process for making a composition suitable for topical application comprising the steps of a) heating at least one fruit and/or vegetable pulp to up to a temperature in the range of about 40° C. to 100° C.; b) mixing between 1 and 40% w/w of a mild base with the heated fruit and/or vegetable pulp. There is also provided a fruit and/or vegetable derived composition suitable for topical application prepared by the above process. There is further provided a fruit and/or vegetable derived composition comprising at least one fruit and/or vegetable derived pulp and a mild base, said composition having a pH in the range of about 7.5 to about 9.5.
US08685467B2	Nitric oxide generation, dilution, and topical application apparatus and method An apparatus for controlled delivery of nitric oxide. A pump draws air through an activated carbon filter and into a reaction chamber. The generation of nitric oxide occurs in the reaction chamber. A second pump draws the gas in the reaction chamber through a calcium hydroxide filter and delivers the nitric oxide through an orifice, or aperture, that controls the flow of nitric oxide delivered. The nitric oxide is filtered through a calcium hydroxide filter just prior to being made available for various nitric oxide therapies. Topical applications that provide a nitric oxide therapy to a surface are also provided.
US08685464B2	Composite bone graft substitute cement and articles produced therefrom The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a β-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.
US08685460B2	Treatment using dantrolene Provided are low-volume, safe for injection formulations of dantrolene yielding significant advantages over the currently approved and marketed dantrolene for malignant hyperthermia (MH) threatening anesthetic crisis. Once dantrolene can be made immediately available to patients triggered of MH, the anesthesiologist will be able to focus exclusively on the management of the patient's physiologic status in this complex and evolving crisis, not on the laborious and time consuming reconstitution process of the rescue agent. The low volume, safe for injection formulations of dantrolene have significant advantages over currently used approaches to the prevention and treatment of pumphead, and other neurological, cognitive and motor dysfunction incident to iatrogenically or trauma induced situations of altered blood flow, including those incurred during surgical procedures involving CPB or related procedures, as well as those incurred during non-normothermic episodes caused iatrogenically or by disease.
US08685459B2	Means and methods of sterilization of biofunctional compositions The present invention, inter alia, relates to a closed sterilized container comprising at least one carrier which is a stabilizer; and at least one biomolecule reversibly attached to the carrier, wherein said carrier partially or completely covers the attached biomolecules and wherein said at least one carrier is selected from the group consisting of (poly)peptides such as dipeptides or tripeptides, amino acids, polyalcohols, polyethyleneglycols, ionic liquids, compatible solutes, saponins and a mixture thereof. The invention also relates to methods for producing sterilized containers according to the invention and uses thereof.
US08685457B2	Pharmaceutical formulation for the production of rapidly disintegrating tablets Pharmaceutical formulation in the form of agglomerates comprisingA) an excipient content composed of a) 60-97% by weight of sugar or sugar alcohols, b) 1-25% by weight of a disintegrant, selected from the group consisting of croscarmellose, sodium carboxymethylstarch and L-hydroxypropoylcellulose, c) 1-15% by weight of water-insoluble, film-forming polymers d) 0-15% by weight of water-soluble polymers and e) 0-15% by weight of further pharmaceutically customary excipients the total of the components a) to e) being 100% by weight.
US08685454B2	Lubricating composition A lubricating composition prepared primarily from organic materials (primarily plants and micro-organisms). The unique process and mixture of organic materials comprising this lotion provide with superior properties for various uses. The lotion exists as a viscous liquid with mucosa moistening properties. Some suggested applications for the lotion are that it may be used as a means for delivering medication, skin moisturizing and to enhances sexual experiences.
US08685452B2	Pharmaceutical composition A stable formulation of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide having both substances in separate units is prepared, exhibiting exceptional stability when subjecting to stress conditions.
US08685451B2	Triple combination release multi-layered tablet This invention pertains to a multi-layered tablet for a triple combination release of active agents to an environment of use. More particularly, the invention pertains to a multi-layered tablet (1) comprising two external drug-containing layers (2 and 3) in stacked arrangement with respect to and on opposite sides of an oral dosage form (4) that provides a triple combination release of at least one active agent. In one embodiment of the invention the dosage form is an osmotic device. In another embodiment of the invention the dosage form is a gastro-resistant coated core. In yet another embodiment of the invention the dosage form is a matrix tablet. In a different embodiment the dosage form is a hard capsule.
US08685450B2	Dual drug dosage forms with improved separation of drugs Drug tablets that include a prolonged-release core and an immediate-release layer or shell are prepared with a thin barrier layer of drug-free polymer between the prolonged-release and immediate-release portions of the tablet. The barrier layer is penetrable by gastrointestinal fluid, thereby providing full access of the gastrointestinal fluid to the prolonged-release core, but remains intact during the application of the immediate-release layer, substantially reducing or eliminating any penetration of the immediate-release drug into the prolonged-release portion.
US08685447B2	Misuse preventative, controlled release formulation Disclosed is a misuse preventative, controlled release composition in the form of a multilayered oral dosage form. A first layer contains a plurality of controlled release microparticles having a pharmaceutically active agent (for example, an opioid analgesic) disposed therein. A second layer comprises a pharmaceutically active agent that can be the same or different from the pharmaceutically active agent in the microparticles. The composition further comprises a superabsorbent material disposed within the first layer, the second layer, or both the first layer and the second layer. When crushed, either intentionally or accidentally, and exposed to an aqueous medium, the superabsorbent material swells to encapsulate the microparticles, which remain substantially intact thereby retarding the release of the pharmaceutically active agent from the composition.
US08685444B2	Sequestering subunit and related compositions and methods A sequestering subunit comprising an aversive agent and a blocking agent, wherein the blocking agent substantially prevents release of the aversive agent from the sequestering subunit in the gastrointestinal tract for a time period that is greater than 24 hours; a composition comprising a sequestering subunit in releasable form, wherein, optionally, the mechanical fragility of the sequestering subunit is the same as the mechanical fragility of the therapeutic agent in releasable form; a capsule or tablet comprising a sequestering subunit and a therapeutic agent; and a method of preventing abuse of a therapeutic agent.
US08685438B2	Compositions, kits, and methods utilizing an added boron source Disclosed here are methods, compositions, and kits which are useful for weight management benefits in the mammal. Each of the methods, compositions, and kits utilize an added boron source.
US08685430B1	Tailored aliphatic polyesters for stent coatings A aliphatic polyester polymer for stent coating is described.
US08685425B2	Microencapsulation product and process Microcapsules possessing Lewis acid-Lewis base salt walls incorporate water-immiscible materials, such as N,N-di-ethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), as a core component. Such microcapsules, or similar microcapsules incorporating other core components, may be made by emulsifying a water-immiscible core component in an aqueous solution of one wall-forming reactant, such as the Lewis base, and then mixing that solution with the other wall-forming reactant, such as the Lewis acid. Various adjuvants may be included with the core component to contribute additional characteristics, such as enhancement of a controlled release characteristic or improved mechanical stability.
US08685421B2	Beaded wound spacer device A wound spacer device comprising multiple beads connected by non-absorbable suture material is disclosed. The device can be applied, for example, by a first responder to an injured individual, or can be applied by a trauma treatment facility, such as a Level 2 medical unit. In typical embodiments the device allows for site-specific controlled elution of an antimicrobial agent, such as Tobramycin, including defined elution over a period of time, such as 48 or 72 hours.
US08685418B2	Cyclohexylamines The present application provides novel compounds and methods for preparing and using these compounds. These compounds are useful in treating pain, itch, overactive bladder and/or interstitial cystitis in patients by administering one or more of the compounds to a patient. The methods include administering a compound of formula (I) and a TRPV1 receptor activator. In one embodiment, the TRPV1 receptor activator is lidocaine.
US08685417B2	Polymer encapsulation and/or binding Encapsulation of and binding to pegylated bioactive molecules via functionalized comb, block, branched type polymers formed by nitroxide mediated controlled radical polymerization is disclosed.
US08685415B2	Mycobacterium mutants for vaccines with improved protective efficacy Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem and currently, the only licensed TB vaccine is Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guerin (M. bovis BCG). In the present invention, mutation of mycobacterial components reportedly involved in phagosome maturation inhibition was evaluated for vaccine purposes, as such mutations should result in better vaccine antigen processing and presentation. Thus, BCG mutants in genes coding for ManLAM capping α-1,2-mannosyltransferases and the PI3P phosphatase SapM were evaluated as TB vaccines in a stringent mouse model. Vaccination with both ManLAM capping mutants and the SapM mutant resulted in significantly longer survival as compared to non-vaccinated mice, whereas vaccination with the parental BCG did not. Moreover, mice vaccinated with the SapM mutant survived significantly longer than mice vaccinated with the parental BCG. The mutant BCG strains showed unaltered phagocytosis, replication, lysosome colocalization and oxidant activity in macrophages and similarly induced autophagy in the latter. Additionally, replication and granuloma formation in mice was unaffected, indicating BCG-equivalent safety of these vaccines.
US08685406B2	Compositions of and method of using heat shock protein peptides The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.
US08685403B2	Insulin-like growth factor signaling and integrin Interaction between insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFI) and integrin is involved in integrin-mediated cellular signaling, such as enhanced proliferation of cells expressing integrins, especially integrin alpha v beta 3, alpha 6 beta. 1 and alpha 6. beta. 4. A method for inhibiting integrin signaling by using an inhibitor of IGFI-integrin binding is disclosed A method for identifying inhibitors of IGFI-integrin binding is also described. Further disclosed are polypeptides, nucleic acids, and corresponding compositions for inhibiting integrin signaling.
US08685402B2	Neutralizing anti-influenza A virus antibodies and uses thereof The invention relates to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, that bind to hemagglutinin and neutralize infection of at least two different group 1 subtypes or at least two different group 2 subtypes of influenza A virus. The invention also relates to nucleic acids that encode, immortalized B cells and cultured single plasma cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of influenza A virus infection.
US08685401B2	Methods of enhancing the response to radiation in tumor therapy using anti-DLL4 antibodies The disclosure provides methods of treating cancer, tumors, and neoplasias by administering ionizing radiation and an anti-DLL4 antibody or a DLL4-binding fragment.
US08685399B2	PAX 5 monoclonal antibody The present invention relates to anti-human PAX 5 antibodies capable of binding to one or more epitopes located within the C-terminal regulatory domain of PAX 5. In particular the invention relates to an antibody, antigen binding fragment or recombinant protein thereof, which is capable of specific binding to an epitope located within the C-terminal fragment of human PAX 5 protein, wherein said epitope comprises from 3 to 17 amino acid residues of amino acid sequence GSPYYYSAAARGAAPPA (SEQ ID NO:2). The invention also relates to immunogenic peptide sequences for the production of the antibodies, diagnostic and therapeutic applications comprising using the antibodies and formulations comprising thereof.
US08685393B2	Methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of systemic anthrax infection The present invention features methods and kits that utilize Ang-2 antagonists for the treatment, inhibition, and prevention of a systemic anthrax infection. The invention described herein also features methods for the diagnosis of a systemic anthrax infection by detecting elevated levels of Ang-2 in the serum of a subject.
US08685391B2	Skin care compositions Dermatological and cosmetic compositions and methods are provided to reduce the appearance of biological and/or environmentally-caused aging.
US08685383B2	Protein-polymer-drug conjugates A drug conjugate is provided herein. The conjugate comprises a protein based recognition-molecule (PBRM) and a polymeric carrier substituted with one or more -LD-D, the protein based recognition-molecule being connected to the polymeric carrier by LP. Each occurrence of D is independently a therapeutic agent having a molecular weight ≦5 kDa. LD and LP are linkers connecting the therapeutic agent and PBRM to the polymeric carrier respectively. Also disclosed are polymeric scaffolds useful for conjugating with a PBRM to form a polymer-drug-PBRM conjugate described herein, compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions.
US08685381B2	Topical base and active agent-containing compositions, and methods for improving and treating skin The invention provides skin protecting and penetrating, easy-to-administer base and active agent-containing compositions, such as those including hydrocortisone, for treating the skin of mammals for different dermatologic disorders. This is effected by topically administering effective amounts of the compositions thereto in forms that address the skin and mucosa of the mouth and lips, and the rest of the body. Additionally, an optional flavoring addition to these products affords significantly better tasting, and less bitter, compositions, allowing a more pleasant experience and better compliance by patients. The compositions include a unique formulation of FANCOL VB, Natunola Castor 1023, Finsolv TN, bees wax and, optionally, one or a plurality of plant or plant seed oils, fatty alcohols, fats and flavorings, in desirable weight percents thereof, in various forms, and preferably in a form of a solid roll-on stick in a variety of sizes and of a jar or pot.
US08685380B2	Deodorant spray A deodorant comprises triethyl citrate, zinc glycinate, and water. The deodorant has a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.
US08685377B2	Agent for fibers containing keratin, comprising at least one specific amphiphilic cationic polymer and at least one specific, additional film-forming anionic and/or stabilizing anionic polymer Agent for treating fibers containing keratin, particularly human hair, having in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, (a) at least one amphiphilic, cationic polymer comprising at least one structural unit of formulae (I) to (IV), wherein R1 and R4 independently=H or methyl; X1 and X2 independently=O or NH, A1 and A2 independently=ethan-1,2-diyl, propan-1,3-diyl or butan-1,4-diyl, R2, R3, R5 and R6 independently=(C1-C4) alkyl, R7═(C8-C30) alkyl, and (b) at least one film-forming anionic and/or stabilizing anionic polymer comprising at least one structural unit of formula (V) and at least one structural unit of formula (VI), wherein R8 and R9 independently=hydrogen or methyl, with the proviso that R8 and R9 are not simultaneously methyl, R10=hydrogen or methyl, R11=carbamoyl, linear or branched (C4 to C12) alkylaminocarbonyl, linear or branched (C4 to C12) alkylaminoethyl-aminocarbonyl, linear or branched (C4 to C12) alkylaminopropyl-aminocarbonyl, linear or branched (C4 to C12) alkyloxycarbonyl, linear or branched (C4 to C12) alkylaminoethyloxycarbonyl, linear or branched (C4 to C12) alkylaminopropyloxycarbonyl, linear or branched (C2 to C12) acyloxy, A3=hydroxyl or an organic group having at least one sulfonic acid group that bonds through an oxygen atom or an NH group to the structural fragment. The invention also relates to use of agents for temporarily styling hair and for haircare, particularly as aerosol hairspray or aerosol hair mousse.
US08685376B2	Emulsifier including glycerin-modified organopolysiloxanes The invention relates to emulsifiers comprising glycerin-modified organopolysiloxanes and to their use for the preparation of extraordinarily stable emulsions and dispersions.
US08685375B2	Solid cosmetic composition for application to keratin fibres The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for caring for and/or making up keratin fibers, in stick form, which can be applied dry, (i), in the form of an emulsion comprising a fatty phase dispersed in an aqueous phase, the said fatty phase comprising carnauba wax and/or synthetic beeswax, in a content of at least 2% by weight relative to the total weight of the said composition, and (ii) having a shear hardness of between 375 g/m and 5000 g/m, the said shear hardness being measured at 20° C. on a cylindrical stick using a rigid tungsten wire 250 μm in diameter, by advancing the wire relative to the stick at a rate of 100 mm/minute. The invention also relates to the process for coating keratin fibers comprising at least one step of applying a composition in accordance with the invention.
US08685372B2	Peptides and aptamers for targeting of neuron or nerves The present invention provides methods for guiding preservation of neurons or nerves during surgery by administering a fluorescently-labeled peptide or aptamer that specifically binds to the neurons or nerves. The invention further provides targeting molecules of fluorescently-labeled peptides or aptamers that specifically bind to neurons or nerves and for compositions thereof.
US08685368B2	Polyamides for nucleic acid delivery A new class of non-viral transduction vectors that can be used for both in vivo and in vitro applications, including, a gene transfer vector that has comparable efficiency to a viral vector without the potential for a life-threatening immune response is provided. Complexes including a cellular delivery molecule or agent that can facilitate the translocation of the complex or portion thereof into cells is also provided. The cellular delivery molecules may include one or more polymers, e.g., polyamides, dendritic macromolecules and carbohydrate-containing degradable polyesters.
US08685366B2	Crystallized material with hierarchical porosity containing silicon Hierarchical porosity material consisting of at least two elementary spherical particles having a maximum diameter of 200 microns, at least one of said spherical particles comprises at least one matrix based on silicon oxide and exhibiting crystallized walls, said material having a macropore volume measured by mercury porosimetry ranging between 0.05 and 1 ml/g, a mesopore volume measured by nitrogen volumetric analysis ranging between 0.01 and 1 ml/g and a micropore volume measured by nitrogen volumetric analysis ranging between 0.03 and 0.4 ml/g. The preparation of said material and use of same as adsorbent or as acidic solid is also described.
US08685365B2	Multi-stream microchannel device Provided is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.
US08685357B2	Firing support for ceramics and method for obtaining same The invention relates to a firing support for ceramics formed from a carbon substrate at least partially covered by a coating based on silicon carbide (SiC), said coating additionally adhering to said substrate. The invention also relates to a process for obtaining such a support.
US08685355B2	Manufacturing of MeOH, formaldehyde, formic acid and ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate from CO2 A method of forming methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid and ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate includes the steps of providing ammonium hydroxide and producing air bubbles within the ammonium hydroxide to form a solution. Sodium borohydride is added and dissolved within the solution of air bubbled ammonium hydroxide to form methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid and ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate. An alternative method of forming methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid and ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate is also provided which includes the steps of providing ammonium hydroxide and dissolving sodium borohydride therein to form a solution. Sodium bicarbonate is added to the solution of ammonium hydroxide and sodium borohydride to form methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid and ammonium pentaborate tetrahydrate.
US08685352B2	Zero platinum group metal catalysts The present invention pertains to catalyst systems for nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and sulfur reactions that are free or substantially free of platinum group metals. The catalyst system of the present invention comprise a substrate and a washcoat, wherein the washcoat comprises at least one oxide solid, wherein the oxide solid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a carrier material oxide, a catalyst, and mixtures thereof. The catalyst system may optionally have an overcoat, wherein the overcoat comprises at least one oxide solid, wherein the oxide solid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a carrier material oxide, a catalyst, and mixtures thereof. The catalyst comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a ZPGM transition metal catalyst, a mixed metal oxide catalyst, a zeolite catalysts, or mixtures thereof.
US08685351B2	Pollutant emission control sorbents and methods of manufacture and use Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. Embodiments include brominated sorbent substrate particles having a carbon content of less than about 10%. Other embodiments include one or more oxidatively active halides of a nonoxidative metal dispersed on sorbent substrate particles mixed with activated carbon in an amount up to 30% by weight. Further embodiments include physical blending of a flow modifier into the sorbent composition.
US08685347B2	Penetrable cap A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.
US08685345B2	Insert for a sample chamber of a multi-well plate An insert for a sample chamber of a multi-well plate, which delimits the sample chamber upwardly, so as to form a measurement space, when the insert is in the state in which it is fitted into the sample chamber. The insert has at least two portions with outer contours differing from one another, one of the portions being a sealing portion with a continuous sealing surface, which sealing portion is adapted to a corresponding, in particular hollow-cylindrical sealing portion, with a likewise continuous sealing surface, of the sample chamber, in such a way that the insert sealing portion and the sample chamber sealing portion can be connected to one another releasably and in a liquid-tight manner by means of a press fit.
US08685337B2	Device for sterilizing closures The invention relates to a device for sterilizing caps or the like closures for closing bottles or the like containers. Said device comprises a conveyor system conveying the caps in a direction of conveyance through a treatment section having a plurality of successive treatment stations in the direction of conveyance.
US08685336B2	System and method for recycling sterilant gas A system for recovery and reutilization of sterilant gas mixture from a sterilizer chamber includes a storage tank in gaseous communication with a sterilizer chamber via a gas recovery assembly, wherein after sterilization the gas recovery assembly evacuates the sterilant gas mixture to the storage recovery tank. The system also includes an inert purge gas supply adapted to supply a purge gas to the sterilizer chamber after the sterilant gas mixture is withdrawn to the storage recovery tank, wherein the gas recovery assembly evacuates an additional portion of the purge gas from the sterilizer chamber to the storage tank to enrich the gas mixture for later reutilization in subsequent sterilization cycles.
US08685330B2	Air freshener flower with vent stick An air freshener has a vent rod and a scent material carried by the vent rod. A head is pivotally coupled to the vent rod. A hinge is between the head and the vent rod including an axel in an aperture. A plurality of petals is coupled to the head and pivotal with the head with respect to the vent rod.
US08685328B2	Method for purifying inside of room In order to remove a pathogenic effect of a microorganism in a room or a work space in a short period of time, an ion diffusing apparatus, which includes an ion generator (17, 18) for generating positive ions each including H+(H2O)m and negative ions each including O2−(H2O)n, where m and n are arbitrary integers, and a blower for delivering the positive ions and the negative ions, which are generated from the ion generator (17), from a blowout opening, is operated to widely distribute, with a high concentration, the positive ions and the negative ions in the room.
US08685327B2	Apparatus for removing scent from clothing The scent removing device has a housing that forms an interior compartment. The compartment is separated into a first and second portion by a shelf that is disposed within the compartment and connected to the interior of the housing. The shelf has at least one channel and a plurality of openings to permit air to flow between the first and second portions. An air tube extends from the first portion, through the shelf to the second portion. A fan motor is in communication with the air tube to blow air through the air tube and into the second portion.
US08685323B2	Virus/nanowire encapsulation within polymer microgels for 2D and 3D devices for energy and electronics Methods and apparatuses for encapsulating inorganic micro- or nanostructures within polymeric microgels are described. In various embodiments, viruses are encapsulated with microgels during microgel formation. The viruses can provide a template for in situ synthesis of the inorganic structures within the microgel. The inorganic structures can be distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the microgel, or can be distributed non-uniformly within the microgel. The inventive microgel compositions can be used for a variety of applications including electronic devices, biotechnological devices, fuel cells, display devices and optical devices.
US08685322B2	Apparatus and method for the purification of biomolecules The invention comprises an apparatus 10 and a method 100 for purifying biomolecules 28. Magnetizable particles 35 and a group of magnetizable pins 40 are used for binding biomolecules 28 to the magnetizable particles 35 using a binding buffer 30b, and for transferring the magnetizable particles 35 forming a particle-biomolecule complex 36. The apparatus 10 comprises an incubation unit 60 that allows for an upscaling of a maximum volume of a sample material. Furthermore the apparatus 10 comprises counter magnets 50 which are arranged on cavities 20. Solutions 30 comprising the biomolecules 28 and the magnetizable particles 35 are disposed in the cavities. The use of counter magnets 50 improves the quality of an eluate. Furthermore the invention comprises a system 800 and a method 900 for a diagnostically purifying of biomolecules 28. The method 900 further comprises a controlling of method steps and a selection of substances and reagents (for example the magnetizable particles 35) based on information automatically collected from, for example, the samples and/or derived from used substances and reagents. The system 800 fulfills requirements of medical diagnostics.
US08685321B2	Automated multi-station small object analysis The present disclosure provides systems and methods for analyzing a plurality of samples of small objects. In various other embodiments, the system includes a staging console for supporting a plurality of sample trays. The system additionally includes a plurality of workstations that each includes a robotic container transfer subsystem for sequentially removing and replacing each of a plurality of sample containers arrayed in the sample trays, each sample container containing a sample of small objects. Each workstation additionally includes an automated analysis subsystem for sequentially receiving each container from the transfer subsystem, removing each sample from the respective container, acquiring data of each sample and returning each sample to the respective container. The system further includes a tray shuttle robot that distributes and retrieves the sample trays to and from the workstations.
US08685320B2	Oxygenator An oxygenator which helps avoid bubbles in the blood from being discharged through the blood outlet port of the oxygenator includes a housing, a hollow fiber membrane bundle in the housing and formed by a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes serving for gas exchange, gas-inlet and gas-outlet ports communicating with gas passages of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood-inlet and blood-outlet ports. A filter member is provided on a side closer to the blood outlet port of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and serves to catch bubbles in blood. The blood outlet port projects from the housing and a passage enlargement is provided in a vicinity of the end of the blood outlet port closer to the housing and having an increased passage cross-sectional area. The blood passed the filter member is allowed to reach the blood outlet port by being decelerated in the passage enlargement.
US08685318B2	Apparatus for sanitizing oral appliances An apparatus for sanitizing oral appliances is provided. The apparatus includes a housing movable between open and closed positions, at least one ultraviolet light source for emitting one or more sanitization means within the sanitizing chamber, and at least one power source for powering the ultraviolet light source. In the open position the housing allows insertion of the appliance, and in the closed position the housing defines a sanitizing chamber. The apparatus may include an appliance suspension system. The apparatus may include a reflective interior surface provided on at least a portion of the sanitizing chamber. The ultraviolet light source may be adapted to generate ozone within the sanitizing chamber. The apparatus may include control circuitry connecting the ultraviolet light source to the power source for the purpose of activating and deactivating the ultraviolet light source.
US08685315B2	Cr-based alloy having an excellent strength-ductility balance at high temperature A strength-ductility balance at a high temperature above 1000° C., particularly a high temperature above 1050° C. is improved by rendering a chemical composition of Cr-based alloy into Cr: more than 60 mass % but less than 65 mass %, C+N: not more than 20 mass ppm, S: not more than 20 mass ppm, O: not more than 100 mass ppm, O as an oxide: not more than 50 mass ppm, and the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities.
US08685312B2	Melt spinning method and apparatus A melt spinning apparatus includes an apparatus body, a nozzle configured to extrude melted resin in the apparatus body, and a barrel having an air discharge passage arranged around this nozzle to discharge hot air. The discharge passage includes a sloped passage and a parallel passage that extends along the nozzle. At an intersection of imaginary lines extending along the centerlines of the sloped passage, an imaginary merging section is defined. An open end of the nozzle is positioned on the downstream side of the imaginary merging section of the hot air blown diagonally forward toward a periphery of the nozzle. To manufacture a sheet of a nonwoven fabric, the melted resin is discharged from the nozzle and then the hot air swirling diagonally forward is blown toward the periphery of the nozzle. This causes the melted resin to be formed into spiral fibers. Those fibers are blown onto the belt of a conveyor belt apparatus to manufacture a nonwoven fabric sheet.
US08685310B2	Method of preparing nanofibers via electro-blown spinning The invention relates to a nanofiber web preparing apparatus and method via electro-blown spinning. The nanofiber web preparing method includes feeding a polymer solution, which is a polymer dissolved into a given solvent, toward a spinning nozzle, discharging the polymer solution via the spinning nozzle, which is charged with a high voltage, while injecting compressed air via the lower end of the spinning nozzle, and collecting fiber spun in the form of a web on a grounded suction collector under the spinning nozzle, in which both of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins are applicable, the solution does not need to be heated and electrical insulation is readily realized.
US08685307B2	Method for producing multilayer article A method for producing a multilayer article is provided. The method comprises: a step of applying a first dispersion liquid comprising a first liquid medium and a first polymer component, a first alkali metal ion and a first inorganic laminar compound each dispersed in the first liquid medium to a surface of a support having a layer composed of a first thermoplastic resin to form a first dispersion liquid film on the support, wherein the first polymer component contains hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups at a molar ratio, hydroxyl groups:carboxyl groups, of from 30:70 to 95:5; a step of removing the first liquid medium from the first dispersion liquid film to form a first coating film, thereby producing a layered article comprising the support and the first coating film; a step of heating the layered article at or above a temperature at which a condensation reaction between a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group in the first coating film can occur, thereby hardening the coating film; and a step of supplying a second thermoplastic resin having been plasticized onto the layer of the first thermoplastic layer of the substrate of the layered article and shaping it into a specified shape, thereby producing a multilayer article having the layered article and a layer of the second thermoplastic resin.
US08685306B2	Molding apparatus and molding method A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a first support member for supporting the mold, a second support member arranged opposite to the first support member, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the mold and the work together using the support members to pattern the workpiece. In this structure, either the surface of the first support member for supporting the mold or the surface of the second support member for supporting the workpiece is smaller in area than both surfaces of the mold and the workpiece.
US08685302B2	Monolithic acoustically-treated composite structures and methods for fabricating the same Monolithic acoustically-treated composite structures and methods for fabricating the same are provided. A monolithic acoustically-treated composite structure comprises an internal frame assembly comprising a unitary composite frame structure and at least one acoustic panel assembly. The unitary composite frame structure defines a shape of the monolithic acoustically-treated composite structure to be fabricated. A composite overlay covers the internal frame assembly. The method for fabricating the monolithic acoustically-treated composite structure comprises forming the unitary composite frame structure, including the at least one acoustic panel in the unitary composite frame structure, and covering the internal frame assembly with the composite overlay.
US08685289B2	Pulverulent compounds, a process for the preparation thereof and the use thereof in lithium secondary batteries The present invention relates to pulverulent compounds of the formula LiaNibM1cM2d(O)2(SO4)x, a process for preparation thereof and the use thereof as active electrode material in.
US08685287B2	Mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogels A method of making a mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel, including the steps of dispersing nanotubes in an aqueous media or other media to form a suspension, adding reactants and catalyst to the suspension to create a reaction mixture, curing the reaction mixture to form a wet gel, drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel, and pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce the mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel. The aerogel is mechanically robust, electrically conductive, and ultralow-density, and is made of a porous carbon material having 5 to 95% by weight carbon nanotubes and 5 to 95% carbon binder.
US08685284B2	Conducting paste for device level interconnects A conducting paste and method of forming the paste for device level interconnection. The conducting paste contains metal loading in the range 80-95% that is useful for making five micron device level interconnects. The conducting paste is made by mixing two different conducting pastes, each paste maintaining its micro level individual rich region in the mixed paste even after final curing. One paste contains at least one low melting point alloy and the other paste contains noble metal fillers such as gold or silver flakes. In general, average flake size below five micron is suitable for five micron interconnects. However, 1 micron or smaller silver flakes and an LMP mixture is preferred for five micron interconnects. The amount of LMP based paste in the final mixture is preferably 20-50% by weight. The nano micro paste embodiment shows good electrical yield (81%) and low contact resistance.
US08685283B2	Superficially porous metal oxide particles, methods for making them, and separation devices using them Micelle-templated superficially porous particles having a solid core and an outer porous shell with ordered pore structures and a narrow particle size distribution, such as about ±5% (one sigma), and a high specific surface area of about 5 to about 1000 m2/g.
US08685282B2	Process for the production of syngas and hydrogen starting from reagents comprising liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons, and/or oxygenated compounds, also deriving from biomasses, by means of a non-integrated membrane reactor A process for the production of syngas and hydrogen starting from liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and/or oxygenated compounds, also deriving from biomasses, and mixtures thereof, envisages recourse to a membrane reactor in an architecture that uses a succession of reaction and separation stages. The process includes a section for pre-heating the reagents, a number of sections for short-contact-time catalytic partial oxidation for producing syngas and hydrogen in a number of stages followed by separation of hydrogen produced via membranes, a thermal-recovery section, a section for removing produced carbon dioxide, and a section for cooling and removing condensate. Optionally, the process includes a section for purifying obtained hydrogen via pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) and generating purge gas with medium calorific value. Furthermore, the process includes a section for hydrodesulphuration of the reagents and could include a section for conversion of the CO2 and H2 produced by a reverse-water-gas-shift (RWGS) reaction.
US08685281B2	System and process for the production of syngas and fuel gasses The production of gasses and, more particularly, to systems and methods for the production of syngas and fuel gasses including the production of hydrogen are set forth. In one embodiment system and method includes a reactor having a molten pool of a material comprising sodium carbonate. A supply of conditioned water is in communication with the reactor. A supply of carbon containing material is also in communication with the reactor. In one particular embodiment, the carbon containing material may include vacuum residuum (VR). The water and VR may be kept at desired temperatures and pressures compatible with the process that is to take place in the reactor. When introduced into the reactor, the water, the VR and the molten pool may be homogenously mixed in an environment in which chemical reactions take place including the production of hydrogen and other gasses.
US08685278B2	Fluorescent zirconia material It is provided a fluorescent zirconia material including a fluorescent component and emitting fluorescence when excited with a light of a predetermined wavelength, the fluorescent component including a fluorescent material, the fluorescent material including at least one kind of Y2SiO5:Ce, Y2SiO5:Tb, (Y, Gd, Eu)BO3, Y2O3:Eu, YAG:Ce, ZnGa2O4:Zn and BaMgAl10O17:Eu and the fluorescent material being capable of emiting the fluorescence when subjected to firing treatment at temperatures ranging from 1300 to 1600(° C.) under oxidizing environments.
US08685277B2	Fluorescent substance and light-emitting device employing the same The present invention provides a fluorescent substance excellent both in quantum efficiency and in temperature characteristics, and also provides a light-emitting device utilizing the fluorescent substance. This fluorescent substance contains an inorganic compound comprising a metal element M, a trivalent element M1 other than the metal element M, a tetravalent element M2 other than the metal element M, and either or both of O and N. In the inorganic compound, the metal element M is partly replaced with a luminescence center element R. The crystal structure of the fluorescent substance is basically the same as Sr3Al3Si13O2N21, but the chemical bond lengths of M1-N and M2-N are within the range of ±15% based on those of Al—N and Si—N calculated from the lattice constants and atomic coordinates of Sr3Al3Si13O2N21, respectively. The fluorescent substance emits luminescence having a peak in the range of 490 to 580 nm when excited with light of 250 to 500 nm.
US08685270B2	Method for producing a semiconductor wafer A method for producing a semiconductor wafer sliced from a single crystal includes rounding an edge using a grinding disk containing abrasives with an average grain size of 20.0-60.0 μm. A first simultaneous double-side material-removing process is performed wherein the semiconductor wafers are processed between two rotating ring-shaped working disks, each working disk having a working layer containing abrasives having an average grain size of 5.0-20.0 μm, wherein the semiconductor wafer is placed in a cutout in one of a plurality of carriers rotatable by a rolling apparatus such that the semiconductor wafer lies in a freely movable manner in the carrier and the wafer is movable on a cycloidal trajectory. A second simultaneous double-side material-removing process is performed including processing the semiconductor wafers between two rotating ring-shaped working disks, each working disk having a working layer containing abrasives having an average grain size of 0.5-15.0 μm.
US08685269B2	Laser processing method A laser processing method of converging laser light into an object to be processed made of silicon so as to form a modified region and etching the object along the modified region so as to form the object with a through hole comprises a laser light converging step of converging the laser light at the object so as to form the modified region along a part corresponding to the through hole in the object; an etch resist film producing step of producing an etch resist film resistant to etching on an outer surface of the object after the laser light converging step; and an etching step of etching the object so as to advance the etching selectively along the modified region and form the through hole after the etch resist film producing step; while the laser light converging step exposes the modified region to the outer surface of the object.
US08685267B2	Substrate processing method There is provided a substrate processing method capable of preventing the decrease in etching efficiency by positive ions and increasing the overall etching efficiency by using negative ions. The substrate processing method includes applying a plasma RF and a bias RF in the pattern of a pulse wave, respectively. The substrate processing method repeatedly performs the steps of: (3b) etching a substrate by positive ions in plasma by applying both the plasma RF and the bias RF; (3c) generating negative ions in a processing chamber by stopping the application of both the plasma RF and the bias RF; and (3a) attracting the negative ions to the substrate by applying the bias RF and stopping the application of the plasma RF. A duty ratio of the bias RF is set to be greater than a duty ratio of the plasma RF.
US08685265B2	Manufacturing method of semiconductor device and semiconductor manufacturing apparatus An etching apparatus includes a process unit and a control unit. Emission intensity of plasma inside the process unit is obtained by an OES detector, a nonlinear regression analysis is performed by an etching control device to determine a regression formula. The nonlinear regression analysis is performed by using the emission intensity of the plasma obtained until a first time when the emission intensity of the plasma passes a peak, and a second time to be an etching end point is calculated by using the regression formula. The etching end point is calculated as a time when the emission intensity decreases for a predetermined value from the first time. The etching apparatus finishes an etching when the process reaches the etching end point. It is thereby possible to control the etching end point with high-accuracy.
US08685261B2	Methods of manufacturing surface light source devices Provided are methods of manufacturing a surface light source device, the methods include forming a first structure that includes a first substrate and a plurality of glass beads each partially embedded in the first substrate. A second structure is formed that includes a second substrate and an adhesive material layer formed on the second substrate. The first structure and the second structure are adhered to each other in such a way that the glass beads are each partially embedded into the adhesive material layer.
US08685260B2	Conductive polymer electrodes A known method of forming organic semiconductor devices employs the deposition of a conductive polymer onto a substrate to form electrodes or conductive tracks and then to apply an electrical material such as an organic semiconductor on top of these tracks. Although the conductive polymer serves as a highly efficient injector of electrons into the semiconductor, it is not a good conductor. This introduces undesirable inefficient in the supply of current to and from the semiconductor. Worse still the conductivity may deteriorate with time. A solution to this problem has been found by printing the polymer (7) onto a conductive layer (6) carried on a substrate (5). The printed polymer (7) is then used as a resist during a process in which parts of the conductive polymer not protected by the polymer are removed. The resulting device benefits from the good electron injection qualities of the conductive polymer (7) and efficient conduction by virtue of the underlying conductive layer (6).
US08685257B2	Long-term storage of potable water in metallic vessels A method for controlling microbial growth in potable water stored in a vessel having a metallic surface includes heating the metallic surface to a temperature between about 480° C. (900° F.) and about 870° C. (1600° F.), exposing the metallic surface to oxygen during heating to oxidize potential reduction sites on the metallic surface and charging potable water containing silver ions to the vessel. A vessel having a metallic surface is prepared for long-term storage of potable water containing silver ions by heating the metallic surface to a temperature between about 480° C. (900° F.) and about 870° C. (1600° F.) and exposing the metallic surface to oxygen during heating to oxidize electropositive metals on the metallic surface or by treating the metallic surface with an aqueous solution containing on oxidizing agent to oxidize potential reduction sites on the metallic surface.
US08685252B2	Water treatment systems and methods Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes.
US08685250B2	System and method for using carbon dioxide sequestered from seawater in the remineralization of process water Disclosed is an improved method for remineralizing desalinated water. The desalination system includes, but is not limited to, a conventional reverse osmosis membrane system, forward osmosis membrane system, electro dialysis system, Multi Stage Flash (MSF) system, and Multi Effect Distillation (MED) system.
US08685249B2	Multi-stage seawater desalination apparatus and operation control method of multi-stage seawater desalination apparatus A high-pressure pump P1 that increases the pressure of raw water, a high-pressure reverse osmosis device including a high-pressure reverse osmosis membrane for concentrating a salt content in high-pressure feed water, a first drain valve mounted on a permeated water line for supplying the permeated water downstream and temporarily draining permeated water of an initial start-up from a discharge line, a low-pressure pump that is mounted on a permeated water line provided downstream of the first drain valve and reduces the pressure of the permeated water, a low-pressure reverse osmosis device including a low-pressure reverse osmosis membrane for concentrating a salt content in low-pressure feed water, and a second drain valve mounted on a discharge line at the concentrated water side of the low-pressure reverse osmosis device that temporarily discharges the low-pressure feed water of the initial start-up supplied to the low-pressure reverse osmosis device.
US08685245B2	Concentrator filter A method and an apparatus for separating suspended matter from liquid includes a concentrator filter that draws the liquid out of the suspension while the filter kept unblocked by a sparging filter that allows scrubbing of the concentrator filter by gas bubbles. This invention can be used to replace cross-flow filtration and centrifugation in the bioprocess industry and to reduce the volume of suspensions to concentrate the yield of the end product in the chemical industry.
US08685244B2	Dialysis machine A disposable cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine has a blood flow path for carrying a volume of blood to be treated in a dialyser and a dialysate flow path, isolated from the blood flow path, for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through the dialyser. The cartridge is received in an engine section of the machine. The engine section has first and second platens which close when the cartridge is inserted to retain the cartridge. Actuators and sensors arranged on the second platen control operation of the cartridge.
US08685240B2	High efficiency sol-gel gas chromatography column A capillary column (10) includes a tube structure having inner walls (14) and a sol-gel substrate (16) coated on a portion of inner walls (14) to form a stationary phase coating (18) on inner walls (14). The sol solution used to prepare the sol-gel substrate (16) has at least one baseline stabilizing reagent and at least one surface deactivation reagent resulting in the sol-gel substrate (16) having at least one baseline stabilizing reagent residual and at least one surface deactivating reagent residual. A method of making the sol-gel solution is by mixing suitable sol-gel precursors to form the solution, stabilizing the solution by adding at least one baseline stabilization reagent, deactivating the solution by adding at least one surface deactivation reagent to the solution, and reacting the solution in the presence of at least one catalyst.
US08685233B2	Method of removal of calcium from hydrocarbon feedstock The invention relates to field of processing hydrocarbon feedstock including crude oil, wherein metals such as calcium are removed. In the face of the rising prices of crude oil, refiners are forced to process opportunity crudes such as DOBA, which pose many problems including fouling of equipment due to certain metallic salts, such as calcium napthenate. Calcium, which cannot be removed from crude oil during normal desalting process, poses very serious problems. The invention provides method for removal of calcium, wherein crude oil is mixed, with effective metal removing amount of aqueous extraction solution of an additive comprising a chemical compound selected from a group consisting of metallic acid, maleic anhydride or fumaric acid or salts or derivatives thereof, enabling separation of hydrocarboneous phase and aqueous phase containing metal ions, in crude desalter. Only hydrocarboneous phase devoid of calcium is processed further, thereby preventing fouling of equipment.
US08685231B2	Process for conversion of paraffinic feedstock The invention provides a process for converting a paraffinic feedstock comprising at least 50 wt % of compounds boiling above 370° C., a paraffin content of at least 60 wt %, an aromatics content below 1 wt %, a naphthenic content below 2 wt %, a nitrogen content below 0.1 wt %, and a sulphur content below 0.1 wt %, comprising: (a) reacting the feedstock with hydrogen at a temperature between 175 and 400° C. and a pressure between 20 and 100 bar using a catalyst comprising 0.005 to 5.0 wt % of a Group VIII noble metal on a carrier comprising 0.1-15 wt % zeolite beta and at least 40 wt % amorphous silica-alumina (b) withdrawing the effluent (c) subjecting the effluent to a fractionation step to form a heavy fraction, an intermediate fraction, and a light fraction; and (d) providing at least part of the heavy fraction to the reaction zone.
US08685228B2	Sensing apparatus and method A sensing apparatus comprising an ion sensitive field effect transistor arranged to generate an electrical output signal in response to localized fluctuations of ionic charge at or adjacent the surface of the transistor, and means for detecting the electrical output signal from the ion sensitive field effect transistor, the localized fluctuations of ionic charge indicating events occurring during a chemical reaction.
US08685225B2	Method of recovering valuable metal from scrap conductive oxide Proposed is a method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide including the steps of using scrap containing conductive oxide and performing electrolysis while periodically inverting the polarity, and recovering the scrap as hydroxide. With the foregoing method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide, oxide system scrap is conductive oxide and a substance that can be reduced to metal or suboxide with hydrogen. This method enables to efficiently recover valuable metal from sputtering target scrap containing conductive oxide or scrap such as mill ends of conductive oxide that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.
US08685222B2	Silver cathode activation The selective electrochemical reduction of halogenated 4-aminopicolinic acids is improved by activating the cathode at a final potential from about +1.0 to about +1.8 volts.
US08685220B2	Capillary electrophoresis apparatus The invention provides a capillary electrophoresis apparatus which can improve the operability and measuring speed. According to the invention, a sensor for identifying the type of sample containers is fixed at the position away from a capillary anode electrode. The sensor is made to be closer to the sample containers by moving a moving stage so that the sample containers disposed on the moving stage can be identified by the sensor. A fixing apparatus for fixing at least a pair of sample containers is provided on the moving stage.
US08685219B1	Apparatus for capillary electrophoresis with polyelectrolyte multilayer coating on the capillary walls An apparatus for capillary zone electrophoresis includes a polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned in a capillary tube for analytical separations of macromolecules. The capillary comprises a passage defined by passage walls comprising fused silica and the polyelectrolyte multilayer positioned within the passage. The polyelectrolyte multilayer comprises layers with alternating charge. The apparatus includes a power supply having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for generating an electric field therebetween and a sensor positioned adjacent the passage for sensing macromolecules.
US08685218B2	Precision flow control system A precision flow controller is capable of providing a flow rate less than 100 microliters/minute and varying the flow rate in a prescribed manner that is both predictable and reproducible where the accuracy and precision of the flowrate is less than 5% of the flow rate. A plurality of variable pressure fluid supplies pump fluid through a single outlet. Flowmeters measure the flow rates and a controller compares the flow rates to desired flowrates and, if necessary, adjusts the plurality of variable pressure fluid supplies so that the variable pressure fluid supplies pump fluid at the desired flow rate. The variable pressure fluid supplies can be pneumatically driven.
US08685215B2	Mechanism for continuously varying radial position of a magnetron A continuously variable multi-position magnetron that is rotated about a central axis in back of a sputtering target at a freely selected radius. The position is dynamically controlled from the outside, for example, through a hydraulic actuator connected between a pivoting arm supporting the magnetron and an arm fixed to the shaft, by two coaxial shafts independent controllable from the outside and supporting the magnetron through a frog-leg mechanism, or a cable connected between the pivoting arms and moved by an external slider. The magnetron can be rotated at two, three, or more discrete radii or be moved in a continuous spiral pattern.
US08685214B1	Magnetic shunting pads for optimizing target erosion in sputtering processes Magnetic flux shunting pads for optimizing target erosion in sputtering processes are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a sputtering system for countering uneven wear of a sputter target, the system including a sputter target having an emitting surface and a rear surface opposite to the emitting surface, a moving magnet assembly positioned proximate the rear surface and including a planar base and a magnet fixed to the planar base at a preselected point, the moving magnet assembly configured to be moved such that a position of the magnet relative to the rear surface is varied, and a magnetic shunting pad having a planar shape and positioned between the moving magnet assembly and the target, wherein the shunting pad includes uneven magnetic shunting characteristics.
US08685212B2	Starting-up method of fractionator A start-up method of a fractionator which fractionally distills FT synthesized hydrocarbons produced by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, the method includes: discharging light FT synthesized hydrocarbons which exist in a gaseous state in an FT reactor performing the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction from the FT reactor to the outside; cooling down the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons discharged from the FT reactor for liquefaction; supplying the liquefied light FT synthesized hydrocarbons to the fractionator; and heating the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons and circulating the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons to the fractionator.
US08685210B2	Bituminous froth inline steam injection processing An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.
US08685200B2	Process for manufacturing a catalyst-coated ionomer membrane with protective film layer The present invention relates to the field of electrochemical cells and fuel cells, and more specifically to polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). It is directed to catalyst-coated ionomer membranes (“CCMs”) and membrane-electrode-assemblies (“MEAs”) that contain one or more protective film layers for protection, sealing and better handling purposes. The one or more protective film layers are attached to the surface of said catalyst-coated membranes in such a way that they overlap with a region of the passive non-coated ionomer area, and with a region of the active area that is coated with a catalyst layer. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a process for manufacture of CCMs and MEAs that contain protective film layers. The materials may be used as components for the manufacture of low temperature fuel cell stacks.
US08685197B2	Method of manufacturing absorbent article An adhesive is applied in such a curved trajectory that an angle formed by a tangent line and an axis falls within a range of ±90° in a plan view of a web obtained by the overlapping a first web and a second web. The tangent line is drawn at any point on the trajectory of the adhesive. The axis is orthogonal to a trailing side of a pressing region, in which the web is pressed by an upper roller, in a conveyance direction.
US08685194B2	Laminated touch fasteners A method of making a laminated touch fastener includes introducing a flexible substrate to a resin applicator, applying flowable resin to a limited region of a surface of the substrate, and molding the applied resin to form a plurality of defined structures extending from a layer of the applied resin. The substrate surface, as the substrate is introduced to the resin applicator, has a surface characteristic that varies across the surface. The surface includes both a first region and a second region adjacent the first region, the surface characteristic varying to a greater degree within the second region than within the first region. The flowable resin may be applied within the first region such that an edge of the resin layer is disposed within, and adjacent an exposed portion of, the first region of the substrate surface.
US08685193B2	Expansion band with unilateral strain and manufacturing method thereof An expansion band includes a first layer, a second layer, a shrinking layer for shrinking said first layer and said second layer, a bond line for sealing said first layer and said second layer to form an inner space therein and dividing said inner space into a plurality of air passages which can communicate with each other, a plurality of air passages formed between said first layer and said second layer, and an air nozzle communicate with said air passage.
US08685186B2	High performance, low toxicity hypergolic fuel A group of tertiary amine azides are useful as hypergolic fuels for hypergolic bipropellant mixtures. The fuels provide higher density impulses than monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) but are less toxic and have lower vapor pressures that MMH. In addition, the fuels have shorter ignition delay times than dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) and other potential reduced toxicity replacements for MMH.
US08685185B2	Femtosecond laser pulse surface structuring methods and materials resulting therefrom Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to materials processing methods using femtosecond duration laser pulses, and to the altered materials obtained by such methods. The resulting nanostructured (with or without macro- and micro-structuring) materials have a variety of applications, including, for example, aesthetic applications for jewelry or ornamentation; biomedical applications related to biocompatibility; catalysis applications; and modification of, for example, the optical and hydrophilic properties of materials including selective coloring.
US08685182B2	High-strength steel pipe and producing method thereof This high-strength steel pipe includes, by mass %, C: 0.02% to 0.09%, Mn: 0.4% to 2.5%, Cr: 0.1% to 1.0%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.03%, Nb: 0.005% to 0.3%, and a balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, in which Si, Al, P, S, and N are limited to 0.6% or less, 0.1% or less, 0.02% or less, 0.005% or less, 0.008% or less, respectively, the bainite transformation index BT is 650° C. or less, and the microstructure thereof is a single bainite microstructure including first bainite and second bainite, the first bainite being a gathered microstructure of bainitic ferrite including no carbide, and the second bainite being a mixed microstructure of bainitic ferrite including no carbide and cementite between the bainitic ferrites.
US08685179B2	Fe-based amorphous alloy, powder core using the same, and coil encapsulated powder core An Fe-based amorphous alloy of the present invention has a composition formula represented by Fe100-a-b-c-x-y-z-tNiaSnbCrcPxCyBzSit, and in the formula, 0 at %≦a≦10 at %, 0 at %≦b≦3 at %, 0 at %≦c≦6 at %, 6.8 at %≦x≦10.8 at %, 2.2 at %≦y≦9.8 at %, 0 at %≦z≦4.2 at %, and 0 at %≦t≦3.9 at % hold. Accordingly, an Fe-based amorphous alloy used for a powder core and/or a coil encapsulated powder core having a low glass transition temperature (Tg), a high conversion vitrification temperature (Tg/Tm), and excellent magnetization and corrosion resistance can be manufactured.
US08685178B2	Methods of preparing metal-modified silica nanoparticles A method of preparing metal-modified silica particles is disclosed. Specifically, a treatment chamber is provided in which a first and a second formulation are ultrasonically mixed to prepare metal-modified silica particles. The treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which the first and second formulations flow longitudinally from a first inlet port and a second inlet port, respectively, to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize the formulations within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other. The horn and agitating members are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating members relative to the horn at the predetermined frequency and to operate in an ultrasonic cavitation mode of the agitating members corresponding to the predetermined frequency and the formulations being mixed in the chamber.
US08685177B2	Manufacturing method for a crankshaft member The invention relates to a crankshaft member having high fatigue strength and good bending correctability, and its method of manufacture. The steel made crankshaft member mainly consists of a two-phase structure of ferrite and perlite. The steel includes C, Ni, Mn, and Cr as required elements and Si, Cu, Mo, Ti, V, Nb, Ca, and S as optional elements that may be included, in the amounts of C within the range of 0.20 to 0.50 wt %, Si within the range of 0 to 0.6 wt %, Mn within the range of 0.5 to 1.5 wt %, Cu within the range of 0 to 0.7 wt %, Ni within the range of 0.05 to 1.5 wt %, Cr within the range of 0.05 to 0.45 wt %, and Mo within the range of 0 to 0.5 wt % to satisfy the condition 115≧70C+8Si+23Mn+11Cu+128Cr+83Mo≧50. A portion of the member surface is provided at least with a hard nitride layer having an average hardness within the range of 300 to 450 HV. Lamellar spacing of the perlite is 0.3 μm or less.
US08685174B2	Process for cleaning hard surfaces The present invention is in the field of household cleaning tools. The invention further relates to the use of an air-water jet for the cleaning of hardsurfaces. It is an object of the present invention to provide easier cleaning of hard surfaces. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process of easier cleaning of hard surfaces, especially by means of a device that uses a relatively low water flow rate. Surprisingly it has been found that an external mix air-water jet device may be used for cleaning hard surfaces.
US08685170B2	Produce washer and method for continuous motion washing machine A produce washer and method of washing produce or other items in a continuous motion washing machine is provided. The produce washer includes a basket, or other collector, that is positioned within a portion of the fluid flow path and sized and shaped to intercept items from a the fluid flow path while at the same time allowing the fluid to continue to flow through a perforated wall in the collector generally in the same circulatory flow path created by the washing machine. The method includes placing items within the wash tank; creating a fluid flow within the wash tank; intercepting one or more of the items from the fluid flow path by the collector; and allowing the fluid to continue flow through the perforated wall in the collector.
US08685169B2	Substrate processing apparatus, substrate processing method and storage medium Disclosed are a substrate processing apparatus, a substrate processing method and a storage medium, capable of removing contaminant materials from a substrate by using SPM liquid (sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide mixture) while preventing degradation of the function of the SPM liquid for removing the contaminant materials. The SPM liquid is filled in a processing bath and the substrate is immersed in the SPM liquid. A heating unit is provided in the circulation path to heat the SPM liquid. A hydrogen peroxide supply line supplements hydrogen peroxide to the SPM liquid in the circulation path. A control unit adjusts the temperature of the SPM liquid to the predetermined temperature in the range of 135° C. to 170° C. based on a temperature detection value and outputs a control signal to supplement the sulfuric acid to compensate for the SPM liquid as the SPM liquid is evaporated by heating.
US08685167B2	Method for hydrolysis of biomass in pulping spent liquor A method for the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials using spent liquor. The spent liquor is derived from a pulping operation or is hydrolyzate from another cellulosic biomass process. The process can be implemented in a batch or semi continuous or continuous process. The hydrolyzate is fermented to a useful product and purified. Combustible biomass residues and chemicals are used to provide energy and chemical recovery.
US08685161B2	Method of forming a sapphire crystal using a melt fixture including thermal shields having a stepped configuration Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire. The single crystals have desirable geometric properties, including a width not less than about 15 cm and the thickness is not less than about 0.5 cm. The single crystal may also have other features, such as a maximum thickness variation, and as-formed crystals may have a generally symmetrical neck portion, particularly related to the transition from the neck to the main body of the crystal. Methods and for forming such crystals and an apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed as well.
US08685159B2	Process for forming an adhesive bond An adhesion bond strength enhancer for cementitious adhesive mortar is disclosed. The adhesion enhancer improves bond strength between the mortar and relatively hydrophobic plastic material, such as extruded polystyrene boards and expanded polystyrene boards of the type generally employed in Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (“EIFS”). Preparation of non-caking, free-flowing, solid dialkyl sulfosuccinate compositions for use as the adhesion enhancer is also disclosed. The adhesion enhancer is attractive for large-scale application in mineral mortar dry-mixes or other solid construction materials. The invention can be used to improve the strength of an adhesive bond between a) gypsum based plaster or stucco and concrete or bricks, b) tile adhesives and concrete, and c) mineral mortars on polystyrene boards, among others.
US08685158B2	Water retention agent for cementitious compositions and cementitious compositions containing same A water retention agent for a cementitious composition, characterized in that it takes the form of a liquid aqueous suspension of at least one polysaccharide at a mass concentration of between 15 and 30% in an aqueous solution of a strong base salt, excluding ammonium salts, with an anionic strength of between 1.25 mol/L and 15 mol/L, having a pH greater than 9 and containing an attapulgite in micronized form and at least one non-phyllitic mineral powder, referred to hereafter as filler, which is chemically inert in the aqueous suspension and which has a grain size of between 0.1 and 100 micrometers, the aqueous suspension being stable at least in a temperature range of between 5° C. and 30° C. The water retention agent is suitable for increasing both the viscosity and the water retention capacity of cementitious compositions without affecting the spreading ability thereof.
US08685157B2	Composition and method for stabilizing environmentally-harmful substances; use of non-ferrous metal salts and oxides to stabilize environmentally-harmful substances with caustic magnesium oxide A composition for binding environmentally-harmful substances in solid or semi-liquid state contains caustic magnesium oxide, non-ferrous metal salts as a hardener, non-ferrous metal oxides catalyzing formation of radial crystalline structures, and optionally water and other additives. A method of stabilization of environmentally-harmful substances binds these substances in the solid state or semi-liquid state in the composition containing caustic magnesium oxide, wherein the environmentally-harmful substances are supplemented by the composition containing caustic magnesium oxide, non-ferrous metal salts as hardener, non-ferrous metal oxides catalyzing formation of radial crystalline structures, and optionally water and other additives. A form of paste is obtained, followed by leaving the mixture for solidification and stabilization of the product. Use of non-ferrous metal salts in connection with non-ferrous metal oxides catalyzing formation of radial crystalline structures stabilizes the environmentally-harmful substance with the use of caustic magnesium oxide.
US08685156B2	Modifying clay activity and slump retention in cementitious compositions The present invention relates to the use of polycationic compound in combination with a hydroxycarboxylic acid or salt thereof to enhance slump retention in cements and concretes having clay-bearing aggregates, wherein the clay otherwise absorbs or diminishes the dosage efficiency of polycarboxylate superplasticizers.
US08685149B2	Fuel tank for vehicle A breather 2 on a top of a tank body 1 is opened through a carbon dioxide permeable membrane 3 to an atmospheric air so as to take an inert gas containing plenty of carbon dioxide permeated through the membrane 3 into the tank body 1 by a negative pressure due to reduction of a fuel F in the tank body 1.
US08685148B2	Process for utilizing the vented gas mixture from a deaerator associated with a syngas production unit and plant for its implementation The present invention relates to a process and a plant for the treatment of the vented gas mixture from a deaerator of a steam production process associated with a hydrocarbon-reforming syngas production process.
US08685146B2	Processes and apparatuses for preparing liquified natural gas Processes and apparatuses are provided for preparing liquified natural gas from a natural gas feed that comprises C5 to C7 hydrocarbons and C8 or greater hydrocarbons. An exemplary process includes effecting the preferential adsorption of the C8 or greater hydrocarbons from the natural gas feed over adsorption of hydrocarbons having less than 8 carbon atoms to provide a C8-depleted natural gas stream. The process continues with effecting the preferential adsorption of the C5 to C7 hydrocarbons from the C8-depleted natural gas stream over adsorption of hydrocarbons having less than 5 carbon atoms to form a C5 to C8-depleted natural gas stream. The C5 to C7 hydrocarbons are preferentially adsorbed with higher selectivity and capacity than adsorption of the C5 to C7 hydrocarbons during preferentially adsorbing the C8 or greater hydrocarbons. The C5 to C8-depleted natural gas stream is then liquified.
US08685145B2	System and method for efficient multi-stage air dehumidification and liquid recovery The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing humidity gradients in a plurality of dehumidification units, which are arranged in series and/or in parallel. Water vapor from air entering each stage of the plurality of dehumidification units is extracted by the dehumidification units without substantial condensation into low pressure water vapor chambers. For example, in one embodiment, the water vapor is extracted through water vapor permeable membranes of the dehumidification units into the low pressure water vapor chambers. As such, the air exiting each of the dehumidification units is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification units. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently compressed to a slightly higher pressure (i.e., just high enough to facilitate condensation), condensed, and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
US08685144B2	System and method for efficient air dehumidification and liquid recovery The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.
US08685143B2	Method of making a high-performance supported gas separation molecular sieve membrane using a shortened crystallization time A method of making a supported gas separation molecular sieve membrane. In this method a porous support, which is preferably pretreated, is contacted with a molecular sieve synthesis mixture under hydrothermal synthesis conditions. The contacting step is conducted for a shortened crystallization time period. The resulting coated porous support is calcined to yield the supported gas separation molecular sieve membrane having particularly good gas separation characteristics.
US08685140B2	Particle filter and a method for operating a particle filter The present invention relates to a particle filter and a method for operating a particle filter. The particle filter includes at least one filter portion forming an open filter system and also a heatable particle collecting element which is arranged adjacently to this filter portion and comprises a material having temperature-dependent electrical resistance. The method for operating the particle filter includes heating the particle collecting element and measuring the electrical resistance of the particle collecting element to determine whether to regenerate the particle filter.
US08685139B2	Method for smelting fragmentized aluminum scrap A method is described for smelting fragmentized aluminum scrap, with the aluminum scrap to be smelted being molten in a furnace after thermal pre-treatment in a hot-gas stream. In order to provide advantageous process conditions it is proposed that the aluminum scrap is subjected at first in a continuous flow of material to the thermal treatment and is smelted thereafter, and that from the hot gas stream guided in a circulation for the thermal treatment of the aluminum scrap a partial stream is branched off and is guided into the furnace.
US08685138B2	Tilting rotary furnace system and methods of aluminum recovery A tilting rotary furnace with a door assembly that seals against a furnace vessel. The seal between the door and the furnace vessel allows for regulation of the internal environment of the furnace and control over thermitting of the aluminum. As a result, aluminum recovery may be carried out without the use of salt. A portion of the door may rotate with the furnace vessel and a portion of the door may remain rotationally stationary with respect to the furnace vessel and the rotating portion of the door.
US08685137B2	Recycling of tungsten carbides The invention relates to a process for producing an iron-and/or tungsten containing powder or powder agglomerate including the steps of: a) mixing at least a first powder fraction comprising a tungsten carbide containing powder, and at least a second powder fraction comprising an iron oxide powder and/or a tungsten oxide containing powder and optionally an iron powder, the weight of the first fraction being in the range of 50-90% by weight of the mix and the weight of the second fraction being in the range of 10-50% by weight of the mix, b) heating the mix of step a) to a temperature in the range of 400-1300° C., preferably 1000-1200° C. The invention also relates to an iron-and/or tungsten containing powder or powder agglomerate.
US08685135B2	Process for synthesizing a compacted product A method forming a potassium chloride particle form potassium chloride powder having resistance to moisture absorption and shrinkage. The original feedstock comprises potassium chloride in a size distribution of 30 mesh and 100 mesh as well as a gluten based binder.
US08685134B2	High bioavailability phosphorus The efficiency of applied phosphorus can be improved by applying phosphorus as a coating onto plant growth (roots and shoots) or by applying phosphorus as a coating on prills or granules of other forms of fertilizers. The composition comprises (a) monoammonium phosphate, (b) struvite and (c) magnesium sulphate. The first two ingredients ensure that there is a source of rapidly available phosphorus (MAP) and a source of more slowly available phosphorus (STRUV). The third ingredient is to provide a source of sulphate which will, in the area surrounding the coated product following application thereof to the soil, act to stop ambient calcium from reacting with the phosphate thereby rendering it inactive.
US08685126B2	Device for filtering the intake air of an internal combustion engine having ventilation means A device for filtering intake air of an internal combustion engine, including at least one filtering element including an inlet for air being treated, a first clean air outlet toward the engine, and a second air outlet toward the outside, and a ventilation mechanism driving the air from the second air outlet. The ventilation mechanism includes a fan wheel driven by a turbine set into motion by a gas flow taken from the engine.
US08685124B2	Abrasive article having a plurality of precisely-shaped abrasive composites A method of making an abrasive article including the steps of treating a plurality of cavities in a contacting surface of a production tool by plasma deposition of a thin film thereby forming a plurality of plasma treated cavities. Filling the plurality of plasma treated cavities in the production tool with an abrasive slurry, and at least partially curing the abrasive slurry while residing in the plurality of cavities.
US08685122B2	Fuel gasification equipment Provided is a fuel gasification equipment capable of sufficiently contacting particulates of a solid fuel with a bed material without scattering and reliably completing pyrolysis of the solid fuel to achieve improvement in cold gas efficiency and in C and H conversion rates and reforming of tar in a gasification gas. A fuel supply pipe 14 is connected to a side surface of a gasification furnace 2 at a position lower than an upper surface of a fluidized bed 1 for supplying the solid fuel into the fluidized bed 1. Confluence promoting means 15 is provided to allow the solid fuel supplied from the fuel supply pipe 14 into the fluidized bed 1 to join a flow of the bed material supplied from the downcomer 7 to an inner bottom of the fluidized bed 1.
US08685119B2	Method and system for producing synthesis gas, gasification reactor, and gasification system A method and system for producing synthesis gas comprising CO, CO2, and H2 from a carbonaceous stream using an oxygen containing stream. A stream containing a carbonaceous material, and a stream containing oxygen are injected into a gasification reactor, where the carbonaceous stream is partially oxidized to obtain a raw synthesis gas. The raw synthesis gas is removed from the gasification reactor and directed into a quenching section wherein a liquid, preferably water, is injected in the form of a mist.
US08685117B2	Lithium metal foil for battery or capacitor A lithium ion capacitor includes, as a lithium ion supply source, a lithium metal foil for batteries or capacitors. A current collector 4 and a separator 3 formed of a paper or resin nonwoven fabric are preliminarily pressure-bonded and integrated to opposite surfaces of a lithium metal foil 1 for batteries or capacitors.
US08685116B2	Shading process The present invention relates to a shading process characterized by using a composition comprising a phthalocyanine to which at least one dyestuff is attached through a covalent bonding, to shading compositions, to new compounds used in these shading compositions as well as to the production of these new compounds.
US08685115B2	Dye method in application of the art of marbling to carpets The invention relates to a dye method in application of a pattern formed in conformity with the art of marbling to the carpet woven with undyed (ecru) yarn. In this developed method, the object is to allow the dyes to adhere to the yarn fibers of the carpets woven with undyed yarn.
US08685114B2	Composition for dyeing and lightening keratin materials comprising a fluorescent deisulphide dye compound The invention relates to a dyeing composition comprising a fluorescent disulphide dye and to a method of dyeing keratin materials, with a lightening effect, that employs said composition. It likewise relates to new fluorescent disulphide dyes and to their uses in the lightening of keratin materials. This composition allows a particularly persistent lightening effect to be obtained.
US08685110B2	System and method for securing a computer system A secured computer system includes a communication interface and an intrusion detection module. The computer system may be portable and configured for wireless communication with a user of the system. The user may activate and configure an alarm monitor, which may be triggered by motion of the computer system. If the triggered alarm is not deactivated, an alarm sequence is activated. If the alarm sequence is not cancelled, then security measures for protecting sensitive data on the computer system from unauthorized access may be executed. The security measures may include removing data or rendering a storage device inaccessible.
US08685109B2	Smooth rollover insole for prosthetic foot A prosthetic foot includes a foot member, a heel member operatively coupled to the foot member. At least one of the heel member and foot member define an arch portion that faces a support surface that the prosthetic foot contacts during use. An insole member contacts said arch portion, the insole member configured to facilitate a rollover of the prosthetic foot in at least one of a lateral-medial and a medial-lateral direction during ambulation.
US08685108B2	Modular prosthetic foot A modular prosthetic foot includes an ankle component; a forefoot component having a circular part with a rounded top surface and at least one flat side surface, the circular part being connected to a rear part of the forefoot component; a forefoot cushion bumper positioned around the circular part; and a heel component.
US08685107B2	Double-structured tissue implant and a method for preparation and use thereof A double-structured tissue implant and a method for preparation and use thereof for implantation into tissue defects. The double-structured tissue implant comprising a primary scaffold and a secondary scaffold consisting of a soluble collagen solution in combination with a non-ionic surfactant generated and positioned within the primary scaffold. A stand alone secondary scaffold implant or unit. A process for preparation of the double-structured implant or the stand alone secondary scaffold comprising lyophilization and dehydrothermal treatment.
US08685106B2	Method of a pharmaceutical delivery system for use within a joint replacement Methods and apparatus of providing a joint replacement parts with a pharmaceutical delivery system is provided. The pharmaceutical delivery system is placed within the joint replacement parts to provide, over a period of time, sustained release of a controlled concentration of pharmaceuticals within the joint space of the joint replacement and to produce a local or systemic physiological of pharmacological effect.
US08685104B2	Interbody vertebral prosthetic and orthopedic fusion device with self-deploying anchors A prosthesis includes: a body including a first major surface for engaging an endplate of a first vertebral bone of a spine, a second major surface for engaging an endplate of an adjacent, second vertebral bone of the spine; at least one aperture extending from within the body and opening at the first major surface; at least one anchoring element disposed within the aperture and including a shaft having proximal and distal ends; and a drive mechanism engaging the proximal end of the at least one anchoring element and operating to push the at least one anchoring element out through the at least one aperture and into the first vertebral bone, without rotating the at least one anchoring element about an axis thereof.
US08685102B2	Osteogenic fusion device An osteogenic fusion device is provided that includes opposite end pieces with an integral central element. The end pieces are sized to maintain the height of an intervertebral disc space. The central element has a smaller diameter so that the fusion device forms an annular pocket around the central element. An osteogenic material is disposed within the annular pocket between the opposite end pieces. The osteogenic material is in direct contact with the adjacent vertebral bone. The inventive osteogenic fusion device reduces stress-shielding and minimizes the radiopacity of the implant so that growth of the fusion mass can be continuously assessed. The osteogenic fusion devices of the present invention may be combined with other fusion devices to form an implant system. Methods of promoting fusion bone growth in the space between adjacent vertebrae utilizing devices and systems of the invention are also described.
US08685097B2	Minimally invasive intervertebral staple distraction devices Multiple, small, staple-like supports are inserted through a small tube into the disc space then rotated into position on the edge of the vertebral bodies. The tooth-like geometry of the proximal and distal faces of these staples mates with the outer edge of the vertebral body, extending past the front of the endplate anteriorly. The staples have teeth that dig into the endplate on the inside of the rim as well.
US08685096B2	Lumbar fusion device A lumbar fusion implant device has a pair of first and second body structures. The first body structure has a pair of appendages with enlarged rounded ends, the appendages projecting from the opposite sides of the first body structure. Similarly, the second body structure has a pair of appendages with enlarged rounded ends with the appendages projecting from opposite sides of the second body structure. Each of the enlarged ends of the appendages fit into sockets on an opposite first or second body structure and when the first and second body structures are longitudinally connected by a threaded fastener, tightening of the fastener moves the first and second body structures closer together expanding radially outwardly each appendage.
US08685093B2	Methods and systems for diagnosing, treating, or tracking spinal disorders Methods and systems for performing a surgical procedure using implantable sensors are disclosed. The method includes providing one or more implantable sensors, each sensor configured for implantation adjacent to an anatomical feature of a patient; imaging the patient to determine the relative positions of the one or more implantable sensors relative to the anatomical features of the patient; inserting an implant adjacent to at least one of the anatomical features; and tracking the position of the implant relative to the at least one anatomical feature during the inserting of the implant using the implantable sensors.
US08685091B2	System, method, and device for monitoring orthopaedic implant data over a cellular network A system, method, and device for monitoring implant sensor data over a cellular network includes a portable computing device, a controller, and an orthopaedic prosthesis configured to communicate with the controller over the cellular network. The orthopaedic prosthesis includes one or more implant sensors configured to generate implant sensor data and a cellular transmitter or transceiver configured to transmit the implant sensor data to the controller over the cellular network. The controller or the orthopaedic prosthesis may initiate the cellular communication. The implant sensor data is transmitted to the portable computing device by the controller. The portable computing device is configured to display the implant sensor data, or indicia thereof, to a user. The portable computing device and controller may also be used to update one or more programs executed by the orthopaedic prosthesis.
US08685089B2	Shape memory polymer intraocular lenses A shape memory polymer (SMP) intraocular lens may have a refractive index above 1.45, a Tg between 10° C. and 60° C., inclusive, de minimis or an absence of glistening, and substantially 100% transmissivity of light in the visible spectrum. The intraocular lens is then rolled at a temperature above Tg of the SMP material. The intraocular device is radially compressed within a die to a diameter of less than or equal to 1.8 mm while maintaining the temperature above Tg. The compressed intraocular lens device may be inserted through an incision less than 2 mm wide in a cornea or sclera or other anatomical structure. The lens can be inserted into the capsular bag, the ciliary sulcus, or other cavity through the incision. The SMP can substantially achieve refractive index values of greater than or equal to 1.45.
US08685085B2	Medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has at plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a first collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and a second expanded mode when it is implanted.
US08685076B2	Catheter Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include an inner member. A sheath may be disposed about the inner member. The sheath may include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the sheath may define a first inner diameter and the distal portion of the sheath may define a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter. A bumper may be disposed about the inner member. The bumper may have an outer diameter that is greater than the first inner diameter of the sheath and that is less than the second inner diameter of the sheath.
US08685073B2	Apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction An apparatus for treating meibomian gland dysfunction caused by meibomian gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the meibomian gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.
US08685068B2	Disposable orthopedic surgery kit and components A disposable single indication orthopedic trauma surgical kit has no bone plates other than a single bone plate precontoured and sized to match an anatomic shape of a portion of a bone of a patient's extremity. The single bone plate has a plurality of fastener apertures. The surgical kit also has a plurality of fasteners with heads that are dimensioned to mate with the fastener apertures. The surgical kit also has a disposable torque driver adapted to engage the fastener heads. The foregoing components are contained in a sterile sealed container.
US08685062B2	Dynamic fixation device and method of use A dynamic fixation device is provided that allows the vertebrae to which it is attached to move in flexion within the normal physiological limits of motion, while also providing structural support that limits the amount of translation motion beyond normal physiological limits. The present invention includes a flexible portion and two ends that are adapted for connection to pedicle screws. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the normal axis of rotation of the vertebrae is substantially duplicated by the dynamic fixation device. The flexible portion of the dynamic fixation device can include a geometric shape and/or a hinge portion.
US08685061B2	Multiple facet joint replacement A prosthesis for the replacement of multiple diseased or traumatized spinal facets comprises a portion that replaces at least a bony portion of the facets to be replaced and where the prosthesis attaches to the vertebra in a manner that does not require attachment to, or abutment against, the lamina. Multiple configurations of the prosthesis provide for replacement of the two inferior facets, the two superior facets, a superior and inferior facet, or all four facets. A method of installing the prosthesis is provided that is comprised of the steps of resecting at least a portion of the facets that carry the diseased or traumatized spinal facets and attaching the prosthesis in a manner that does not require attachment or abutment against the lamina.
US08685055B2	Filter apparatus for ostium of left atrial appendage Apparatus for permanent placement across an ostium of a left atrial appendage in a patient, which includes a filtering membrane configured to extend across the ostium of the left atrial appendage. The filtering membrane has a permeable structure which allows blood to flow through but substantially inhibits thrombus from passing therethrough. The apparatus also includes a support structure attached to the filtering membrane which retains the filtering membrane in position across the ostium of the left atrial appendage by permanently engaging a portion of the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. The support structure may be radially expandable from a first configuration to a second configuration which engages the ostium or the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. The filtering membrane may define an opening therethrough that is configured to expand from a first size which inhibits the passage of thrombus therethrough to a second size which allows an interventional device, e.g., an expansion balloon, to pass therethrough, and wherein the opening is resiliently biased towards the first size.
US08685053B2	Tether equipped catheter A catheter assembly comprises a manifold positioned at a proximal end of the catheter assembly. A tether member has a proximal end region fixedly engaged to a portion of the manifold. A proximal tubular member has a first end region engaged to the manifold. The proximal tubular member is disposed about at least a portion of the tether member. At least a portion of the tether member distal of the manifold is fixedly engaged to at least a portion of the proximal tubular member.
US08685050B2	Cutting wire assembly for use with a catheter A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including inserting a cutting member and tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting member and tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving the cutting member outside the catheter, and expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting member into cutting contact with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen including a cutting member and tracking member is also provided.
US08685048B2	Device and method for through the scope endoscopic hemostatic clipping Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.
US08685047B2	Scaffold device for preventing tissue trauma A scaffold is provided for managing access through tissue. The scaffold can support the tissue during medical procedures. The scaffold is placed around or proximate an opening in tissue. The scaffold can expand when medical devices are introduced through the scaffold and through the opening and retract when the medical devices are removed. When the medical devices are removed, the scaffold closes automatically to substantially close the opening.
US08685046B2	Magnetic compression anastomosis device An apparatus for joining organ wall portions of first and second hollow organs, including first and second connectors, wherein the first and second connectors are magnetically attracted to one another. A device for delivering and deploying the first and second connectors to portions of the first and second hollow organs can be provided, wherein the device is configured and dimensioned to axially align the first and second connectors for performing circular anastomosis of the first and second hollow organs.
US08685043B2	Apparatus and method for compressing body tissue A system and method for delivering a surgical clip to a surgical site within a patient's body to compress body tissue is disclosed. In one embodiment for the system of the present invention, the system includes an endoscopic device that has an endoscope cap disposed on a distal end of the endoscopic device. A surgical clip is removably disposed on an outside surface of the endoscope cap. A deployment device is associated with the surgical clip for deploying the surgical clip from the endoscope cap to the body tissue that is to be compressed. The surgical clip can be a deformable clip that is deployed in a non deformed configuration, and is then deformed so as to apply compression on selected tissue. The surgical clip can be a multi-legged clip, having a plurality of legs that can be locked in a closed position to apply compression to body tissue.
US08685040B2	Shaped electrode and dissecting tool Disclosed is a shaped electrode and dissecting tool configured to aid in controlling the path of an electrode as it is moved into its intended position within the epidural space of a patient. The shaped electrode and dissecting tool is configured with a contoured leading edge having at least one concavity that aids in moving the electrode and dissecting tool through the intended tissues within the patient's body. A variety of concavity contours may be provided and used for particular surgical applications.
US08685037B1	Bone reduction and plate clamp assembly A pair of clamps are attached to a damaged linear or non-linear bone one each side of a fracture site during a surgical reduction, one clamp on each side of the fracture site, after which the two clamps are slidably engaged to a pivotal alignment bar, with the clamps then being adjusted to properly align the linear or non-linear bone for a surgical attachment using a bone plate. The pivotal alignment bar provides at least one pivotal ball joint which may be aligned as a straight bar for a linear bone or adjusted to an angle for non-linear bones to achieve optimal alignment of the bone. Each clamp provides axially adjustable plate retainers which slides along a track on the end of each segment of the each clamp to position the retainers at a location where the bone plate is to be attached to the bone.
US08685036B2	Assembly tool for modular implants and associated method An assembly tool for assembly of a first component of a prosthesis to a second component of the prosthesis for use in joint arthroplasty is provided. The tool includes a first member operably associated with the first component and a second member. The second member is operably associated with the second component. At least one of the first member and the second member are adapted to provide for the assembly of the first component of the prosthesis to the second component of the prosthesis. The second member is operably associated with the first member for relative motion between the first member and the second member for assembly of the first component of the prosthesis to the second component.
US08685033B2	Anatomic femoral guide An anatomic femoral guide positions bone tunnels corresponding to the AM and PL bundles in ACL repair and reconstruction procedures. A template guide disposed in a surgical field proximate to a surgical member such as a femur or tibia defines a surgical footprint of the resulting bone tunnel. The template includes apertures corresponding to the size of the bone tunnels for the respective (AM or PL) bundles, and allows positioning at the drilling site to identify the size and location of the bone tunnel, as well as the relative distance between tunnels for double bundle procedures. An offset angle in the template provides differing orientations of the template apertures for visualizing the actual bone tunnel placement. The template has an aperture positionable parallel to a tibial plateau formation on the tibia, and the template orients a second aperture angled by the offset angle for positioning the second tunnel.
US08685032B2	Pressure sensing vertebroplasty extension tube Disclosed in certain embodiments is a pressure sensing tube for transporting a material under pressure through a lumen and a pressure sensitive material associated with the tube and operable to change in appearance in response to a physical change in the tube caused by pressure within the lumen.A method of manufacturing a pressure sensing tube is also disclosed.
US08685031B2	Bone graft delivery system The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectably detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area.
US08685026B2	Devices and methods for releasing tension on a surgical tether The present application is directed to devices and methods for releasing tension on a surgical tether. In one embodiment, the release mechanism is constructed to be positioned between a locked position and a release position. In the locked position, the release mechanism is attached to the tether to prevent the tether from moving through the release mechanism. In the release position, the release mechanism allows the tether to move through the body. The release mechanism may be constructed to move between the release and locked positions after being implanted within a patient. In one embodiment, the release mechanism returns to the locked position after the tension on the tether has been reduced below a predetermined amount.
US08685020B2	Surgical instruments and end effectors therefor Various forms of surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, an end effector having operable and closable jaws is attached to a distal end of an elongate shaft such that portions of the jaws are axially offset from the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are coupled to an actuation arrangement that permits portions of the jaws to be moved out of axial alignment with the elongate shaft. Other jaw embodiments are configured to facilitate tissue dissection. Electrosurgical instruments are also disclosed. One embodiment employs a flexible electrode that is conformable to tissue.
US08685017B2	Method and kit for treatment of tissue These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a method for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.
US08685014B2	Isotherm-based tissue ablation control method A system and method for use with at least one cryoprobe for the treatment of biological tissue controls the energy applied to the tissue. The invention receives live procedure data such as temperature information from locations along the pathway of the cryogenic liquids, and calculates a procedure signature or profile based on the procedure data. In one embodiment, volumetric isotherms are calculated. The procedure signature is compared to a planning signature based on previously acquired image data and estimates of the thermal gradients from models. The system and method are further configured to automatically regulate the application of power based on analysis of the planning data to the procedure data.
US08685012B2	Treatment of cellulite and adipose tissue with mid-infrared radiation A method and apparatus that will alter the fibrous strands in the fatty layers of the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue. Electromagnetic energy is used to selectively shrink or alternatively photoacoustically ablate the collagen in the constricting bands of connective tissue that causes the dimpled appearance of cellulite and adipose tissue while avoiding damage to the surrounding fatty cells.
US08685004B2	Powered surgical instrument A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a shaft portion, and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The shaft portion is selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The end effector is selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.
US08685002B2	Data storage for an infusion pump system A pump system can include a pump device and a controller device removably attachable to the pump device. The controller device can be reusable, and one or more pump devices can be disconnected and reconnected to the controller device. As such, some pump usage data can be conveniently stored in the pump device itself. In such circumstances, the controller device can receive data related to the pump's history or other usage when the pump device is attached to the controller.
US08685000B2	Shape memory system with integrated actuation using embedded particles A shape memory material with integrated actuation using embedded particles. One embodiment provides a shape memory material apparatus comprising a shape memory material body and magnetic pieces in the shape memory material body. Another embodiment provides a method of actuating a device to perform an activity on a subject comprising the steps of positioning a shape memory material body in a desired position with regard to the subject, the shape memory material body capable of being formed in a specific primary shape, reformed into a secondary stable shape, and controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape; including pieces in the shape memory material body; and actuating the shape memory material body using the pieces causing the shape memory material body to be controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape and perform the activity on the subject.
US08684995B2	Treatment method A treatment method on tissues in a body cavity includes: a first step of forming a hole for communicating first body tissue with second body tissue while both are in close contact with each other; and a second step of endoscopically inserting a treatment device into the second body tissue through the hole.
US08684994B2	Fluid transfer assembly with venting arrangement A fluid transfer assembly including a vented female vial adapter and male vial adapter for use with a pair of vials including a vial with contents under negative pressure for liquid drug reconstitution and administration purposes. The vented female vial adapter includes a venting arrangement and the male vial adapter includes a sealing arrangement for selectively sealing the venting arrangement. The fluid transfer assembly is designed such that only filtered air is drawn into the vial under negative pressure subsequent to reconstitution of liquid drug contents to ensure sterile conditions.
US08684992B2	Vial adaptor A vial adapter suitable for use in transferring fluid from a vial to a needleless syringe, the vial having a top end sealed with a septum. According to one embodiment, the vial adapter comprises (a) a body, the body having a top end, a bottom end and an inner cavity, the inner cavity being dimensioned to receive the vial, with the bottom end of the body extending below the bottom end of the vial; (b) a needle-bearing member mounted within the body, the needle-bearing member comprising a hollow needle extending downwardly into the inner cavity of the body for puncturing the septum of a vial disposed in the inner cavity; (c) a luer-lock-bearing member mounted on the top end of the body, the luer-lock-bearing member comprising a top portion and a bottom portion separated by a radial wall, the top portion being a female luer-lock, the bottom portion including a tubular structure in fluid communication with the hollow needle; and (d) a valve disposed within the luer-lock-bearing member for controlling fluid flow from the bottom portion to the top portion, the valve being opened by attachment of the needleless syringe to the vial adapter.
US08684990B2	Simple disposable pant-like garment having breathable side barriers A simple disposable pant-like garment includes an absorbent assembly attached to a chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly is folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form laterally opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to an interior surface of the absorbent assembly adjacent to its end edges. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each side flap adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the side flaps to form breathable side barriers. The chassis includes a water-impermeable sheet and may be extensible. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern such that portions of the chassis that lie outside the attachment pattern are not restrained by attachment to the absorbent assembly and therefore remain extensible.
US08684988B2	Disposable absorbent article having barrier cuff strips A disposable absorbent article includes two laterally opposing longitudinally extending barrier cuff strips attached to an interior surface of an absorbent assembly in laterally opposing attachment zones. Each barrier cuff strip may include a water-impermeable layer and may be extensible. A longitudinally extending elastic gathering member is attached to each barrier cuff strip adjacent to its proximal edge. When the article is worn, the elastic gathering members contract and raise the barrier cuff strips to form side barriers. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. A portion of the absorbent assembly such as the portion that lies between the barrier cuff strip attachment zones may be extensible and may include a water-impermeable layer. The laterally opposing attachment zones may act as dams preventing a lateral flow of liquid bodily waste.
US08684986B2	Absorptive article An absorptive article (1) has: an absorptive body (10) which includes an absorption body; and an exterior body (20) which is provided to the outer surface side of the absorptive body (10) and which is provided with a belly-side portion (F) and a back-side portion (B). The belly-side portion (F) and the back-side portion (B) are joined together at joint sections (21, 22). Reduced strength regions (T) and unreduced strength regions (S) are disposed between the belly-side section (F) and the back-side section (B) at the positions of the joint sections (21, 22). A reduced strength region (T) includes a joint strength-reducing material for reducing the joint strength between the joint sections (21, 22), and an unreduced strength region (S) includes no joint strength-reducing material.
US08684985B2	Absorbent article having angled flaps Provided is a sanitary napkin having wings that can be easily attached by being properly folded back at correct positions without causing problems in the wing-like flaps, such as adhesion of adhesive surfaces to each other and wrong adhesion. In a sanitary napkin including wing-like flaps disposed on both sides of a main body to be fixed to an undergarment so as to wrap around a crotch portion of the undergarment when it is worn, each wing-like flap has a front outline extending outward from the main body and a back outline extending outward from the main body and is designed such that the angle β formed by the width-direction line of the sanitary napkin and the back outline is larger than the angle θ formed by the width-direction line of the sanitary napkin and the front outline and that the gravity center of the wing-like flap is located more toward the front of the sanitary napkin than the center point of the boundary line of the root of the wing-like flap W and the main body.
US08684981B2	Urinary bag system A urinary bag system comprising: a substantially tubular leg portion having at least one support opening along a top portion; a substantially rectangular urine bag pouch affixed to the substantially tubular leg portion, having a top side, left side, right side, bottom side, outside side portion, inside side portion, and a substantially rectangular cutout opening along the outside side portion and corresponding inside side portion of the substantially rectangular urine bag pouch, a valve opening along the bottom side and a top opening along the top side; a support garment; at least one strap having at least one attachment device, a first end and a second end, the first end removably attached to the support garment by at least one attachment device and the second end removably attached to at least one support opening along a top portion of the substantially tubular leg portion by at least one attachment device.
US08684980B2	Drop generating device A method of delivering safe, suitable, and repeatable dosages to a subject for topical, oral, nasal, or pulmonary use and a device for droplet ejection includes a fluid delivery system capable of delivering a defined volume of the fluid in the form of droplets having properties that afford adequate and repeatable high percentage deposition upon application. The method and device include a housing, a reservoir disposed within the housing for receiving a volume of fluid, an ejector mechanism configured to eject a stream of droplets having an average ejected droplet diameter greater than 15 microns, the stream of droplets having low entrained airflow such that the stream of droplets deposit on the eye of the subject during use.
US08684977B2	Combined container-syringe A combined container-syringe includes a body that has an outer tube to be filled with a drug solution. A cylindrical tip is attached to a front end portion of the outer tube and to a front end portion of which an injection needle is attached. A cylindrical safety device is attached on an outer circumferential surface of the outer tube in a freely sliding manner. A first retaining member fixes the safety device in a disengageable manner at a first position where the safety device is separated from the injection needle. A second retaining member fixes the safety device at a second position where the safety device covers the injection needle. A biasing member biases the safety device in the direction from the first position to the second position. A latch releasing member releases the engagement by the first retaining member.
US08684974B2	Access assembly A surgical access assembly including a base and an elongated member extending from the base. The bass defines a central axis and has an opening for receipt of a surgical instrument. The elongated member defines a passageway for passage of at least a portion of the surgical instrument and is adapted to assume a substantially rolled configuration in a normal unstressed condition thereof. When in the rolled configuration, the elongated member is rolled transverse to the central axis.
US08684973B2	Micropump A micropump, which in particular is a pump for a medicinal active substance and which may be an insulin pump or an analgesic pump, has at least one valve, which has a valve chamber, and has a pump chamber. At least one immobile structural element, which reduces the valve chamber volume, is provided in the valve chamber.
US08684972B2	Infusion pump assembly with a backup power supply An infusion pump assembly includes a reservoir assembly configured to contain an infusible fluid. A motor assembly is configured to act upon the reservoir assembly and dispense at least a portion of the infusible fluid contained within the reservoir assembly. Processing logic is configured to control the motor assembly. A primary power supply is configured to provide primary electrical energy to at least a portion of the processing logic. A backup power supply is configured to provide backup electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic in the event that the primary power supply fails to provide the primary electrical energy to the at least a portion of the processing logic.
US08684970B1	Stereotactic shockwave surgery and drug delivery apparatus A therapeutic apparatus for treating body tissue comprises a vessel enclosing a detonation chamber into which a detonatable mixture is introduced and then detonated using an igniter to form at least one shockwave and/or acoustic wave. A wave guide assembly having a converging geometry directs the wave to a tip of the wave guide assembly that is placed in contact with tissue to be treated by the wave. The wave guide assembly may include a wave focusing section surrounding the vessel, a flexible conduit connected to the wave focusing section and a needle connected to the conduit and sized for insertion into patient tissue to be treated. A cap connected to the end of the needle is formed from material permitting the wave or waves generated in the detonation chamber to pass therethrough to treat the patient tissue into which the needle is inserted.
US08684969B2	Injection device with torsion spring and rotatable display The present invention relates to an injection device comprising a torsion spring operatively connected to a dose setting member being adapted to set a dose to be ejected from the injection device. A rotatably mounted display member adapted to display the dose to be ejected in accordance with a setting of the dose setting member is also provided. The rotatably mounted display member is adapted to be rotated over an angle corresponding to at least one revolution of the display member. The display member may be implemented as a dose indicator barrel having numerals arranged along a helical path on an outer surface thereof, or alternatively, as a counting device having two or more display wheels having numerals arranged on an outer surface thereof.
US08684968B2	Hypodermic drug delivery reservoir and apparatus A hypodermic drug delivery apparatus for delivering a pressurized medication fluid generally incorporates a reservoir containing at least one deliverable fluid, a reservoir pressurizing device, a rupturing member, a fluid administration device for communicating with the reservoir via a fluid passageway, and a rupture control mechanism for preventing rupture of a wall portion of the reservoir below a threshold pressure.
US08684967B2	Kink resistant cannula having buckle resistant apertures A cannula has a body with a proximal end and a distal end and a tip on the distal end. The tip has an outer wall defining a lumen opening at the end of the tip and extending to the proximal end of the cannula. The tip further comprises one or more ribs extending into the lumen to support the outer wall from kinking when the cannula is flexed. The outer wall has a inner surface defining the lumen and a plurality of non-circular apertures formed in the tip extending into the lumen. The apertures having a major axis and a minor axis. The major axis aligned in relation to a circumference of the outer wall to prevent puckering or buckling when the tip is bent. This alignment is also designed to support the outer wall from kinking when the tip is bent.
US08684966B2	Safety medical syringe with retractable needle A syringe includes a hollow barrel, a hollow plunger movable within the barrel and a needle assembly secured within and at a distal end of the barrel. The needle assembly includes a needle holder, a resilient member that biases the needle holder toward the proximal end opening of the barrel, and a retaining member releasably secured to the needle holder via a reduced material section. The retaining member maintains the needle holder at the distal end of the barrel against the bias of the resilient member. When the plunger is fully depressed within the barrel, the plunger engages the needle holder such that the retaining member is forced to break away and separate from the needle holder along the reduced material section to facilitate retraction of the needle holder and a needle secured to the needle holder into the retraction cavity disposed within the plunger.
US08684964B2	Inflation sensor mount and method of assembly An inflation device comprising a housing configured to receive a sensor assembly is disclosed. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly may be coupled to the housing through use of a snap fit-type connection. Further, the working fluid of the inflation device may be in direct communication with the pressure sensor, without the use of secondary fluids such as gels.
US08684962B2	Robotic catheter device cartridge A robotic catheter device cartridge may include a finger or a slider block generally disposed in a channel and engaged with a steering wire. The steering wire may control movement of a component having the steering wire engaged thereto when the finger or the slider block is linearly driven in a predetermined direction. The cartridge may be a transseptal cartridge having a transseptal needle connected thereto, a catheter cartridge having a catheter connected thereto, or a sheath cartridge having a sheath connected thereto.
US08684958B1	Cervical traction/stretch device A cervical traction device is provided that is made of high density foam that cradles the users head and neck while providing adjustable traction to the user. The innovation lies in the air pump adjustable “lift” bladder that creates the adjustable incline traction.
US08684954B1	Labor management devices for decreasing the incidence of Cesarean childbirth The present disclosure provides devices for decreasing the incidence of Cesarean childbirth by managing the labor process. In one aspect, a tactile feedback device is positioned adjacent the perianal tissues. A perianal support device includes a perianal support member having a pressure surface configured for engagement with tissue adjacent an anal orifice and a pressure detecting system associated with the perianal support member to detect pressure indicative of pressure on the perianal tissue of a patient.
US08684951B2	Blood acquisition suspension system A body fluid sampling device includes a firing mechanism that is configured to be automatically cocked and fired. In one form, the device includes an electric motor that is operable to cock the firing mechanism and fire an integrated lancet/sampling device to form an incision in skin. Subsequent to formation of the incision, the integrated lancet device is temporarily removed from the skin to promote bleeding from the incision. After a specified period of time, the integrated lancet device is then repositioned against the skin in order to collect a fluid sample.
US08684949B2	Analysis apparatus and analysis method for body fluids The invention concerns an analytical instrument for assaying body fluids, the instrument having the following features: a) a housing provided with a receiving element for engaging a body part, b) an abutment for the body part which can be moved between a release position and an operating position relative to the receiving element, c) a lancing unit having a lancing element that can pierce the body part resting against the abutment in a linear lancing stroke, d) a test tape unit having a test tape for receiving body fluid issuing from the body part, and e) a detection unit for examining the body fluid applied to a section of the test tape.
US08684947B2	Method for processing of continuous pressure-related signals derivable from a human or animal body or body-cavity This invention describes a method for processing pressure signals derivable from locations inside or outside a human or animal body or body cavity. Different aspects of the invention relate to a method for optimal differentiating between cardiac beat- and artifact-induced pressure waves, a method for obtaining new and improved information from said pressure signals, a method for obtaining signals predicting pressures inside a body or body cavity from pressure signals outside said body or body cavity. In particular, this invention describes a method for modifying individual continuous non-invasive pressure-related signals into signals highly predictable of the corresponding invasive pressure-related signals based on already established relationships that can be used for formula-based adjustments of individual signals solely obtained by a non-invasive approach.
US08684945B2	Digital tuning fork for sensation testing device An improved digital tuning fork device for administering a vibratory sensation test to a human subject comprising an integrated vibratory mechanism and timer, with the vibratory mechanism generating vibrations having a known frequency and amplitude, with the amplitude of the vibrations degrading over time to replicate in a controlled manner the natural degradation of vibrations generated by a mechanical tuning fork, and a method of use thereof.
US08684943B2	Multi parametric classfication of cardiovascular sound A method, system, stethoscope and server for classifying a cardiovascular sound recorded from a living subject. The method comprises the steps of: identifying diastolic and/or systolic segments of the cardiovascular sound; dividing at least one of the identified diastolic and/or systolic segments into a number of sub-segments comprising at least a first sub-segment and at least a second sub-segment; extracting from the first sub-segment at least a first signal parameter characterizing a first property of the cardiovascular sound, extracting from the second sub-segment at least a second signal parameter characterizing a second property of the cardiovascular sound; and classifying the cardiovascular sound using the at least first signal parameter and the at least second signal parameter in a multivariate classification method.
US08684939B2	Blood pressure measurement device A blood pressure measurement device is mounted with a radio-controlled clock function in a main body without lowering reception performance of the standard radio wave of the radio-controlled clock. A substrate including a sensor mounting surface and a sensor non-mounting surface is mounted with a pressure sensor. An antenna for receiving the standard radio wave including time information of the radio-controlled clock is mounted. The antenna includes a bar-shaped magnetic body core and a coil wound around the magnetic body core. A pump is arranged such that an axis line direction of the motor and an extending direction of the magnetic body core are substantially orthogonal. The substrate and the substrate are arranged so that the sensor non-mounting surface of the substrate and the antenna mounting surface of the sensor face each other.
US08684938B2	Apparatus for evaluating biological condition, method for the same, and computer program product A biological condition evaluation apparatus determines a symptom of a heart abnormality based on at least one index calculated from a heartbeat interval and/or a pulse interval. The apparatus determines whether it is in a referential period where an amount of change in the index is comparatively small. The apparatus determines whether a plurality of conditions are satisfied or not in an evaluation period set after the referential period. One condition is that an amount of change in the index in the evaluation period is greater than that observed during the referential period. Another condition is that a rate of change in the index is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. The apparatus determines that there is a symptom of a heart abnormality, when both the conditions are satisfied.
US08684937B2	Imaging probe An imaging probe includes a first nub protruding from an elongate housing in a direction away from the long axis and configured to be grasped by a robot apparatus performing a procedure of the object or subject to position the imaging probe in connection with a region of interest of the subject or object to image the region of interest with the probe. The imaging probe further includes at least one other nub located on and protruding from the elongate housing in a direction away from the long axis and configured to be grasped by a robot apparatus performing the procedure to facilitate grasping the first nub by the robot apparatus.
US08684934B2	Adaptively performing clutter filtering in an ultrasound system Embodiments of adaptively performing clutter filtering are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a target object to output a plurality of ultrasound data corresponding to each pixel of a color Doppler mode image; and a processing unit in communication with the ultrasound data acquisition unit and being configured to calculate a power difference value corresponding to each of the pixels based on the plurality of ultrasound data, determine whether the power difference value is equal to or larger than a first threshold value, and if the power difference value is equal to or larger than the first threshold value, then perform first clutter filtering upon the plurality of ultrasound data, or if the power difference value is less than the first threshold value, then perform second clutter filtering upon the plurality of ultrasound data.
US08684932B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic diagnostic method, and control processing program for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a multi-thresholding unit that performs multi-thresholding on the volume data of the blood flow speed on the basis of a reference value related to the blood flow speed. A surface extraction unit extracts a surface of the blood flow on the basis of the multi-threshold volume data. A weighting unit performs a weighting used for calculating the position of the center of gravity for the blood flow region formed by the blood flow surface. A center of gravity position calculation unit calculates a position of the center of gravity of the blood flow region. The Doppler sample marker position setting unit sets the position of the Doppler sample marker to the position of the center of gravity for the blood flow region. A Doppler sample marker movement control unit controls movement of the Doppler sample marker on the basis of the Doppler sample marker position setting data.
US08684931B2	Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for elasticity imaging An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a physical quantity calculator for setting correlation windows to two echo signals obtained by transmission/reception of ultrasound to and from a biological tissue and different in time on the same sound rays and performing a correlation arithmetic operation between the correlation windows to thereby calculate physical quantities related to elasticity of respective regions in the biological tissue, an elastic image data generator for generating elastic image data of the biological tissue with respect to an elastic image forming region of a transmission/reception surface of the ultrasound, based on the physical quantities, a physical quantity average unit for calculating an average of the physical quantities in the elastic image forming region for every frame, a comparator for comparing a value calculated by the physical quantity average unit and a preset average value of the physical quantities, and a notification unit for notifying a result of comparison by the comparator.
US08684930B2	Method of calibrating an analyte-measurement device, and associated methods, devices and systems The invention relates to a method for calibrating an analyte-measurement device that is used to evaluate a concentration of analyte in bodily fluid at or from a measurement site in a body. The method involves measuring a concentration, or calibration concentration, of an analyte in blood from an “off-finger” calibration site, and calibrating the analyte-measurement device based on that calibration concentration. The invention also relates to a device, system, or kit for measuring a concentration of an analyte in a body, which employs a calibration device for adjusting analyte concentration measured in bodily fluid based on an analyte concentration measured in blood from an “off-finger” calibration site.
US08684928B2	Vitalimetrics-based methods, devices and systems for health/lifestyle maintenance and improvement This invention provides methods and devices for vitalimetrics-guided health/lifestyle and improvement.
US08684927B2	Medical machine for fluid treatment A medical machine for fluid treatment comprises a module (400) for management and sending of signal messages containing information relating to means (3) for fluid treatment. The module (400) comprises means (401) for determining a form for sending a signal message which is selectable automatically or manually from among a plurality of predefined forms. The module further comprises means (403) for generating contents of the signal message which comprise information (404a, 404b, 404c, 404d) relating to means (3) for fluid treatment; the contents (412) are created by selecting, for example via touch buttons on a touch screen, from among a selectable plurality of types of predefined contents (404a, 404b, 404c, 404d) and associating the relative data (405a, 405b, 405c, 405d) to the selected type; the module further comprises means (406) for determining at least an addressee to whom to send the signal message.
US08684920B2	Classification of severity of medical condition by wavelet based multi-resolution analysis A system and method are provided for classifying the severity of a medical condition detected by a medical device using wavelet based multi-resolution analysis of biomedical signals. Biomedical signals are converted into a set of wavelet coefficients including scales of wavelet coefficients at different resolutions ranging from a finest scale to a coarsest scale. Features of the biomedical signal useful in diagnosing a biomedical condition are identified by determining whether corresponding identifying features appear in at least one of the plurality of scales of wavelet coefficients. The identifying features determined to appear in the various scales of wavelet coefficients are conditionally linked together and used to classify a degree of severity of a diagnosed biomedical condition based on the number of identifying features appearing in different scales of wavelet coefficients. In some embodiments, alerts can be generated based on the diagnosed degree of severity of the biomedical condition.
US08684917B2	Embolism filter with self-deployable guidewire stop An embolism filter adapted to selectively stop an embolism filter along a length of guidewire, including a filter adapted to encircle a guidewire and at least one self-deploying stop attached to the filter and which selectively stops movement of said filter.
US08684913B2	Rotate-to-advance catheterization system An apparatus for accessing a bodily passageway includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion configured to inserted into the bodily passageway; a drive tube including a lumen configured to receive the endoscope; a helically-wound thread disposed on an outer wall of the drive tube and configured such that rotation of the drive tube causes the drive tube with the endoscope to move along the passageway; a flexible drive shaft configured to transfer rotary motion generated by a power supply; and a rotatable drive collar disposed on the endoscope and configured to rotate the drive tube relative to the endoscope, the rotatable drive collar including a stator, a rotor rotatable over the stator and detachably coupled to the drive tube, a rotary gear configured to transfer the rotary motion from the flexible drive shaft to the rotor to rotate the drive tube, and a watertight seal disposed between the stator and the rotor.
US08684909B2	Methods and apparatus for correction of urinary and gynecological pathologies, including treatment of male incontinence, and female cystocele The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for treatment of male incontinence and a method for female cystocele repair in which a sling material is positioned between the descending rami of the pubic bone. In such an operation a “hammock-like” sling material is positioned below the urethra in males, or below the posterior bladder wall in the case of cystocele in females.
US08684907B2	Adjustable incontinence apparatus In an exemplary embodiment an adjustable urethral sling includes a flexible mesh support having a mesh envelope at a suburethral potion and an expansion chamber within the mesh envelope. A conduit may be provided that extends along the flexible mesh support and that is in fluid communication with the expansion chamber. When installed in a patient the sling may loop under the urethra and out exit sites. An access port may be provided in a subcutaneous pocket and attached to the conduit to allow for remote expansion of the expansion chamber from a desirable location to allow adjustment of the sling with the patient in a standing position. The mesh envelope allows tissue ingrowth around the container so that the container can be expanded for a long period of time after implantation. The expansion chamber may be U-shaped to provide lateral closing pressure to the urethra when expanded.
US08684902B2	Rotary blood pump Various “contactless” bearing mechanisms including hydrodynamic and magnetic bearings are provided for a rotary pump as alternatives to mechanical contact bearings. In one embodiment, a pump apparatus includes a pump housing defining a pumping chamber. The housing has a spindle extending into the pumping chamber. A spindle magnet assembly includes first and second magnets disposed within the spindle. The first and second magnets are arranged proximate each other with their respective magnetic vectors opposing each other. The lack of mechanical contact bearings enables longer life pump operation and less damage to working fluids such as blood.
US08684901B1	Electromagnetic radiation treatment for cancer and pathological genetic regulations An electromagnetic radiation treatment regime includes identifying a target area of a patient that comprises at least some cancer cells, or other cells amenable to pathological genetic regulations. An electromagnetic radiation source, for example, a low frequency and/or radio frequency electromagnetic radiation source, is selected, along with treatment session parameters, such as, pulse frequency, pulse duration, electrical current, magnetic flux density, and/or treatment session exposure time. An amount of electromagnetic radiation is applied to the target area, and a response to the electromagnetic radiation by at least some of the cancer cells in the target area is measured. Based on an evaluation of the measured response, the treatment parameters may be modified for one or more subsequent electromagnetic radiation treatment session.
US08684900B2	Health monitoring appliance A heart monitoring system for a person includes one or more wireless nodes forming a wireless network; a wearable body sensor having a wireless transceiver adapted to communicate with the one or more wireless nodes.
US08684899B2	Expandable brachytherapy device A method for brachytherapy in a lumpectomy cavity of a breast including, positioning a distal end of a brachytherapy device within the cavity, expanding an expandable surface portion located between proximal and distal ends of the device within the cavity, the source lumen tubes defining a curved configuration within the cavity; and positioning a source of radiation sequentially within one or more source lumens of the source lumen tubes according to a brachytherapy treatment plan. The device includes an inner tube, and a plurality of source lumen tubes located around the inner tube and including distal ends secured together with the inner tube at the distal end disposed within the body cavity, the source lumen tubes comprising proximal portions sufficiently long to extend outside the breast.
US08684897B2	Method for assembling a blank A method for assembling a blank including accessing a blank having a main panel portion and at least one flap portion coupled to the main panel portion. The method further includes positioning a plate adjacent to the blank, the plate having a curved edge, folding the flap portion relative to the main panel portion about the curved edge of the plate such that the flap portion is coupled to the main panel portion along a curved line thereof.
US08684896B2	Carton having protective elements A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton has a plurality of panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels is a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least one of the panels has a protective coating for contact with the articles. The coating is arranged as a plurality of protective elements selectively applied to an interior surface of the at least one panel.
US08684890B2	Dynamic lower limb rehabilitation robotic apparatus and method of rehabilitating human gait A robotic rehabilitation apparatus and method provide subjects with lower limb gait impairment, gait therapy before subjects are able to walk independently, or are able to control their legs or stand unaided. The apparatus is constructed and arranged to take advantage of natural gravitational force and musculo-skeletal dynamics of therapy subjects, and to replicate gait in subjects without manual or mechanical intervention to lift subjects' legs and feet. The apparatus and method provide the appropriate dynamic and sensory inputs to muscle groups occurring during normal gait that are critical to gait rehabilitation.
US08684889B1	Removable handle A handle for removable attachment to a dumbbell handle including a grip portion and a base portion is provided herein. The grip portion including side grips and top grip resembling a traditional kettlebell handle. An attachment device associated with the handle for attachment of the handle to a dumbbell handle.
US08684886B2	Transmission control system and method thereof A method of managing a transmission ratio with an assisted CVT with a governed engine to emulate a hydrostatic transmission and prevent a drivebelt abuse is provided, the method comprising: providing a reference power source rotational speed, using the assisted CVT to transmit rotatable motion between a power source and a drive mechanism, managing a torque of the power source to maintain a substantially even rotational speed upon a power source load variation and modulating a transmission ratio of the assisted CVT to change the rotational speed of the drive mechanism. A system and a vehicle having such a drivebelt abuse preventing mechanism is also provided.
US08684885B2	Vehicle driving system First and second engines ENG1 and ENG2; first and second transmissions TM1 and TM2 shifting the output of the first and second engines; first and second one-way clutches OWC1 and OWC2 that are provided in each output portion of the first and second transmissions; a driving target member 11 commonly connected to the output members 121 of the first and second one-way clutches via clutch mechanisms CL1 and CL2 and transmits the rotational power transmitted to the output members of the one-way clutches to the driving wheel 2; a main motor/generator MG1 connected to the member 11; a sub motor/generator MG2 connected to the output shaft S1 of the first engine; a battery 8 sending/receiving the electric power between both motor/generators; a synchronization mechanism 20 connecting/disconnecting the member 11 and the output shaft S2 of the second engine; and a controller 5.
US08684881B2	Transmission gear box for bikes Provided is a transmission gear box for bikes including: crank arms that receive a rotational driving force from rotatable pedals of each bike and transmits the received rotational driving force to a main shaft; a transmission gear unit that receives the rotational driving force from the main shaft and performs a transmission mode shifting operation at a gear tooth ratio according to a selected transmission mode gearshift; a lever manipulation unit that selects one of the transmission mode gearshifts of the transmission gear unit according to manipulation of a transmission mode shift lever, to thus manipulate one of cables connected to the respective transmission mode gearshifts; and a clutching unit that is operated by one cable selected by the lever manipulation unit to thus make one of ring gears of the transmission gear unit fixed in a gear tooth engagement coupling manner and to thereby manipulate a transmission mode shifting process of the transmission gear unit.
US08684880B2	Rattling noise reduction device for vehicle A simply structured rattling noise reduction device for a vehicle capable of preventing rattling certainly under neutral position. The rattling noise reduction device is applied to a vehicle having a transmission mechanism configured to transmit a torque of a prime mover to an output member through a mating transmission mechanism, and a shifting means capable of selecting a drive position in which the torque of the prime mover is transmitted to the output member and a neutral position in which the torque of the prime mover is not transmitted to the output member, and in which the transmission mechanism is configured to idle any one of rotary members thereof to prevent the torque from being applied to the output member in case the neutral position is selected. The rattling noise reduction device comprises a slidable contact means, which is contacted frictionally with the output member, or with a rotary member and transmitting the torque to the output member, or with a member integrated with the rotary member and, in case the neutral position is selected by operating the shifting means.
US08684862B2	Golf clubs and golf club heads having feel altering systems Golf club heads include: (a) a body having a ball-striking face and a rear face, the body defining a cavity; (b) a bridge member extending across the cavity, wherein the bridge member is provided to affect, at least in part, a position of a center of gravity of the club head; and (c) a feel altering element provided between the bridge member and the rear face. The feel altering element may affect a wide variety of parameters that relate to the “feel” of the golf club head when it strikes a golf ball, such as the sound produced by the club head during the strike, the vibrational response of the club head during the strike, the swing characteristics of the club head (e.g., weight, center of gravity position, etc.), and the like.
US08684860B2	Putter face insert A putter-type golf club head having a face insert comprising a metal sheet and a urethane backing is disclosed herein. The metal sheet, which makes contact with a golf ball during use, includes a plurality of oval-shaped holes having a specific size and spacing, and the urethane backing has a hardness that optimizes performance of the face insert, and thus the putter.
US08684856B2	Infant swing and glider device An infant swing includes a base, a support coupled to the base, an arm coupled to and movable relative to the support, and a seat portion coupled to the arm. A drive system is coupled to the arm and moves the arm relative to the base. An actuator is connected to the drive system, and is located so that a user can engage the actuator with the user's foot to control the drive system.
US08684855B2	Articulated waterslide Present embodiments are directed to systems and methods for providing an articulated waterslide. An articulate waterslide is capable of being maneuvered during operation to change flow paths of the waterslide. Specifically, an embodiment includes a waterslide with a chute configured to facilitate water flow along the chute and configured to transport a patron, an adjustable joint positioned along the chute, and an actuator configured to manipulate the adjustable joint such that a flow path of the chute is changeable.
US08684848B2	Shaft coupling apparatus A shaft coupling apparatus includes a cylindrically-shaped hole provided on a leading end surface of a shaft, the hole having a central axis that is different from a rotational central axis of the shaft, and a cylindrically-shaped hole is provided on a leading end surface of a shaft, the hole having a central axis that is different from a rotational central axis of the shaft. The shafts are coupled by pressure fitting a cross-sectionally circular pin in the hole and by loosely fitting the pin in the hole, the pin corresponding to an inner diameter of the hole and the hole.
US08684844B2	Game system, game processing method, computer-readable storage medium having stored therein game program, and game apparatus A plurality of players operate player characters using controllers. The player characters form a friend team to attack enemy characters. The player characters make attacks on the enemy characters by firing bullets into a game space using guns, in accordance with the operations of the respective players. If one of the player characters attacks another one of the player characters, a life of the attacked player character decreases, and a life item for restoring a life also appears in the game space. The attacked player character can restore a life by acquiring the life item.
US08684841B2	Storage medium having game program stored thereon and game apparatus A storage medium having stored thereon a game program executable by a computer 21 of a game apparatus 1 including touch coordinate pair input means for outputting coordinate information based on a predetermined coordinate system in accordance with a touch operation performed by a player. A first object P1 and a second object P2 are displayed on a display screen based on first object position data DC3 and second object position data DC5. While input coordinate pairs are being detected, the first object position data DC3 is updated based on the input coordinate pairs. The second object position data DC5 is updated based on the first object position data DC3.
US08684838B2	Video switcher and touch router method for a gaming machine A gaming method for presenting both gaming content based video signals and secondary video signals over a single display using a Display Manager is disclosed. The Display Manager receives one or more video signals from a Gaming Controller and one or more video signals from a system device, and then displays one or multiple video signals on one or more shared displays. The screen may be split between multiple signals, or one or more signals may overlay one or more background signals. The overlaid signals may completely obscure the background signals, or they may provide a level of transparency by allowing the background signal to be partially or completely visible. The Display Manager splits, overlays, superimposes, or otherwise shares the display among the video input signals. A touch router device interprets touches at a touch screen shared display to transform coordinates to enable interpretation of the player's touch inputs.
US08684837B2	Information processing program, information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method A moving object and a topography object having a portion with different heights are positioned in a virtual space, and the moving object is controlled so as to move on the topography object. A real world image is obtained from an imaging device, and a position and an orientation of a marker in the real world image are detected. On the basis of a result of the detection, a virtual camera is positioned in the virtual space, and a moving object and a topography object are rendered on the basis of the virtual camera. Here, the real world image obtained from the imaging device is used as a texture for the topography object. The rendered moving object and the topography object are synthesized on the real world image and a synthesized image is displayed on a display device.
US08684835B2	Non-transitory computer-readable record medium, game system and information processing device An object of the present invention is to relieve time and effort required for manipulated input. The game program according to the present invention causes a computer to perform, an offering process to offer the game content to the user; a recording process to record an offered game content offered in the offering process, as an owned game content owned by the user; a reception process to receive a prearranged registration of a specified game content specified by an input from a user; a judgment process, when an offer game content is offered to a user in the offering process after the reception process, to compare the offered game content to the specified game content prearranged for registration, to judge whether or not the offered game content is to be made an owned game content of the user; and an update process to update a record of the owned game content owned by the user based on a judgment result in the judgment process.
US08684831B2	Progressive jackpot alerts in a gaming system Various embodiments are directed to a gaming system capable of providing progressive level alerts or promotions when a progressive jackpot reaches a predetermined value. In one embodiment, the user is able to register for a progressive level alert. In another embodiment, the progressive level alert is presented on an affiliated or third party website. By providing progressive jackpot amount information, the user, who may not otherwise patronize a casino, is encouraged to visit the particular casino offering games capable of awarding a progressive jackpot prize of a predetermined amount.
US08684826B2	Wagering game with persistent state of game assets affecting other players A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines, each gaming machine including a display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The randomly selected outcome is selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to a wager input. Each gaming machine allows a player to achieve a player level from a plurality of player levels. The gaming system further includes a controller linked to the gaming machines. The controller is adapted to permit a certain community-event game from a plurality of community-game events to be played at two or more of gaming machines in response to a conditional state at the gaming machines. The conditional state is a function of the player levels at the gaming machines.
US08684825B2	Multiplayer gaming device and methods A plurality of gaming devices is linked so as to effectuate multiplayer game play. Multiplayer game play may cost more than single player game play, but may provide bonus payouts in the multiplayer game play. Various embodiments disclose symbol swapping, best ball, and match multiplayer game play.
US08684823B2	System for presenting a multi-tiered promotional game in a gaming environment Various embodiments are directed to gaming machines, gaming systems, methods, and computer-readable media for presenting a multi-tiered promotional game having a promotional base game component, promotional bonus game component, and a cash giveaway component. According to one embodiment, the gaming system includes a player tracking system having a database of player gaming data that includes a record of multi-tiered promotional game entry points and multi-tiered promotional bonus game entry points. The gaming system also includes a plurality of gaming devices in communication with the player tracking system, wherein each gaming device presents a primary game. The gaming devices also include a secondary display associated with each gaming device, wherein the secondary display is capable of presenting a promotional base game or a promotional bonus game. The gaming system further includes a multi-tiered promotional game server in communication with the secondary display, wherein the multi-tiered promotional game server manages the promotional base game and the promotional bonus game.
US08684822B2	System-level bonus game and related methods Bonus gaming systems for monitoring and controlling one or more gaming devices in a gaming system on at least one gaming floor are disclosed herein. The system includes one or more gaming devices interconnected via a network, a player tracking system in communication with the gaming devices, and a bonus gaming system in communication with the gaming devices. The bonus gaming system monitors and controls bonus sessions presented on the gaming devices, wherein the bonus sessions includes a plurality of bonus levels, wherein the bonus levels increase in bonus value in response to duration of game play by a player in order to maintain continued play by the player.
US08684820B2	Virtual competitive group management systems and methods Virtual competitive group management systems and methods are provided herein. Exemplary systems may execute methods via one or more processors, which are programmed to compare one or more skill levels of a player to skill levels of a plurality of competitors, wherein a skill level is associated with player competitiveness within the interactive game, determine at least one of the plurality of competitors who have at least one skill level that is greater than the skill level of the player, and place the player and the at least one of the plurality of competitors into a competitive group such that the player is at a competitive disadvantage to at least one of the plurality of competitors.
US08684819B2	Systems and methods for simulating a particular user in an interactive computer system Systems and methods for simulating a user's behavior in an interactive computer system are provided. For example, a computer program product includes a simulator configured to simulate a user interacting with a computer program. The simulator includes a learning mode of operation and a simulation mode of operation. During the learning mode, for example, the simulator is configured to monitor the user's interaction with the computer program for one or more events and analyze one or more current circumstances during the occurrence of the one or more events, and further, to record at least one user input in response to the occurrence of at least one event, store the at least one user inputs in at least one data field, and associate the at least one data field with the at least one events and the at least one current circumstances.
US08684818B2	Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a replay of previously played games Gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for dynamically maintaining a set of previously generated game outcomes and providing a replay of one or more of the previously generated game outcomes.
US08684817B2	Gaming system and method with accumulating equity Method and apparatus are described for conducting a secondary game at a gaming device. In various embodiments, a player may acquire equity in the secondary game in such forms as a location of a game character, a number of symbols aggregated, a degree of completion of a puzzle, or a defensive provision. Certain symbols or outcomes in a primary game, however, may cause the player to lose equity in the secondary game.
US08684813B2	Interactive game elements as lottery ticket in enriched game play environment (single and/or multiplayer) for casino applications Methods and systems for providing a lottery ticket to a player of a hybrid game having a gambling game portion and an entertainment game portion are provided. One or more lottery tickets are generated by a lottery system and transmitted to the hybrid game where the one or more lottery tickets are held in a queue. Attendant rules for issuing a lottery ticket are also transmitted to the hybrid game. The hybrid game receives player actions from the entertainment portion of the hybrid game and, based on the player actions and the attendant rules, awards a lottery ticket to the player.
US08684811B2	Gaming device having advance game information analyzer This concept is directed to methods of operating a gaming device to analyze game information that is part of a gaming event having a player interaction in advance of the player interaction to make a determination about the game play. These methods may be used for a variety of gaming devices such as slot machines, video keno devices, video poker machines, electronic table games, internet gaming terminals, etc. In each type of gaming device, these operation methods evaluate future game information during game play to determine one of multiple manners by which the game play will continue. These continuation manners may include changing the speed of game play, determining display characteristics of the game and outcome, providing tips or information to the player about the future game information, automatically initiating a subsequent game, or otherwise altering an aspect of the game play parameters in response to the evaluated game information.
US08684808B2	Wagering game with overlaying transmissive display for providing enhanced game features A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display. A transmissive display is positioned in front of the game display directly in the player's line of sight including game-play regions at which symbols appear and regions above, below, between, and to the sides the game-play regions. The transmissive display is operable to selectively display transparent, translucent and opaque video images over the game display. The transparent, translucent and opaque video images may be used to change, for example, a play mechanic associated with the wagering game and any reel symbols associated with wagering game. The transmissive display may also be used to provide interactive player control and player selection elements for the wagering game and to facilitate player inputs to the gaming machine. The transmissive display may be further used to provide bonus features associated with a bonus game played at the gaming machine.
US08684805B2	Game apparatus, game control method and game control program In a game apparatus, a game control method and a game control program, if a baseball game proceeds without all the pitches in one at-bat being made, a virtual pitch sequence history is presented, and the sizes of a pitching mark and a batting mark of pitcher and batter sides are changed in relation to this pitch sequence history upon designating a pitching position and a batting position. Since the sizes of the pitching mark and the batting mark are changed based on the pitch sequence history in this way, a more interesting game with more importance attached to the strategic characteristic thereof can be provided.
US08684803B2	Vent structure forcing a Z-pattern air flow A vent is mounted in a building wall so as to enable air exchange between the interior of the building and the outside environment. A first set of plural, spaced apart, air guide members and a second set of plural, spaced apart, air guide members are formed using elongate units each having a base element contiguous with opposing leg elements. The base elements of the first set of guide members are arranged in a first vertical plane, while the base elements of the second set of guide members are arranged in a second vertical plane, wherein the planes are in parallel horizontal mutual displacement. The leg elements of the two sets of air guide members are positioned and interlaced to force air flow moving through the apparatus is make a first right angle turn followed by a “Z” shaped turn and then a second right angle turn.
US08684802B1	Method and apparatus for balancing thermal variations across a set of computer systems A system that balances thermal variations within a set of computer systems in a datacenter. During operation, the system obtains a thermal flux map for the set of computer systems. The system then analyzes the thermal flux map to determine whether imbalances exist in the thermal flux across the set of computer systems. If so, the system can adjust: (1) the scheduling of loads across the set of computer systems, and/or (2) air conditioning within the datacenter, so that the thermal flux is more balanced across the set of computer systems.
US08684799B2	Cleaning apparatus and method An apparatus and method for cleaning carcasses is described and illustrated, as is a device for mixing a cleaning substance that can be used in such applications. In some embodiments, the apparatus and method utilize a multi-phase cleaning substance spraying procedure in which the cleaning substance has desired levels of chlorine dioxide and is delivered to the carcasses at desired flow rates, both of which can vary between phases of the procedure and/or at different locations of the carcasses being cleaned.
US08684790B2	Method and arrangement for maintenance of gas-turbine blades The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for re-creation of an optimized contour of the leading edges of gas-turbine blades, in which a gas-turbine blade (2) is passed by one or more grinding machine or machines (71, 71′) with the aid of a computer-controlled robot (10). The desired contour is achieved by following a movement procedure which is stored in a data memory (21). The stored movement procedure is designed to convert a blade from a previously determined statistical mean wear state to a likewise previously determined or calculated design contour. The contact pressure of the gas-turbine blade on the grinding disk or disks (71, 71′) is measured and is taken into account in the movement procedure of the robot (10) such that the desired design contour is achieved irrespective of the initial contour and wear of the grinding disks.
US08684787B1	Rattle call A rattle call for use in luring an antler-bearing game animal to a desired location includes a rib bearing sound member and a knob bearing sound member. The rib bearing sound member includes a rib plate with an upper side and a lower side, a receiving handle or sound chamber connected to the lower side of the plate, and a plurality of ribs extending from the upper side of the first plate. The knob bearing member includes a knob plate with an upper side and a lower side, an engaging handle connected to the first side of the knob plate, and a plurality of knobs extending from the upper side of the knob plate in a position complementary to the plurality of ribs on the first plate for generating a rattle sound when the ribs contact the knobs.
US08684779B2	Electrode patterning A method is provided to isolated conductive pads on top of a multi-layer polymer device structure. The method utilizes laser radiation to ablate conductive material and create a non-conductive path, electrically isolating the conductive pads. The process is self-limiting and incorporates at least one layer within the stack that absorbs the radiation at the required wavelength. The prevention of radiation degradation of the underlying layers is achieved, as absorption of radiation occurs primarily on the surface of the structure, but not in any of the radiation sensitive underlying layers of the electronic device. The method preferably uses low energy infrared radiation which has been shown to produce little debris and no device degradation.
US08684775B2	Electrical connector and terminal thereof An electrical connector includes an insulating body provided with a plurality of receiving holes, and a plurality of terminals respectively received in the receiving holes. Each of the terminals has a base and at least one elastic arm bent upwards and extending from the base. The elastic arm is provided with a contact portion. When the contact portion receives a force in a first stage, the elastic arm is deformed mainly due to compression, and when the contact portion continuously receives a force in a second stage, the elastic arm is deformed mainly due to bending. The normal force received by the terminal is rapidly increased in the first stage, and is reduced and maintained at the low level in the second stage.
US08684773B2	Connector There is provided a lever type connector including a positioning lock provided in a lever and a jig pressing space in the positioning lock. A spacer pressing surface is in symmetrical position to the jig pressing space with respect to a center line of the lever that intersects orthogonally with the jig passing space in a longitudinal direction of a spacer. A terminal is inserted in a state that the spacer and the lever are attached to a connector housing, then the terminal is held in a temporarily latching state, and then the spacer pressing surface is pushed down by a jig and thus the terminal is held in a normally latching state. The spacer pressing surfaces is configured to be pushed by pushing pins which are provided on the jig in bilaterally symmetrical positions with respect to a center line that intersects orthogonally with the longitudinal direction.
US08684771B2	Contact construction of electrical receptacle An electrical contact is provided for an electrical receptacle. The contact includes a main body, a first segment that is an extension of the main body and substantially parallel to the main body, a second segment substantially perpendicular to the main body and the first segment, a third segment substantially perpendicular to the second segment and substantially parallel to the main body and the first segment, a first wipe that extends from the first segment, a second wipe that extends from the second segment, and a third wipe that extends from the third segment.
US08684769B2	Electrical connector having terminal portions in specific arrangement and a grounding plate for excellent high-frequency characteristics A first connector includes a first insulative housing defining opposite first and second mating faces, a set of first upper contacts arranged upon the first mating face, a set of first lower contacts including a first lower differential pairs, a second lower differential pairs and a lower grounding contact, and a first grounding plate. The contacting sections and the first grounding arm are arranged upon the second mating face, and the first terminal portions of the first lower differential pairs are arranged in a first row, and the second terminal portions of the second lower differential pairs and the tail section of the lower grounding contact are arranged in a second row for excellent high-frequency characteristics.
US08684766B2	Connector A connector includes an insulator including contact insertion grooves and partition walls positioned therebetween, the contact insertion grooves being elongated in an insertion/removal direction of a thin plate-shaped object inserted into the insulator and arranged in a direction orthogonal thereto; and contacts inserted into the contact insertion grooves, each contact including first and second contact portions, and a connecting portion which connects the first and second contact portions to each other, wherein at least one of the first and second contact portions comes in contact with the thin plate-shaped object when the thin plate-shaped object is inserted into the insulator. A hollow portion is formed in each partition wall of the insulator so as to overlap part of each contact as viewed in a contact arranging direction, and so as to be prevented from being communicatively connected with the contact insertion grooves by the partition walls.
US08684759B2	Terminal connection structure A terminal connection structure which is downsized and easily connects terminal fixtures together without producing variation in electric resistance therebetween. The terminal connection structure connects a bus bar connected to an inverter and a second terminal fixture connected to a motor coil. The terminal connection structure includes a first housing receiving a thin-walled portion of the bus bar, a second housing receiving an electric-contact portion of the second terminal fixture and having an insert portion, a clip terminal arranged to make the thin-walled portion closely contact with the electric-contact portion, and a permitting/restricting portion, which permits the clip terminal to be attached to one of the first housing and the second housing when the insert portion is at a predetermined position and restricts the clip terminal from being attached to one of the first housing and the second housing when the insert portion is not at the predetermined position.
US08684758B2	Terminal unit having fused combiner/distribution bus bar assembly A terminal unit having a bus bar assembly, a lug assembly, and one or more circuit protection devices attached to the bus bar assembly. The bus bar assembly includes a bus bar and a mounting unit for holding the bus bar and providing a structure for attaching circuit protection devices to the bus bar assembly. The bus bar is made of an electrically conductive material, while mounting unit is made of an electrically non-conductive (insulating) material, such as a plastic, thereby providing a “touch safe” enclosure.
US08684757B2	Memory module connector with air deflection system In one embodiment, a memory module connector includes sidewalls extending along a length of the connector body. A longitudinally oriented socket is provided between the sidewalls for receiving a card edge of a memory module. A top of the connector defines a socket opening. A bottom of the connector is for mounting to a system board. A plurality of air deflectors is provided adjacent to the connector body to manipulate airflow to improve cooling. The size, positioning, and spacing of the air deflectors may be selected to optimize cooling.
US08684756B2	Lever-type connector A lever-type connector includes a connector housing, a cover attached to the connector housing, a lever rotatably mounted on the connector housing. The lever is rotated in a situation that a mating connector is fitted to the connector housing in a half-fitted condition, thereby moving the mating connector with respect to the connector housing from the half-fitting condition to a completely fitting condition. A retaining portion is provided on the lever. A lock portion provided on the cover is engaged with the retaining portion when the lever has been rotated. A lever claw portion is provided on the retaining portion. The lock portion is provided on a distal end portion of the lock arm. A lock protection portion is provided on the retaining portion so as to be positioned away from a rotation center of the lever than the lever claw portion so that the lock protection portion covers the lock portion.
US08684755B2	Electrical pop out device An electrical pop out device has a shroud and an outlet housing. The outlet housing is sized to be placed inside the shroud. A guidance mechanism connects the outlet housing with the shroud. The guidance mechanism includes multiple rack gears and multiple pinion gears. The outlet housing is moveable with respect to the shroud along a direction defined by the rack gear. A spring connector electrically couples the shroud to the outlet housing.
US08684753B2	Plug and electronic device with the plug The present invention relates to electronic technologies, and in particular, to a plug and an electronic device with the plug. The present invention solves the following problem: In the conventional art, an electronic device with a plug occupies too large space in the direction vertical to the surface of an external device when the electronic device is inserted in a slot of the external device. A plug of the present invention takes on the following features: when a head end of the plug is inserted in a slot of an external device, the plug is electrically connected to the slot; a back end of the plug is electrically connected to a main circuit board of an electronic device equipped with the plug; a sliding structure is set on the plug and integrated with the electronic device equipped with the plug; and the plug can slide relative to a shell of the electronic device through the sliding structure, and a head end of the plug can slide out of an edge of the shell in a direction that intersects a maximum extension direction of the shell through the sliding structure. The electronic device with the plug includes the shell, the main circuit board located in the shell, and the plug disclosed herein. A pair of slidable plugs may be used to enable selective mounting of the device.
US08684752B2	Electrical connector and electronic apparatus using the same An electrical connector and electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The electrical connector includes a first set of terminals, a second set of terminals and an insulating body. The insulating body has a first mating portion and a second mating portion. First mating portion includes an inward wall surface. First contacts of the first set of terminals and first contacts of the second set of terminals are disposed in the inward wall surface of first mating portion. Second mating portion has an outward wall surface. Second contacts of the first set of terminals and second contacts of the second set of terminals are arranged on the outward wall surface of the second mating portion. The first contacts of the first set of terminals and the first contacts of the second set of terminals elastically contact to the corresponding pads of the PCB board without bonding.
US08684749B2	LED with improved injection efficiency A light emitting device and method for making the same is disclosed. The light-emitting device includes an active layer sandwiched between a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer. The active layer emits light when holes from the p-type semiconductor layer combine with electrons from the n-type semiconductor layer therein. The active layer includes a number of sub-layers and has a plurality of pits in which the side surfaces of a plurality of the sub-layers are in contact with the p-type semiconductor material such that holes from the p-type semiconductor material are injected into those sub-layers through the exposed side surfaces without passing through another sub-layer. The pits can be formed by utilizing dislocations in the n-type semiconductor layer and etching the active layer using an etching atmosphere in the same chamber used to deposit the semiconductor layers without removing the partially fabricated device.
US08684746B2	Collaborative university placement exam An exemplary proficiency examination system includes a collaborative system allowing multiple administrators across multiple educational institutions to add questions to a bank of questions from which an administrator at a single educational institution may select for a proficiency examination. The questions may be used in a placement examination for placing students into a class of an appropriate skill level.
US08684744B2	Injection training dummy An injection training dummy, including a) a three-dimensional shell member which can be penetrated by an injection needle, and b) a closure member detachably interconnected with the shell member, wherein c) the shell member and the closure member constitute a chamber into which liquid can be injected through the injection needle, and d) the shell member and the closure member are designed such that they do not absorb the liquid.
US08684739B2	Durable film coating compositions having sustained slow-release capability, and methods of use therefor Provided is a slow-release delivery vehicle for delivering at least one active ingredient into a film coating, comprising a population of stable, homogeneously-dispersed, porous polymeric or co-polymeric beads having a network of pores, wherein the at least one active ingredient is held within the bead particles and within the network of pores and slowly released by internal flow, and wherein the network of pores is substantially non-collapsible upon removal of the active ingredient. The porous co-polymer bead preparation comprises a continuous aqueous phase solution containing a monomeric mixture of at least one polyvinylaromatic monomer and at least one porogen forming a network that comprising (i) macropores; (ii) mesopores; (iii) micropores; and (iv) gel porosity. Also provided are methods of preparing the porous co-polymer bead preparation; and for its use as a slow-release delivery vehicle.
US08684737B1	Handgun trigger training device and method A firearm trigger trainer, for aiding a trainee in developing a smooth trigger control, has a handle, sized and weighted to represent the actual weight and feel of the real firearm, but without a gun barrel, thus providing a non-threatening, non-fear inducing appearance of the firearm trigger trainer. The trigger member is coupled to a single biasing spring for biasing the trigger member for simulating triggering forces used in firing a real firearm; and the method instructs the trainee to smoothly actuate the trigger member over and over to produce smooth, even pressure to the trigger, thus enhancing accuracy of shots using real firearms. Two or more removable biasing springs having different stiffness are provided for substituting one spring for another to correspond to a particular firearm.
US08684729B2	Disposable dental aligner A method for treating a patient's teeth includes determining an initial configuration of the patient's teeth, determining a final configuration of the patient's teeth, designing a movement path for at least one of the patient's teeth from the initial configuration to the final configuration, dividing the movement path into a plurality of successive treatment steps, each having a target configuration for the patient's teeth, and producing two or more dental aligners of substantially identical shape for at least one of the treatment steps in accordance with the target configuration.
US08684727B2	Ring furnace including baking pits with a large horizontal aspect ratio and method of baking carbonaceous articles therein The invention relates to a ring furnace (1) having a longitudinal axis and comprising elongated bays (10), a plurality of hollow partitions (3, 3′) arranged within the casing of each bay so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis, a first end transverse wall (41) located at a first end of each bay (10), a second end transverse wall (42) located at a second end of each bay (10) and possibly one or more intermediate transverse walls (43) located between the first and second ends. The hollow partitions and transverse walls define baking pits (2) within the bays (10) for stacking carbonaceous articles therein. The baking pits have a length Lp and a width Wp, said length Lp being at least 15 times greater than said width Wp.
US08684721B2	Apparatus for forming and heat treating structural assemblies There are provided an apparatus and an associated method for manufacturing superplastically formed structural assemblies from preforms. The apparatus includes first and second co-operable dies structured to define a die cavity therebetween for at least partially receiving the preform, at least one heater in thermal communication with the die cavity for heating the preform to a forming temperature, and at least one injector in fluid communication with the die cavity. The injector is structured for injecting pressurized gas into the die cavity to urge the preform against one of the dies to form the preform into the structural assembly. Further, at least one of the injectors is structured for injecting a quenchant into the die cavity to thereby heat treat the structural assembly while distortion of the structural assembly is being at least partially restrained by at least one of the dies.
US08684720B2	Fiber delivery system for composite part manufacture A gantry mounted fiber placement machine has a creel and a head with a compaction roller for applying fiber to a mold or tool. The fiber placement machine has 6 axes of motion. The machine has a gantry that moves in the X-axis, a horizontal gantry beam that is parallel to the Y-axis, and a creel that moves with the gantry in the X-axis. The machine has a head that moves in the Y-axis parallel to the floor and across the gantry beam, and in the Z-axis perpendicular to the X and Y-axes. The head swivels in the I-axis as it rotates about the X-axis, in the J-axis as it rotates about the Y-axis, and in the K-axis as it rotates about the Z-axis.
US08684715B2	Vane machine A vane machine for expansion or compression of gases, air, engine exhaust, vapors or a mixture thereof, includes a housing with a cylindrical space having inlet and outlet ports, a shaft offset in parallel or eccentric relative to a central housing axis and first and second circular discs on the shaft mutually offset in parallel. Slides are guided by the circular discs and displaceable in direction of an inner housing wall. Vane cells are formed by two neighboring slides and an adjoining region of the wall and volumes of the vane cells in vicinity of the inlet and outlet ports differ. To obtain reliability and efficiency, each circular disc has a plurality of circular arcuate slots, each slide can have a circular arc shape on an end facing the housing, and the circular arcuate part of each slide moves into circular arcuate slots of first and second circular discs.
US08684714B2	Internal orbital engine An orbital engine with a first outer generally tubular body with a first axis, and a second generally tubular inner orbiter body with a second axis, the second inner body being moveable within the first outer body. The first and second axes are parallel, but not colinear. The second inner body revolves, but does not rotate, within the first outer body Vanes extending generally radially relative to both the inner and outer bodies define multiple chambers in the space between the outside of the inner body and the inside of the outer body. The vanes reciprocate relative to both the inner and outer bodies, and no vane traverses the entire inner surface of the outer body. When fitted with ports in the outer body and valves, the orbital engine may be implemented as an internal combustion engine, gas compressor, liquid pump, air motor, blower, fan or turbine, etc.
US08684702B2	Variable displacement pump A variable displacement oil pump for an automotive engine. The oil pump includes a cam ring accommodating thereinside a pump element having a rotor. The cam ring is swingingly movably accommodated in a housing and biased in a direction to increase an eccentricity amount of the cam ring relative to the axis of the rotor by a biasing member. First and second pressure chambers are defined inside the housing by the outer peripheral section of the cam ring. The first pressure chamber is supplied with a discharge pressure to be applied to the cam ring to oppose to a biasing force of the biasing member. The second pressure chamber is supplied with the discharge pressure to be applied to the cam ring to assist the biasing force of the biasing member. Additionally, a control device is provided for controlling supply of the discharge pressure to the second pressure chamber.
US08684701B2	Pumping mud by electrohydrodynamic propulsion A section of riser casing urges drilling mud upward from the sea floor to reduce head pressure associated with pumping drilling mud through riser casing in dual-gradient drilling operations. The section of riser casing may use an electromagnet, two or more electrodes, or a combination of electromagnets and electrodes to urge drilling mud having electrohydrodynamic properties through the riser casing.
US08684699B2	Pump for a high-pressure cleaning appliance A pump for a high-pressure cleaning appliance for delivering cleaning liquid is provided. The pump has a pump housing with at least one pump chamber into which at least one piston plunges. The pump chamber is connected via at least one inlet valve to a suction line and via at least one outlet valve to a pressure line. A bypass line leads from the pressure line to the suction line. An overflow valve is arranged in the bypass line. The valve body of the overflow valve is connected to a control element which, in dependence upon the flow rate of the cleaning liquid, displaces the valve body to a closed or an open position. A rear housing component and a front housing component of the pump housing are joined together. The bypass line opens into a suction line section of the suction line, which extends between the housing components.
US08684698B2	Compressor airfoil with tip dihedral An airfoil for a compressor is described. The airfoil has a root, an airfoil tip, a leading edge, a trailing edge, airfoil pressure and suction sides extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The airfoil has an inner span region and an outer span region and the trailing edge has a dihedral profile such that the trailing edge dihedral angle decreases in at least a portion of the inner span region and the outer span region.
US08684694B2	Wheel for a hydraulic machine, a hydraulic machine including such a wheel, and an energy conversion installation equipped with such a hydraulic machine The invention relates to a wheel (R) of the Francis type that comprises a ring (1) with revolution symmetry about the rotation axis (Z) of the wheel (R), and curved blades (21, 22) connected to the ring (1) and each having an outer peripheral edge (212, 222) and an inner central edge (211, 221). The connection points (B21, B22) between the ring (1) and the inner central edges (211, 221) of the blades (21, 22) are located on a same circle (C20) centered on the axis (Z). The connection points (A21, A22) between the ring (1) and the outer peripheral edges (212, 222) of the blades (21, 22) are located on at least two distinct circles (C21, C22) (D21, D22) centered on the axis (Z).
US08684693B2	Device for adjusting the angle of attack of a rotor blade of a wind power plant The invention relates to a device for adjusting the angle of attack of a rotor blade of a wind power plant, comprising a flexible clad drive train that can be moved by a driving wheel, wherein the rotor blade can be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof by said drive train in opposite directions. According to the invention, the clad drive train can be moved only in a single plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of the driving wheel and engages on a pivot bearing ring forming an end piece of the rotor blade, and the driving wheel is connected to a motor/transmission unit, which is mounted on the hub of the rotor blade, for the individual adjustment of the rotor blade.
US08684687B2	Fan assembly A fan assembly includes a device for creating an air flow and an air outlet for emitting the air flow. The air outlet is mounted on a stand for conveying the air flow to the air outlet. The fan assembly also includes a tilt mechanism for tilting the air outlet relative to at least part of the stand. The tilt mechanism comprises a flexible hose defining, at least in part, an air passage through the tilt mechanism.
US08684686B2	Washer pump An improved automotive pump assembly includes a volute pumping chamber configured to operably contain a rotatable impeller which, when driven, draws fluid into a fluid inlet and pumps the fluid to and through a fluid outlet. The volute chamber has an exterior sidewall with a constant internal first radius over a first sidewall portion and transitions to a second sidewall portion of increasing radius. The chamber's second sidewall portion defines a first end at a sidewall transition point tangent to the constant radius sidewall segment to define a second end which is tangent to the volute chamber's fluid outlet with a second radius that is greater than the first radius.
US08684680B2	Sealing and cooling at the joint between shroud segments A gas turbine engine shroud includes a plurality of shroud segments disposed circumferentially one adjacent to another to form a full, circumferentially segmented ring about the rotor. The radial seal between each pair of adjacent shroud segments is positioned on the back side of the shroud platform. Cooling underneath the radial seals may be done by conduction heath transfer through the platform of the shroud segments.
US08684675B2	Turbocharger with annular rotary bypass valve for the turbine A turbocharger includes a turbine wheel mounted within a turbine housing and connected to a compressor wheel by a shaft. The turbine housing defines an exhaust gas inlet connected to a volute that surrounds the turbine wheel, and an axial bore through which exhaust gas that has passed through the turbine wheel is discharged from the turbine housing. The turbine housing further defines an annular bypass passage surrounding the bore and arranged to allow exhaust gas to bypass the turbine wheel. An annular bypass valve is disposed in the bypass passage. The bypass valve includes a fixed annular valve seat and a rotary annular valve member arranged coaxially with the valve seat. The valve member is disposed against the valve seat and is rotatable about the axis for selectively varying a degree of alignment between respective orifices in the valve seat and valve member.
US08684672B2	Brake system with expansion absorbing means, generator and wind turbine A brake system comprising a brake disc is disclosed. The brake system comprises at least one flexible portion. The at least one flexible portion is configured for compensating expansion of the brake disc and/or absorbing the expansion of the brake disc. The brake system is especially for a wind turbine generator.
US08684671B2	Turbomachine casing A turbomachine casing forming a continuous annular ring extending over 360° around a bladed wheel and serving as a propagation medium for rotating waves, each rotating wave being generated by two standing waves of the same frequency, and the casing including at least one longitudinal stiffener at its outer periphery that is dimensioned and positioned in such a manner as to separate the frequencies of the two standing waves of at least one given rotating wave.
US08684670B2	Sealing mechanism with bellows and steam turbine provided with the sealing mechanism A sealing mechanism includes a pair of space forming rings which face each other and are configured for surrounding a shaft body, an outer bellows-joint having one end connected to an outer periphery of one of the space forming rings and another end connected to an outer periphery of the other of the space forming rings, and an inner bellows-joint having one end connected to an inner periphery of one of the space forming rings and another end connected to an inner periphery of the other of the space forming rings. Each of the inner bellows-joint and the outer bellows-joint is a corrugated plate. The space forming rings space the inner bellows-joint and the outer bellows-joint apart from each other such that the inner bellows-joint and the outer bellows-joint do not come in contact with each other.
US08684666B2	Low pressure cooling seal system for a gas turbine engine A low pressure cooling system for a turbine engine for directing cooling fluids at low pressure, such as at ambient pressure, through at least one cooling fluid supply channel and into a cooling fluid mixing chamber positioned immediately downstream from a row of turbine blades extending radially outward from a rotor assembly to prevent ingestion of hot gases into internal aspects of the rotor assembly. The low pressure cooling system may also include at least one bleed channel that may extend through the rotor assembly and exhaust cooling fluids into the cooling fluid mixing chamber to seal a gap between rotational turbine blades and a downstream, stationary turbine component. Use of ambient pressure cooling fluids by the low pressure cooling system results in tremendous efficiencies by eliminating the need for pressurized cooling fluids for sealing this gap.
US08684665B2	Ring sector of turbomachine turbine A turbine ring sector comprising a wall presenting an inside face and an outside face, in which the inside face defines an axially oriented airflow passage through which gas flows; and a multiply-perforated metal sheet situated on the side of the wall that is opposite from the airflow passage is disclosed. The multiply-perforated metal sheet has a bottom, and the space between the outside face of the wall and the bottom of the multiply-perforated metal sheet defines a gap. The variation in the value of the gap over the entire axial extent thereof decreases from a first maximum value towards a minimum value and then increases from the minimum value to a second maximum value.
US08684661B2	Fan module A fan module includes a housing and an impeller. The housing has an axial air inlet, a radial air inlet and at least one radial air outlet. The impeller is rotatably disposed in the housing and has a first air-guiding blade, a second air-guiding blade and a partitioning member. The partitioning member separates an interior space of the housing into a first air channel and a second air channel. The first air-guiding blade is located in the first air channel, and the second air-guiding blade is located in the second air channel.
US08684655B2	Hay spear accessory apparatus A hay spear accessory apparatus for providing a secure and fixed mounting point for attachments such as ropes, chains, cables and the like, the apparatus being generally comprised of a an open-ended sleeve member having an interior diameter sized for slidable engagement over the distal end of a hay spear, the sleeve having attachment mounting means fixedly connected to the outer surface thereof. The interior of the sleeve has a varied diameter so as to accommodate the receipt of hay spears of various diameters. The apparatus of the subject invention is designed for frictional engagement with a hay spear, but optional securing means are also provided which prevent axial displacement of the apparatus along the hay spear once mounted thereon.
US08684649B2	Grain cart A grain cart includes front wheels steerable about respective upright and rearwardly inclined steering axes arranged in a trailing self-steering configuration and rear wheel assemblies which are fixed in a forward working direction. The front wheel assemblies are fixed to the main frame of the cart except for the pivotal movement about the steering axes. The rear wheel assemblies are supported on a rear axle support member coupled by a rear suspension to the main frame so as to be arranged for rocking movement about a forward longitudinal axis. The grain cart optionally incorporates a load scale integrally into the main frame, as well as a hitch arm actuator to transfer of some of the load from the grain cart wheels to the towing vehicle by actuating the hitch arm to pivot the hitch arm downward relative to the main frame.
US08684642B2	Cutting insert, cutting tool, and method of cutting workpiece using the same A cutting insert has an upper face, a lower face, a side face, an upper cutting edge, a lower cutting edge and a through hole. The upper face has a substantially polygonal shape. The side face has a first side face and a second side face. The first side face has at least one upper concave part and at least one lower concave part. The at least one upper concave part and the at least one lower concave part are separated from each other through a thick part being continuous along a width direction of the side face. The thick part has a curved region extending in the shape of a wave from one end to the other end in the width direction of the first side face in a side view.
US08684641B2	Locking hole saw collar An assembly includes a hole saw, an arbor, a collar and a nut. The hole saw is formed from a back plate and a skirt which has a cutting edge on its free end. A passageway is provided through the hole saw. The arbor is rotatably mounted to the hole saw and extends through the passageway. The collar is nonrotatably mounted on the arbor. The collar has a protrusion extending from an end face thereof. A nut is rotatably mounted on the arbor. The collar is trapped between the nut and the hole saw. The nut directly bears against the end face and the protrusion of the collar, which causes the nut to cock relative to the collar. As a result, the nut does not easily come loose on the arbor, even during aggressive use.
US08684637B2	Arrangement to connect a tool wheel and a tool holding fixture An arrangement for the non-rotational connection between a toothed tool wheel for the machining of end peripheral areas of tooth flanks, having an axis of rotation, and a tool holding fixture that can be rotationally driven around an axis of rotation. Said arrangement has an elastic means with a restoring force against which the direction of the axis of rotation of the tool wheel can be displaced relative to the direction of the axis of rotation of the tool holding fixture.
US08684634B2	Worker's cage for excavation work Provided is a cage for protecting a worker in an excavation. The cage includes spaced apart side panels formed from a material suitably-strong to withstand a force exerted on the side panels by a collapsing wall of the excavation. A plurality of cross members extend between the side panels to substantially maintain a distance separating the side panels when subjected to the force exerted by the collapsing wall of the excavation. And a connection head that is cooperable with a coupler supported by a boom of a piece of mechanized equipment is included to couple the cage to the boom. The connection head is coupled to one or both of the side panels, one or more of the cross members, or one or both of the side panels and at least one of the cross members.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10