最新美国发明专利第2014-07-08期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US08771964B2	Compositions and methods for detection of methadone metabolite Methods and reagents are disclosed for conducting assays for EDDP. The reagents include a moiety selected from the group consisting of poly(amino acid) label moieties, non-poly (amino acid) label moieties, poly(amino acid) immunogenic carriers, non-poly(amino acid) immunogenic carriers, non-label poly(amino acid) moieties, and non-immunogenic carrier poly(amino acid) moieties linked to 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine at the 3-position of one of the phenyl rings. Antibodies produced from immunogenic EDDP conjugates and labeled EDDP conjugates are employed in assays for determining the presence and/or amount of EDDP in samples suspected of containing EDDP.
US08771962B2	Health test for a broad spectrum of health problems Provided herein are methods and devices for the detection of conditions or disorders by detecting altered levels of stress response pathway biomarkers. Also provided are methods and reagents for identifying panels of biomarkers associated with a condition or disorder.
US08771960B2	Method for producing protein libraries and for selecting proteins from said libraries The invention relates to a method for the production of a protein library, in particular an antibody library, which is highly diverse and for the selection of proteins, in particular antibodies, therefrom.
US08771959B2	Methods for the production of plants resistant to HPPD herbicides Methods for making transgenic plants that are resistant to HPPD herbicides are presented. Polynucleotides other than those from Pseudomonas fluorescens that encode resistant HPPD enzymes are enclosed for use in the process of making transgenic plants that are tolerant to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides.
US08771957B2	Sequencing using a predetermined coverage amount of polynucleotide fragments The invention provides methods and kits for ordering sequence information derived from one or more target polynucleotides. In one aspect, one or more tiers or levels of fragmentation and aliquoting are generated, after which sequence information is obtained from fragments in a final level or tier. Each fragment in such final tier is from a particular aliquot, which, in turn, is from a particular aliquot of a prior tier, and so on. For every fragment of an aliquot in the final tier, the aliquots from which it was derived at every prior tier is known, or can be discerned. Thus, identical sequences from overlapping fragments from different aliquots can be distinguished and grouped as being derived from the same or different fragments from prior tiers. When the fragments in the final tier are sequenced, overlapping sequence regions of fragments in different aliquots are used to register the fragments so that non-overlapping regions are ordered. In one aspect, this process is carried out in a hierarchical fashion until the one or more target polynucleotides are characterized, e.g. by their nucleic acid sequences, or by an ordering of sequence segments, or by an ordering of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or the like.
US08771954B2	Methods of monitoring conditions by sequence analysis There is a need for improved methods for determining the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with conditions, including autoimmune disease and cancer. Provided herein are methods for using DNA sequencing to identify personalized biomarkers in patients with autoimmune disease and other conditions. Identified biomarkers can be used to determine the disease state for a subject with an autoimmune disease or other condition.
US08771953B2	Evaluation of the potential risk of drug induced mood disturbance and suicide: use of a dedicated platform The present invention relates to in vitro methods for the determination of the potential toxicity of test compounds. The invention also comprises in vitro methods for the selection of therapeutical compounds useful for the treatment of pathology related to an alteration of the mechanism of the mRNA editing of ADAR dependent A to I mRNA editing of the serotonin 2C receptor (5HTR2C). Finally, the present invention is directed to the kits and tools for the implementation of these methods. The invention is of special utility in the pharmaceutical industry for analysis of the toxicity profile or the screening of compounds involved in drug development and/or in pharmaceutical compositions.
US08771949B2	Method of identifying target biomolecule by using probe-binding frequency An efficient and accurate method of identifying a target biomolecule in a sample by using target molecule-probe binding frequencies is disclosed.
US08771947B2	Cancer risk biomarkers The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying biomarkers that indicate a biological state, in particular cancer or predisposition to cancer.
US08771945B1	CRISPR-Cas systems and methods for altering expression of gene products The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for altering expression of target gene sequences and related gene products. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system.
US08771943B2	Method for predicting athletic performance potential A method and assay for predicting athletic performance potential of a subject, such as a thoroughbred race horse, comprising the steps of assaying a biological sample from a subject for the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism in one or more genes associated with athletic performance. The athletic performance genes may be selected from one or more of MSTN, COX4I2, PDK4, CKM and COX4I1.
US08771928B2	Method for manufacturing stamper for injection molding The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stamper for injection molding, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a stamper for injection molding which can prevent a scratch from forming thereon and has an excellent durability owing to high hardness even after manufacturing of the metal stamper with micro patterns formed thereon is finished. The method for manufacturing a stamper for injection molding includes a pattern forming step for forming a predetermined micro pattern on a substrate, a metal plating step for making metal plating on the substrate to form a stamper having the micro pattern transcribed thereto, a stamper separating step for separating the stamper of the metal plating from the substrate, and a protective layer coating step for coating a protective layer on the stamper for maintaining a mirror surface.
US08771920B2	Lithographic printing plate precursor and method of preparing the same A lithographic printing plate precursor in a positive-type with an infrared-sensitivity, having a support and an image recording layer provided on the support, the support having a hydrophilic surface, the recording layer having a particular resin, an amphoteric surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant, and an infrared absorbing agent, wherein the particular resin being at least one of resins selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane resin, a poly (vinyl acetal) resin, and maleimide resin A.
US08771915B2	Image forming method An image forming method is disclosed, comprising transferring and fixing steps, wherein fixing is performed by a fixing device in which at least one of a heating member and a pressing member comprises an endless belt entrained about plural rollers, and the heating member and the pressing member are pressed against each other to form a fixing nip, and wherein toner particles contains a binder resin which has a domain/matrix structure constituted of a high-elastic resin forming a domain and a low-elastic resin forming a matrix in an elastic image obtained when observing the toner particles by an atomic force microscope with respect to a section of the individual toner particles, in which an arithmetic average value of a ratio (L/W) of a major axis (L) to a minor axis (W) of individual domains is 1.5 to 5.0, and domains having the major axis (L) of 60 to 500 nm account for not less than 80% by number of total domains and domains having the minor axis (W) of 45 to 100 nm account for not less than 80% by number of total domains.
US08771912B2	Emulsion coloring materials for ink jet printers and methods of producing the same There is provided an emulsion coloring material which can be used on ordinary paper, has good color developability, and can be used for conventional erasable pens or printing inks of black or blue color, having sufficiently high densities. When use is made of an erasable emulsion coloring material capable of controlling color development and decolorization by the presence or absence of the interaction between a chromatic material and a color developer, the colored emulsion comprising a copolymer resin of at least one unit selected from styrene and styrene derivatives and at least one unit selected from an acrylic acid ester and a methacrylic acid ester having a substituent which comprises a carbon chain having 4 or more carbon atoms, coloring ability can be enhanced.
US08771911B2	Magenta toner for electrophotography, developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method A magenta toner for electrophotography, including: toner particles containing, a polyester resin, a coloring agent containing a solid solution of C.I. Pigment Violet 19 and C.I. Pigment Red 122, a release agent, and inorganic particles; and an external additive, wherein an average particle diameter of the inorganic particle is 0.75 times or more the average particle diameter of the coloring agent.
US08771909B2	Electrophotographic photoconductor, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge An electrophotographic photoconductor including: an electrically conductive substrate; and at least a photoconductive layer on the electrically conductive substrate, wherein the electrophotographic photoconductor includes an uppermost surface layer, and the uppermost surface layer includes an inorganic filler, an acidic disperser and a three-dimensionally crosslinked polymer, wherein the three-dimensionally crosslinked polymer is formed through polymerization among compounds each containing a charge transporting compound and three or more [(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]methyl groups where the charge transporting compound has one or more aromatic rings and the [(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]methyl groups are bound to the aromatic rings of the charge transporting compound, and wherein the polymerization proceeds after some of the [(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]methyl groups have been partially cleaved and eliminated with an acid catalyst.
US08771905B2	Exposure mask and method for manufacturing same and method for manufacturing semiconductor device An exposure mask includes: an insulative substrate; a light reflecting film provided on the substrate; a light absorbing film provided on the light reflecting film and forming a pattern in a center region on the substrate; and an interconnect provided on the substrate, the light reflecting film and the light absorbing film not being provided in a frame-shaped region surrounding the center region, and the interconnect being placed so that a portion of a laminated film composed of the light reflecting film and the light absorbing film located inside the frame-shaped region is electrically connected to a portion of the laminated film located outside the frame-shaped region.
US08771900B2	Super-hydrophobic composite bipolar plate including a porous surface layer A hydrophobic composite bipolar plate for a fuel cell including a substrate having a composite material including carbon and a surface layer on the substrate. The surface layer includes silicon and oxygen, and a hydrocarbon moiety attached to at least one of the silicon or oxygen.
US08771899B2	Fuel cell components and systems having carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fibers According to one embodiment, a system includes a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst coupled to the hollow fiber, an anode extending along at least part of a length of the structure, and a cathode extending along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode. In another embodiment, a method includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure on an opposite side as the anode.
US08771893B2	Fuel cell system and operating method thereof A fuel cell system operating method in which a temperature of a fuel cell power generator is measured when the fuel cell power generator stops generating power, and it is determined whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, and a reverse current is supplied to the fuel cell power generator upon restart if the temperature was determined to be outside of the predetermined range so as to increase the efficiency of the system after restarting the fuel cell power generator after being exposed to extreme conditions. Subsequently, the reverse current supply to the fuel cell power generator stops and electric energy is generated through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell power generator.
US08771892B2	Fuel cell power generation system and operation stop method of the same A fuel cell power generation system including a fuel cell, a fuel generator, an oxidizing gas supply device, an output controller, an open-close mechanism, and a controller. The controller is configured such that in a stop process, the controller controls the output controller to stop supplying the electric power to an external load; controls the oxidizing gas supply device to stop supplying an oxidizing gas and controls the open-close mechanism to close a passage upstream from an oxidizing gas channel; after the passage upstream from the oxidizing gas channel is closed, stops a raw material gas supply device and a water supply device when a predetermined period has elapsed, during which period a gas in the oxidizing gas channel is replaced by a fuel gas.
US08771891B2	Diagnostic system for unbalanced motor shafts for high speed compressor A diagnostic system for determining whether a rotor shaft of a compressor is unbalanced. The compressor includes a displacement sensor that measures the displacement of the rotor shaft as it is rotating. The sensor dynamic frequency signal is sent to a bandpass filter that filters out an eigen-frequency frequency that is a function of shaft elasticity and rotor dynamics. The filtered frequency signal is then rectified by a rectifier to make the filtered frequency signal positive. The rectified signal is then passed through a low pass filter that converts the rectified signal to a DC signal. The DC signal is then sent to a controller that determines if the amplitude of the signal is above a predetermined threshold, which indicates a problem with the balance of the compressor.
US08771885B2	Circulation of biphase fuel cell coolant Coolant velocity greater than zero everywhere within the coolant channels (78, 85) of fuel cells (38) in a fuel cell stack (37) is assured by providing a flow of biphase fluid in the coolant channels, the flow being created by the outflow of a condenser (59). Positive pressure is applied to the coolant inlet (66) of the coolant channels. Biphase flow from an oxidant exhaust condenser, which may be a vehicle radiator (120), renders the coolant return flow more freeze tolerant. Using biphase flow within the coolant channels eliminates the need for a bubble-clearing liquid pump and reduces liquid inventory and other plumbing; this makes the fuel cell power plant more freeze tolerant.
US08771874B2	Negative electrode contacting silicon oxide active material layers for lithium secondary battery and method for producing the same The negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery includes: a current collector 11 having a plurality of bumps 11a on a surface thereof; a first active material layer formed on the current collector 11; and a second active material layer 15 disposed on the first active material layer 12 and including a plurality of active material particles 14. Each of the plurality of active material particles 14 is located on a corresponding bump 11a of the current collector 11, and each of the first active material layer 12 and the plurality of active material particles 14 has a chemical composition represented as SiOx (0
US08771870B2	Secondary battery having a sealing gasket with concave and convex portions A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes and a container for receiving the electrode assembly inside thereof. The secondary battery also includes a cap assembly fixed to the container to seal the container and a gasket disposed between the container and the cap assembly. The gasket has at least one concavo-convex portion on a surface contacting the container and/or the cap assembly. This improved gasket structure enhances the air tightness of the secondary battery.
US08771869B2	Secondary battery A secondary battery including an electrode assembly; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a collecting plate connected to the electrode assembly; a collecting terminal connected to the collecting plate and protruding out of the case; a terminal plate outside of the case, the terminal plate including a terminal through hole at one side thereof and a reinforcement member recess at another side thereof, the collecting terminal passing through the terminal through hole, and a female screw thread being provided to the reinforcement member recess; and a reinforcement member in the reinforcement member recess.
US08771864B2	Battery module A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, a first end plate adjacent a first outermost battery cell of the plurality of battery cells, a second end plate adjacent a second outermost battery cell of the plurality of battery cells, the second end plate being spaced apart from the first end plate along the first direction, a connecting member extending along the plurality of battery cells in the first direction, the connecting member having a first end connected to the first end plate and a second end connected to the second end plate, a first securing portion securing the first end of the connecting member to the first end plate, and a second securing portion securing the second end to the second end plate, the second securing portion having a different configuration from the first securing portion.
US08771863B2	Battery module and manufacturing method of battery module Provided is a battery module in which a stacked body (142) of a plurality of flat batteries (144A to 144D) stacked on one another is housed. The battery module includes the flat batteries, an output terminal, a metal container, insulating plates and an insulating cover (170). Each of the flat batteries (144A to 144D) includes a power-generating element, an exterior package member for sealing the power-generating element, and electrode terminals led out from the exterior package member. The output terminal is used to provide a parallel or series connection between the electrode terminals of the plurality of flat batteries (144A to 144D) and to output power therefrom. The metal container is used to house the stacked body. The insulating plates are disposed to hold the electrode terminals of the flat batteries (144A to 144D) therebetween in such a way to insulate the electrode terminals from one another, and also include window portions through which the electrode terminals are exposed for the connection. The insulating cover (170) is disposed in such a way to cover the window portions of the insulating plates (160A, 160E) located in the outermost layers.
US08771862B2	Battery pack and battery module containing same A bus bar holder for connecting electrode terminals of a plurality of batteries arranged in a lengthwise direction, the bus bar holder including a bus bar holder plate having an opening in a lengthwise direction thereof and configured such that at least some electrode terminals of the plurality of batteries are extendable through the opening and slidable along the opening; and a bus bar for electrically connecting at least two electrode terminals of adjacent batteries, wherein the bus bar holder plate includes a settling groove in which the bus bar is settled, and the bus bar attached to the electrode terminals is slidable when the electrode terminal slides along the opening.
US08771861B2	Secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same A secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the same, the secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a pouch, the electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and insulating the first electrode and the second electrode from each other, the pouch configured to have a bottom face and lateral faces extending from edges of the bottom face and including a cavity to accommodate the electrode assembly. The pouch includes an alignment protrusion provided on its lateral face. The electrode assembly including an alignment indentation provided at its edge. The alignment indentation corresponds to the alignment protrusion of the pouch.
US08771859B2	Separator for battery and nonaqueous electrolyte battery using same A separator for batteries according to the present invention includes a multilayer porous film having a resin porous film containing a thermoplastic resin as a main component and a heat resistant porous layer containing heat resistant particles as a main component, and the heat resistant porous layer has a thickness of 1 to 15 μm, and the 180° peel strength between the resin porous film and the heat resistant porous layer is 0.6 N/cm or more.
US08771858B2	Cooling device for a battery module A cooling device for a battery module and a battery device comprising said cooling device for a battery module are provided that includes a cooling element having at least one through hole extending from a first side of the cooling element facing the battery module to an opposite second side of the cooling element, at least one spring element disposed on the second side of the cooling element, in order to exert a contact force on the second side of the cooling element in a tensioned condition, and at least one clamping device coupled to the spring element and extending through the through hole, wherein a contact region of the clamping device extends beyond the second side of the cooling element when the spring element is in a relaxed condition.
US08771854B2	Secondary battery Provided is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly, and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The cap assembly includes a cap plate disposed over an upper opening of the case. The electrode terminal protrudes outwardly from a terminal hole of the cap plate. The electrode terminal includes a collecting terminal extending through the terminal hole of the cap plate, a terminal plate coupled with the collecting terminal, and a coupling terminal coupled with the terminal plate. The cap plate includes a short-circuit hole therein. The short-circuit hole is at a position corresponding to a position of the coupling terminal. A short-circuit member covers the short-circuit hole.
US08771851B2	Battery pack A battery pack includes a plurality of batteries, a circuit board electrically connected to the batteries, a housing having a battery receiving unit to receive the plurality of batteries, the circuit board being at an end of the housing, and a fuse unit electrically connected between the batteries and the circuit board. The fuse unit is coupled to a fuse fixing unit at a side surface of the housing.
US08771849B2	Perpendicular magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus using the same Embodiments of the present invention help allow accurate control of the magnetization reversal in a magnetic recording layer in small reversal units, whereby high-density recording can be achieved. According to one embodiment, by forming an intermediate layer having a granular structure similar to that of the magnetic recording layer below the magnetic recording layer, a continuous crystal grain boundary is formed at the interface between the magnetic recording layer and the intermediate layer, thereby preventing incomplete formation of the crystal grain boundary found in the initial growth layer of the magnetic recording layer. The intermediate layer comprises a non-magnetic alloy comprising Co and Cr as its main components and an oxide such as Al, Cr, Hf. Mg, Nb, Si, Ta, Ti and Zr. Further, the average content of the oxygen element in the intermediate layer is in the range from 6 at % to 20 at %.
US08771848B2	Bit patterned magnetic media A bit patterned magnetic recording medium, comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; a plurality of spaced apart magnetic elements on the surface, each of the elements constituting a discrete magnetic domain or bit; and a layer of a ferromagnetic material for regulating magnetic exchange coupling between said magnetic elements. The layer has a saturation magnetization Ms ranging from about 1 to about 2,000 emu/cm3, preferably below about 400 emu/cm3, more preferably below about 200 emu/cm3, and may overlie, underlie, or at least partially fill spaces between adjacent magnetic elements.
US08771846B2	Intermetallic magnetically readable medium An intermetallic or iron aluminide magnetically readable medium and a method of forming and reading the same are provided herein. Also provided is an identification card or tag, a key, an anti-counterfeiting measure, an anti-forging measure. The intermetallic or iron aluminide magnetically readable medium includes a magnetically readable surface, wherein the magnetically readable surface contains one or more first magnetically readable regions of the intermetallic or iron aluminide surrounded by one or more second magnetically readable regions. Additionally, the intermetallic or iron aluminide magnetically readable medium can be coated, encapsulated or concealed within a material.
US08771843B2	Fluorene derivative, organic compound, and light-emitting element, light-emitting device, and electronic device using the compound To provide a novel organic compound having a bipolar property. To reduce power consumption of a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic device. The organic compound has a fluorene skeleton and a structure in which an electron-accepting unit and a hole-accepting unit are bonded through carbon at the 9-position of the fluorene skeleton. The organic compound has a bipolar property and a large band gap. The use of the organic compound makes it possible to reduce power consumption of a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and an electronic device.
US08771837B2	Metal fiber with chamfered longitudinal corners The metal fiber has fiber outer surfaces (1) oriented substantially at right angles to each other and can also be provided with bent ends in the shape of a clip. The metal fiber is used to stabilize, strengthen, or fasten materials such as concrete, wood and the like. The fiber edges (2) formed by the fiber outer surfaces (1) of the metal fiber and extending in the longitudinal direction of the fiber are designed as edge surfaces (4) oriented at an angle to the fiber outer surfaces (1) in the manner of a chamfer. Said edge surfaces (4) have projections, which form anchoring heads (3) that are anchored in the materials to be stabilized, strengthened, or fastened.
US08771835B2	Substantially biodegradable and compostable high-barrier packaging material and methods for production Bio-degradable, high-barrier packaging materials and methods for production are provided. The present high-barrier packaging materials include a substrate having a print side and a back side, a coating having nano pigments on the print side and a metalized film applied to the back side with a binding layer. Preferably, at least one of the metalized film and the binding layer includes polylactic acid. Moreover, the back side preferably also includes a polylactic acid heat seal layer.
US08771831B2	Multi-functional yarns and fabrics having anti-microbial, anti-static and anti-odor characterisitics The present invention is directed to yarns and fabrics that exhibit anti-static, anti-odor, and anti-microbial properties. The yarn is comprised of several groups of predetermined fibers. One of these groups of predetermined fibers comprises fibers that exhibit anti-microbial, anti-odor and anti-static characteristics. In one embodiment, the yarn comprises a first plurality of fibers, a second plurality of fibers that are different from the fibers of the first plurality, and a third plurality of fibers that are different from the fibers of the first and second pluralities. In one embodiment, the fibers which exhibit anti-microbial, anti-odor and anti-static properties are metallic coated fibers. Other fibers used to form different embodiments of the yarns include cotton, nylon, polyester, wool, meta-aramid fibers, para-aramid fibers, and stretch fibers.
US08771825B2	Photo paper A sheet of photo paper comprises a substrate, a top coat deposited on the image receiving side of the substrate, a polyethylene coating deposited on the top coat, and an image receiving coating deposited on the polyethylene coating. A method of making a sheet of photo paper, comprising layering a pre-coat onto a substrate, layering a top coat onto the pre-coat, layering a polyethylene coating onto the top coat, and layering an image receiving coating onto the polyethylene coating.
US08771824B2	Ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet and recording material An ultraviolet-curable composition for inkjet, which is discharged by an inkjet method, includes a polymerized compound, a metal powder, and a dispersant. The metal powder is treated by a surface preparation with a fluorinated silane compound and/or a fluorinated phosphate ester as a surface preparation agent. The dispersant has a polymeric structure in a basic.
US08771823B2	Thermoplastic part, tool and method for the manufacturing thereof A composite part comprises a sheet of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material and a sheet of non-reinforced thermoplastic material superposedly attached together. Both sheets are iointly deformed substantially differently along different axes. A tool for manufacturing the part made of the sheet of thermoplastic material comprises a female die and a male die. The female die has a cavity, whose wall has a bottom portion and a top portion. The male die has a backing structure, a support attached to the backing structure and a heat-resistant bladder. A method of manufacturing the part made of the sheet of thermoplastic material comprises the step of applying pressure on the thermoplastic sheet against the wall of the female die from the bottom of the female die to a splitting line of the female die by inflating a deformable portion of the male die.
US08771821B2	Honeycomb body with flexible connecting points, exhaust-gas treatment unit and motor vehicle A honeycomb body is formed of at least one at least partially structured sheet-metal foil and has a plurality of channels. The sheet-metal foil has a course or profile direction and includes top-side connecting points and bottom-side connecting points to itself or to at least one additional smooth sheet-metal foil or structured sheet-metal foil. At least the top-side connecting points or bottom-side connecting points form a curved connection line and expansion joints between the respective connection points of the curved connection line. An exhaust-gas treatment unit and a motor vehicle are also provided.
US08771820B1	Glove saver A patch that can be affixed to handwear, such as a glove, to extend the life of the glove by providing a wear-resistant surface. An operable patch can repair one or more hole in the glove, and/or provide a primary wear surface disposed over the glove's conventional exterior surface. A preferred patch includes an adhesive layer that bonds the patch to the handwear. A bead of adhesive, such as cyanoacrylate, can be added to the perimeter of the patch for additional security of installation. A preferred wear-resistant surface is formed by a drapable layer carrying a plurality of fibrous loop structures on one side. Certain embodiments are structured to permit a user to make a tool-free repair of handwear in the field.
US08771817B2	Method for applying an elastomer on a sheath A method for applying an elastomer on a sheath (2) includes the step of applying by pad-printing an elastomer layer on a portion (20) of the sheath (2). A pad-printing machine (1) is also provided for implementing the method. The invention can particularly be used for textile sheaths used in the protection of exhaust-gas flow pipes in an automobile.
US08771816B2	Controlling melt fracture in bimodal resin pipe A method of preparing a medium-density polyethylene pipe comprising melting a multimodal metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resin to form a molten polyethylene, wherein the multimodal metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resin has a density of from about 0.925 g/ml to about 0.942 g/ml, a magnitude of slip-stick greater than about 300 psi, a stress for smooth to matte transition of greater than about 90 kPa of stress, and a shear rate for smooth to matte transition greater than about 10 s−1, wherein the magnitude of slip-stick, stress for smooth to matte transition, and shear rate for smooth to matte transition are determined by a capillary rheology test; and forming the molten polyethylene resin into pipe. A pipe prepared from a multimodal metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resin having a density of from about 0.925 g/ml to about 0.942 g/ml, a magnitude of slip-stick greater than about 300 psi; a stress for smooth to matte transition of greater than about 90 kPa, and a shear rate for smooth to matte transition greater than about 10 s−1, wherein the magnitude of slip-stick, stress for smooth to matte transition, and shear rate for smooth to matte transition are determined by a capillary rheology test.
US08771810B2	Polymerizable composition, polymer, and film A polymerizable composition containing a compound represented by the formula (I) or the formula (I′) is useful for formation of films having a high Δn with no coloration. P1 and P2 each are a polymerizable group; m1 and m2 each are an integer of from 1 to 10; A1 to A4 each are a predetermined cyclic group; R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl; in the formula (I), Z1 is —COO—, —COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—, —NHCO— or —NR1CO—; L1 and L2 each are —O—, —S—, —COO—, —COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—, —OCOO—, —NHCO— or —NR1CO; n1 is 1 or 2; in the formula (I′), Z1 and Z2 each are —COO—, —OCO—, —NHCO— or NR1CO; L1 and L2 each are —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCOO—, —NHCO— or NR1CO; n1 and n2 each are 1 or 2.
US08771802B1	Device and materials fabrication and patterning via shaped slot electrode control of direct electrostatic powder deposition An object fabricating apparatus is comprised of at least one charged powder cloud generating system, at least one electrode proximate to the powder cloud generating system and comprising at least one shaped slot, and a voltage supply in communication with each electrode to electrostatically modulate the flow of charged powder to a conductive substrate electrically biased to provide an electrostatic attraction of the charged powder to the substrate. An object fabricating method is also disclosed that uses the object fabricating apparatus.
US08771798B2	Anti-fouling compositions with a fluorinated alkyl- or alkoxy- containing polymer or oligomer An anti-fouling composition which comprises a cured or cross-linked polymer free of perfluoropolyether moieties and a fluid fluorinated alkyl- or alkoxy-containing polymer or oligomer. Preferably, the fluorinated alkyl- or alkoxy-containing polymer or oligomer comprises a repeating unit of the general formula: —{[CFR—(CFR)m—(O)n]p—[CFR—O]q}— wherein n is 0 or 1, m is an integer from 0 to 4, R independently is H, F, Cl, Br, or CF3, and the ratio q/p is 0-10, and the fluorine-free polymer is an organosiloxane-containing polymer comprising a repeating unit of the general structure —[SiR1R2—O]—, wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or a vinyl group.
US08771797B2	Aqueous coating composition The invention relates to aqueous coating compositions comprising a cross-linkable binder resin and a liquid carrier, wherein said cross-linkable binder resin comprises a copolymer A) comprising:5 to 64% by weight of a reaction product of at least one fatty acid having at least one ethylenically double bond and one hydroxyl group in the molecule with a polyalcohol having a hydroxyl functionality of 2 to 8, wherein the % by weight are relative to the binder solids of copolymer A).
US08771793B2	Vacuum assisted slot die coating techniques Systems, apparatuses, techniques and processes for applying a wet film to a substrate using a slot die are provided. In one form, the air pressure around at least a portion of the discharge end of the slot die is adjustable by the application of a vacuum force in order to control the width and thickness of the wet film being applied to the substrate. In one aspect of this form, the wet film is a narrow, continuous stripe of reagent material applied to a moving web of the substrate from which a plurality of test elements will be obtained. However, different forms and applications are also envisioned.
US08771780B2	Oligosaccharide ingredient An oligosaccharide ingredient comprising glycosylated amino acids and peptides of the general formula RnSacm where R is an amino acid residue, Sac is a monosaccharide selected from the group comprising N-acetyl-neuraminic acid, N-acetyl galactosamine and galactose, n has a value between 1 and 10 with the proviso that if n has the value 1 R is a threonine residue or a serine residue and if n has a value between 2 and 10 the peptide contains at least one threonine or serine residue, m has a value between 2 and 4 and at least 20 mol % of the ingredient is N-acetyl-neuraminic acid.
US08771779B2	Method for reversing an oxidized off-flavor from milk A method of reversing the formation of an oxidized off-flavor in milk that includes providing milk, and heating the milk to a temperature between approximately 70° C. and approximately 90° C. for a period of between approximately 25 seconds and approximately 60 seconds.
US08771778B2	Stabilized foam The present invention comprises a gel-stabilized foam for use in food products. Foam bubbles are stabilized by either a continuous gel coating or a particulate gel coating created under high shear conditions. The foam is viscous and shelf-stable, and can be combined with a viscous food product to lower its caloric density and improve its organoleptic properties.
US08771776B2	Method to produce, transport, and utilize flour and flour blends A method to produce a food product comprises the steps of providing a plurality of flint corn kernels; drying the flint corn kernels; popping the flint corn kernels; cooling the porous, airy, elastic foam particles produced during popping; cutting with a moving blade said porous, airy foam particles into pieces having a width greater than 0.005 inches to produce an elastic, air entrained popcorn flour occupying a volume; and, vacuum packaging the elastic popcorn flour to reduce the volume occupied by the popcorn flour.
US08771772B2	Method to separate lipids from cheese whey Shown is a method of selectively separating milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules from whey. The method includes the steps of adding to whey an amount of a whey-soluble zinc salt and adjusting the pH of the whey to be less than 6.0. The amount of zinc salt added to the whey is sufficient to cause milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules contained in the whey to precipitate selectively from the whey.
US08771768B2	Beverage cartridge A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium and an outlet for the beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, the cartridge incorporating within a beverage flow path between the inlet and the outlet an eductor for entraining air into the beverage, the eductor comprising an aperture for producing a low pressure jet of the beverage.
US08771762B2	Method and apparatus for treating pests A device for treating pests and method for using the same. The device comprises an effective amount of endod. The device can be placed in a body of water wherein the endod treats the pests. Additionally the device can be placed in a pipe whereby a combination of the endod and the mechanical force of the water removes the pests in the pipe.
US08771761B2	Composition for treating atopic dermatitis comprising extracts of bamboo and scutellaria The present invention relates to a composition comprising of plant extract as an active component, specifically, Bamboo extract and Scutellaria extract, for the treatment and prevention of atopic dermatitis. The present invention is a natural ingredient obtained from a plant. The present invention can control immune responses by inhibiting the release of histamine and leukotriene, and thus, has effect in the treatment or prevention of allergic diseases, inflammatory diseases and skin diseases, specifically atopic dermatitis. The present invention has been proven safe and beneficial effecting the treatment of atopic dermatitis through clinical trials, and thus, can be used for the treatment and prevention of atopic dermatitis.
US08771755B2	Preparation and compositions of highly bioavailable zerovalent sulfur and uses thereof The present invention features sulfur-rich compositions and preparations thereof that are safe and effective as hydrogen sulfide prodrugs of high bioavailability. The invention also includes methods of treating pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress using sulfur-rich compositions. The invention further includes sulfur-rich compositions as antidotes and medical food for preserving and promoting general health.
US08771753B2	Systems and methods for generating germicidal compositions The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating germicidal compositions for use in a wide variety of settings, including agricultural settings, food production settings, hospitality settings, health care settings, health club settings, exercise facility settings, research based settings, veterinarian settings, medical settings, hydraulic fracturing settings, and/or any setting requiring disinfection.
US08771752B2	Composition for preventing and treating fatty liver A composition for preventing and treating fatty liver is disclosed. The composition includes a lactoferrin and a trivalent chromium compound. The trivalent chromium compound of the present invention is selected from the group consisting of chromium (III) chloride hexahydrate, chromium (III) chloride, chromium (III) acetate, chromium (III) sulfate, chromium picolinate, chromium nicotinate, chromium GTF, chromium yeast extract, other inorganic salts of trivalent chromium, other organic salts of trivalent chromium, and combinations thereof. The composition of the present invention can provide a beneficial effect in preventing and treating fatty liver by effectively reducing multiple risk factors of fatty liver disease.
US08771748B2	Rapid setting calcium phosphate cements Methods are provided for producing compositions, e.g. pastes or clays, which rapidly set into high-strength calcium phosphate products. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include calcium and phosphate sources, as well as a monovalent cation dihydrogen phosphate salt, are combined with a setting fluid and the combined reactants are mixed to produce the settable composition. A feature of the invention is that cements rapidly set into high strength product compositions. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including hard tissue repair applications.
US08771747B2	Microemulsions with adsorbed macromolecules and microparticles Microparticles with adsorbent surfaces, methods of making such microparticles, and uses thereof, are disclosed. The microparticles comprise a polymer, such as a poly(α-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, and the like, and are formed using cationic, anionic, or nonionic detergents. The surface of the microparticles efficiently adsorb biologically active macromolecules, such as DNA, polypeptides, antigens, and adjuvants. Also provided are compositions of an oil droplet emulsion having a metabolizable oil and an emulsifying agent. Immunogenic compositions having an immunostimulating amount of an antigenic substance, and an immunostimulating amount of an adjuvant composition are also provided. Methods of stimulating an immune response, methods of immunizing a host animal against a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection, and methods of increasing a Th1 immune response in a host animal by administering to the animal an immunogenic composition of the microparticles, and/or microemulsions of the invention, are also provided.
US08771741B2	In vivo photodynamic therapy of cancer via a near infrared agent encapsulated in calcium phosphate nanoparticles Nano-encapsulated photosensitizers and their use in the treatment of tumors and/or imaging is described. Preferably, the photosensitizers are encapsulated in a calcium phosphate nanoparticle (CPNP). Encapsulating the PS in a CPNP increases the half-life of the PS, increases absorption of the PS into the target cell tissue, increases the photostability of the PS, increases the photoefficiency of the PS, increases in vivo retention of the PS, or combinations thereof, ultimately making it a highly efficacious agent for use in photodynamic therapy, imaging target tissues, vessels, or tumors, and/or detecting or locating tumors.
US08771739B2	Pharmaceutical compositions for poorly soluble drugs The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition of a practically insoluble drug, wherein the composition may be administered with food or without food. The composition may be in the form of a solid dispersion of the practically insoluble drug and a polymer having acidic functional groups, and the composition may in vitro form a suspension.
US08771734B2	Sustained-release hydrogel preparation A sustained-release preparation is provided which comprises a drug and a bioabsorbable polymer hydrogel, wherein a concentration gradient of the drug is formed in the hydrogel. Also disclosed is a method of sustained release of a drug in vivo using the sustained-release preparation of the invention. The directionality of the drug release may be controlled by employing the sustained-release preparation of the invention. The sustained-release preparation of the invention is particularly useful as an anti-cancer agent.
US08771729B2	Orally administered corticosteroid compositions The present invention is directed to orally administered corticosteroid compositions. The present invention also provides a method for treating a condition associated with inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in an individual. The method comprises administering to an individual in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.
US08771727B2	Microfluidized oil-in-water emulsions and vaccine compositions This invention provides submicron oil-in-water emulsions useful as a vaccine adjuvant for enhancing the immunogenicity of antigens. The present invention also provides vaccine compositions containing an antigen combined with such emulsions intrinsically or extrinsically. Methods of preparing the emulsions and vaccines are also provided by the present invention.
US08771726B2	Nail patch The present subject matter provides a nail patch comprising a backing layer and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on at least one side of the backing layer, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive base, terbinafine and/or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and sodium acetate and/or sorbitan monolaurate as a solubilizer.
US08771718B2	Formulated tick and insect repellent compositions The present invention pertains to the field of tick- or insect-repellent formulated compositions containing dihydronepetalactone, a nepetalactam, a dihydronepetalactam and/or their respective derivatives, and one or more additives to provide a useful and effective means of delivering the composition in the manner and to the location as desired by the user.
US08771715B2	Compositions and methods for treatment The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.
US08771711B2	Sprayable gel-type skin/mucosa-adhesive preparation and administration system using the preparation The present invention provides a sprayable gel-type skin/mucosa-adhesive preparation comprising a gel formulation which contains an active pharmaceutical ingredient in a gel base material comprising a skin/mucosa-adhesive agent and an administration system comprising the preparation.
US08771710B2	Fusion proteins and their use in the diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis The present invention relates generally to a fusion protein made from a synthetic gene construct comprising of elements derived from the Leishmania antigens K26, K39, and K9. The fusion protein is particularly useful in the diagnosis of leishmaniasis, particularly visceral leishmaniasis in animals such as humans and dogs.
US08771706B2	Anti-RSV immunogens and methods of immunization Immunogenic polypeptides corresponding to one or more RSV G glycoproteins, or analogs thereof, are provided as components of vaccines. The inventive compositions are useful as both a prophylactic and therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of RSV infections and associated pulmonary or other diseases. The inventive immunogens include regions of the RSV G protein, specifically, amino acid residues 164-176 of RSV G A2 protein or analogs thereof. This inventive immunogen is operable alone or in combination with other polypeptides such as the RSV G protein amino acid residues 155-206, or other vaccines such as live RSV vaccines, or inactivated RSV vaccines or immunogenic analogs thereof.
US08771705B2	Combination of protein vaccine and mesenchymal stem cells for treating cancer A method for inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in a mammal is disclosed. The method comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of stem cells comprising a transgene encoding at least one oncogenic protein, wherein the stem cells are immortal and show no signs of neoplastic transformation; and administering to the mammal a vaccine composition comprising an effective amount of at least one immunogenic protein capable of eliciting at least one antibody specific against the at least one oncogenic protein, and thereby inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in the mammal. A therapeutic kit for inhibiting growth and/or metastasis of a tumor in a mammal is also disclosed.
US08771702B2	Non-hemolytic LLO fusion proteins and methods of utilizing same The present invention provides recombinant proteins or peptides comprising a mutated listeriolysin O (LLO) protein or fragment thereof, comprising a substitution or internal deletion of the cholesterol-binding domain or a portion thereof, fusion proteins or peptides comprising same, nucleotide molecules encoding same, and vaccine vectors comprising or encoding same. The present invention also provides methods of utilizing recombinant proteins, peptides, nucleotide molecules, and vaccine vectors of the present invention to induce an immune response to a peptide of interest.
US08771700B2	Interferon antagonists, antibodies thereto and associated methods of use Described are compositions and methods useful for modulating the immune system of a subject. Also included are diagnostic methods for monitoring an immunologic condition. In particular the invention relates to antagonists of interferon proteins and associated methods of use as well as methods to develop neutralizing antibodies against IFN antagonists to treat viral infections.
US08771697B2	Methods of treatment using anti-IL-17A/IL-17F cross-reactive antibodies This invention provides fully human monoclonal antibodies that recognize IL-17F, the IL-17F homodimer, IL-17A, the IL-17A homodimer, and/or the heterodimeric IL-17A/IL-17F protein complex. The invention further provides methods of using such monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and prophylactic.
US08771695B2	Antibodies directed to HER-3 and uses thereof The present invention relates to binding proteins that bind to HER-3 and polynucleotides encoding the same. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the same for the production of the binding protein of the invention are also provided. In addition, the invention provides compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating diseases associated with HER-3 mediated signal transduction and/or its ligand heregulin.
US08771691B2	Methods for the treatment and the prognostic assessment of malignant pleural mesothelioma The present invention relates to methods for the treatment and the prognostic assessment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.
US08771690B2	Class I anti-CEA antibodies and uses thereof The present invention provides compositions and methods of use of humanized, chimeric or human Class I anti-CEA antibodies or fragments thereof, preferably comprising the light chain variable region CDR sequences SASSRVSYIH (SEQ ID NO:1); GTSTLAS (SEQ ID NO:2); and QQWSYNPPT (SEQ ID NO:3); and the heavy chain variable region CDR sequences DYYMS (SEQ ID NO:4); FIANKANGHTTDYSPSVKG (SEQ ID NO:5); and DMGIRWNFDV (SEQ ID NO:6). The Class I anti-CEA antibodies or fragments are useful for treating diseases, such as cancer, wherein the diseased cells express CEACAM5 and/or CEACAM6 antigens. The Class I anti-CEA antibodies or fragments are also of use for interfering with specific processes, such as metastasis, invasiveness and/or adhesion of cancer cells, or for enhancing sensitivity of cancer cells to cytotoxic agents and have favorable effects on the survival of subjects with cancer.
US08771688B2	Method of treating malignant mesothelioma The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent for malignant mesothelioma comprising a substance which inhibits binding of CD26 to extracellular matrix such as an siRNA targeting CD26 cDNA or an anti-CD26 antibody. The present invention also relates to a method of treating malignant mesothelioma, which comprises administering the substance to a patient in need thereof.
US08771686B2	Methods for treating a disease involving choroidal neovascularization by administering an IL-6 receptor antibody The present inventors focused on the fact that inflammation at the subretinal macular area enhances choroidal neovascularization, and developed pharmaceutical agents that suppress initiation or advancement of neovascularization by angiogenic factors such as VEGF. More specifically, the present inventors revealed that administering anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies to mice treated with laser photocoagulation inhibits the development of choroidal neovascularization.
US08771682B2	Methods and compositions for reducing interleukin-4 or interleukin-13 signaling The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for reducing Interleukin-4 or Interleukin-13 signaling, in particular to treat asthma and atopic dermatitis. The inventors have found that Rac/PAK mediated endocytosis of the ligand bound type I (IL-4R with the chains IL-4Ra and IL-2-Rg) and/or type II receptor (IL-13R with the chains IL-4Ra and IL-13Ra1) is needed for the IL-4 and/or IL-13 mediated activation of downstream signalling events including phosphorylation of Stat family transcrition factors. These discoveries enable new methods of screening compounds that modulate Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 signalling, as well as new methods for treating conditions characterized by increased Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 levels. These conditions include inflammatory conditions, asthma bronchiale, atopic dermatitis, allergies, atopic syndromes, allergic rhinitis, and th2-induced conditions.
US08771680B2	Topical co-enzyme Q10 formulations and methods of use Topical formulations of CoQ10 reduce the rate of tumor growth in an animcal subject. In the experiments described herein, CoQ10 was shown to increase the rate of apoptosis in a culture of skin cancer cells but not normal cells. Moreover, treatment of tumor-bearing animals with a topical formulation of CoQ10 was shown to dramatically reduce the rate of tumor growth in the animals.
US08771678B2	Methods of using adipose tissue-derived cells in augmenting autologous fat transfer Methods of treating patients for conditions such as breast augmentation, soft tissue defects, and urinary incontinence, are described. The methods include removing adipose tissue from a patient, processing a portion of the adipose tissue to obtain a substantially isolated population of cells comprising disaggregated adipose-derived stem cells, mixing the concentrated population of adipose-derived cells comprising disaggregated adipose-derived cells with a portion of unprocessed, intact, non-disaggregated adipose tissue to form a composition, and administering the composition to the patient from which the adipose tissue was removed.
US08771676B2	Agrochemically active microbial formulation The present invention provides an agrochemically active microbial formulation comprising a combination of an agrochemically active microbe with a specified ester compound and a surfactant, the formulation exhibiting a stable pest controlling effect with no harmful effect on a plant and having highly stable viability of the agrochemically active microbe.
US08771675B2	Probiotic strains for pets The present invention provides novel strains of probiotics for use in the gastrointestinal tract of a pet. The probiotics of the present invention are capable of fermenting starch to produce lactic acid and/or hydrogen peroxide anti-pathogenic metabolites. The present invention also provides a novel method for identifying the effectiveness of a pet probiotic in vitro. The method simulates the introduction of a probiotic candidate in the gastrointestinal tract of a pet and measures the anti-pathogenic effectiveness of the probiotic.
US08771672B2	Biological material suitable for the therapy of osteoarthrosis, ligament damage and for the treatment of joint disorders The present invention regards a biological material comprising: a) a liquid carrier comprising a viscous solution containing at least one natural and/or semisynthetic polysaccharide, and having a Dynamic viscosity measured at 20° C. and at shear rate of D=350 s−1, comprised between 100 and 250 c Poise and/or a Kinematic viscosity comprised between 99 and 248 cSt (measured at the same conditions); b) a culture of mesenchymal stem cells, and/or c) a platelet-rich hemo-derivative. This type of material in form of viscous liquid is particularly suitable for the therapy of osteoarthrosis, ligament damage, in particular tendon and cartilage damage) and may be administered intra-articularly, intradermally or directly applied in situ without altering the properties of the mesenchymal stem cells and/or platelets contained therein.
US08771671B2	Induced activation in dendritic cells The present invention is directed to a composition and method which to treat diseases and to enhance a regulated immune response. More particularly, the present invention is drawn to compositions that are based on dendritic cells modified to express an inducible form of a co-stimulatory polypeptide.
US08771668B2	Commensal bacteria as signal mediators within a mammalian host Genetically engineered cells and microorganisms are provided for preventing or ameliorating diseases through genetically engineered quorum signaling. Therapeutic methods for using the cells and microorganisms to prevent or ameliorate diseases are also provided. The genetically engineered cells or microorganisms can be engineered to express a signal and used to interrupt the signaling-dependent virulence of an invading pathogen. The cells or microorganisms can be used to provide signal-dependent expression of a desirable gene in order to interrupt, prevent, and/or ameliorate a disease of mammals, such as parasitic diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases and genetic disorders.
US08771665B2	Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus polymerase The present invention provides, among other things, compounds represented by the general Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X, Y, R1A, R1B, R2, and R3 are as defined in classes and subclasses herein and compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising such compounds, which compounds are useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus polymerase, and thus are useful, for example, as medicaments for the treatment of HCV infection.
US08771653B2	Anti-ultraviolet additive comprising a UVA filter, a UVB filter and an oil that is a solvent for said filters, and use thereof in coloured and/or perfumed compositions The invention relates to an additive comprising at least 95 wt. % of a mixture consisting of at least one organic filter filtering UVA, at least one organic filter filtering UVB, and from 1 to 50 wt. % of at least one non-volatile oil that is a solvent for said filters. This composition is particularly useful as an agent for protecting the organoleptic properties of a transparent cosmetic composition, against UV radiation.
US08771644B2	Imaging probes The present invention relates to molecular probes of the formula (I) {L1-R1-L}n-A-CO—NH—R2-L2 (I) as defined herein that allow for the observation of the catalytic activity of a selected cathepsin in in vitro assays, in cells or in multicellular organisms, a method for their preparation and the use thereof.
US08771636B2	Chemical processes and reactors for efficiently producing hydrogen fuels and structural materials, and associated systems and methods Chemical processes and reactors for efficiently producing hydrogen fuels and structural materials and associated systems and methods. A representative process includes dissociating a hydrogen donor into dissociation products by adding energy to the hydrogen donor, wherein the energy includes waste heat generated by a process other than dissociating the hydrogen donor. The process can further include providing, from the dissociation products, a structural building block and/or a hydrogen-based fuel, with the structural building block based on carbon, nitrogen, boron, silicon, sulfur, and/or a transition metal.
US08771635B2	Hydrogen release from complex metal hydrides by solvation in ionic liquids A hydrogen release material includes a complex metal hydride and an ionic liquid wherein the hydrogen release material has a lower hydrogen release temperature in comparison to the complex metal hydride alone. Also disclosed is a process of releasing hydrogen from a storage material including the steps of: providing a complex metal hydride; combining the metal hydride with an ionic liquid in a desired amount forming a mixture; and heating the mixture to a temperature releasing hydrogen wherein the temperature is lower in comparison to the complex metal hydride alone.
US08771633B2	Lime-based compositions, method for making them and their use in treating water and sludge A composition based on lime comprising at least one mineral agent consisting of slaked lime in the solid phase and of an organic polymer incorporated into said solid phase, a method for its making and the use for its application in the treatment of water and sludge, in particular for conditioning sludge before dewatering.
US08771617B2	Method for extracting tungsten from scheelite A method for extracting tungsten from scheelite by: 1) adding a mixed acid including H2SO4 and H3PO4 to a decomposition reactor; 2) heating the mixed acid to a temperature of 70-100° C.; adding scheelite while controlling the mixed acid present in an amount of 3-8 L per kg of scheelite; allowing the components in the decomposition reactor to react for 1-6 h, and filtering the resulting mixture to obtain a filtrate; 3) supplementing the filtrate with sulfuric acid consumed in the reaction; 4) crystallizing the filtrate to obtain phosphotungstic acid crystals and mother liquor; 5) dissolving the phosphotungstic acid crystals in water to obtain a phosphotungstic acid solution; 6) transforming the phosphotungstic acid solution into an ammonium tungstate solution for the purpose of preparing ammonium paratungstate; and 7) supplementing the mother liquor with phosphoric acid and water to an initial level and reusing the mother liquor for ore leaching.
US08771615B2	Compound container and pouring-out method A compound container has a container main body forming a first accommodation chamber, an auxiliary container forming a second accommodation chamber, a mounting part on which the auxiliary container is mounted in the container main body, a cutting part which cuts a second accommodation chamber partition wall which partitions a part of the second accommodation chamber formed in the auxiliary container, a contents outlet port in the container main body, and an opening pouring element mounted on the contents outlet port and having another cutting part which cuts a first accommodation chamber partition wall which partitions a part of the first accommodation chamber formed in the container main body.
US08771608B2	Substance detecting apparatus An apparatus for using sensors having test strip with sheaths surrounding sensitive area configured to detect certain substance in a liquid test specimen includes a carrier having spaced-apart openings to frictionally hold the sensors, a loading portion to insert the sensors through the openings and to displace the sheaths thereby exposing predetermined lengths of the sensitive areas of the sensors, a testing portion including a container for containing a test specimen as only specified lengths of the predetermined lengths of the sensitive areas of the sensors are submerged in the test specimen, and an extracting portion structured and configured to receive the carrier with the plurality of said sensors inserted therethrough, the extracting portion having a comb-like structure for displacing the sheaths to return them to their stowed configurations and to eject the sensors from the carrier.
US08771601B2	Method and apparatus for converting organic material The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for intensifying the energy content of an organic material by converting the material into hydrocarbons and the resulting product thereof. A method for converting an organic material into hydrocarbon fuels is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of pressurising said organic material being in a fluid to a pressure above 225 bar, heating said organic material in said fluid to a temperature above 200 C in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IA of the periodic table of elements. The disclosed method further comprises the steps of contacting said organic material in said fluid with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a compound of at least one element of group IVB of the periodic table and/or alpha-alumina assuring that said fluid has initially a pH value of above 7.
US08771599B2	Ion detecting apparatus and ion generating apparatus An air blower including a motor 2 having output shafts 21, 21 on both sides in the axial direction and two impellers 3, 3 mounted on the respective output shafts 21, 21, and two ducts 5, 5 that individually allow passage of the air blown out by rotation of each of the impellers 3, 3 in the same direction and discharge the air to the outside are included. At a part or the whole of each of the ducts 5, 5, a laminar flow section that makes the flowing air laminar flow. An ion generating section is arranged at each laminar flow section so that ions generated by the ion generating section can effectively be included in the air, increasing the ion concentration of ions discharged in a room together with the air.
US08771596B2	Method and apparatus for sterilizing infectious material A method and apparatus for sterilization of infectious waste including animals, infected animal herds, infected human corpses and other infected material and proper disposal of resultant waste. The method and apparatus specifically relates to methods of safely sterilizing and disposing of infectious and non-infectious bio-waste in a cost effective manner.
US08771593B2	Method and device for preventing corrosion in hot water systems Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.
US08771591B1	Silver alloy with high tarnish resistance A high tarnish resistant silver alloy composition formulated for jewelry and flatware manufacture is provided. In certain implementations, the alloy contains about 92%-97% by weight silver, about 0.25%-3.5% by weight palladium, about 0%-3.5% by weight platinum, about 0%-2.5% by weight gold, about 0.1%-1.0% by weight copper, about 0.5%-3.5% by weight zinc, about 0.1%-1.5% by weight tin, about 0.25%-1.5% by weight indium, about 0.03%-1.1% by weight silicon, about 0%-0.5% by weight germanium, about 0.15%-0.5% by weight gallium, about 0.25%-0.5% by weight cobalt and about 0%-0.5% by weight ruthenium. These unique combinations of elements result in the alloys with the tarnish resistance superior to typical 10K gold alloy.
US08771587B2	Copper anode furnace and a method for operating the same A copper anode furnace includes a furnace drum which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis and in which copper melt is refined into anode copper by fire refining. The furnace drum is provided with a spout for pouring out the refined copper. A sliding closure is arranged on the spout of the furnace drum. The sliding closure includes at least one stationary, fireproof closing plate and a fireproof sliding plate which can be displaced relative to the closing plate. Through the displacement of the sliding plate, the outflow out the furnace drum can be regulated or closed and therefore the outflow amount of the copper can be controlled. A drawing of slag into the casting, which reduces the anode quality, can be prevented using the sliding closure.
US08771576B2	Processes for providing images on resin structures A process for printing an image on a surface of a resin member includes providing a transfer medium with an image on one side of the transfer medium, providing a liquid resin, placing the one side of the transfer medium with the image and the liquid resin in contact with each other, and partially curing the liquid resin to form the resin member while maintaining the image of the transfer medium in contact with an image side of the resin member. The process may include placing the liquid resin and/or the transfer medium in a mold for shaping the resin member during curing.
US08771573B2	Method for producing a plastic housing comprising an incorporated guide and/or bearing for mechanical components The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic housing, where at least one first plastic housing part with at least one guide or bearing for at least one mechanically movable component, in particular a sensor, is produced in a first molding step, the at least one first plastic housing part is overmolded in a second molding step while a second plastic housing part is being formed, in order to form an integral plastic housing. Moreover, the invention relates to a plastic housing with at least one first plastic housing part including at least one guide or bearing for at least one mechanically movable component, where the at least one plastic housing part is entirely or partially overmolded by a second plastic housing part so that the integral plastic housing is formed.
US08771571B2	Method for preparing high water-absorption and anti-bacterial gamma polyglutamic acid fibers A method for preparing a polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) fiber having antibacterial and water absorption properties is provided. The method includes providing a γ-PGA fiber and immersing it in a sodium hypochlorite solution. A relation exists between an immersing time T of the γ-PGA fiber and a concentration X of the sodium hypochlorite solution as shown in the formula below: 10.2≦(T−64.55X2+50X)≦15.2, wherein X is 0.006-0.4 wt %.
US08771569B2	Polyethylene film and method for the manufacture thereof The present invention pertains to a polyethylene film and a process for manufacturing such film. The polyethylene film may have a ratio between the strength in a first direction in the film plane and the strength in a second direction in the film plane perpendicular to the first direction in the range of 0.1-10:1, the strength in at least one direction being at least 0.2 Gpa. The process for manufacturing a polyethylene film may have a starting UHMWPE polymer with an average molecular weight of at least 500,000 grams/mole, an elastic shear modulus determined directly after melting at 160° C. of at most 1.4 MPa, and a Mw/Mn ratio of at most 6 to a solvent-free compacting process and a stretching process under such conditions that at no point during the process the temperature of the intermediate polymer film is raised to a value above its melting point.
US08771565B2	Method for manufacturing a disc brake pad To provide a manufacturing method for a disc brake pad using a forming die to form a final inclined surface on a friction material, where the resulted friction material is entirely uniform even if the flowability of the powdered raw friction material is insufficient. The method for manufacturing a disc brake pad includes the steps of preliminarily forming a preliminarily formed product by pressurizing without heating the powdered raw materials in a metal preliminarily forming die, and forming the final inclined surface on the friction material using a metal forming die with an inclined surface, the step of preliminarily forming including forming a temporary inclined surface, having a larger angle than the final inclined surface of the friction material, on the preliminarily formed product at an opposite side thereof to be fixed to a back plate, and forming a recess portion on the preliminarily formed product at a side thereof to be fixed to the back plate.
US08771562B2	Optical waveguide production method An optical waveguide production method, employs a light-transmissive mold having higher dimensional accuracy for formation of an over-cladding layer. The mold for the formation of the over-cladding layer is unitarily produced by molding a light-transmissive resin with the use of a mold component having the same shape as the over-cladding layer. A recess formed in the mold by removing the mold component in the production of the mold serves as a cavity for the formation of the over-cladding layer. For the formation of the over-cladding layer, a photosensitive resin for the over-cladding layer is injected into the cavity of the mold, and exposed through the mold to be cured while a core formed in a predetermined pattern on a surface of an under-cladding layer is immersed in the photosensitive resin.
US08771560B2	Process for the manufacture of doped semiconductor single crystals, and III-V semiconductor single crystal In a process for manufacturing doped semiconductor single crystal comprises solidifying in a crucible, the amount of dopant is added into the semiconductor melt after the beginning of the crystal growth onto the seed crystal, or after at least partial solidification of the semiconductor single crystal in a conical or tapered portion of the crucible. Dopant may be partially added in advance into the crucible, with the remainder added into the semiconductor melt as described. Type III-V semiconductor single crystals or wafers having a diameter of at least about 100 mm, can be prepared having an electrical conductivity of at least about 250 Siemens/cm, and/or an electric resistivity of at most about 4×10−3 Ωcm, and/or a significantly improved ratio of hall mobility to charge carrier concentration.
US08771559B2	Conductive sintered oxide, thermistor element including the same, and temperature sensor including the same A conductive sintered oxide which includes: a conductive crystal phase having a perovskite structure represented by (RE1-cSrc)MdO3, in which RE is a group of elements consisting of Yb and/or Lu and at least one element selected from Group IIIA elements excluding Yb, Lu and La, and M is a group of elements consisting of Al and at least one element selected from Groups IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA and VIII, a first insulating crystal phase represented by RE2O3, and a second insulating crystal phase represented by SrAl2O4. The conductive crystal phase has a coefficient c satisfying 0.18
US08771558B2	Method of manufacturing anti-counterfeit ink and anti-counterfeit tag and method of manufacturing the same A method of manufacturing an anti-counterfeit ink is provided. A tungsten oxide nanowire is provided. A hydrophilic treatment is performed to the tungsten oxide nanowire to form a tungsten oxide nanowire with hydrophilicity. The tungsten oxide nanowire with hydrophilicity and an ink are mixed to form an anti-counterfeit ink.
US08771554B2	Thick film silver paste containing Al2O3 and lead-tellurium—oxide and its use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices The present invention is directed to a thick film silver paste comprising (i) silver, (ii) Al2O3, and (iii) a Pb—Te—O all dispersed in an organic medium. The present invention is further directed to an electrode formed from the paste and a semiconductor device and, in particular, a solar cell comprising such an electrode. The electrodes provide good adhesion and good electrical performance.
US08771552B2	Group III nitride crystal substrate, epilayer-containing group III nitride crystal substrate, semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same A group III nitride crystal substrate is provided in which a uniform distortion at a surface layer of the crystal substrate represented by a value of \|d1 −d2 \|/d2 obtained from a plane spacing d1 at the X-ray penetration depth of 0.3 μm and a plane spacing d2 at the X-ray penetration depth of 5 μm is equal to or lower than 1.9 ×10−3, and the main surface has a plane orientation inclined in the <10-10> direction at an angle equal to or greater than 10° and equal to or smaller than 80° with respect to one of (0001) and (000-1) planes of the crystal substrate. A group III nitride crystal substrate suitable for manufacturing a light emitting device with a blue shift of an emission suppressed, an epilayer-containing group III nitride crystal substrate, a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same can thereby be provided.
US08771551B2	Method of treating wood A method of protecting wood. According to the method, an aqueous dispersion of alkyl ketene dimer is applied onto the surface of the wood. By means of this treatment, the surface becomes hydrophobic and the contact angle of water in the form of drops on the treated wooden surface exceeds 100°. Such drop-shaped water does not penetrate into the treated surface, nor into for instance a crosscut end of sawn timber. Instead, the water disappears from the surfaces by evaporation.
US08771549B2	Chemical looping combustion method and plant with independent solid circulation control The invention relates to an improved plant and method for chemical looping combustion of at least one hydrocarbon feed with independent control of the circulation of the solid active mass particles between the fluidized bed reaction zones, by means of one or more non-mechanical valves of L-valve type.
US08771547B2	Oxycarbonitride phosphors and light emitting devices using the same Disclosed herein is a novel family of oxycarbonitride phosphor compositions and light emitting devices incorporating the same. Within the sextant system of M—Al—Si—O—N—C—Ln and quintuplet system of M—Si—O—N—C—Ln (M=alkaline earth element, Ln=rare earth element), the phosphors are composed of either one single crystalline phase or two crystalline phases with high chemical and thermal stability. In certain embodiments, the disclosed phosphor of silicon oxycarbonitrides emits green light at wavelength between 530-550 nm. In further embodiments, the disclosed phosphor compositions emit blue-green to yellow light in a wavelength range of 450-650 nm under near-UV and blue light excitation.
US08771545B2	Absorbent and passivation layer for optical element comprising the same The present invention relates to an absorbent and a passivation layer for an optical element comprising the same, and more specifically to an absorbent that can be applied to a flexible substrate while blocking the inflow of water, and also not blocking light, and a passivation layer for the optical element comprising the same. Also the present invention relates to an absorbent that can maintain a light-emitting property for a long period of time by minimizing damage to the optical element by using the compound synthesized using a non-polar solvent, and the passivation layer for the optical element comprising the same.
US08771543B2	Conductive reinforcing material, negative electrode material and negative electrode A conductive reinforcing material used to form a negative electrode material is provided in the present invention. The conductive reinforcing material includes metal shavings containing elements selected from a group consisting of group II elements, group III elements and group VII elements. A negative electrode material and a negative electrode both with the conductive reinforcing material are also provided in the present invention.
US08771541B2	Polymer composite piezoelectric body and manufacturing method for the same A polymer composite piezoelectric body is obtained by conducting polarization treatment on a composite having piezoelectric particles uniformly mixed by dispersion in a polymer matrix containing cyanoethylated polyvinyl alcohol.
US08771536B2	Dry-etch for silicon-and-carbon-containing films A method of etching exposed silicon-and-carbon-containing material on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor and an oxygen-containing precursor. Plasma effluents from the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents react with the exposed regions of silicon-and-carbon-containing material. The plasmas effluents react with the patterned heterogeneous structures to selectively remove silicon-and-carbon-containing material from the exposed silicon-and-carbon-containing material regions while very slowly removing other exposed materials. The silicon-and-carbon-containing material selectivity results partly from the presence of an ion suppression element positioned between the remote plasma and the substrate processing region. The ion suppression element reduces or substantially eliminates the number of ionically-charged species that reach the substrate. The methods may be used to selectively remove silicon-and-carbon-containing material at more than twenty times the rate of silicon oxide.
US08771533B2	Edge protection seal for bonded substrates A dielectric material layer is deposited on exposed surfaces of a bonded structure that includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The dielectric material layer is formed on an exposed planar surface of a second substrate and the entirety of peripheral sidewalls of the first and second substrates. The dielectric material layer can be formed by chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or plasma induced deposition. Further, the dielectric material layer seals the entire periphery of the interface between the first and second substrates. If a planar portion of the dielectric material layer can be removed by planarization to facilitate thinning of the bonded structure, the remaining portion of the dielectric material layer can form a dielectric ring.
US08771531B2	Method of producing substrate for liquid ejection head A substrate for a liquid ejection head, including: forming a sacrifice layer on a first surface of a silicon substrate in a region in which a liquid supply port is to open, the sacrifice layer containing aluminum which is selectively etched with respect to the silicon substrate; forming an etching mask on a second surface which is a rear surface of the first surface of the silicon substrate, the etching mask having an opening corresponding to the sacrifice layer; a first etching step of etching the silicon substrate by using the etching mask as a mask and by using a first etchant containing 8 mass % or more and less than 15 mass % of tetramethylammonium hydroxide; and after the first etching step, a second etching step of removing the sacrifice layer by using a second etchant containing 15 mass % or more and 25 mass % or less of tetramethylammonium hydroxide.
US08771526B2	Composite concrete article and method of manufacture thereof A method of manufacturing a composite concrete article comprising affixing at least one layer of textile to a base layer and incorporating the base layer into a body of wet uncured concrete such that the base layer becomes embedded in the concrete, whereby at least a portion of the at least one textile layer defines at least a portion of a surface of the cured concrete article with the base layer embedded within the concrete to anchor the textile layer to the concrete.
US08771524B2	Vortex mixer and method of obtaining a supersaturated solution or slurry The invention relates to a vortex mixer comprising a mixing chamber having an axial outlet and at least one inlet which is at least substantially tangential. The mixer further comprises a residence chamber extending axially on the side of the mixing chamber opposite from the axial outlet.
US08771514B2	Sequential filter pack for fluids The present invention relates to a filter pack formed by stacking rings, being used as a final element in multistage or single-stage filters. The filtration process is performed by consecutively separating the particles in suspension according to the thickness thereof in different areas.
US08771512B2	Separation membrane module In a separation membrane module in a module main body, an upper horizontal partition plate forms an upper fluid channel, a lower horizontal partition plate forms a lower fluid channel, a plurality of vertical outer tubes are fixed between the upper horizontal partition plate and the lower horizontal partition plate, and vertical tubular membrane elements extend through the respective outer tubes with a gap. An upper end of the gap is in communication with the upper fluid channel and a lower end of the gap is in communication with the lower fluid channel. An upper end opening of each of the membrane elements is open to outside of the module main body and a lower end opening each of the membrane elements is closed. A vertical partition plate is provided in either the upper fluid channel or the lower fluid channel to form an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber.
US08771510B2	Seawater desalination system and energy exchange chamber A seawater desalination system which can solve a problem of wear of a sliding member and can suppress mixing of concentrated seawater and seawater by making an energy exchange chamber no-piston configuration is provided. In a seawater desalination system for producing fresh water from seawater by passing the seawater pressurized by a pump through a reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus (4) to separate the seawater into fresh water and concentrated seawater, an energy exchange chamber (20) for utilizing pressure energy of the concentrated seawater discharged from the reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus (3) as energy for pressurizing part of the seawater is provided. The energy exchange chamber includes a concentrated seawater port (P1) for introducing and discharging the concentrated seawater, a seawater port (P2) for introducing and discharging the seawater, and a plurality of partitioned fluid passages (R) provided in the chamber to allow the concentrated seawater port (P1) and the seawater port (P2) to communicate with each other.
US08771507B2	Directional microporous diffuser and directional sparging A method for treating contaminants includes emitting plural streams of a fluid into a soil formation with the streams having different radii of influences in different directions. A directional microporous diffuser directionally emits microbubbles. Solenoid controlled valves control fluid or air distribution to inlets to provide directional control of bubble emanation.
US08771506B2	Precast pervious concrete A pervious concrete slab is pre-cast in a reusable mold or form to define at least one keyway configured and arranged to engage with a complementary keyway of another similar pre-cast pervious concrete slab. The concrete slab is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to an installation site, and installed.
US08771505B2	Catch basin trap and mounting system A trap for a catch basin, and means for mounting said trap to a catch basin wall, comprises a hollow trap body having an inner wall and an outer wall, and side walls joining the inner and outer walls. The trap body has a first aperture near the top of its inner wall, allignable with an outlet of a catch basin, and a second aperture at a lower level on said trap body than said first aperture. A mounting plate is secured to the inner wall of the trap body, and has an aperture allignable with the first aperture of the trap body. A retainer plate is provided, onto which the mounting plate can be mounted. The retainer plate also has an aperture allignable with the apertures on the mounting plate and trap body.
US08771504B2	Apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface provided with an accelerometer device which detects gravitational acceleration The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning an immersed surface, comprising a hollow body, guiding and driving members, a filtration chamber which is provided in the hollow body and which has at least one liquid inlet, at least one liquid outlet and a hydraulic circuit for circulation of liquid through a filtering device. An accelerometer device is fixedly joined to the hollow body and which is adapted to provide instantaneous measurements of at least one acceleration component of the terrestrial gravity in at least one fixed direction which is fixed relative to the hollow body, and a processing unit for processing the acceleration measurements supplied by the accelerometer device.
US08771500B2	Glucose sensors and methods of manufacture thereof Disclosed herein is a device that functions as a glucose sensor. The device has a reference electrode; a counter electrode, a working electrode; an electrically conducting membrane; an enzyme layer; a semi-permeable membrane; a first layer of a first hydrogel in operative communication with the working electrode; the first layer of the first hydrogel being operative to store oxygen; wherein the amount of stored oxygen is proportional to the number of freeze-thaw cycles that the hydrogel is subjected to; and a second layer of the second hydrogel. Disclosed too is a method that comprises using periodically biased amperometry towards interrogation of implantable glucose sensors to improve both sensor's sensitivity and linearity while at the same time enable internal calibration against sensor drifts that originate from changes in either electrode activity or membrane permeability as a result of fouling, calcification and/or fibrosis.
US08771495B2	Method and composition for electrodeposition of copper in microelectronics with dipyridyl-based levelers A method and composition for metallizing a via feature in a semiconductor integrated circuit device substrate, using a leveler compound which is a dipyridyl compound.
US08771494B2	Synthesis of oil containing microcapsules and their use in functional composite coatings Systems and methods for the synthesis of lubricant-containing microcapsules are disclosed. Embodiments of composite nickel and copper coatings containing capsules with liquid lubricating oil cores are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, microcapsules can be incorporated into a metal plating solution to perform composite electrodeposition to obtain self lubricant metallic coatings. In some embodiments, much lower friction coefficient (˜0.8) and far better wear resistance was obtained with the copper/microcapsules composite.
US08771488B2	Gas sensor A gas sensor (100) includes an oxygen pump cell (135) and an oxygen-concentration detection cell (150) laminated together with a spacer (145) interposed therebetween. The spacer (145) has a gas detection chamber (145c) which faces electrodes (137, 152) of the cells (135, 150). The oxygen-concentration detection cell (150) produces an output voltage corresponding to the concentration of oxygen in the gas detection chamber (145c). The oxygen pump cell (135) pumps oxygen into and out of the measurement chamber (145c) such that the output voltage of the oxygen-concentration detection cell (150) becomes equal to a predetermined target voltage. A leakage portion mainly formed of zirconia is disposed between which electrically connects the oxygen-concentration detection cell (150) and the oxygen pump cell (135).
US08771483B2	Combinatorial process system A combinatorial processing chamber is provided. The combinatorial processing chamber is configured to isolate a radial portion of a rotatable substrate support, which in turn is configured to support a substrate. The chamber includes a plurality of clusters process heads in one embodiment. An insert having a base plate disposed between the substrate support and the process heads defines a confinement region for a deposition process in one embodiment. The base plate has an opening to enable access of the deposition material to the substrate. Through rotation of the substrate and movement of the opening, multiple regions of the substrate are accessible for performing combinatorial processing on a single substrate.
US08771479B2	Energy-saving distillation column assembly Provided is a distillation column assembly combining two distillation columns used in a distillation process. The distillation column assembly is characterized in that a dividing wall column (DWC) that has one inflow point, three outflow points and an internal dividing wall and a typical distillation column that has two inflow points and two outflow points are sequentially connected to each other, and in that streams of the two outflow points of the DWC are introduced into the two inflow points of the typical distillation column. The distillation column assembly improves an existing process apparatus based on two distillation columns, so that it can be easily installed, has a high energy-saving effect, and can be applied to the case where a separation pressure difference and a utility temperature difference are great.
US08771466B2	Method for manufacturing an embossed sheet comprising a ply of water-soluble material The invention proposes an embossed sheet (10) comprising at least one ply (12) of tissue having an embossing pattern comprising at least one series of protuberances (18) formed projecting from one surface of the said ply (12) of tissue, and at least one ply joined to the said at least one ply (12) of tissue and located opposite the said surface of the ply (14) of water-soluble material, characterized in that the ply (14) of water-soluble material is joined to the said at least one ply (12) of tissue at the summits (18a) of at least part of the protuberances (18). The invention also proposes a method for manufacturing such a multi-ply sheet (10).
US08771463B2	Cellulose fiber assembly and method for preparing the same, fibrillated cellulose fibers and method for preparing the same, and cellulose fiber composite An object of the present invention is to provide a cellulose fiber assembly and a cellulose fiber composite, each having low coloration. The present invention is directed to a method for preparing a fibrillated cellulose fiber assembly, in which the cellulose fiber raw materials are subjected to a fibrillation treatment and a reduction treatment. The present invention provides a method for preparing a cellulose fiber assembly, comprising a fibrillation step of fibrillating cellulose fiber raw materials to obtain fibrillated cellulose fibers, an assembly preparation step of obtaining a cellulose fiber assembly using the fibrillated cellulose fibers, and a step of carrying out a reduction treatment. Further, the present invention provides a cellulose fiber composite comprising the prepared cellulose fiber assembly and a matrix material.
US08771462B2	Coated thermoplastic articles with removable coating The present disclosure generally describes techniques suitable for use in the construction or recycling of composite materials, such as thermoplastics. A coated thermoplastic article may comprise a thermoplastic portion coupled to a supramolecular polymer interface layer, with a coating layer applied to a surface of the supramolecular polymer interface layer. Application of heat to the coated thermoplastic article may cause the supramolecular polymer interface layer to undergo a phase change, allowing the coating layer to be removed from the thermoplastic portion. Application of force to the coated thermoplastic article may enhance the removal of the coating layer. Embodiments of methods, compositions, articles and/or systems may be disclosed and claimed.
US08771460B2	Retaining ring for chemical mechanical polishing A carrier head for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a retaining ring having a flexible lower portion and a rigid upper portion.
US08771459B2	Method of encapsulating an electronic arrangement The present invention relates to as method of encapsulating an electronic arrangement with respect to permeants, in which an at least partly crosslinked hotmelt adhesive based on acid-modified or acid-anhydride-modified vinylaromatic block copolymers is provided and in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to and/or around the regions of the electronic arrangement that are to be encapsulated.
US08771458B2	Method of making wiring boards covered by thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film The object of the invention is to provide a wiring board having the uniform quality at a high yield which is produced by hot-pressing and laminating on a wiring board base material a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer which is excellent as a wiring board covering material.The present invention provides a method of making a wiring board comprising: hot-pressing and laminating a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film on a wiring board base material on the surface of which at least one layer containing a electro-conductive circuit is exposed, characterized by that a viscoelastic characteristic of the thermotropic liquid crystal polymer film is measured at a low frequency within a laminating temperature region and the hot-pressing is carried out at a temperature selected so that the viscoelastic characteristic falls within a predetermined range.
US08771456B2	Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and substrate separating apparatus According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device forming a release layer on a region excluding a peripheral edge portion of a surface of a first substrate, bonding a second substrate to at least a region including the release layer of the surface of the first substrate via an adhesive layer, removing physically a peripheral edge portion of the second substrate in a manner that at least a surface of the adhesive layer right under the peripheral edge portion of the second substrate is exposed, the adhesive layer is caused to remain between the peripheral edge portion of the first substrate and the second substrate, and adhesion between the first and second substrates is maintained, and then dissolving the adhesive layer.
US08771455B2	Process for production of composite fine particles with heterogeneous surfaces Provided is a process for production of composite fine particles with heterogeneous surfaces. The process ensures a high productivity and enables a voluntary control of particle diameters. Further, the process imposes no restrictions on heterogeneous substances added for functional expression, and allows a heterogeneous substance to be encapsulated in central portions of composite fine particle spheres. A composite film obtained by laminating two or more kinds of films is cut into minute pieces, followed by melting the same to obtain spherical minute pieces. Particularly, liquid films are separately formed with two or more kinds of liquids containing polymerizable monomers. Further, two or more kinds of films can thereby be obtained through polymerization. The two or more kinds of films thus obtained are then laminated to further allow polymerization to take place, thus obtaining the composite film.
US08771453B2	Method for manufacturing liquid crystal panel There is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel comprises the steps of:(Step A1) manufacturing a polarizing film including a laminate composed of a first base film and a polarizing thin layer, the step including: applying a vinyl alcohol-based polymer on a surface of the first base film to form a vinyl alcohol-based polymer thin layer; and wet dyeing the vinyl alcohol-based polymer thin layer after stretching the thin layer together with the first base film to obtain a polarizing thin layer, and(Step B1) adhering the polarizing film without an adhesion layer during storage and transportation at least to one surface of a liquid crystal cell through an adhesion layer in a liquid crystal panel manufacturing process.
US08771452B2	Process for producing fiber-reinforced resin material There is provided a process for producing a fiber-reinforced resin material capable of mitigating damage to and defects in reinforcement fibers and of performing lamination with the reinforcement fibers positioned with ease, while at the same time causing them to conform to the shape of the mold with ease at the time of molding. It comprises at least: a step of producing a fiber-reinforced resin sheet (4A) from a reinforcement fiber sheet (2) and a resin sheet (3A) comprising a thermoplastic resin; a step of molding the fiber-reinforced resin sheet (4A) in such a manner as to form a protruding part (4c) on one face (4a) of the fiber-reinforced resin sheet (4A) along one direction and to form a recessed part (4d) along the one direction in another face (4b); a step of laminating the fiber-reinforced resin sheet (5A) while causing at least the protruding part (4c) of the molded fiber-reinforced resin sheet (5A) to engage with a fiber-reinforced resin sheet (5A) that is to be laminated therewith; and a step of molding the laminated fiber-reinforced resin sheets (5A) into the fiber-reinforced resin material while pressurizing and heating them so as to impregnate the reinforcement fibers with the thermoplastic resin.
US08771450B2	Method for manufacturing a composite body and a composite body manufacturing arrangement A method of forming a composite body using a mould and an automated fiber placement machine comprising a fiber placement head, the method including moving the fiber placement head past the mould and depositing on the mould a plurality of fiber tows, the fiber tows being deposited side by side in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the fiber placement head and perpendicular to the direction of a normal of a surface of the mould where the fiber tows are deposited, thus forming a ply with a plurality of fiber tows placed side by side on the mould, wherein the fiber tows in the ply comprise first and second fiber tows having respective first and second fiber materials that are different from each other.
US08771447B2	Method of manufacturing pneumatic tire Provided is a method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire, which causes no blister to take place during vulcanization molding even in a case where a cylindrical thermoplastic resin film is used as an air-permeation preventing layer while a rubber sheet material laminated onto the thermoplastic resin film has a thickness of 0.5 mm or more. The method includes the steps of: winding an unvulcanized rubber sheet material with a thickness of 0.5 mm or more around a cylindrical thermoplastic resin film which is placed around a making drum; and splicing one end portion and the other end portion of the rubber sheet material together so that the spliced part is step-shape. The method is characterized in that one end portion of the rubber sheet material is spliced onto the other end portion thereof with an auxiliary rubber sheet interposed between a step part of the spliced part of the rubber sheet material and the thermoplastic resin film, the auxiliary rubber sheet being thinner than the thermoplastic resin film.
US08771444B2	Low emissivity and EMI shielding window films A low emissivity and EMI shielding transparent composite film typically for use in association with window glazing and comprising a transparent film substrate having on one side thereof an underlayer of abrasion resistant hardcoat material with at least one infrared reflective layer covering the underlayer, typically a metallic layer which may be encased in metal oxide layers, which is then covered with a thin external protective top coat of a cured fluorinated resin.
US08771441B2	High fracture toughness aluminum-copper-lithium sheet or light-gauge plates suitable for fuselage panels An aluminum alloy comprising 2.1 to 2.8 wt. % Cu, 1.1 to 1.7 wt. % Li, 0.1 to 0.8 wt. % Ag, 0.2 to 0.6 wt. % Mg, 0.2 to 0.6 wt. % Mn, a content of Fe and Si less or equal to 0.1 wt. % each, and a content of unavoidable impurities less than or equal to 0.05 wt. % each and 0.15 wt. % total, and the alloy being substantially zirconium free.
US08771439B2	Titanium aluminide intermetallic alloys with improved wear resistance The invention is directed to a method for producing a titanium aluminide intermetallic alloy composition having an improved wear resistance, the method comprising heating a titanium aluminide intermetallic alloy material in an oxygen-containing environment at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a top oxide layer and underlying oxygen-diffused layer, followed by removal of the top oxide layer such that the oxygen-diffused layer is exposed. The invention is also directed to the resulting oxygen-diffused titanium aluminide intermetallic alloy, as well as mechanical components or devices containing the improved alloy composition.
US08771433B2	Dishwasher with an alarm device A dishwasher (1) (30) having a box-shaped casing (2) having an inner wash chamber (3) communicating externally through an opening (4) formed in one of the lateral walls of the casing (2); and at least one dish rack basket (6) housed inside the wash chamber (3) to house dishes/cutlery within a hold volume (7) bounded by two predetermined boundary planes (A, B); the dishwasher (1) having an alarm device (9) which generates, inside the wash chamber (3), at least one light beam in a direction coplanar with a reference plane (R) lying in one of the predetermined boundary planes (A, B); and the alarm device (9) alerting the user to incorrect positioning of the dishes/cutlery inside the basket (6) when the light beam is interrupted by the dishes/cutlery.
US08771430B2	Method for drying a substrate A method for drying a workpiece using an apparatus comprising a liquid bath for immersing said workpiece, a deionized water supply for supplying deionized water to said bath, a partially enclosed volume of heated inert gas located above said liquid bath and a heated inert gas supply for supplying heated inert gas. A first holder is used for holding said workpiece in said liquid bath with a vertical orientation between the first holder and said liquid bath and a second holder, comprising a horizontal member, that is able to hold said at least one workpiece in such a way as to substantially prevent said workpiece from sliding along said horizontal member.
US08771429B2	Supercritical drying method for semiconductor substrate and supercritical drying apparatus According to one embodiment, a supercritical drying method for a semiconductor substrate, comprises introducing the semiconductor substrate into a chamber in a state, a surface of the semiconductor substrate being wet with alcohol, substituting the alcohol on the semiconductor substrate with a supercritical fluid of carbon dioxide by impregnating the semiconductor substrate to the supercritical fluid in the chamber, and discharging the supercritical fluid and the alcohol from the chamber and reducing a pressure inside the chamber. The method further comprises performing a baking treatment by supplying an oxygen gas or an ozone gas to the chamber after the reduction of the pressure inside the chamber.
US08771425B2	Process for the treatment of lignocellulosic biomass A process for the treatment of biomass to render structural carbohydrates more accessible and/or digestible using concentrated ammonium hydroxide with or without anhydrous ammonia addition, is described. The process preferably uses steam to strip ammonia from the biomass for recycling. The process yields of monosaccharides from the structural carbohydrates are good, particularly as measured by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the structural carbohydrates. The monosaccharides are used as animal feeds and energy sources for ethanol production.
US08771420B2	Substrate processing apparatus A substrate processing apparatus that forms thin films on a plurality of substrates and thermally processes the substrates, by uniformly heating the substrates. The substrate processing apparatus includes a processing chamber, a boat in which substrates are stacked, an external heater located outside of the processing chamber, a feeder to move the boat into and out of the processing chamber, a lower heater located below the feeder, and a central heater located in the center of the boat.
US08771418B2	Substrate-processing apparatus and substrate-processing method for selectively inserting diffusion plates According to one embodiment of the present invention, a substrate-processing apparatus comprises: a lower chamber with an open top; an upper chamber which covers the top of the lower chamber, and which cooperates with the lower chamber to form an internal space for substrate-processing; a shower head arranged in a lower portion of the upper chamber to supply reaction gas to the internal space, and forming a buffer space between the shower head and the upper chamber; a gas supply port formed in the upper chamber to supply reaction gas to the buffer space; and a diffusion unit arranged in the buffer space to diffuse the reaction gas supplied through the gas supply port. The diffusion unit includes: a plurality of diffusion areas which are blocked from each other, in order to enable the reaction gas to be diffused therein; a plurality of diffusion holes for placing the gas supply port and the diffusion areas in communication; and one or more diffusion plates, the shapes of which correspond to the shapes of the diffusion areas, and which are selectively inserted into the respective diffusion areas.
US08771416B2	Substrate processing apparatus with an insulator disposed in the reaction chamber A substrate processing apparatus comprises: a reaction chamber to process a substrate; a heating target object disposed in the reaction chamber to surround at least a region where the substrate is disposed, the heating target object having a cylindrical shape with a closed end; an insulator disposed between the reaction chamber and the heating target object to surround the heating target object, the insulator having a cylindrical shape with a closed end facing the closed end of the heating target object; an induction heating unit disposed outside the reaction chamber to surround at least the region where the substrate is disposed; a first gas supply system to supply at least a source gas into the reaction chamber; and a controller to control the first gas supply system so that the first gas supply system supplies at least the source gas into the reaction chamber for processing the substrate.
US08771413B2	Asphalt-mineral compositions The present invention is related to asphalt and asphalt-mineral compositions including at least one cationic organosilicon compound selected from a group consisting of: Y3-aSi(R1a)R2N+R3R4R5X−, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2P+R3R4R5X−, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2ZX−; or mixtures thereof, wherein in each formula Y is independently selected from a group consisting of OR, O(CH2CH2O)nH, (CH3OCH2CH2O), and (CH3CH2OCH2CH2O); a has a value selected from 0, 1 or 2; n is a value from 1 to 10; R is C1-C4 alkyl; R1 is either methyl or ethyl; R2 is C1-C4 alkylene group; R3, R4 and R5 are each independently selected from a group consisting of C1-C22 alkyl wherein at least one such group has more than 8 C-atoms, —CH2C6H5, —CH2CH2OH, —CH2OH and —(CH2)yNHC(O)R6 wherein y has a value of from 2 to 10 and R6 is a C1-C12 perfluoroalkyl radical; X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or tosylate; and Z is pyridinium ring of formula C5H5N+.
US08771412B2	Refractory coating for producing mold coatings The present invention relates to a refractory coating for producing mold coatings by application to inorganically or organically-bound molding materials in lost molds or to cores for iron and steel casting, wherein the ready-to-use refractory coating has proportion by weight of 0.001% or more and less than 1% of inorganic hollow bodies, which partially or fully consist of crystalline material and have a softening point of 1000° C. or higher.
US08771409B2	Electroless gold plating solution and electroless gold plating method It is an object of the present invention to provide an electroless gold plating solution capable of directly subjecting a plated coating film made of an underlying metal such as nickel or palladium to gold plate processing, of forming a thick gold plated coating film having a thickness of 0.1 μm or more, of forming a uniform gold plated coating film, and of safely performing plating work. The present invention relates to an electroless gold plating solution comprising: a water-soluble gold compound; and hexahydro-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine or hexamethylenetetramine. Preferably, the electroless gold plating solution comprises 0.1 to 100 g/L of hexahydro-2,4,6-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazine or hexamethylenetetramine.
US08771408B2	Range hood with liquid filter A range hood for a kitchen range or other similar appliance is disclosed. The range hood is adapted to be coupled to a blower to draw the contaminated effluent stream from the range into the hood. The effluent stream is drawn through a substantially horizontal perforated liquid support or impingement tray that is filled with a working liquid, and is then passed through a high-efficiency mist eliminator. The range hood offers a substantially straight airflow path from a point just inside the inlet to the outlet. The range hood also has a low profile, and offers direct access to its interior components for easy inspection and cleaning.
US08771406B1	Transport tank with high capacity gas scrubbing A transport tank with high capacity gas scrubbing includes a vertically extending interior wall horizontally dividing the transport tank into a gas scrubbing chamber and a fluid storage chamber. A floor grate is supported within the gas scrubbing chamber at vertically spaced distance from a bottom of the transport tank and defines a gas distribution space between the floor grate and the tank bottom. A gas distribution pipe is disposed within and longitudinally extends the gas distribution space. A gas inlet is fluidically connected to the gas distribution pipe and passes through an exterior wall of the transport tank. A gas scrubbing is material disposed within the gas scrubbing chamber above the floor grate. And a gas outlet is fluidically connected to the gas scrubbing chamber for venting scrubbed gases.
US08771405B2	Gas filter with chamber comprising carbon nanotubes for filtering CO2 A gas filter comprises a housing (30) having a gas inlet (55), a gas outlet (65) and at least one chamber (70) therebetween containing carbon nanotubes (110). The chamber (70) has a port (90) and is configured for simultaneous gas ingress to and gas egress from the carbon nanotubes (110) through the port (90).
US08771403B2	Method and system for capturing carbon dioxide and/or sulfur dioxide from gas stream The present invention provides a system for capturing CO2 and/or SO2, comprising: (a) a CO2 and/or SO2 absorber comprising an amine and/or amino acid salt capable of absorbing the CO2 and/or SO2 to produce a CO2- and/or SO2-containing solution; (b) an amine regenerator to regenerate the amine and/or amino acid salt; and, when the system captures CO2, (c) an alkali metal carbonate regenerator comprising an ammonium catalyst capable catalyzing the aqueous alkali metal bicarbonate into the alkali metal carbonate and CO2 gas. The present invention also provides for a system for capturing SO2, comprising: (a) a SO2 absorber comprising aqueous alkali metal carbonate, wherein the alkali metal carbonate is capable of absorbing the SO2 to produce an alkali metal sulfite/sulfate precipitate and CO2.
US08771402B2	Membrane based apparatus for measurement of volatile particles A vapor particle separator including a temperature controlled chamber for desorbing vapors from the particulates of an exhaust gas and a separation chamber including a micro porous membrane. The micro porous membrane provides an interface between at least one particle passageway and at least one vapor passageway through the separation chamber. The particle passageway extends from an entrance to the separation chamber to a particle exit from the separation chamber. The vapor passageway extends from the micro-porous membrane to a vapor exit from the separation chamber that is separate from the particle exit from the separation chamber.
US08771396B2	Method for producing blister copper directly from copper concentrate A method for producing blister copper directly from copper concentrate is provided, comprising: a) adding copper concentrate, copper matte, slagging material, oxygen enriched air, endothermic material to an upper segment of the reaction furnace; b) adding reducing agent to the lower segment space of the reaction furnace; c) directing the produced hot coke and liquid slag into an electric furnace, and adding copper concentrate into the electric furnace to generate an electric furnace slag and copper matte; d) the copper matte being granulated and finely ground, then re-fed into the reaction furnace.
US08771387B2	Systems and methods for solar-thermal gasification of biomass A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that may include a solar thermal receiver having a cavity with an inner wall, where the solar thermal receiver is aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more of 1) an array of heliostats, 2) solar concentrating dishes, and 3) any combination of the two. Some embodiments may include a solar-driven chemical reactor having multiple reactor tubes located inside the cavity of solar thermal receiver, wherein a chemical reaction driven by radiant heat occurs in the multiple reactor tubes, and wherein particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam (H2O) carrier gas and methane (CH4) in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the solar thermal energy from the absorbed concentrated solar energy in the multiple reactor tubes.
US08771383B2	Battery manufacturing method, battery manufactured by such method, vehicle and electronic device A negative-electrode active material layer having a line-and-space structure is formed by applying an application liquid containing a negative-electrode active material in stripes on a surface of a negative-electrode current collector using a nozzle-scan coating method and drying the application liquid (Steps S101, S102). Subsequently, by a spin coating method, an application liquid containing a solid electrolyte material is applied (Step S103) and heated at a temperature lower than a glass-transition temperature of the electrolyte material to be dried. Further, an application liquid containing a positive-electrode active material is applied (Step S105) and a positive-electrode current collector is laminated (Step S106) and, then, a laminated body is heated to or above the glass-transition temperature of the electrolyte material to cause the solid electrolyte to flow and adhere to the active material layers.
US08771380B2	Sodium chloride production process The present invention pertains to a process for producing sodium chloride comprising the steps of (i) preparing a brine comprising at least 150 g/l of sodium chloride by dissolving a sodium chloride source in water, (ii) subjecting the resulting brine to a eutectic freeze crystallization step by indirect cooling of said brine, resulting in the formation of ice, sodium chloride dihydrate, and a mother liquor, (iii) separating the sodium chloride dihydrate formed in step (ii) from the ice and optionally mother liquor at the eutectic temperature, such that a sodium chloride dihydrate-rich stream is formed, and (iv) feeding said sodium chloride dihydrate-rich stream to a recrystallizer to form sodium chloride and a mother liquor.
US08771375B2	Antimicrobial tennis ball An antimicrobial sports equipment piece used in a sport or game, namely an antimicrobial tennis ball, is described. Also described are methods of using an antimicrobial tennis ball and methods of preventing, inhibiting, or killing microbes contacting the tennis ball during play to prevent or inhibit contamination by a microbe or cross-contamination between persons contacting the tennis ball.
US08771372B1	Lower limb prosthetic device with a wave spring A prosthetic device including an upper member having an upper end and a lower end, a wave member having a toe end and a heel end, and a third member having a proximal end and a distal end. In the preferred prosthetic device, the toe end of the wave member is fixedly attached to the upper member and the heel end of wave member is adapted to be deflected.
US08771367B2	Self centering, anti-seizing acetabular liner A liner adapted for insertion into an acetabular shell for use in hip arthroplasty. The liner includes a concave inner surface adapted to engage a femoral head. The liner also includes an outer surface adapted to engage the acetabular shell and a rim that extends between the inner surface and the outer surface. The outer surface includes a locking section extending from the rim, a composite-curved section extending from the locking section at a first transition point, and a dome section extending from the composite-curved section, wherein at the first transition point, the composite-curved section is tangential to the locking section.
US08771366B2	Mobile bearing hip assembly having decoupled motion along multiple axes An acetabular hip implant includes an acetabular shell component, a first insert secured to the acetabular shell component, a second insert secured to the first insert, and a femoral head configured to be secured to the second insert. The first insert is permitted to rotate relative to the acetabular shell about a first axis, the second insert is permitted to rotate relative to the first insert about a second axis, and the femoral head is permitted to rotate relative to the second insert about a third axis.
US08771365B2	Patient-adapted and improved orthopedic implants, designs, and related tools Methods and devices are disclosed relating improved articular models, implant components, and related guide tools and procedures. In addition, methods and devices are disclosed relating articular models, implant components, and/or related guide tools and procedures that include one or more features derived from patient-data, for example, images of the patient's joint. The data can be used to create a model for analyzing a patient's joint and to devise and evaluate a course of corrective action. The data also can be used to create patient-adapted implant components and related tools and procedures.
US08771363B2	Resilient knee implant and methods This disclosure is directed to a resilient interpositional arthroplasty implant for application into a knee joint to pad cartilage defects, cushion a joint, and replace or restore the articular surface, which may preserve joint integrity, reduce pain and improve function. The implant may endure variable joint compressive and shear forces and cyclic loads. The implant may repair, reconstruct, and regenerate joint anatomy, and thereby improve upon joint replacement alternatives. Rather than using periosteal harvesting for cell containment in joint resurfacing, the walls of this invention may capture, distribute and hold living cells until aggregation and hyaline cartilage regrowth occurs. The implant may be deployed into debrided joint spaces, molding and conforming to surrounding structures with sufficient stability to avoid extrusion or dislocation. Appendages of the implant may repair or reconstruct tendons or ligaments, and an interior of the implant that is inflatable may accommodate motions which mimic or approximate normal joint motion.
US08771362B2	Variable angle humeral components A variable angle locking system comprising a humeral component having an underside at least partially defined by a cavity; a humeral stem couplable to the humeral component; a first washer defining a first through-hole and including a threaded portion; an adaptor defining a second through-hole and having a shelf portion and an elongated second washer, the shelf portion being adapted to be received by the cavity of the humeral component; a spring washer positioned between the first washer and the elongated second washer and defining a third through-hole; and a screw configured to lock the humeral component to the humeral stem at more than one angle relative to a common axis defined by the first, second and third through-holes, the screw including a head portion having helical threads and an elongated shaft portion extending from the head portion.
US08771353B2	Method and implant for replacing damaged meniscal tissue A method and apparatus for replacing damaged meniscal tissue includes a meniscus implant including a porous body having a plurality of interconnected open micro-pores and one or more open cavities for receiving meniscal tissue. The interconnected micro-pores are arranged to allow fluid to flow into the porous body and are in fluid communication with the one or more open cavities.
US08771352B2	Method and apparatus for tibial fixation of an ACL graft A tensioner system for use in tensioning graft strands in a knee reconstruction procedure can include a handle assembly, a tensioner assembly coupled relative to the handle assembly, and a drive shaft slidably received through and supported by the handle assembly. The tensioner assembly can include an arm support member rotatably coupled to the handle assembly and first and second arm members each rotatably coupled to lateral sides of the arm support member. Each arm member can include at least one graft attachment area adapted to be coupled to a graft strand. The arm support member can be configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tensioner system and perpendicular to an axis of rotation of each of the arm members. The drive shaft can include proximal and distal ends that extend beyond respective proximal and distal ends of the handle assembly.
US08771351B2	Method for double row fixation of tendon to bone A system and method for soft tissue to bone repair employing at least one suture anchor combined with at least one knotless fixation device. The method for soft tissue to bone fixation includes: (i) providing a first medial row constructed with a first plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the first plurality of fixation devices is an anchor; and (ii) providing a second lateral row constructed with a second plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the second plurality of fixation devices is a knotless fixation device, and suture or tape or allograft/biological component extending over the soft tissue and secured in place by the anchors in the first and second medial rows.
US08771349B2	Apparatus and method for preventing glaucomatous optic neuropathy A device and method is disclosed for preventing glaucomatous optic neuropathy, an affliction of the eye. An incision is made in the scleral region of the eye and an optic nerve head shield is inserted and positioned proximate to the optic nerve head of the eye to form a pressure seal over the optic nerve head of the eye. The optic nerve head shield decreases the pressure differential across the cribiform plate preventing bowing of the cribiform plate and glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
US08771348B2	Multifocal intraocular lens The invention provides an IOL, a method of making the IOL, and a method of using the IOL, wherein the IOL includes a central region and an outer region. An ophthalmic lens comprises a central region and an outer region. The central region is disposed about an optical axis and comprises a diffractive pattern having an add power. The central region also has a first power and a second power for visible light. The first power is a power for far focus and the second power equals to the sum of the power for far focus and the add power. The outer region encloses the central region and generally has no multifocal diffractive power. At least a portion of the outer region has a curvature that varies with distance from the optical axis. The outer region may include a peripheral region and at least one intermediate region that encloses the central region, wherein the peripheral region encloses the at least one intermediate region and the at least one intermediate region provides at least one intermediate power that is different from the first power and the second power.
US08771347B2	Accommodating intraocular lens Systems, devices, and methods are presented for a prosthetic injectable intraocular lens. One or more silicone elastomeric patches located outside the optical path on the anterior side but away from the equator can be accessed by surgical needles in order to fill or adjust optically clear fluid within the lens. The fluid can be adjusted in order to set a base dioptric power of the lens and otherwise adjust a lens after its initial insertion. The elastomeric patches are sized so that they self-seal after a needle is withdrawn. A straight or stepped slit in the patch can allow a blunt needle to more easily access the interior of the lens.
US08771346B2	Valve prosthetic fixation techniques using sandwiching A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex. The prosthesis includes a distal fixation member, configured to be positioned in a downstream artery, and shaped so as to define exactly three proximal engagement arms that are configured to be positioned at least partially within respective ones of semilunar sinuses, and, in combination, to apply, to tissue that defines the semilunar sinuses, a first axial force directed toward a ventricle. The prosthesis further includes a proximal fixation member coupled to the distal fixation member, the proximal fixation member configured to be positioned at least partially on a ventricular side of the native semilunar valve, and to apply, to the ventricular side of the native valve complex, a second axial force directed toward the downstream artery, such that application of the first and second forces couples the prosthesis to the native valve complex.
US08771345B2	Valve prosthesis fixation techniques using sandwiching A prosthesis including a distal fixation member that defines two or more engagement arms that are configured to apply a first axial force to tissue of the subject on a downstream side of the native valve complex. The prosthesis also includes a proximal fixation member configured to apply a second axial force to tissue of the subject on an upstream side of the native valve complex such that application of the first and second axial forces couples the prosthesis to the native valve complex. The proximal fixation member and the distal fixation member are fabricated as one integrated structure. The engagement arms and the proximal fixation member are configured to capture leaflets of the native valve complex therebetween without folding over of leaflets of the native valve complex, upon implantation of the prosthesis.
US08771344B2	Transcatheter heart valve delivery system with reduced area moment of inertia A device for percutaneously repairing a heart valve of a patient including a self-expanding, stented prosthetic heart valve and a delivery system. The delivery system includes delivery sheath slidably receiving an inner shaft forming a coupling structure. A capsule of the delivery sheath includes a distal segment and a proximal segment. An outer diameter of the distal segment is greater than that of the proximal segment. An area moment of inertia of the distal segment can be greater than an area moment of inertia of the proximal segment. Regardless, an axial length of the distal segment is less than the axial length of the prosthesis. In a loaded state, the prosthesis engages the coupling structure and is compressively retained within the capsule. The capsule is unlikely to kink when traversing the patient's vasculature, such as when tracking around the aortic arch, promoting recapturing of the prosthesis.
US08771341B2	Protuberant aneurysm bridging device and method of use A bridging device for supporting occlusive masses within an aneurysm located at a vascular bifurcation.
US08771335B2	Rapid exchange stent delivery system Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device may include an elongate tubular member, an endosurgery stent disposed on the outer surface of the tubular member, a push tube slidably disposed along the outer surface of the tubular member, and a push member slidably disposed in a lumen formed in the tubular member. The push member may be coupled to the push tube.
US08771334B2	Catheter balloon systems and methods An apparatus for treatment of a bifurcation of a body lumen, the bifurcation having a main vessel and a branch vessel, the apparatus includes a bifurcated balloon with a first branch portion and a second branch portion, the second branch portion including an inflatable portion adapted to extend toward the branch vessel, the bifurcated balloon also having a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion connected to the inflatable portion of the second branch portion, and wherein the first branch portion and the second branch portion each have a longitudinal axis, the axis of the first branch portion being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second branch portion.
US08771332B2	Multi-layer balloon design for use in combination with catheter assemblies, and methods of making the same An expandable medical device having a static state and at least one expanded state, the expandable medical device in the static state including at least one first inner layer and at least one second outer layer, the outer layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer layer having a closed lattice in the inner surface or the outer surface of the outer layer, wherein the lattice is open when the expandable medical device is in the at least one expanded state, and methods of making the same.
US08771331B2	Wrap for applying thermal therapy to a body part A wrap for applying thermal therapy to a body part includes a substantially liquid-tight, flexible polymer bag for containing a thermal agent which is attached to a wrap body formed from a non-expandable material. The bag is fastened to the wrap body such that the fastening area is 25% or less than the area of the bag. A pair of wings formed from an expandable, retractable material extends from each of opposite sides of the wrap body. Releasable fasteners are attached at the ends of at least two wings to attach to the ends of the opposite wings to secure the bag over the body part.
US08771330B1	Personal artificial transpiration cooling system A personal artificial transpiration cooling system having a transpiration surface with a substrate, a transpiration membrane layer which is spaced from the substrate layer by one or more spacers to define one or more interior fluid flow channels between a first surface of the transpiration membrane layer and the substrate; and a stoma layer disposed adjacent a second surface of the permeable membrane layer, the stoma layer being spaced from the second surface of permeable membrane layer by a predetermined distance to define one or more cavities disposed between pores in the at least one stoma layer and the second surface of the permeable membrane layer. A fluid reservoir is provided in fluid communication with the one or more interior fluid flow channels, while the transpiration surface is configured to be worn by a human or an animal and the fluid reservoir is designed to be supported, in use, by the human or animal wearing the transpiration surface.
US08771327B2	Apparatus and method for stimulating hair growth A device for stimulating hair growth applied to a user's scalp. The device includes a housing. A plurality of light emitting diodes coupled to the housing operable to emit non-coherent light, the non-coherent light having at least two intensity peaks. A plurality of pairs of teeth extending from the housing, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed between each pair of teeth; and wherein each of the plurality of pairs of teeth parts the user's hair to expose the scalp.
US08771326B2	Adipose resolve apparatus for low-power laser A lipolysis system configured for contacting and providing low-power laser irradiation to a plurality of targeted portions of a subject's body surface for the purpose of liquefying fats in subcutaneous regions underlying the targeted body surface portions, and methods for the use of the lipolysis system. The lipolysis system comprises: (a) a first laser applicator comprising a plurality of low-power laser diodes selected for emission of power outputs in the range comprising about 10 mW to about 100 mW with light waves in the range of 635 nm to 680 nm, (b) a second laser applicator comprising at least one low-power laser diode selected for emission of power outputs in the range comprising about 10 mW to about 100 mW with light waves in the range of 635 nm to 680 nm, and (c)a laser control device configured for controllably communicating and cooperating with said first laser applicator and said second laser applicator.
US08771323B2	Bone implant and systems that controllably releases silver Silver and/or zinc ion releasing implants, systems and method of operating, inserting and activating/inactivating them are described. In some variations the implant is configured as a bone implant that includes a bone-screw or intramedullary rod like body configured to receive a treatment cartridge having a plurality of ion-releasing members configured as an anode that can controllably engage with a catheter to turn galvanic release of ions on/off as desired. These devices may be configured to release silver ions (and/or zinc ions) above a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time and may maintain a concentration of ions over a relatively large volume of tissue. The ion-releasing members may be configured to reduce or prevent implant movement.
US08771320B2	Locking assembly for a polyaxial bone anchoring device A locking assembly for securing a rod in a polyaxial bone anchoring device includes a first locking element having a first end, a second end, an outer surface with an external advancement structure, an inner wall, an internal advancement structure on the inner wall, and an engagement portion for a tool, and a second locking element having a first end configured to be oriented towards the first end of the first locking element, an opposite second end, an outer surface with an external advancement structure configured to cooperate with the internal advancement structure of the first locking element, and a portion at the second end having a width greater than a greatest width of the external advancement structure of the second locking element, wherein the second locking element is configured to move axially relative to the bone anchoring device at a speed different than the first locking element.
US08771316B2	Method and apparatus for coupling anatomical features A method of coupling a first portion of an anatomy to a second portion of the anatomy includes coupling first and second bones of the anatomy with a bone-tendon-bone implant. The bone-tendon-bone implant has a first bone end, a second bone end and a replacement tendon between the first and second bone ends. The first and second bone ends are positioned in corresponding first and second bores of the first and second bones. The first bone end is secured to the first bone with a first bone anchor. A second anchor coupled to the bone-tendon-bone implant is passed through and outside the second bore. The second anchor is coupled to an adjustable suture construct having two adjustable suture loops. Tensioning at least one of first and second ends of the adjustable suture construct tensions the replacement tendon and positions the first bone relative to the second bone.
US08771312B1	Anastomosis fasteners A fastener suitable for anastomosis procedures may include a base, at least two sharp tines extending from the base, and at least one blunt wing extending from the base. The base may have a perimeter, and the tines and the wings may be arranged in alternating sequence along that perimeter. A method for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, may include stapling the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel, and deploying at least one fastener into tissue at least at one end of the anastomosis, wherein the fastener includes a plurality of tines and at least one wing, wherein each wing compresses the wall of the graft vessel against the outer surface of the target vessel without penetrating either of the graft vessel and the target vessel.
US08771310B2	Anti-no-reflow guide wire for vascular interventional procedures The present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving outcomes in vascular interventional procedures. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving outcomes in vascular interventional procedures using an anti-no-reflow guide wire that attenuates the “no-reflow” phenomenon that is associated with negative outcomes.
US08771309B2	Methods and apparatus for rapid endovascular vessel occlusion and blood flow interruption An occluding device including expandable scaffold and a flow-limiting member is described. In some embodiments the scaffold is an expandable or self-expanding stent deliverable over a guide wire. The flow-limiting member can include a valve that can be closed following deployment. On deployment the stent and flow-limiting member can engage an inner surface of a body cavity lumen, blocking flow of material. In some embodiments the body cavity is a blood vessel, and the device can be used to block blood flow. In some embodiments the device includes bioactive agents.
US08771306B2	Insertion device and method of use An insertion device for safely creating an incision through tissue is provided. The device includes a tubular member and a cutting assembly. The tubular member includes proximal and distal ends and defines a passageway therethrough. The tubular member includes at least one longitudinal slot extending proximally from a distal end thereof. The cutting assembly includes a blade assembly mounted on a distal end thereof. The distal end of the cutting assembly is configured for sliding reception within the passageway of the tubular member. The blade assembly includes at least one blade movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The blade assembly is configured such that the at least one blade is received through the at least one longitudinal slot of the tubular member when the at least one blade is in an extended position.
US08771304B1	Device for minimally invasive tendon sheath release having static blade A device for minimally invasive tendon sheath release is presented. The device enables a surgeon to cut (“open”) a pulley that is obstructing a nodule and keeping a tendon from sliding smoothly. The device is generally comprised of a sheath having a guide probe and a dorsal outrigger guide between which a cutting blade is positioned. The device is inserted through a small incision and the guide probe is used to find the edge of the pulley. Once found, the probe is guided to an end of the pulley. After proper position is assured, a cutting blade is deployed The entire device is then pushed or pulled using the device handle along the pulley until the pulley is completely released or where resistance is no longer felt.
US08771303B1	Method for minimally invasive tendon sheath release using device with hemi-cannula A method for minimally invasive tendon sheath release is presented herein. The method enables a surgeon to cut (“open”) a pulley that is obstructing a nodule and keeping a tendon from sliding smoothly. A guide probe of the device is inserted through a small incision and is used to find the edge of the pulley. Once found, the probe is guided to an end of the pulley. Proper placement of the device may be confirmed through the use of ultrasound. After proper position is assured, a hemi-cannula is moved over the guide probe to isolate the pulley from the surrounding tissue. A cutting blade is then used to sever the pulley. A dilation device may be inserted prior to the insertion of the spherical tipped guide probe to dilate the area.
US08771302B2	Method and apparatus for resecting and replacing an aortic valve Apparatus for resecting a diseased heart valve, the apparatus including: a body portion; a first handle and a second handle; a cutting blade; a set of retaining arms; a pass-off tool having a first attachment device configured to selectively engage the first handle attached to the body portion so as to allow placement of the second handle of the body portion adjacent to the diseased heart valve, and a controller tool, having a second attachment device at the distal end thereof, the second attachment device configured to selectively engage the second handle attached to the body portion so as to allow positioning of the body portion adjacent to the diseased heart valve, a cutting blade actuator configured to cause the cutting blade to selectively rotate, and a retaining arm actuator configured to selectively position the set of retaining arms from the contracted state to the expanded state.
US08771301B2	Ultrasonic handpiece A handpiece having a single set of piezoelectric elements polarized to produce longitudinal motion when excited at the relevant resonant frequency. The piezoelectric crystals are connected to an ultrasonic horn to which a cutting tip is attached. The horn and/or the cutting tip contains a plurality of diagonal slits or grooves. The slits or grooves produce optimized torsional movement in the cutting tip when the piezoelectric crystals are excited at a second resonant frequency. Preferably, the two drive frequencies are not coincident, but provided in non-overlapping pulses.
US08771300B2	Apparatuses and methods for forming incisions in ocular tissue A surgical tool includes a surgical blade configured to be moved to form an incision. The surgical tool also includes a wire configured to cause movement of the surgical blade. The surgical tool further includes an actuator configured to shorten a length of the wire to cause the movement of the surgical blade. The surgical tool could be configured to move the surgical blade in a first direction and then in a second direction in response to a single shortening of the wire. Also, the wire could represent a first wire, the surgical tool could include a second wire, and the surgical tool could be configured to move the surgical blade in a first direction in response to shortening the first wire and to move the surgical blade in a second direction in response to shortening the second wire.
US08771295B2	Suturing instrument and method for uterine preservation A suturing instrument includes an elongate body member, a needle deployment mechanism, and a depth adaptor. The elongate body member includes a distal portion that defines an opening. The needle deployment mechanism is at least partially disposed within the elongate body member and moves the needle out of the suturing instrument and into tissue. The depth adaptor is disposed in the opening at the distal portion of the elongate body member and controls the depth that the needle penetrates into the tissue.
US08771294B2	Aneurysm treatment devices and methods An aneurysm treatment device for in situ treatment of aneurysms comprises a collapsible member having a first shape wherein the first shape is an expanded geometric configuration, and a second shape, wherein the second shape is a collapsed configuration that is loadable into a catheter. The aneurysm treatment device is capable or returning to the first shape in the sac of an aneurysm upon deployment, where it occludes the aneurysm. In another embodiment an occlusion device comprises a flexible, longitudinally extending elastomeric matrix member that assumes a non-linear shape to conformally fill a targeted vascular site.
US08771291B2	Dermal micro-organs, methods and apparatuses for producing and using the same Embodiments of the present invention provide Dermal Micro-organs (DMOs), methods and apparatuses for harvesting the same. Some embodiments of the invention provide a DMO including a plurality of dermal components, which substantially retain the micro-architecture and three dimensional structure of the dermal tissue from which they are derived. An apparatus for harvesting the DMO may include, according to some exemplary embodiments, a support configuration to support a skin-related tissue structure from which the DMO is to be harvested, and a cutting tool able to separate the DMO from the skin-related tissue structure. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a genetically modified dermal micro-organ expressing at least one recombinant gene product. Some embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for implanting a genetically modified DMO.
US08771290B2	Microstereotactic table The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a microstereotactic table. In one embodiment, the microstereotactic table includes a plate member having a first surface, an opposite, second surface, a body portion defined therebetween, a plurality of leg members, each of them removably engaged with the plate member, respectively, and a passage is formed between the first surface and the opposite, second surface of the body portion of the plate member and along a longitudinal axis, wherein a step is formed within the passage, and wherein the step is formed such that the distance from the step to one of the first surface and the opposite, second surface along the longitudinal axis is a predetermined length.
US08771289B2	Thrombus removal device and system Devices and methods for removing a thrombus (clot) from a vascular structure of a living subject. An embodiment of a thrombus removal device comprises first and second annular members, the first annular member being adapted to slide over a guidewire placed in a vascular structure, the second annular member being coupled to the first annular member and having a suction flow path therethrough, the first annular member having an expandable mesh structure disposed at a distal portion thereof, the mesh structure being deployable to an expanded configuration by movement of an actuating element extending along the second annular member. An embodiment of a thrombus removal method comprises advancing the device to position the mesh structure downstream of the thrombus by sliding the first annular member over the guidewire, applying a suction force to the suction flow path of the second annular member, deploying the mesh structure, and retracting the device to cause the mesh structure to engage the thrombus.
US08771285B2	Drive tool for orthopedic screws A drive tool for accepting and rotationally locking the head portion of an orthopedic screw, such as a dental implant, to impart driving torque to the screw. In one exemplary embodiment, the drive tool includes an elongate body having an opening at its proximal end which is sized to receive the head portions of at least two different dental implants, the head portions of the dental implants being oriented at different angles with respect to the implant body portions. When the head portion of an implant is received within the opening, the drive tool is rotationally locked with respect to the implant. In this position, the body of the drive tool remains oriented so that same is substantially colinear with the body portion of the implant. Although the invention is described in the context of a drive tool used with a dental implant having a body portion and a head portion or abutment portion, the invention is more broadly applicable to drive tools which may be used with other types of orthopedic screws.
US08771282B2	Drill guide with rotating handle A drill guide includes at least one drill guide lumen and a handle coupled to the at least one drill guide lumen. The drill guide lumen includes a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a longitudinal opening therebetween. The handle is movable between a first position relative to the drill guide lumen and a second position relative to the drill guide lumen.
US08771280B2	Femoral cut guide The present disclosure provides a femoral cut guide for preparing a distal femur to receive a prosthetic femoral component of a knee implant. The prosthetic femoral component includes a central box. The femoral cut guide replicates the size and shape of the prosthetic femoral component, such that the femoral cut guide may serve as a trial or provisional component used to reduce and test the prepared knee joint before implanting the final prosthetic femoral component. The femoral cut guide includes a detachable box cut guide for preparing the distal femur to receive the central box of the prosthetic femoral component.
US08771279B2	Method and apparatus for performing an osteotomy in bone A method and apparatus for forming an osteotomy in bone. The osteotomy opening is formed in a bone with a keyhole. A similarly configured implant is inserted into the opening with a key configured to engage the keyhole to provide stability and support to the osteotomy opening.
US08771277B2	Device and a method for implanting a spinous process fixation device The disclosure provides a device to facilitate the insertion and attachment of an implant that includes a barrel assembly and a plate assembly in an interspinous space. The device comprises a main body, a first arm that is configured to hold the barrel assembly, and a second arm that is configured to hold a locking plate of the plate assembly, wherein the first and second arms are movably attached to the main body.
US08771276B2	Systems and methods for forming a cavity in, and delivering curable material into, bone Methods of injecting curable material within a bone structure, such as vertebroplasty, include locating a distal end of an access cannula within the bone structure. A channel creating device is inserted into a cannula lumen. A distal segment of the channel creating device is distally advanced from cannula distal end and into the bone structure. A curved channel is created in the bone structure with the distally advancing distal segment. A distal portion of a cavity creating device is then inserted into the cannula lumen, with the distal portion including an expandable body carried by an elongated body. The distal portion is distally advanced, following a path of the curved channel. The expandable body is transitioned to the expanded state to form a cavity in the bone structure. Finally, curable material is delivered to the cavity.
US08771273B2	Surgical drill for providing holes at an angle A surgical drill for providing holes at an angle for use in repair and replacement of the ACL is disclosed, generally comprising a drill guide having a head that is angularly adjustable with respect to a body, a flexible guide pin and a flexible drill. The adjustable head of the drill guide allows a surgeon to drill a hole in the femur at an angle to a tunnel provided in the tibia. Because the surgeon can access the femur via the hole in the tibia, the surgical drill of the present invention obviates the need for a second hole in the tissue and also makes placement of femur hole more precise for securement of the ligament or tendon graft within the hole.
US08771272B2	Easily implantable and stable nail-fastener for skeletal fixation and method An intramedullary nail (20) defining a bore (34) is inserted into a medullary canal (26) of a bone (24). A threaded fastener (22) has a compression portion (48) presenting a compression portion diameter (DCP) and a threaded portion (50) presenting a threaded portion diameter (DTP). The fastener (22) extends through a near cortex hole (40) and/or a far cortex hole (42), and the threaded portion (22) threadedly engages the bore (34). A compression transmission device (54) is disposed between a head (44) of the fastener (22) and the intramedullary nail (20) for transmitting the compressional load of the threaded fastener (22) to the intramedullary nail (20). An interior space of the compression transmission device (54) is greater than the compression portion diameter (DCP) providing space about the threaded fastener (22) for allowing the fastener axis (A) to be variously disposed relative to the interior space.
US08771270B2	Bipolar cautery instrument A cautery instrument includes a brush-type contact providing a sliding electrical connection to a jaw of the instrument. To provide isolation, the jaws may have ends in cavities in a clevis made of an insulating material. Non-conducting drive cables can be attached to the jaws using high friction paths that prevent or resist slippage of the cables relative to the jaws.
US08771268B2	Method and system for invasive skin treatment A system and method for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a coagulation temperature. The system comprises an applicator containing an electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations. A controller applies a voltage to the electrode so as to simultaneously heat a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature when the applicator is applied to the skin surface.
US08771267B2	Ablation catheter Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the mapping of electrical signals and the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be transformed from a compact, linear configuration to a helical configuration, such as to map and ablate pulmonary vein ostia.
US08771263B2	Device, apparatus, and method of adipose tissue treatment An improved procedure for performing liposuction is obtained by utilizing a needle that includes a laser source conductor with one end of the needle being configured for insertion into a target adipose skin volume and the other end being coupled to a laser source. The needle may include one or more channels for extracting the treated adipose area. A vacuum source can be used in the extraction of the treated adipose. Further, the first end of the needle may include a cap or end-piece that reduces the build up of carbon deposits. A temperature sensor may be used as input to adjust the laser power and prevent over exposure.
US08771259B2	System for treating a wound with suction and method of detecting a loss of suction A system for applying suction to a wound is provided, including a suction source for providing suction to a conduit operatively associated with the wound to communicate suction to the wound, a vent in fluid communication with the conduit to provide a reference airflow into the conduit when the system is in operation, such that a loss of suction at the wound is indicated by deviation from the reference airflow, and a waste collector canister between the wound and the suction source for collecting liquids aspirated from the wound, wherein the canister includes one or more disks containing gelling agent.
US08771256B2	Device delivering medicines by transpalpebral electrophoresis The invention concerns a device for ocular application of an active principle (1) comprising a main electrode (2) including an insulating layer, an adhesive layer designed to bind the insulating layer to a conductive layer, characterized in that the main electrode comprises a zone (21, 22) designed to be urged into contact with an eyelid.
US08771255B2	Method and apparatus for sutureless injectable retinal detachment sponge implantation A method and apparatus for a suture less injectable retinal detachment sponge and method for placing the sponge in a pocket beneath the surface of the sclera is the subject of the present invention. An exterior accessible pocket can be created in the sclera by making an incision in the outer surface. The incision can be made utilizing a crescent blade. The apparatus used to perform the procedure for insertion of the sponge in the pocket utilizes an injector having a cylinder and plunger combination. The cylinder can have a sponge removably contained therein and a plunger for injecting the sponge out of the cylinder portion of the injector to the desired location within the pocket.
US08771249B2	Absorbent incontinence article with improved closure system An absorbent incontinence diaper (2) has a rear area (8), a front area (6) and an intermediate crotch area (12), first and second side edges (5), and with a main part (4) having an inner face directed towards the body and an outer face directed away from the body. Side parts (16,17) are joined to the first and second side edges (5), the side parts (16,17) having an inner face and an outer face, the side parts (17) in the rear area having closure means (32) with mechanical closure aids (31). The retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the main part are lower than the retaining forces between the mechanical closure means (31) and the outer face of the side parts (16) in the front area (6).
US08771248B2	Tampon It is intended to provide a tampon wherein a string-shaped member is bonded to a cylindrical absorbent in the state of not being exposed on the absorbent surface. A tampon comprising an absorbent (2), which is obtained by molding a sheet member into a cylindrical shape, and a string-shaped member (4) which is bonded to the absorbent (2) and extends from one end of the absorbent (2). The string-shaped member (4) has a first string part which is bonded along the first direction of one face of the sheet member constituting the absorbent (2) and a second string part which extends from the sheet member. A first folding part is formed in one side of the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction of the first string member, while a second folding part is formed in the other side of the second direction. Owing to this constitution, the absorbent (2) is deformed by bending respectively from the first folding part and the second folding part and thus molded into a cylindrical shape from which the first string part is not exposed.
US08771246B2	Wearing article and method of folding up the same A wearing article adapted to be folded up as compactly as possible in a sanitary manner utilizing the component of the wearing article itself. The wearing article having front and rear waist regions that include a first pair of lateral zones opposed to each other in a transverse direction X and extending in a longitudinal direction Y and a second pair of lateral zones opposed to each other in the transverse direction X and extending in the longitudinal direction Y, respectively. An inner sheet is provided in the respective first lateral zones with mount members defining first engagement regions and hook elements of mechanical fastener are attached to a chassis via these mount members. The respective second lateral zones of the inner sheet define second engagement regions and provided with loop elements attached thereto. The front and rear waist regions are provided with waist elastic members attached thereto under tension so as to extend in the transverse direction X. The mount members are formed by fibrous sheet adapted to be engaged with the hook members and thereby define third engagement regions.
US08771244B2	Attachment device for use in the vacuum therapy of wounds An attachment device (2) for use in the vacuum therapy of wounds has a vacuum-tight mounting element (6). A conduit is fastening to the upper side of that mounting element in a vacuum-tight manner. The conduit (4) communicates with the wound space through openings (22) in the mounting element (6) and in the vacuum dressing. The conduit (4) is flexible and flat and is connected to the mounting element (6) non-detachably and extensively in a longitudinal section (8) on the wound side over at least 70% of its surface projected perpendicularly onto the mounting means (6). The conduit (4) is made out of a flexible elastomer material of Shore A hardness of no more than 60 and the thickness (D) of the combined conduit (4) and mounting element (6) is no more than 7 mm.
US08771241B2	Visually aligning dispensing unit Dispensing units and methods for using dispensing units to apply eye drops to an eye of a user are disclosed. A dispensing unit may include a dispensing barrel having a dispensing orifice and one or more concentric rings. A particular dispensing unit has one concentric ring that is disposed around the circumference of the dispensing barrel and is configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user. An alternate dispensing unit has first and second rings disposed around a circumference of the dispensing barrel that are configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user by one or more of color mixing or polarization techniques.
US08771240B2	Apparatuses, systems, and methods for managing liquid flow associated with a tissue site using the presence of reduced pressure The illustrative embodiments described herein are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for managing liquid flow associated with a tissue site that involves using reduced pressure to control fluid flow. In one instance, an apparatus includes a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with a reduced-pressure source. The valves are movable between an open position and a closed position and are operable to change flow status (open to closed or vice versa) based on a presence of reduced pressure. At least one of the first valve or the second valve is in the closed position to obstruct a flow of a liquid while the other is in the open position. The apparatus also includes a reservoir fluidly coupled to the first valve and the second valve. Other systems, methods, and apparatuses are presented.
US08771239B2	Drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices The present invention relates to drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices, in particular pen-type injectors, wherein a number of pre-set doses of medicinal product can be administered. In particular, the present invention relates to such drug delivery devices where a user may activate the drug delivery device.
US08771237B2	Injection device for delivering a fixed dose of liquid drug An injection device (1) for delivering a predetermined fixed dose of liquid drug, the device (1) comprising a housing (2), a first and second tubular members (7, 10). The first tubular member (7) and the housing are engaged via a first track (8) and a first protruding part (9), and the first and second tubular members (7, 10) are engaged via a second track (11) and a second protruding part (12). The first track (8) comprises a first portion (8a) which the first protruding part (9) travels during setting of the dose, and the second track (11) comprises a first portion (11a) which the second protruding part (12) travels during setting of the predetermined fixed dose. The first 10 portions (8a, 11a) of the first (8) and second (11) tracks are shaped in such a manner that the second tubular member (10) is prevented from rotating during setting 15 of a dose. The second tubular member (10) is rotationally locked to a piston rod (13), and rotation of the piston rod (13) during dose setting is thereby prevented.
US08771236B2	Systems and methods for a medical syringe Systems and methods for administering drugs to a patient, including a syringe system. The syringe system includes a plastic needle coupled to an end of a syringe barrel, the needle including a proximal taper and a distal taper. A cannula assembly is removably coupled to the plastic needle, the cannula including mating surfaces for the proximal and distal tapers of the plastic needle. The syringe system can also include a cannula cover with a first and second end with different sizes to respectively attach to the cannula assembly and the barrel when the cannula assembly is removed. The cannula may have a distal tip cut at an angle to ensure maximum removal of drug from a given vial.
US08771232B2	Anchor device and method Some embodiments of an anchor device may include bendable anchor mechanism that is deployable in a subcutaneous layer to releasably secure the anchor device to a patient's body. Certain embodiments of the anchor mechanism may include one or more barbs that flexibly bend in response to an insertion or removal force. As such, the anchor mechanism may be inserted into a subcutaneous layer, and removed from the subcutaneous layer, without the need for a separate actuation device to extend or retract the barbs.
US08771229B2	Cartridge system for delivery of medicament A cartridge system for delivery of medicament includes as membrane placed between two disk magnets that are housed within pump body inserts. The pump body inserts having flow channels and fluid openings are between two inlet/outlet members. The inlet/outlet members each having a fluid outlet component and fluid openings are securely engaged to two reservoirs containing fluid medicaments.
US08771227B2	Constant rate fluid delivery device with selectable flow rate and titratable bolus button A wearable, self-contained drug infusion device is disclosed that is capable of achieving the precise flow rate control needed for dose-critical drugs such as insulin. In preferred embodiments of the device, at least two flow channels are utilized in conjunction with a series of valves for providing a user with selectable, constant flow rate control. The device can be made with small dimensions so that it can be worn by the user with a minimum of discomfort and inconvenience. In addition, the simple mechanical nature of the device provides the user with close control over the flow rate, which is required for safe and effective delivery of insulin and other drugs. Also, the absence of electronic components allows the device to be manufactured inexpensively. The device is provided with a first channel that is long and narrow, functioning as a flow restrictor. The first channel is preferably provided in a serpentine pattern. A second channel is also provided that has a larger cross section so that flow is not restricted. A series of valves are used to force the flow of fluid through a selectable portion of the serpentine portion of the first channel before entering the remainder of the second channel and flowing to the delivery cannula. In one embodiment of the device, a needle port is provided in fluid communication with the delivery cannula for delivering bolus injections. In another embodiment, a bolus button is provided for delivering bolus injections. A flow restrictor is preferably included in the bolus button to limit the rate at which the bolus button refills.
US08771223B2	Cannula anchor Cannula anchor assemblies are disclosed which consist of a threaded cannula and a cannula anchor. The cannula anchor system allows for secure anchoring into the body wall, and proper cannula height adjustment prior to and during surgery. Sutures through the body wall may be secured to the cannula anchor either directly through the cannula anchor, or around suture posts attached therein. The cannula anchor also prevents excessive plunge of a trocar into the patient. The cannula anchor is generally configured with internal threads that mate with a threaded cannula.
US08771219B2	Gastrointestinal implant with drawstring A gastrointestinal implant device includes a flexible, floppy sleeve, open at both ends, that extends into the duodenum. The device further includes a collapsible anchor coupled to the proximal portion of the sleeve. The device further includes a drawstring that is threaded through a proximal end of the anchor, and barbs that extend from the exterior surface of the anchor. The collapsible anchor can be a wave anchor. The drawstring can be used to collapse at least a proximal portion of the implant device. This is useful in removing or repositioning the implant device.
US08771214B2	Hip abduction orthosis A hip abduction orthosis for stabilizing the hip joints of a user, provided with a trunk engaging part, first and second thigh engaging parts and first and second coupling parts, wherein the first coupling part connects the first thigh engaging part with the trunk engaging part and the second coupling part connects the second thigh engaging part with the trunk engaging part. A distance between the first and/or the second thigh engaging part and the trunk engaging part is settable. An abduction angle of that thigh engaging part is settable. The distance and the abduction angle are coupled such that a first set distance between that thigh engaging part and the trunk engaging part is coupled with a first set abduction angle and a second set distance different from the first set distance is coupled with a second set abduction angle different from the first set abduction angle.
US08771213B2	Orthopedic foot support Orthopaedic foot support (1) to support long-term bedridden patients, characterized in that the foot support includes a preformed support of two parts, i.e. a top piece (2) that consists of a stiff cushion (3) with an erect wall (4) and transverse supports (5,6,7) connected to it for the lateral support of the lower legs (16), and a bottom piece that consists of a base (8) on which the lower legs can rest and whereby the base (8) has a pair of cambers (10) to support the lower legs (16), and whereby the base (8) can be exchanged by a base with different cambers (10) suitable for another leg dimension, and whereby the top piece (2) can be removed to gain access to the legs of the patient who remains lying on the base (8), without having to move this base (8) or the legs (16).
US08771210B2	Multi-fit orthotic and mobility assistance apparatus A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.
US08771208B2	Powered orthosis systems and methods Powered orthosis systems and methods are disclosed. An orthosis system includes a frame, a trunk brace adapted to be secured to a user's trunk, a trunk joint coupling the trunk brace to the frame, an upper leg brace adapted to be secured to a user's upper leg, a hip joint coupling the upper leg brace to the trunk brace, a lower leg brace adapted to be secured to a user's lower leg, a knee joint coupling the lower leg brace to the upper leg brace, and a controller. The hip joint or knee joint includes an actuator operable to rotate the adjacent braces relative to each other. The controller is programmed to operate the actuator. An orthosis method includes securing a user to the orthosis system, enabling the user to walk while secured to the orthosis system, and actuating the hip or knee actuator to rotate the adjacent braces.
US08771206B2	Interactive virtual care An interactive virtual care system may include a user sensory module to acquire multi-modal user data related to user movement. A data analysis module may compare the multi-modal user data to predetermined historical user data and/or statistical norm data for users to identify an anomaly in the user movement.
US08771200B2	Single insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device with linear drive The present invention provides for exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device. Exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling device with integrated marker release.
US08771199B2	Full core biopsy needle with secondary cutting cannula There is shown and described embodiments of a biopsy needle that is simpler to make and use than existing devices. An inner and outer cannula are provided, with the outer cannula having a superelastic finger that lies along the length of the inner cannula in a retracted position and partially covers the lumen of the inner cannula in an extended position. The finger is pointed and in the form of a triangle in a particular embodiment, and does not extend beyond the outer extent of the inner cannula in the extended position.
US08771191B2	Ultrasonic blood vessel measurement apparatus and method An apparatus and method for determining the apparent intima-media thickness (IMT) of arteries through acquisition and analysis of ultrasound images comprising an array of pixel intensities. A datum, or datums, may be established across multiple columns of pixels bounding the portion of the image containing either the lumen/intima boundary, the media/adventitia boundary, or both. The datums may be approximate the shape of one more of the lumen, intima, media, and adventitia. Within a bounded portion of the image, a method may search for intensity gradients having characteristics indicating the gradients represent probable locations of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement is calculated based on the location of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement may be adjusted for sloping or tapering of an artery wall.
US08771190B2	Methods and apparatus for ultrasound imaging Blood flow information is used to reduce noise manifest in blood vessel ultrasound B-mode images. A blood flow signal is obtained by a flow detector. After wall filtering, only the flow signal power in the blood vessel lumen remains, while signal power from stationary tissue region is suppressed. The flow signal component is used to calculate a flow component parameter that is used to generate a gain control signal α that reduces noise in a B-mode image.
US08771184B2	Wireless medical diagnosis and monitoring equipment A method of medical diagnosis and monitoring using equipment that has wireless electrodes, which are attached to the surface of the skin of the patient. The method comprises collection of data from a patient, converting the data to digital form and transmitting the digital data wirelessly from a patient to a base station located away from the patient where in the wireless transmission between the patient and base station is bi directional.
US08771183B2	Method and system for providing data communication in continuous glucose monitoring and management system Method and system for providing data monitoring and management including RF communication link over which a transmitter and a receiver is configured to communicate, the transmitter configured to periodically transmit a data packet associated with a detected analyte level received from an analyte sensor, and the receiver configured to identify the transmitter as the correct transmitter for which it is configured to receive the data packets, and to continue to receive the data packets from the transmitter once the transmitter identification has been verified, is provided.
US08771181B2	Surgical retractor extensions A surgical retractor apparatus having one or more independent, removable extension members adapted to be mounted at the distal end of the retractor, or between the blades of a spreadable retractor, after the retractor has been positioned in the patient, such that a significant portion of the extension member extends beyond the distal end of the retractor to preclude or minimize intrusion of tissue into the access area created by the retractor. The extension members may vary in size and shape so that the most appropriate extension member can be chosen to address the intrusion problem, and the extension members may be mounted at various fixed locations, using clips, mechanical interlocking structures or the like.
US08771180B2	Retraction of tissue for single port entry, robotically assisted medical procedures A single port entry surgical instrument has an elongated structure with lumens through which surgical tools and an image capturing device may be inserted and controllably extended out of its distal end for performing a medical procedure, a tubular-shaped balloon disposed around the elongated structure, and an expandable retractor disposed around the balloon so that when the balloon is inflated, the retractor expands and locks in an expanded configuration to retract extraneous tissue. The port entry may be secured using the expandable retractor or sealed using another inflatable balloon disposed around the proximal end of the elongated structure and centered in the port entry.
US08771174B2	Endoscope-equipped puncture balloon To provide a tool for safely and reliably securing a route for endermically approaching the interior of the body; more specifically, an endoscope-equipped puncture balloon that is designed to allow a balloon that does not immediately burst when punctured by a puncturing needle or the like to be used as a target, and that can be used by installing or inserting an endoscope in a tube holding such balloon.In a thin-walled main body tube 1 equipped with an endoscope-installed section at the rear end, a balloon 2 is disposed on the front surface thereof, and a branch tube 4 communicating with the interior of the balloon 2 in a gas-liquid flow manner is disposed on the main body tube 1, the branch tube 4 having a connector 5 annexed to the rear end thereof; thus it is not until the liquid in the balloon is absorbed without the balloon immediately bursting when punctured by a puncturing needle that a bore can be secured until the balloon is contracted.
US08771173B2	Access device for surgery The present invention provides an access device for surgery. The access device includes a guide member and a head member. The guide member and head member define a channel configured to receive and guide a sterile flexible scope with a working channel. The guide member and head member cooperate to extend through a small opening of 2 cm or less to access tissue structures. The head member may include surfaces to separate a pericardium from a surface of the heart, stabilize a beating heart and, with the endoscope, provide visibility for the implantation of a therapeutic such as stem cells to the surface of the heart with improved safety and accuracy. Ranges of other diagnostic, application of therapeutics or biologics, and observational applications may be facilitated by the access device, such as TMR, ablation, echo-probe diagnostics, LAA isolation, observation of the same procedures, etc.
US08771170B2	Methods and apparatus for transesophageal microaccess surgery The current invention describes methods of transesophageal access to the neck and thorax to perform surgical interventions on structures outside the esophagus in both the cervical and the thoracic cavity. It describes a liner device made of a complete or partial tubular structure, or a flat plate, the liner having means to facilitate creation of a side opening, which may include a valve. The liner with its side opening form a port structure inside the esophageal lumen. The port structure allows elongated surgical devices to pass through a perforation across the full thickness of the esophageal wall to outside location, in a controlled way. The elongated surgical devices can be diagnostic scopes, therapeutic scopes, manual elongated surgical devices, robotic arms or the like. After being deployed outside the esophagus, the surgical devices can access structures outside the esophagus, in the neck and thorax in 360 degrees of freedom around the esophageal circumference. These structures can be bony, cartilaginous, spinal, vascular, soft tissue, deep tissues, lymph nodal, cardiac, pulmonary, tracheal, nervous, muscular or diaphragmatic, skin and subcutaneous tissues of the neck, skin and subcutaneous tissues of the anterior chest wall, skin and subcutaneous tissues of the skin of the back, and skin and layers of the breast.
US08771168B2	Transobturator methods for installing sling to treat incontinence, and related devices Described are methods of treating urinary incontinence using a urinary sling and a tissue path that passes through the obturator foramen, along with related surgical implants, devices, systems, and kits.
US08771167B2	Middle ear implant for otosclerosis A middle ear transducer arrangement is described for engaging a round window membrane of a patient cochlea. A mechanical transducer is surgically implantable into a fixed position in the round window niche of the patient cochlea adjacent to the round window membrane. A drive face on the outer surface of the transducer has a diameter less than half the diameter of the round window membrane. The fixed position of the transducer engages the drive face against a side section of the round window membrane without engaging the center point to generate an acoustic stimulation signal for perception as sound.
US08771163B2	Transcranial magnetic stimulation system and methods A system and methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation, the system including a helmet, a positioning portion, a stimulator and a cooling system, are disclosed. The helmet includes a coil for deep brain magnetic stimulation. The coil has a base portion, and return portions, which may include a protruding return portion and a contacting return portion. The coil is designed to minimize unintended stimulation of portions of the brain, while reducing accumulation of surface charges. The coil is stimulated at several locations and/or at different times so as to focus the electrical field on a specific deep neuronal structure.
US08771162B2	Spacers for use in brachytherapy, radiotherapy, and other medical therapy A spacer for use in brachytherapy, and radiotherapy, is formed of an encapsulating material in a generally cylindrical or elongated shape. Regions are formed within the spacer and retaining therapeutic loads, such as radiation sources and/or pharmaceutical therapeutic loads, and/or any other substances to treat a patient, such as drug liquids, powder or particles (e.g., microparticles or nanoparticles), with the particles or powders combined with binders, such as polyacrylamide, that are selected to gradually disperse the powder or particles at a desired rate. Such regions can be formed at various locations within the spacer, and can have various shapes depending on the particular design and intended usage. The outer surface of the encapsulating material can optionally include one or more fins, ribs or other physical protuberances or features that improve the fixity of the spacer when implanted within a patient's body.
US08771155B1	Exercise apparatus for assisting in strength exercises An exercise apparatus comprises first and second arm cuffs and a central elastic member. The first and second arm cuffs are configured to encircle right and left arms, respectively, of an exerciser. Each arm cuff is configured to encircle an elbow of the arm, a portion of an upper arm of the arm, and a portion of a lower arm of the arm. The first and second arm cuffs are attached to opposite sides in a longitudinal direction of the central elastic member. The central elastic member has a substantially rectangular shape and has a length sufficient to extend across a chest of the exerciser and for the first and second arm cuffs to encircle the right and left arms, respectively, of the exerciser.
US08771154B2	Gymnastic equipment A gymnastic equipment (1) comprising a frame (10), a load group (20) carried by the frame (10) in a given manner; the load group (20) comprising an elongated elastic body (30) connected to the frame (10) and a flexible member (40) connected to the elastic body (30) in a given manner; the elastic body (30) comprising an arch (30) delimited by two respective end portions (32) (33), each of which being designed to couple with the flexible member (30) in such a manner as to maintain this latter tensioned both at rest and in use, during the execution of a training exercise.
US08771151B2	Adjustable exercise apparatus simulating a kayak An exercise assembly simulating the muscular movements of a kayaker includes an elongate seat resiliently mounted on an elongate spine structure supported on adjustable pedestals that are each further resiliently mounted. At the front end an adjustably aligned pivot engages through a U-joint a simulated kayak paddle with the motion of the pivot resisted by restricted orifice cylinders mounted in the spine structure. A generally uniform adjustment arrangement is utilized to conform the assembly to the various users and/or various exercise levels.
US08771150B2	Exercise device An exercise device to provide exercise for a user may include a base panel to provide resistance in a fluid, a finger handle to connect to the base panel and to provide support for the hand of the user and a wrist restraint device to connect to the base panel and to restrain the wrist of the user. The finger handle may be substantially an inverted U-shaped.
US08771147B2	Coast stop vehicle and control method thereof A coast stop vehicle which executes coast stop control for stopping an engine during the travel of a vehicle, is provided with a frictional engagement element provided between the engine and a driving wheel, a first deceleration calculating unit which calculates first deceleration, which is rotation deceleration of a rotation shaft on the driving wheel side of the frictional engagement element, and an engagement-state control unit which controls an engagement state of the frictional engagement element so that decrease of the engine rotation speed is suppressed on the basis of the first deceleration while the coast stop control is executed.
US08771145B2	Method of controlling double clutch transmission of vehicle A method of controlling a double clutch transmission of a vehicle to conduct a series of downshifting operations from a preceding gear to a subsequent gear via a current gear in response to deceleration of the vehicle, may include maintaining a clutch which has been in an engaged state at the preceding gear, in the engaged state until after an order to shift to the subsequent gear may be generated, when shifting from the preceding gear to the current gear, releasing the clutch after the order to shift to the subsequent gear may be generated, and engaging a shift gear of the subsequent gear after the releasing of the clutch.
US08771142B2	Controller of vehicle and control method of vehicle A controller of a vehicle, provided with a coast stop control unit which automatically stops an engine during the travel of a vehicle if coast stop conditions are met during the travel of the vehicle, and the coast stop control unit automatically stops the engine at least if a change amount of acceleration of the vehicle caused by the automatic stop of the engine is predetermined acceleration or less.
US08771136B2	Hybrid powertrain with operator selectable electric propulsion mode A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine and a transmission having an input member, an output member, and a neutral state in which torque is not transmitted from the input member to the output member. A first motor/generator is coupled to the engine. A second motor/generator is coupled with vehicle wheels directly or indirectly through the transmission. The first motor/generator acts as a generator when powered by the engine to provide electric power to the second motor/generator. The second motor/generator acts as a motor when receiving electric power from a battery or from the first motor/generator. A shift selector is moved by a vehicle operator to establish an electric propulsion mode in which the transmission is in the neutral state and the second motor/generator functions as a motor.
US08771134B2	Friction wheel drive The invention is directed to a friction wheel drive with a driving roller capable of being driven in a rotary manner, which is mounted on a bearing unit so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. The bearing unit is displaceably guided transversely to the axis of rotation, and a circumferential surface of the driving roller can be brought into driving engagement with a friction surface. The bearing unit is coupled to a first mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in a first direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases. The bearing unit is also coupled to a second mechanical forced guidance system, by which the driving roller, responding to a driving force acting in an opposite second direction, can be automatically pressed against the friction surface with a contact pressing force that increases as the driving force increases.
US08771124B2	Carrier for planetary gear system A planetary gear system includes a sun gear rotatable about an axis. Planetary gears are circumferentially arranged about and intermesh with the sun gear and peripherally with a ring gear. Each of the planetary gears is supported by a journal bearing arranged in a bore in a carrier wall. A carrier supports the journal bearings and is configured to rotate about the axis and carry the planetary gears. The carrier wall supports the journal bearings and has spaced apart lateral surfaces. A scupper is arranged between the lateral surfaces and provides an inlet in one of the lateral surfaces, in this example facing the sun gear. The inlet has a first circumferential dimension, and a passage fluidly interconnects the scupper to one of the journal bearings via the bore. The passage has a second circumferential dimension less than the first circumferential dimension.
US08771121B2	Latching clutch valve control system An assembly includes a valve body having an inlet in selective communication with an outlet and having an unlatch port, a latching piston disposed within the valve body, a balance spring disposed between the latching piston and the valve body, and a valve piston disposed within the valve body. The inlet communicates with the outlet when the valve piston is in a first position and the inlet does not communicate with the outlet when the valve piston is in a second position. A diaphragm spring is disposed between the latching piston and the valve piston. A holding spring is disposed between the valve piston and the valve body. An unlatching mechanism is in communication with the unlatch port of the valve body.
US08771116B2	Vehicle transmission having continuously variable gear ratios A vehicle transmission having continuously variable transmission ratios including an input shaft and an intermediate shaft. A first conical disk pair is disposed on a first shaft and a second conical disk pair is disposed on a second shaft. A belt connects the disk pairs. An intermediate gear that can be rotatably engaged with the first shaft, and an output gear, are rotatably supported on the intermediate shaft. A connecting gear is non-rotatably disposed on the intermediate shaft. A first force transmitting device is disposed between the input shaft and intermediate shaft, a second force transmitting device is disposed between the input shaft and the intermediate gear, a third force transmitting device is disposed between the intermediate gear and output gear, and a fourth force transmitting device is disposed between the intermediate shaft and the output gear. At least one of the force transmitting devices is a freewheel.
US08771112B2	Broadhead An arrow broadhead having a pair of cutting blades held in a retracted position during arrow flight and extending outwardly in an expanded position upon arrow contact. The subject broadhead includes a pair of pivot arms or sliding arm received in an elongated groove in a cutting blade housing body. The pivot arms or sliding arm are attached to one end of the cutting blades. At least a portion of the cutting blades are folded into the groove during arrow flight. Upon target contact, the pivot arms or sliding arm pivot the cutting blades outwardly from opposite sides of the groove into an expanded position for increased cutting and penetration in the target.
US08771111B2	Ballistic arrow A hunting arrow having an arrow shaft with a front end and a back end. The hunting arrow has at least one arrow blade attached to the arrow shaft, and has a closed position and at least one open position. The at least one arrow blade is substantially flush with the arrow shaft when in the closed position, and extends radially outward from the arrow shaft when in an open position. In addition, the hunting arrow has an arrow tip that is attached to the front end of the arrow shaft and is capable of moving longitudinally toward or away from the arrow shaft. The arrow tip is operatively engaged with the at least one arrow blade so that the arrow tip opens and closes the at least one arrow blade by moving relative to the arrow shaft.
US08771110B2	Ball A valve for a ball includes a casing and a core. The core is arranged at least partially inside the casing. The core comprises a first sealing area with a plurality of sections which have alternating concave and convex curvatures.
US08771108B2	Training device for improving a tennis players swing A training device which includes a face with a first region and a second region, said first region adapted to provide an first auditory output when struck by a tennis ball and said second region adapted to provide a second auditory output when struck by a tennis ball, wherein said first auditory output and said second auditory output are different, a circumferentially grooved region adjacent said face, and a ringlet engageable with said grooved region.
US08771097B2	Golf club with trough in sole A golf club with a plurality of protrusions separated by a trough and capable of improving turf interaction for various turf conditions with various turf undulations is disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention discloses a metal wood type golf club having a plurality of protrusions separated by a trough on its sole that is capable of changing the lie angle of the metal wood type golf club head by varying the combination of protrusions that come into contact with the ground to provide improved turf interaction for various types of lies.
US08771096B2	Golf club with multi-component neck A golf putter with a multi-component neck providing a novel offset and shaft-attachment design is described and claimed. The club includes a head having a strike surface, a sole, and a top line. The multi-component neck includes a lower neck component and a coupling member. The coupling member is joined to a shaft. The coupling member connects the lower neck component and the shaft such that they are relatively offset. The length of the lower neck component and/or the design of the coupling member determine the distance from the club head center of gravity and the intersection of the projected longitudinal axis of the shaft with the head.
US08771095B2	Contrast-enhanced golf club heads Golf club heads include white diffusing top surfaces to aid in club head alignment. Wood type club heads also include a dark diffusing club face so that a crown/face border is emphasized. Scorelines in wood type clubs can be provided with an intermediate contrast surface, and can be displaced from club face center to accommodate player perception when confronted with a white diffusing crown. Putter heads can include dark diffusing alignment lines, and iron-type club heads can include white diffusing surfaces at a sole portion of a club face, at a top line, or a top portion of a club face.
US08771094B2	Mobile bowling scoring system control In one implementation, a mobile device is integrated with a bowling center automatic scoring system. For example, a server receives a lane control command originating with the mobile device and determines or identifies a bowling lane that is associated with the mobile device. A response message or signal, which includes data indicative of the bowling lane and the lane control command to, is sent to the automatic scoring system. The automatic scoring system executes the lane control command.
US08771093B2	Removable stair slide Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for sliding apparatus comprising a slide portion having a first surface, a second surface, a proximal end and a distal end. In certain embodiments, at least one of the first surface or the second surface is configured to be placed over one or more stairs of a staircase, such that at least a portion of the first surface or the second surface is in direct contact with at least a portion of the one or more stairs of the staircase. The sliding apparatus also includes an anchor member coupled to the proximal end of the slide portion. The anchor member is configured to move from a contracted position to an extended position such that when the anchor member is in the extended position the anchor member is secured between a first vertical surface of the staircase and a second vertical surface of the staircase.
US08771091B1	Two-torque-producing connecting rod assembly A two-torque-producing connecting rod assembly used in combination with a hand tool is provided with a rod and a connecting member. The rod is polygonal and includes a big first section, a small second section and a connecting portion. The connecting member is a hollow cylindrical structure sleeved on the rod and has an inserting cavity and a stepped receiving cavity. The receiving cavity includes an outer section, an inner section and a middle section which is smaller in diameter than the outer section but larger than the inner section, the outer section includes plural alternatively-arranged arc-shaped concave portions and pointed convex portions. When the first section of the rod is inserted in the outer section of the connecting member, plural angles of the first section are disposed between the arc-shaped concave portions and restricted to move between the two ends by the pointed convex portions.
US08771089B2	Elastic joint body having a collar bushing arrangement to protect loops An elastic joint body for a shaft arrangement for the articulated connection of two shaft sections includes a plurality of bushings disposed in the circumferential direction at predetermined angular distances relative to a central axis of the joint body, a plurality of loop bundles, and a rubber elastic casing. Each loop bundle loops around two adjacent bushings and each bushing is looped by at least two of the plurality of loop bundles. Each of the plurality of bushings is provided with a plurality of bushing components. A first bushing component has an axial shaft section against which one of the loop bundles rests and wherein a second bushing component has a radial collar section against which the loop bundle rests. The first bushing component rests, without fixing, against the second bushing component in a contact zone offset relative to the loop bundle in the axial direction.
US08771087B2	Torque limiting drive for watercraft A method and apparatus for limiting the torque from an engine to the drive train of a watercraft. A torque limiting clutch is mounted to the flywheel of the engine. The output of the clutch is connected to the drive train of the watercraft. The clutch allows all of the engine's torque to be delivered to the drive train during normal conditions and less than all of the engine's torque to be delivered to the drive train during conditions in which the drive train experiences periods of excessive force. When normal conditions return, the apparatus automatically delivers all of the engine's torque to the drive train.
US08771081B2	Display of notifications to members of a gaming group Methods for providing notification during an online casino game is provided. One method includes detecting a first gameplay session of the online casino game, the first gameplay session associated with a first user. The method then detects a second gameplay session of the online casino game. The second gameplay session is associated with a second user, and at least part of the second gameplay session occurring simultaneously with the first gameplay session. The method then determines whether the first user and the second user are members of a common group. If so, then the method displays a message to the first user during the first gameplay session. The message to the first user identifying the second user. The methods provided herein provide for social interaction during online game play and social friend interactions that facilitate or advance game play in an online environment.
US08771078B2	Amusement device including means for processing electronic data in play of a game of chance Various card devices and methods involving card devices are described. Other embodiments are also described.
US08771077B2	System, method, and apparatus for associating a gaming profile using proximity of a wireless device An apparatus, system, and method for associating a gaming profile based on a position of a wireless device relative to a gaming controller. The system includes a position detector to detect a position of each of a plurality of gaming controllers. The position detector also detects a position of the mobile phone relative to each of the plurality of gaming controllers. The gaming profile is associated with the mobile phone. The system also includes a gaming profile manager to associate the gaming profile with one of the gaming controllers in response to the position of the wireless device relative to each of the plurality of gaming controllers.
US08771074B2	Method and apparatus for outputting a message at a game machine The invention allows a casino, or other entity, via a game machine, to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or in response to appropriate events, to players using the game machine. A dynamic and flexible system adapted to interact with players on an individual basis by aiding in the management, determination, distribution, and delivery of promotional, inspirational, instructive, informational, communicative, incentive, and other types of messages, is provided. Various methods are provided to ensure that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player's overall gaming experience by selectively outputting helpful and desirable messages to players while minimizing interference with the players' gaming and to avoid overwhelming players with unsolicited, unwanted, and/or irrelevant messages.
US08771073B2	Interactive sporting apparatus There is disclosed interactive sporting apparatus comprising a control unit (2) and a plurality of interactive units (4), the interactive units comprising: at least one signalling device (52,54) which is operable to generate a sensory stimulus or a signalling device interface adapted (51) to demountably retain a signalling device for generating a sensory stimulus; and at least one sensor (54) which is operable by a game participant proximate to an interactive unit to generate a sensing event or a sensor interface adapted to demountably retain a sensor operable by a game participant proximate to an interactive unit to generate a sensing event; wherein the control unit is operable to communicate remotely with the plurality of interactive units to specify sensory stimuli to be generated by the plurality of interactive units.
US08771071B2	System and method of rendering controller information A system and method relating to, in one aspect, detecting the position or orientation of a device, in the physical domain, during a processor-implemented game, and displaying the game substantially simultaneously with displaying a graphic representing the position or orientation of the device.
US08771069B2	Game machine, a storage medium storing a computer program used thereof, and control method A game machine includes: a monitor (2) that displays and outputs a game screen (40R); a control panel (3) that includes volume controllers (9) operated so as to change a position of an outer circumferential portion (SP) of a knob portion (9T); a external storage device (20) that stores sequence data (30) in which a reference timing at which the volume controllers (9) are operated during a game is associated with a reference position at which the outer circumferential portion (SP) is to be positioned at the reference timing. And, the game machine teaches information of the reference timing and the reference position to a player, based on the sequence data (30).
US08771068B2	Game system, control method of controlling computer, and a storage medium storing a computer program The disclosed game system is provided with a monitor (3) for displaying and outputting a game screen (50), a touch panel (5) overlaid upon the monitor (3), and an external storage device (20) for storing sequence data (28) wherein operation time periods of the touch panel (5) during a game are described. In addition, the game system displays upon the monitor (3) a game area (52) in which two operation reference units (55A and 55B) disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other have been set, moves an object (60) for designating operation for each of the operation reference units (55A and 55B) between the operation reference units (55A and 55B) while displaying thereof, and controls display of the object (60) so that the movement path of the object (60) changes according to a predetermined condition.
US08771065B2	Gaming apparatus and method for providing game A gaming apparatus includes: a first memory that stores dealer images of a plurality of dealer characters; a display device that displays the dealer image of one of the dealer characters; a betting unit that receives a bet operation input by a player; a second memory that stores a total amount of game media that are provided to the player as awards in accordance with results of a plurality of rounds of a game that are performed based on the bet operation; and a controller that determines whether the total amount has reached a predetermined amount and controls the display device to change the dealer image of the displayed dealer character to another dealer character when determined that the total amount has reached the predetermined amount.
US08771059B2	Systems and methods for prize discovery games Systems and methods for map-based prize discovery game are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for map-based prize discovery games may comprise: establishing an online game based on a map that includes a plurality of grid units; placing at least one object in hidden association with one or more predetermined grid units in the map; receiving from a first player at least one token and a selection of at least one available first grid unit; associating the selected at least one first grid unit with the first player; determining whether the first player wins a prize based on the selection of the at least one first grid unit and the placement of the at least one object in hidden association with the one or more predetermined grid units in the map. In another exemplary embodiment, it may be determined whether the first player wins based on a probability algorithm.
US08771057B2	System and method for providing a list of monetary instruments associated with a system A system has one or more gaming devices including gaming machines and other devices. At least one transaction reading device is coupled to the gaming devices and reads information associated with the monetary instruments associated with the gaming devices. A host computer is operatively coupled to the transaction reading device. A database is associated with the host computer and is configured to retrievably store the information associated with monetary instruments. A data display device is operatively coupled to the host computer and retrieves and displays a list of the monetary instruments in response to input from a user. The data display device can be associated with a wireless remote device, wired to the host computer or associated with the gaming device. The list of the monetary instruments includes information associated with each of the monetary instruments. The list of the monetary instruments can include information from selected gaming devices.
US08771056B2	Systems, apparatuses and methods for awarding gaming payouts Methods, apparatuses, and systems for awarding gaming payouts in slot games are provided. Embodiments are directed to initiating a reelspin and moving at least one modifying symbol to a new symbol location. If a predetermined symbol appears in the new symbol location as a result of the reelspin, the predetermined symbol is replaced with the modifying symbol.
US08771054B2	Wagering game with persistent wild symbol reel positions A gaming system for conducting a wagering game comprises a display including a plurality of symbol-bearing reels having a plurality of symbol locations and symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. In response to a certain event, at least one symbol on the reels in a particular one of the plurality of symbol locations is altered to produce an altered function of the symbol. The altered function of the altered symbol at the particular symbol location is maintained for subsequent plays of the wagering game.
US08771053B2	Gaming machine and method with a randomly-selected feature game Wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and associated methods are disclosed that include a randomly selected feature game. One disclosed aspect provides for a wagering game including a primary game and a plurality of feature games. One or more of the plurality of feature games is selected for play upon a triggering event associated with the primary game. In another disclosed aspect, the wagering game may also include at least two types of progressives including wide-area progressives, casino-wide progressives, bank progressives and stand-alone progressives. Another disclosed aspect provides a pay table, wherein the pay table changes dynamically according to the size of a wager.
US08771047B2	Game machine, a storage medium storing a computer program used thereof, and control method A game machine determines the reference timing included in a predetermined time range and the crossing direction position corresponding to the reference timing based on the sequence data (30). And, the game machine causes an instruction path (R) extending from one end side (UP) in depth direction (TD) toward the other end side (DP) while passing through each crossing direction position corresponding to each reference timing at a position on the time axis corresponding to each reference timing and the reference line (TL), to be displayed on the game screen, and decreases a distance between each position and the reference line (TL) with a decrease in a time difference between the reference timing and the current time.
US08771042B2	Optical fiber polishing apparatus A polishing apparatus is provided for polishing an optical fiber connector. The optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule. The polishing apparatus includes a mount to receive and hold the optical connector and a polisher housing supported by a base. The polisher housing houses a polisher that comprises a platen that supports a polishing media, the platen being coupled to a planetary gear system. The mount is disposed on a cover that encloses the polisher housing when the cover is placed in a closed position. A rotatable knob is exposed at an opening of the base, the rotatable knob being engaged with the planetary gear system to move the planetary gear system. The polishing media is disposed proximate to a fiber tip extending from an end face of the ferrule of the optical connector disposed in the mount when the cover is placed in the closed position.
US08771040B1	Mobile abrasive blasting material separation device and method The process and apparatus for mobile separation and recovery of used abrasive blasting material from a work site. Entrained contaminants within used blast material are removed by a self-contained mobile platform process using multiple stage cleaning system including dual cyclonic separation, multiple stage dust filters with airwash and vibratory separation in a flow through containment and blast media separation process.
US08771039B2	Optical fiber polishing jig for use with optical connectors of differing sizes and types A polishing jig is provided that is capable of being used with different types, styles, and numbers of optical axes. For example, the polishing jig may be used with a variety of simplex connectors and with duplex connectors of at least first and second types. The first and second types of duplex connectors have different distances between the optical axes of their respective ferrules. The polishing jig may also be used with optical connectors having three or more ferrules having three or more respective optical axes.
US08771033B2	Mobile for infant support structure A mobile mountable to an infant support structure includes a housing having a drive mechanism, a support arm extending from the housing, and an assembly supported from the support arm. The support arm is connected to the drive mechanism and movable relative to the housing in first and second opposite directions. The assembly includes a hub, a motion portion, and a hanging portion. The motion portion has a resilient component coupled to the hanging portion, which drives the hanging portion in a third direction when the support arm moves in the first direction.
US08771032B2	Block assembly A block assembly includes at least two blocks detachably connected with each other. Each of the blocks includes a main body having a bottom provided with a receiving space, at least one connecting knob formed on a top of the main body, a plurality of positioning rails formed on a peripheral wall of the receiving space, and at least one positioning piece located in the receiving space. The positioning piece has a periphery provided with at least four arcuate positioning faces. Thus, when the connecting knob of the first one of the blocks is inserted between the positioning piece and the positioning rails of the second one of the blocks, one of the positioning faces of the positioning piece covers and presses the periphery of the connecting knob of the first one of the blocks.
US08771029B2	Multiwavelength solid-state lamps with an enhanced number of rendered colors The configuration of polychromatic sources of white light, which are composed of at least two groups of colored emitters, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), is disclosed. Based on a novel approach of the assessment of quality of white light using, for example, 1269 test color samples from the enhanced Munsell palette, the spectral compositions of light, such as white light, composed of two to five (or more) narrow-band emissions with the highest number of colors relevant to human vision rendered almost indistinguishably from a reference source, such as a blackbody radiator, are introduced. An embodiment of the current invention can be used, in particular, for configuring polychromatic sources of white light with the ultimate quality capable of rendering of all colors of the real world.
US08771026B2	Conductive assembly having a clamp structure A conductive assembly having a conductive terminal, a conductive ribbon, and a clamp structure is disclosed. The clamp structure includes a base plate and a pair of jaws. The jaws extend respectively from two transverse sides of the base plate and form a V-shape opening being opposite to the base plate. An aperture is formed longitudinally in the center of the base plate, wherein the transverse width of the aperture is wider than the opening. The clamp structure stably and firmly holding the conductive terminal and the conductive ribbon.
US08771024B2	Dual compressive connector An electrical connector for electrically connecting multiple photovoltaic bus bars. A casing includes first and second opposing walls. An elastic strip is bent into a bent elastic strip with a first leg and a second leg. The bent elastic strip is disposed between the first and second walls of the casing with the first leg pressing against the first wall and the second leg pressing against the second wall. The bent elastic strip is configured to hold at least one of the photovoltaic bus bars between the first leg and the first wall and another of the photovoltaic bus bars between the second leg and the second wall. The bent elastic strip may be formed of resilient spring metal with a thickness and an elastic modulus. The thickness and/or the elastic modulus of the elastic strip is/are configured so that the bus bars are inserted without requiring a tool to open a space and so that the bus bars are removed from the connector without requiring a tool to break the electrical connection.
US08771021B2	Audio jack with ESD protection A plug-and-jack for use with an electronic device that is configured to ensure circuitry of the device is protected from electrostatic discharge. In one case, the jack is an audio jack designed to protect high gain circuitry of the device against electrostatic discharge from the leads of an audio plug. The jack includes a mechanical switch that only connects the high gain circuitry to the appropriate portion of the audio plug once the audio plug is fully inserted. At the same time, the mechanical switch also connects the high gain circuitry and corresponding portion of the audio plug to an electrostatic discharge circuit.
US08771017B2	Ground inlays for contact modules of receptacle assemblies A receptacle assembly includes a receptacle housing and a contact module received in the housing. The contact module includes a tray having a cavity defined by inner surfaces of the tray. Ground inlays are received in the cavity along corresponding inner surfaces. The ground inlays have ground slats and ground flanges extending from the ground slats. A frame assembly is received in the cavity of the tray between the ground inlays. The frame assembly is electrically shielded by the ground inlays and has a plurality of receptacle signal contacts arranged in differential pairs carrying differential signals. The ground slats extend along opposite sides of corresponding pairs of the receptacle signal contacts and the ground flanges extend between pairs of the receptacle signal contacts.
US08771015B2	Terminal structure of wiring harness A terminal structure of a wiring harness for automobile use having a profound anticorrosive effect. A terminal member is fixed to a terminal portion of a coated electric wire such that a crimping portion that the member includes at its one end is crimped around a coating portion of the wire in a terminal region of the wire. A resin member completely covers at least entire outer surfaces of an exposed region at an end portion of the crimping portion and its vicinal region, and is made from a material mainly containing a thermoplastic polyamide resin, and having a tensile lap-shear strength of lapped aluminums of 6 N/mm2 or more in accordance with the JIS K6850, an elongation of 100% or more in accordance with the ASTM D-1708, and a water absorption of 1.0% or less in accordance with the JIS K7209.
US08771009B2	3×8 stacked RJ45 connector with integrated LEDs option for 1U product form factor Systems and apparatuses are disclosed having a 3×8 stacked RJ45 connector with an integrated LEDs option for a 1U product form factor to provide increased density of an RJ45 connector which utilizes open source and non-proprietary modular connectors in conformity with published standards. For example, in one embodiment such systems and apparatuses include a networking component having therein a connector which includes a plurality of RJ45 jacks arranged into exactly three horizontal rows and a plurality of vertical columns; a printed circuit board to electrically interface with each of the plurality of RJ45 jacks; and a 1x Rack Unit (1U) chassis having the connector and printed circuit board therein, in which at least a portion of the connector extends into a horizontal plane occupied by the printed circuit board. Rack systems and methods are further described for employing such a networking component.
US08771001B2	Card edge connector A card edge connector (100) includes an elongated housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (2). The housing (1) has two side walls (103) and a central slot (109) between the two side walls (103) for receiving a memory module (9). The card edge connector (100) includes a latching mechanism (5) mounted on the two side walls (103) for resisting the memory module (9) downwardly. The latching mechanism (5) can prevent the memory module (9) from moving upwardly, thereby the memory module (9) could be stably connected with the card edge connector (100).
US08770997B2	Foldable USB connector The present invention provides a foldable USB connector comprising a first folding part, a second folding part and an elastic strap, facilitates effective use, saves more space to match demand for a compact design currently, and is integrated with other relevant products to create a composite product with diversified functions and advantages such as compact structure.
US08770996B2	Card connector A card connector has a base, a card ejection mechanism and a card seat. The base has a first space for at least one set of terminals to be mounted therein, a second space with the card ejection mechanism mounted therein, and a spring leaf mounted in the second space. The card seat has a tongue. The tongue has a card-holding slot formed in a top of the tongue and mounted inside the first space of the base, and an engagement part formed on a bottom of the tongue and corresponding to the spring leaf of the base. When the card seat is inserted in the base, the engagement part of the tongue engages the spring leaf of the base for the card seat to be securely held by the base. When the card seat is removed from the base, the card ejection mechanism is pressed to squeeze the spring leaf of the base for the engagement part of the tongue to disengage from the spring leaf and the card seat can be ejected from the base.
US08770994B1	Child resistant safety plug accessory The child resistant safety plug accessory fits onto an existing male prong plug in order to insulate and protect the male prongs from producing an electrical arc with auxiliary objects when being inserted, removed, or used to transmit electricity from a female pronged plug or electrical outlet. The child resistant safety plug accessory is comprised of an interfacing member that is defined with an inner surface and an outer surface, and slots that correspond with the various prongs of the male-pronged plug. The inner surface abuts against a plug wall whereas collapsible prong members extend outwardly from the outer surface in order to encompass the various prongs of the male-pronged plug when un-inserted into an electrical outlet or female electrical plug. The collapsible prong members are biased outwardly, and collapse when pressed against an external surface of the electrical outlet or female electrical plug.
US08770988B2	Connector To provide a connector embedded with a substrate which can be fabricated with fewer working process at a lower cost.A connector 10 includes a substrate 1 with an electronic component 3 mounted thereon, a terminal 4 which is electrically connected to the substrate 1, and a housing 5 comprised of synthetic resin and attached with the substrate 1 and the terminal 4. In addition, the electronic component 3 and the terminal 4 are electrically connected to the substrate 1 by reflow soldering using a lead-free solder 2. The connector 10 is fabricated by insert-molding the substrate 1 and the terminal 4 in the housing 5. Furthermore, the substrate 1 and the electronic component 3 are embedded in the synthetic resin of the housing 5.
US08770987B2	Connecting terminal structure, manufacturing method of the same and socket A connecting terminal structure includes a plurality of connecting terminals, each including a connecting part to be in contact with an object to be connected at an end of the connecting terminal and a plate-like fixing part at another end of the connecting terminal, a first face of the plate-like fixing part being configured to be electrically connectable; and electronic components, each including at least two electrode terminals, wherein the two electrode terminals of the electronic components are mounted on faces opposite to the first faces of the fixing parts of the connecting terminals.
US08770986B2	Devices, kits, and methods for supplementing retaining forces on matable devices such as electrical connectors Kits, devices, and methods are provided for increasing a retaining force on a first device configured to mate with a second device to establish an electrical connection between the first and second devices. The first device can be, for example, a plug-type electrical connector (15), and the second device can be, for example, a receptacle connector. Magnets (100) can be mounted on or proximate one of the connector (15) and receptacle (16), and a ferromagnetic element in the form of a plate member (14) can be mounted on or proximate the other of the connector (15) and receptacle (16) so that magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements (100) and the ferromagnetic element (14) urges the connector (15) toward the receptacle (16) when the connector (15) and the receptacle (16) are mated. Existing electrical connectors can thus be retrofit so as to increase the retaining force thereon.
US08770978B2	Electronic blank ammunition A system for electronic simulation of live ammunition when firing a small arms, comprising: a magazine to be inserted in a magazine funnel of the arms simulating a live ammunition magazine; a trigger module to be mounted on the arms, the trigger module comprising a trigger actuator for mounting on a trigger of the arms and a safety catch actuator for mounting on a safety catch on the arms; and a sound producing device for simulation of shots. The invention replaces ordinary blank ammunition in the magazine with an electronic solution.
US08770976B2	Methods and systems for use in training armed personnel A system and method for use in training armed personnel are described. According to one embodiment, the system includes a number of autonomous mobile units and the units are arranged to perform actions in a training area to simulate participants in a firearms training exercise, and at least one of the mobile units is arranged to base at least some of its actions at least partially on the behavior of at least one human in the training area.
US08770975B2	Method of making a dental restoration from a frame and a veneer A method of making a dental restoration is provided. The dental restoration comprises a frame and a veneer. An inner veneer surface and an outer frame surface are adapted to be mated with one another to form the dental restoration. The method in particular comprises steps of (a) providing an outer veneer surface; (b) determining an outer frame surface, based on the outer veneer surface; (c) determining an inner veneer surface, based on the outer frame surface; and (d) providing an inner frame surface, based on a natural tooth surface. The method may be advantageous for rapid, precise and inexpensive manufacturing of a dental restoration.
US08770974B2	Set of dental drills Set of dental drills having two or more dental drills (10, 10′), each of dental drills (10, 10′) having a cutting portion (20, 20′) that has an end-face drilling end (22, 22′) and a shank portion (30, 30′) that has a receiving region (32, 32′) intended to be received in a drill holding device. The shank portions (30, 30′) of the dental drills each have a substantially circular-cylindrical guide region (40, 40′) for guiding the dental drills, the guide regions (40, 40′) of the two or more dental drills being of the same diameter.
US08770970B2	Device for placing a dental splint A device (1) for placing a dental splint (2) which is intended to be fixed at the level of the lingual, palatal or vestibular surfaces of at least two adjacent teeth (10) to immobilize the teeth. The placing device (1) has at least one flexible and elongated guiding support (3) carrying the splint (2), at least one positioning element (4, 4′), mounted so as to slide on the guiding support (3) behind the splint (2), and arranged for being positioned substantially in front of an interproximal gap (9) between the at least two adjacent teeth (10). A pressing mechanism (5, 5′) coupled to the positioning element (4, 4′) and arranged to bring the positioning element (4, 4′) close to the at least two adjacent teeth (10) to be interlocked, when pressed, to bring the splint (2) in contact and conform with the lingual, palatal or vestibular surfaces.
US08770967B2	Device for blow-molding containers A device for blow-molding containers, the device comprising a structure and a platform mounted to rotate on the structure about an axis of rotation, the platform being provided with blower members and with molds that are mounted under the blower members, each of which comprises a stationary mold portion and a movable mold portion that is movable by control means between an open position and a closed position for the mold, wherein the device includes blocking members for blocking the molds in the closed state, each blocking member comprising a strut mounted on the platform to move between a retracted position and a blocking position.
US08770964B2	Imprint apparatus and article manufacturing method An imprint apparatus includes: a support member which supports the mold; a substrate stage which supports the substrate; a detector which detects a force applied to the mold; a mechanism which forms a space for removing the mold supported by the support member, between the support member and the substrate stage, and a controller. The controller determines a release force required to detach the mold from the cured resin, based on a detection result from the detector, compares the determined release force with a first threshold value, and causes the mechanism to form the space if the determined release force is larger than the first threshold value.
US08770962B2	Method and moulding devices for moulding three-dimensional products The invention provides a method for moulding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, in particular a meat mass. The method comprises the steps of filling a mould cavity, which is open on one side, with the mass of foodstuff starting materials which are suitable for consumption, which mould cavity is defined by a boundary comprising walls and base, in order to mould a moulded three-dimensional product, and the removal of the moulded three-dimensional product from the mould cavity. In the method according to the invention, during removal the adhesion forces between the moulded product and the boundary are eliminated virtually simultaneously along all the interfaces.
US08770961B2	Molding device provided with a controlled means for clampingly attaching a half-mold by means of slidable attachment bolts Disclosed is a molding device for a machine for manufacturing containers, including: two half-molds; two mold carriers, each of which is provided with a recess for receiving a corresponding half-mold; and at least one retractable attachment bolt that is slidably mounted in at least one mold carrier between an operative position, in which the bolt is extended to removably attach the corresponding half-mold in a clampingly mounted position against the back wall of the corresponding recess, and a retracted position, in which the bolt releases the half-mold, characterized in that each bolt and/or the corresponding half-mold include a clamping strip that is angled so as to cause the half-mold to bear against the back wall of the recess during the sliding of the attachment bolt from the retracted position thereof to the operative position thereof.
US08770959B2	Device for producing electrospun fibers Electrospinning nozzles include novel constructs for providing spinning pores that define the origin of jets of fiber-forming media. In some embodiments, a film covers relatively large holes in a nozzle body and provides spinning pores aligned with such large holes. In some embodiments, conductive tubes are secured at or about relatively large holes in a nozzle body and provide spinning pores fluidly communicating with fiber-forming media at such large holes. In yet other embodiments, nozzle bodies are provided with circular or semi-spherical surfaces having a plurality of spinning pores.
US08770958B2	Pattern forming method and pattern forming apparatus in which a substrate and a mold are aligned in an in-plane direction A pattern forming method for forming an imprinted pattern on a coating material disposed on a substrate with a pattern provided to a mold. The method includes preparing a mold provided with a first surface including a pattern area, a second surface located opposite from the first surface, and an alignment mark provided at a position at which the alignment mark is away from the first surface, contacting the pattern area of the mold with the coating material disposed on the substrate, obtaining information about positions of the mold and the substrate by using the alignment mark and a mark provided to the substrate in a state in which the coating material is disposed on the substrate at a portion where the alignment mark and the substrate are opposite to each other, and effecting alignment of the substrate with the mold in an in-plane direction of the pattern area, on the basis of the information in a state in which the pattern area and the coating material contact each other.
US08770954B2	Human-powered irrigation pump A human-powered pump assembly includes a frame and a treadle pivot attached to the frame, such that the treadle pivot defines a horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a pair of treadles coupled to the treadle pivot and a rocker pivot attached to the frame, such that the rocker pivot defines a separate horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a reciprocating rocker coupled to the rocker pivot and to the pair of treadles to constrain the motion thereof, such that the rocker pivot axis is located below the treadle pivot axis.
US08770951B2	Air pump An air pump structured to facilitate the installation of a pair of pistons includes a casing (17) having a pair of cylinder chambers (14) slidably accommodating a pair of pistons (16), respectively, and a drive chamber accommodating electromagnets between the pair of cylinder chambers. The pump casing has mutually opposing side walls and a cylindrical peripheral wall defining the drive chamber. The side walls have circular cylindrical inner peripheral surfaces (28-1) of the cylinders defined therein, respectively. A piston assembly having the pistons connected to the opposite ends of an armature (34) is inserted into the pump casing through one of the cylindrical inner peripheral surfaces and installed therein. The peripheral wall has an electromagnet-loading opening (26-2) through which electromagnet pedestal members (26-7) and the electromagnets are inserted into the casing and secured therein.
US08770950B2	Pump device for the hydraulic actuation of a valve Pump device for hydraulically activating a valve in particular used for oil and gas exploration wherein such a valve may be a safety valve assigned to a riser or a tree, said pump device including a piston cylinder unit from which pressurized hydraulic fluid can be pumped in direction to the valve. To improve such a pump device so that the pressure of the hydraulic fluid is produced in particular at the corresponding site and near to the valve and is safe and constructed in a simple way an electrical drive means is movably connected to a piston of the piston cylinder unit for alternating movement in axial direction of the piston within the cylinder.
US08770942B2	Blade and laminated protective sheet for the blade A scratch-resistant blade such as an FRP wind turbine blade and a blade protective sheet which can be easily repaired when scratched. A blade is provided with a laminated protective sheet bonded to at least part of a leading edge of an FRP blade body of said blade, wherein the laminated protective sheet comprises an adhesive layer, a intermediate fabric layer and a durable surface layer, in that order from the blade body.
US08770939B2	Turbine rotor blade assembly and steam turbine In a turbine rotor blade assembly 1, a length h2 in the radial direction of a bucket dovetail 15 of a notch blade 10 is configured to be shorter than a length h3 in the radial direction of an effective blade portion 13 of a adjacent notch blade 30 and a length h4 in the radial direction of the bucket dovetail 15. Thus, during an insertion of the notch blade 10 in the axial direction, the rotational movement Rf around the radial direction and the circumferential movement of the notch blade 10 can be secured.
US08770937B2	Fan blade retention system A fan comprises a rotatable hub assembly having an inner anchor assembly, a plurality of fan blades, a motor assembly, and a plurality of cables. The outer ends of the cables are coupled to the outer ends of the fan blades, and the inner ends of the cables are coupled to the inner anchor assembly. The inner anchor assembly may further include a disc-shaped plate and a plurality of inner anchor members to which the cables may be coupled. The inner anchor members may include a rear anchor portion and fore anchor portion, and these anchor portions may be angularly offset. A plurality of winglets and/or outer anchor members may be coupled to the outer ends of the fan blades to which the outer ends of the cables may be coupled. The outer ends of the cables may further comprise swaged tips outboard of the winglets and/or outer anchor members.
US08770936B1	Turbine blade with near wall cooling channels A turbine rotor blade with a thin thermal skin bonded over a spar to enclose serpentine flow cooling channels that extend from a platform to a blade tip along the airfoil walls. The radial channels discharge into a collection cavity and then flow through exit holes in the trailing edge. The radial cooling channels are formed as semi-circular shaped channels to maximize surface area on the hot side wall and on the cold side wall of the spar.
US08770932B2	Fan assembly including rigid bars with mounting pads A fan assembly includes two fans, and a number of rigid bars. The fans are connected in series. Each of the fans includes an impeller. The impellers of the fans rotate in opposite directions. The rigid bars extend through the fans and are fixed to the fans, to counteract opposing torque forces produced by the fans.
US08770931B2	Hybrid Ceramic Matrix Composite vane structures for a gas turbine engine A vane structure for a gas turbine engine includes a multiple of CMC airfoil sections integrated between a CMC outer ring and a metal alloy inner ring.
US08770927B2	Abrasive cutter formed by thermal spray and post treatment A seal for a gas turbine engine component having an airfoil with a radial outward end and a radial inward end, one of which is bare metal. A seal member is adjacent to the bare metal end of the airfoil wherein the seal member is coated with a abrasive layer having a laser engraved surface with the top of the surface has less than about 5% of the surface area of the base of the abrasive layer.
US08770926B2	Rough dense ceramic sealing surface in turbomachines An abrasive coating is formed on a rotor shaft that rotates with respect to cantilevered vanes. The coating is formed by thermal spray techniques and comprises a ceramic layer on a metal bond coat. The coating surface is roughened by crush grinding or by grit blasting to increase the abradability of the surface.
US08770924B2	Gas turbine engine with angled and radial supports A support structure in a gas turbine engine including an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall defining an annular flow path, a casing housing the structure defining the flow path, and a bearing compartment housing a rotor shaft bearing located radially inwardly from the inner annular wall. The support structure includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial support members extending radially inwardly from an outer mount connection at the casing to an inner mount connection at the bearing compartment housing. The radial support members provide structural support for radial bearing loads on the rotor shaft bearing. A plurality of circumferentially spaced axial support members extend radially and axially inwardly from an outer mount connection at the casing to an inner mount connection located on an annular structure extending radially between connection locations at the bearing compartment housing and the inner annular wall.
US08770922B2	Flexible support structure for a geared architecture gas turbine engine A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft and a support which supports the fan shaft. The support defines at least one of a support transverse and a support lateral stiffness. A gear system drives the fan shaft. A flexible support at least partially supports the gear system, and defines at least one of a flexible support transverse and a flexible support lateral stiffness with respect to at least one of the support transverse and the support lateral stiffness. An input to the gear system defines at least one of an input transverse and an input lateral stiffness with respect to at least one of the support transverse and the support lateral stiffness. A method of designing a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
US08770919B2	Turbine disk and gas turbine In a turbine disk and a gas turbine, the turbine disk is firmly connected to a rotor (24) to be rotatably supported; a plurality of rotor blades (22a) is arranged on an outer circumference thereof in a circumferential direction; first cooling holes (42) penetrating the turbine disk from inside toward outside thereof and being communicatively connected to a cooling passage (41) arranged inside of the rotor blades (22a) are arranged in the circumferential direction; second cooling holes (43) arranged between each of the first cooling holes (42) and penetrating the turbine disk from the inside toward the outside thereof are provided; and the first cooling holes (42) and the second cooling holes (43) are communicatively connected by way of a radial direction communicating channel (47), to alleviate concentration of stress and to improve durability.
US08770918B1	Non-contacting seals for geared gas turbine engine bearing compartments A rotating element is associated with at least one bearing compartment that includes a bearing to support the rotating element. A seal resists leakage of lubricant outwardly of the bearing compartment and allows air to flow from a chamber across the seal and into the bearing compartment. The seal has a seal face facing a rotating face rotating with the rotating element. The seal is a non-contact seal. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
US08770914B2	Steam turbine system and method for operating a steam turbine A steam turbine system including a steam turbine is provided. The steam turbine system includes a high-pressure side steam inlet device, a low-pressure side steam device, and a control device for controlling the steam turbine. An additional steam inlet device is also included arranged between the high-pressure side steam inlet device and the low-pressure side steam device. The control device control a supply of steam via the additional steam inlet device as a function of operating parameters detected at the steam turbine system.
US08770912B2	Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling turbine guide vane positions Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling turbine guide vane positions. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for controlling at least one turbine guide vane. The method includes receiving a reference signal associated with the at least one turbine guide vane, measuring an actuator position and an angular position associated with the at least one turbine guide vane, generating a deadband signal based at least in part on the angular position, and manipulating the at least one turbine guide vane based at least in part on the deadband signal and the reference signal.
US08770909B2	Layer formation table and process This device is for the formation and transfer of rows of articles. In particular, the device is for the formation of a row of articles on a layer formation table and the transfer of the row from one processing operation to another. A programmable robot and EOAT easily sweeps or pushes the load (tier) down the layer formation table returns to it's original position. A single, programmable robot performs all functions. The absolute unique end of arm tooling (EOAT) is fitted to the robot. The articles of one row are nested in the voids between articles in an adjacent row.
US08770908B2	Tilt cylinder support structure A support structure for a tilt cylinder of a machine that controls movement of an articulating implement may include a mounting plate, vertical support plates extending outwardly from a top surface of the mounting plate, and a central and side gussets connected to the top surface of the mounting plate and to the outer sides of the vertical support plates. The gussets assist in transitioning lateral or horizontal forces on the vertical support plates to the mounting plate and the end frame of the machine to reduce fatigue cracking at the points of connection of the vertical support plates to the mounting plate. The support structure may further include first and second lower support plates having top edges spaced from each other and connected to the bottom surface of the mounting plate, and bottom edges connected to each other so that the lower support plates and the mounting plate form a triangle in cross-section to further assist in transitioning the forces to the end frame.
US08770907B2	Cryopreservation device A cryopreservation vessel of the present invention includes a vessel body which holds a low-temperature liquefied gas, a cap which closes an opening section of the vessel body and has a plurality of through holes that are formed so as to pass through in a vertical direction, and ampoule storing tools which are housed so as to be able to pass through the through holes of the cap, and the ampoule storing tools are each comprised of a support pillar and a plurality of ampoule storing sections which are equipped with the support pillar so as to be arrayed in a vertical direction of the support pillar.
US08770905B2	Anthropomorphic force-reflective master arm The anthropomorphic force-reflective master arm is a light, anthropomorphic, back-drivable, six degree of freedom (DOF) master arm designed to control the motion of a remote slave device having arbitrary structure. Three of the link members are rotationally coupled to each other to form a handle, such that axes of rotation of each of the handle link members intersects at the user's hand position. The kinematics of the master arm is simplified to two independent sub-systems, which are the hand position and hand orientation.
US08770903B2	Thread-producing nut, blank for the fabrication of said nut, and bolted joint composed of said nut and a bolt A thread-producing nut for a screwed connection, wherein a core hole which is provided with thread turns is designed for positively locking, frictionally locking and releasable connection to an, in particular, cylindrical bolt or pin, in such a way that the thread turns have completely formed thread turns in certain sections when viewed in the circumferential direction and that free spaces with thread turns which are formed incompletely in terms of their height are provided between the completely formed sections of the thread turns. Furthermore, a blank for manufacturing the nut and a screwed connection composed of such a nut and a bolt are disclosed herein.
US08770900B1	Planing tool for pilings A piling planing tool utilizes a cylindrical cutter head connected to a cylindrical cutter ring having teeth for planing the outer surfaces of damaged or deteriorating in situ pilings. Spacer rings are attached between the cutter head and cutter ring to lengthen the planing tool, in order to extend the tool to plane lower outer surfaces of the pilings. A drill bit extends through the planing tool to bore center channels into the pilings. A circular cutting blade is provided beneath the cutter head to plane the top of the piling. The method of reforming in situ pilings utilizes the planing tool to shape pilings so that they can be connected with new pilings. The pilings are connected by an internal steel rebar and sleeve, permanently secured with bonding material to form a single reformed piling having high tensile strength.
US08770894B1	Helical strakes with molded in stand-offs A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a body having a wall dimensioned to at least partly envelope a tubular member in an interior area of the body. The device further including a fin protruding outward from an exterior surface of the wall and a stand-off member positioned along an interior surface of the wall. The stand-off member dimensioned to space the body away from the tubular member and having a protruding portion formed by the interior surface of the wall and an indention portion formed by the exterior surface of the wall.
US08770889B2	Method of waterproofing a containment sump A method is provided for preventing water from entering a containment sump of an underground storage tank. After accessing an interior of the sump and interrupting the flow paths of piping, a form is positioned in the sump. An annular open space formed between the sump's sidewall and the form is substantially filled with a settable material. An inside wall of the form next has applied to it a polymeric material to seal off an source of water seepage. The piping flow paths are reestablished to create a waterproof containment sump.
US08770886B1	Modular flooring system A modular flooring system is provided to convert uneven terrain into a substantially horizontal flat surface. The modular flooring system may include a frame defining the area desired for the substantially horizontal flat surface, a plurality of malleable support members that may be used as a single layer or multiple layers, where the malleable support members may be loosely filled sand-filled bags. The system may also include a plurality of flat rigid panels larger than the malleable support members to bridge the gaps between adjacent malleable support members, thus transforming a generally level layer of malleable support members into a substantially flat flooring surface.
US08770884B2	Elastomeric joint The invention relates to an elastomeric joint, comprising a housing with a through-opening which extends axially along the longitudinal axis of the elastomeric joint, a pivot pin which extends through the through-opening of the housing, an elastomeric body which is fastened to the pivot pin and is arranged radially between the pivot pin and the housing, and with at least one supporting ring which is fastened to the elastomeric body on one end face of the through-opening, wherein a wire ring locks the supporting ring with respect to the housing, with the result that the pivot pin is held in the housing in an axially secured manner.
US08770881B2	Sanitization apparatuses, kits, and methods Sanitization apparatuses, kits, and methods, such as, for example, for pens, styluses, handles, remote controls, and pagers.
US08770880B2	Pen or pencil A pen or pencil comprising a casing, the outside contour of which forms two or more gripping surfaces (12, 14, 16). There is at least one intermediate region (18, 20, 22) which is between two adjacent gripping surfaces in the peripheral direction and in which the outside contour of the casing is radially within a notional intersection line (24) of the two adjacent gripping surfaces.
US08770878B2	System and method for monitoring a web member and applying tension to the web member A method for adjusting tension to a media web in a printing system includes identifying a tension level between the media web and at least one roll that is in contact with the media web. The tension level is identified with reference to a slip condition between the media web and the at least one roll. The identified tension is stored in a memory in the printing system.
US08770876B2	Conveyance speed control in a printing apparatus A printing apparatus is provided. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a sheet feeder, a discharge unit, a sheet path including a feeding path, a discharge path, and a reversing path, a manual sheet inlet, through which a recording sheet is manually inserted, a manual sheet path merging into the sheet path at a merging point and guiding the manually-inserted recording sheet to the merging point, a detecting unit to detect the manually-inserted sheet fed through the manual sheet inlet while a double-face printing operation is conducted with a preceding recording sheet, a judging unit to judge whether the detecting unit detected the manually-inserted sheet, and a conveyer controller unit to reduce a speed to convey the preceding recording sheet in the sheet path when the judging unit judges that the detecting unit detected the manually-inserted sheet.
US08770874B2	Tape drive A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.
US08770873B2	Ink ribbon cassette and printing apparatus An ink ribbon cassette is used in a printing apparatus. The cassette is able to prevent dual movement of an ink ribbon from moving across a lengthways embankment even if the ink ribbon is extended. In the ink ribbon cassette, a lengthways embankment is furnished near an ejecting opening of ink ribbon cassette in an ink ribbon lodging section. The lengthways embankment makes a portion of a space that the ink ribbon passes through narrower. Dual embankments may also be furnished on the ink ribbon movement path at the downstream side of ink ribbon lodging section. The dual embankments respectively protrude from an upper cover and a lower cover. Protruding portions may also be respectively furnished near an entering opening and an ejecting opening of ink ribbon lodging section.
US08770872B2	Adjustable stenographic keyboard device and method for electronically adjusting key depth sensitivity A stenographic device includes a display, a memory, keys of a stenographic keyboard, each key having a resting position where the key is un-actuated, a depressed position where the key is actuated to register a key stroke, and a range of depression positions therebetween, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display, memory, and the keys. The processor causes the display to graphically show a respective depression indicator of a current one of the depression positions for each of the keys, stores in the memory a respective key-press registration point for each of the keys, the registration point being a depression position located within the range of depression positions and indicating when the respective key is in the actuated state, and causes the display to graphically show a respective registration indicator corresponding to the stored registration point for each of the keys.
US08770869B2	Image forming apparatus, paper management method and computer-readable medium An image forming apparatus includes: a storage unit that stores an identifier and a remaining sheet length of a roll sheet after an image formation has been finished; a specifying unit that specifies sheet lengths of pages where images are to be formed based on an image forming instruction, and a number of the pages; a computing unit that calculates a sheet length required for an image formation in accordance with the image forming instruction based on the specified sheet lengths and the specified number of the pages; and a selection unit that selects a roll sheet for the image formation in accordance with the image forming instruction based on the calculated sheet length and the stored remaining sheet length.
US08770868B1	Camera accessory An accessory side mount of the camera accessory includes at least a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion that is different from the first limiting portion. When the first through third claws are rotated in a first rotational direction along the circumferential direction in order to install the accessory side mount that has been inserted in the proper installation and detachment rotational phase into the body side mount, the first limiting portion limits a range of rotation in the first rotational direction by abutting an end surface of one of the camera body side claws. When the first through third claws are rotated in a second rotational direction along the circumferential direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction in order to detach the accessory side mount from the body side mount, the second limiting portion limits a range of rotation in the second rotational direction by abutting an end surface of one of the camera body side claws.
US08770866B2	Camera swing head A camera swing head includes a hub having a hole ring including a plurality of radially spaced apart holes. A swing plate is rotatably attached to the hub. An indexing and locking assembly allows the swing to be quickly and easily rotated to a desired position and then locked into place. The indexing and locking assembly may include a lever pivotally attached to the swing plate, and a plunger pivotally attached to a front end of the lever. Pivoting movement of the lever may move the plunger linearly on a radial axis intersecting a center of the hub. A release pin is movable from, a first position, wherein the release pin causes the plunger to be held out from engagement with one of the radially spaced apart holes, to a second position, wherein the plunger is movable into engagement with one of the radially spaced apart holes.
US08770865B2	Suspension board with circuit A suspension board with circuit includes a circuit board and an optical waveguide provided in the circuit board. The optical waveguide is provided with a first optical waveguide having a curved portion and a secondary optical waveguide having a linear portion. The first optical waveguide includes a first under clad layer, a first core layer formed on the first under clad layer and included in the first under clad layer when projected in the thickness direction, and a first over clad layer formed on the first under clad layer so as to cover the first core layer. The secondary optical waveguide includes a secondary under clad layer, a secondary core layer formed on the secondary under clad layer, and a secondary over clad layer formed on the secondary core layer and included in the secondary core layer when projected in the thickness direction.
US08770862B2	Hardened fiber optic connector The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter. The fiber optic connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. A ferrule assembly is mounted at least partially within the connector housing. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule located at the plug portion of the connector housing. A sealing member is mounted about an exterior of the connector housing for providing a seal between the connector housing and the adapter. The fiber optic connector further includes first and second separate retaining mechanism for retaining the fiber optic connector within the fiber optic adapter.
US08770861B2	Outside plant termination enclosure A termination enclosure includes a base, a cover, and at least one optical component. An input member extends outwardly from the base. At least a portion of the input member extends along the bottom of the termination enclosure. The input member defines a sealed input passage that extends through the base. A sealing chamber is defined by the base and cover. A gasket disposed at the sealing chamber seals and/or retains drop cables routed into the enclosure even when the cover is moved relative to the base. The sealing chamber defines ports that are located on a common side of the enclosure as an end of the input member.
US08770859B2	Optical adapter The optical adapter includes a first housing 3, a second housing 5, and a sleeve 7. The first housing 3 includes a connector holding part 31, a first holder portion 33, an alignment part 35, and coupling portions 36. The first holder portion 33 is integrally formed with the connector holding part 31. The alignment part 35 includes an alignment part main body 351, a second holder portion 352 integrally formed with the alignment part main body 351, and a plurality of guide portions 352, 354, and 355, integrally formed with the alignment part main body 351. Protrusion-shaped coupling portions 36 for coupling the connector holding part 31 and the alignment part 35 are integrally formed with one of the connector holding part 31 and the alignment part main body 35.
US08770858B2	Small form factor pluggable unit The present relates to a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) unit. The SFP unit comprises a housing, a back panel, a front panel, and at least two connectors. The housing defines a top, a bottom and two sides, and is of standardized internal dimensions. The back panel is affixed to the housing. The front panel is affixed to a front portion of the housing and defines at least two apertures. The apertures are located in such a manner so as to define there between a non-horizontal line. The at least two connectors are adapted to be inserted in the apertures of the front panel.
US08770856B2	Shutter member for optical fiber adapter and optical fiber adapter with the same An optical fiber adapter according to the present disclosure includes a main body and an elastic shutter member. The main body has an accommodation room defined by a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall, wherein the first wall faces the third wall and connects with the second and fourth walls. An indentation is formed outside the accommodation room and on the third wall. The shutter member includes a fixing portion positioned within the accommodation room and on the third wall, a shutter plate, a connecting portion connecting the fixing portion with the shutter plate, and a hooking portion extending from the connecting portion to hook on to the indentation on the third wall. The shutter plate extends from the connecting portion and into the accommodation room.
US08770853B2	Split cage for rolling bearing A split cage for a rolling bearing includes a plurality of cage segments formed of synthetic resin and arranged annularly in a circumferential direction. Each cage segment includes: a first rim portion and a second rim portion that are spaced from each other by a predetermined interval and face each other; and a plurality of bar portions extending from the first rim portion to the second rim portion. Spaces, each of which is surrounded by the bar portions adjacent to each other and the first and second rim portions, are formed as pockets that house rolling elements. Projections for reinforcement are formed at radial end portions of boundaries between the bar portions and the first rim portion and/or boundaries between the bar portions and the second rim portion.
US08770850B2	Asymmetric wheel hub assembly An asymmetric wheel hub assembly with two rows of rolling elements of different pitch diameters has a central axis of rotation and inner raceway and outer raceways for each row of elements, the associated inner and outer raceways being axially displaced in accordance with a respective angle of contact and along a respective load line such that the assembly is capable of accommodating combined loading. The raceways of each row of rolling elements have osculation ratios which are defined by the ratio between the radius of curvature of the raceways and the outside diameters of the rolling elements of the associated row of rolling elements. The angle of contact and the osculation ratios of a first one of the two rows of the rolling elements is different than the angle of contact and osculation ratios of a second one of the two rows of the rolling elements.
US08770847B2	Rolling bearing A rolling bearing includes an inner ring, an outer rind and a plurality of rolling elements. Multiple dynamic pressure generating grooves are formed in at least one of an inner ring raceway surface and an outer ring raceway surface so as to be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The number of the dynamic pressure generating grooves and the number of the rolling elements are set so as to establish a relationship expressed by A=[{n+(n+1)}/2]·Z, where A is the number of the dynamic pressure generating grooves, Z is the number of the rolling elements, and n is a natural number (1, 2, 3 . . . ).
US08770844B2	Self-lubricating bushing for a joint, which is intended to be mounted on a shaft This bush is made out of a composite material that has a modulus of elasticity of between 500 and 6000 N/mm2, said bush having at least one lip formed directly at the time of manufacture as an overrun edge of its bore to act as a leak-tight or protective barrier after mounting on the shaft by creating a tightening effect between the inside diameter of said lip or said lips, and the outside diameter of said shaft.
US08770841B2	Hydrostatic plate bearing The present disclosure relates to a hydrostatic plate bearing, which comprises: a body, and a plurality of restrictors. Wherein, the body is formed with a mounting surface and an oil chamber that are disposed opposite to each other; the plural restrictors includes an orifice restrictor and a membrane restrictor while allowing the orifice restrictor and the membrane restrictor to be serially connected to each other. Operationally, a working fluid that is flowing into the body via the mounting surface is split to flow through the orifice restrictor and the membrane restrictor, in that the split flow of the working fluid that is flowing through the orifice restrictor is guided to flow into the oil chamber.
US08770838B2	Dynamic biplane roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis A medical imaging system includes a first x-ray image detector, a first x-ray generator, and a motorized turntable. The first x-ray image detector and the first x-ray generator are each mounted on a base and positioned opposite each other such that x-rays are projected from the first x-ray generator to the first x-ray image detector through a first imaging volume. The motorized turntable is positioned below the first imaging volume and between the first x-ray image detector and the first x-ray generator and is configured to rotate an imaging subject within the imaging volume.
US08770836B2	Wireless temperature profiling system A wireless temperature profiling system and the methods of making it are disclosed. The wireless temperature profiling system can include a photovoltaic substrate, a transponder, and a reader.
US08770830B2	Watch strap or bracelet The invention concerns a strap or bracelet (1) including a first strand (2) and a second strand (3). The second strand (3) is connected to a clasp (1a) that includes a fastening device (13). The fastening device (13) joins the strands (2, 3) to each other. The invention is characterized in that the clasp (1a) further includes a safety device (17) for better joining the first strand (2) to the clasp (1a) by pressing the former onto the latter.
US08770829B1	Clock case A clock case comprising a first plurality of upstanding, spaced-apart fins formed from flat sheets of material, each of the first plurality of fins having a plurality of slots extending vertically upward from a bottom edge; and, a second plurality of upstanding, spaced-apart fins formed from flat sheets of material, each of the second plurality of fins having a plurality of slots extending vertically downwards from a top edge. Each upwardly extending slot is configured to mate with a respective downwardly extending slot, whereby each of the first plurality of fins is interlocked with each of the second plurality of fins to form an orthogonal array of laterally extending fins and longitudinally extending fins.
US08770826B2	Gearbox with breather system A gearbox is provided having an integrated breather system. The output shaft of the gearbox has integrated therein a breather bore with a top port in the top end of the output shaft and a bottom end in the side of the output shaft. The top end is in communication with the atmosphere while the bottom end is in communication with the inner oil reservoir of the gearbox. By incorporating the breather directly into the output shaft, air locking is reduced or even prevented. Further, the distance between the maximum and minimum oil fill levels is increased thereby allowing for a reduction in accidental over or under filling of the gearbox. In addition, accidental spillage of oil into the environment is reduced as the top breather port exists on top of the gearbox and may optionally include a breather line extending further upward. The reduction in air locking allows for increased accuracy in oil filling as well as reduced maintenance on the gearbox.
US08770822B2	Backlight module and a backlight device The utility model relates to a technology field of liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a backlight module and a backlight device. The backlight module provided by the utility model comprises a light guide plate, a printed circuit board, a heat-dissipating bracket and a first retaining member. There has an optical-coupling distance between a light incidence surface of the light guide plate and the printed circuit board. The light incidence surface of the light guide plate disposes more than two light guide plate protrusions thereon. The first retaining member retains the heat-dissipating bracket, the printed circuit board and the light guide plate together to form an independent module. The technical solution of the utility model can enhance the stability of the optical-coupling distance in the backlight module, realize a simple modularization assembly, simplify a mounting process of the back plate, and improve the assembly convenience.
US08770817B2	Video display device, backlight unit, and electronic device According to one embodiment, a video display device includes a housing, a display module, a light guide, two first components, and two second components. The housing houses at least part of the display module. The light guide is located opposite the display screen of the display module with respect to the display module. The first and the second components each include a base portion, a plurality of light emitters, and a connector. The base portion is arranged along an edge of the light guide. The light emitters are arranged on the base portion to face the edge of the light guide. The connector includes a plurality of terminals including anode and cathode electrically connected to the light emitters. The terminals are arranged in the same sequence in the first components and in the second components.
US08770813B2	Transparent display backlight assembly In embodiments of a transparent display backlight assembly, a backlight panel is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the backlight panel directs from the light source to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Light refraction features refract and scatter the light, where the light refraction features are spaced for approximate transparency of the backlight panel and to illuminate the display panel. An active diffuser can be implemented as an additional transparent panel and operable for activation to diffuse the light from the backlight panel that illuminates the display panel.
US08770812B2	Scuff plate A scuff plate has a first light guide element having a groove of predetermined shape formed in an underside of the element when viewed from below, a first light source that guides light to the first light guide element, light emission unit that is disposed below the first light guide element and that upwardly emits light differing in color from the first light source, and a half mirror layer interposed between the first light guide element and the light emission unit. Light from the first light source is guided to the first light guide element, and the guided light undergoes reflective diffusion at the groove (a character section). As a consequence, a desired character, or the like, is luminously displayed. In the meantime, light generated by the light emission unit exits through the first light guide element, whereupon an area (a background area) other than the groove (the character section) is illuminated in color that differs from the color of light from the first light source.
US08770811B2	Assembly for a lighting and/or signalling device of an automotive vehicle An assembly for a lighting and/or signalling device of an automotive vehicle. The assembly has a bracket or support, in particular made of plastic, comprising a housing, and a motor, in particular a stepping motor, arranged so as to be able to be permanently mounted, directly, in the bracket or support housing.
US08770810B2	Rear view mirror assembly with optical indicator A rear view mirror assembly is proposes having at least a mirror base and a mirror head covering a mirror glass (54) mounted into the mirror head and an optical alert indicator (62) that produces light in reaction to a sensor signal to inform operator (28) about hazardous information and the light shines through the mirror glass (54). The mirror glass (54) is mounted to a backing plate (52) that has a mounting surface (53) for at least one LED (64) and at least one light guide structure that can be a wedged light guide or a light guide pin.
US08770807B2	Method and device for increasing the robustness of a vehicle headlight having a cylindrical prism A method is provided for increasing the robustness of a vehicle headlight comprising a cylindrical prism that can rotate about a rotary axis in a plurality of rotary positions and comprising a Hall effect sensor by means of the output signals of which the rotary position of the cylindrical prism can be determined. According to the method, a check is made as to whether a defect of the Hall effect sensor is present. In the event of a defect of the Hall effect sensor, a stop is temporarily provided and the rotary position of the prism is verified by being blocked at the provided stop.
US08770806B2	Light emitting diode lighting module A light emitting diode (LED) lighting module is provided including an LED array, and at least one of a diffusing portion and a reflecting portion. The LED array, equipped with at least one LED, may include a side wall which surrounds the at least one LED. The diffusing portion may be detachably coupled to the LED array and may include a diffusion plate which diffuses light emitted from the at least one LED The reflecting portion may be detachably coupled to one of the LED array and the diffusing portion and may reflect light emitted from the at least one LED. The LED array may be selectively coupled with the diffusing portion, the reflecting portion, or both the diffusing portion and the reflecting portion.
US08770804B2	Light fixture housing and mounting therefor An architectural light fixture with a mounting includes a rigid yoke with opposed mounts aligned with external cavities located on a housing. The cavities have conical inner surfaces and bottoms with fastener engagements. Yoke pins include conical outer surfaces to operate as yoke locks. Fastener associated with the yoke pins engage to draw the yoke locks into interfering fit with the truncated conical inner surface of the mounting cavity. The light fixture housing has a port with a plug of porous water repellant material. A cover is employed to protect the plug. The light fixture housing also has a flat mounting surface with a wire access hole. The fixture includes a cover to enclose a photocell biased toward the mounting surface and retains an O-ring against the fixture housing.
US08770803B2	Reflective cover molding method and reflective cover manufactured thereof A reflective cover molding method and a reflective cover manufactured thereof are disclosed. The reflective cover molding method comprises the steps of: providing a metal substrate; setting the metal substrate on a substrate mold, and punching the metal substrate by a pressure to form a circular substrate; propping the circular substrate onto a fixed mold with a prop; jointly rotating the fixed mold and the circular substrate, applying a pressure by a spinning roller to attach the circular substrate, and applying a pressure to spin out a molded cover; setting the molded cover onto a shaped mold, and punching the molded cover by a pressure to form an optical structure surface on the molded cover; and punching the molded cover to remove a bottom hole to form the reflective cover, so as to accelerate production rate and enhance product quality, stability and precision.
US08770802B2	LED lighting assemblies with thermal overmolding One or more light emitting diode diodes (LEDs) are attached to a printed circuit board. The attached LEDs are connectable with a power source via circuitry of the printed circuit board. An overmolding material is insert molded an over at least portions of the printed circuit board proximate to the LEDs to form a free standing high thermal conductivity material overmolding that covers at least portions of the printed circuit board proximate to the LEDs. The free standing high thermal conductivity material has a melting temperature greater than about 100° C. and has a thermal conductivity greater than or about 1 W/m·K. In some embodiments, the free standing high thermal conductivity material is a thermoplastic material.
US08770799B2	Lamp unit In various embodiments, a lamp unit including a lamp which is inserted into a reflector and which has a base with a reference ring including at least one referencing surface which cooperatively interacts with a corresponding referencing element of a holder of the reflector, configured such that the lamp is separably connected to the holder through a bayonet coupling.
US08770797B2	Illumination device having heat dissipating means and light sensor An illuminating device includes a heat-dissipating shroud, a heat-dissipating module, an upper cover module and a lower cover module. The heat-dissipating module includes a light source, a substrate, a heat-conducting element and heat-dissipating blades. The upper cover module includes an upper cover, a light sensor and a protective cover. The lower cover module includes a lower cover, a transparent shroud and a transformer. The heat-dissipating shroud is assembled above the heat-dissipating blades of the heat-dissipating module. A top surface of the heat-dissipating shroud is provided with heat-dissipating holes. A space of a suitable height is generated between the top surface of the heat-dissipating shroud and the heat-dissipating blades of the heat-dissipating module to act as a heat concentration chamber. A gap is formed between the bottom of the heat-dissipating shroud and the top surface of the upper cover of the upper cover module.
US08770796B2	Energy efficient high intensity lighting fixture and method and system for efficient, effective, and energy saving high intensity lighting A high intensity discharge (HID) light fixture includes a reflector frame which supports an independent high reflectivity reflecting surface. The reflector frame supports a glass lens with anti-reflective coatings on its surfaces and a visor or extension that also supports an independent high reflectivity reflecting surface. The high reflectivity reflecting surface has various sections that adjust portions of the beam created by the fixture to better place light on a target area. The reflector frame is attachable to a lamp cone. An adjustable knuckle attaches between to a cross arm on a pole and the lamp cone. An HID lamp, when mounted in the lamp cone, has its arc tube substantially surrounded by the high reflectivity reflecting surfaces of the reflector frame and visor. A lamp positioning mechanism automatically adjusts orientation of the arc lamp over a range of pivot angles for the lamp cone relative the knuckle. The HID lamp has an increased metal halide salt pool and does not include white oxide coatings at opposite ends. The lamp and the lamp positioning mechanism are configured to position the arc tube of the lamp horizontal over the normal range of aiming angles for the fixture. The modified HID lamp, its operating position, the high reflectivity reflecting surfaces, and other aspects of the fixture produce more light from the fixture than without these features for the same amount of energy to operate. Optionally, a ballast circuit can save energy over operating life of the lamp.
US08770791B2	Light bar structure and display device A light bar structure includes a circuit board and a plurality of light emitting units. A plurality of holes is formed on the circuit board. Each light emitting unit includes a main body and a plurality of leads. The main body is disposed in one of the holes. The main body has a light emitting surface and a non-light emitting surface opposite to the light emitting surface. Each lead has a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion and an extending portion. The first connecting portion is connected to the non-light emitting surface. The extending portion is extended from the first connecting portion toward the light emitting surface. The second connecting portion is extended from the extending portion and connected to a surface of the circuit board.
US08770789B2	LED lighting module The present invention is an improved LED lighting module. Preferably, the LED lighting module comprises a first LED base, a central LED base containing a printed circuit board, and a third LED base, where the first and third bases are connected by spacer tubes. Each LED base has an LED pc-board mounted thereon. A main power line runs through the set of three LED bases. A first series connector line connects the printed circuit board to the first LED board and a second series connector line connects the printed circuit board to the third LED board. A first connection line connects the first LED board to the central LED board and a second connection line connects the central LED board to the third LED board. These LED module sets can be connected consecutively to create strings of series wired sets from the same main power lines.
US08770788B2	Backlight unit, display device, and electronic device A novel structure of a backlight unit where color-scan backlight drive is performed and a color mixture problem can be reduced is proposed. In the backlight unit where color-scan backlight drive is performed, in order not to form a color mixture region by light from a light source, an optical system is provided between the light source and a diffuser sheet so that the light is isotropically spread. Specifically, the distribution of intensity of light in the minor-axis direction is narrowed by the optical system provided between the light source and the diffuser sheet. The distribution of intensity of light in the major-axis direction is made uniform by the optical system. Further, the spread of light from the light source in the minor-axis direction in which a color mixture region is formed is suppressed and luminance on a light-emitting surface in the major-axis direction is made uniform.
US08770787B2	LED-based luminaire with adjustable beam shape Proposed is a luminaire (1), comprising light sources (10) and optical elements (20). The light sources (10) are arranged in a first (11) and a second array (12), while the optical elements (20) are arranged in a first (21) and a second section (22). The first ‘light sources' array (11) and the first Optical element’ section (21) form a first group (31), and the second array (12) and the section (22) form a second group (32). The luminaire (1) is characterized in that the optical elements (20) of each group are arranged to have different beam shaping characteristics, and the arrays (11,12) are arranged to be individually addressable. This is especially advantageous in illumination applications where the control of the beam shape is required or desired. Advantageously, the invention provides a luminaire (1) capable of adjusting the beam shape without using an adjustable optical system. Moreover, the control bandwidth of the light sources limits the speed with which the beam shape can be adjusted.
US08770785B2	Water resistant lighting fixture A lighting fixture is provided that includes a flat elongated base having opposing longitudinal marginal slots and a pair of upright walls inboard of the longitudinal slots, and a pair of end caps engaging opposing ends of the elongated base. A gasket extends along a longitudinal surface of each of the upright walls. A lens extends between opposing end caps and conforms to the curved marginal edges of the end caps and edges and upright walls. The lens has two opposing longitudinal grooves that align with a pair of side rails extending between the end caps. Each side rail has a longitudinal cam projection extending into the associated lens groove. When the side rails are tightened against the lens, the cam projections tighten the lens into contact with the gasket to form a water tight seal between the lens and the base.
US08770784B2	Lighting device A portable, battery-operated flashlight having improved pivoting, switching and focusing features is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the flashlight takes the form of an attachment to a head gear for hands free use. In another aspect of the invention, the flashlight takes the form of a head lamp held in place on a user's head by an elastic band. The pivot connection between the body and the base, as well as the serrations on an exterior surface of the body, allows a user to adjust any angular direction of the light as desired. In another aspect of the invention, the flashlight takes the form of a long-handled flashlight having improved switching and focusing capabilities, such that axial movement of the switching assembly turns the flashlight “on” or “off,” as well as causing a position of the lamp to vary in order to focus or defocus the light.
US08770781B2	Lighting apparatus It is expected to provide a lighting apparatus that can improve the radiation performance. In a lighting apparatus that includes a light source unit and a heat sink radiating the heat generated by the light source unit and is recessed and installed to an attaching hole opened on a mounted portion, the heat sink is exposed at least partially to a side where the light from the light source unit is emitted from the attaching hole. For example, when installed to a ceiling having a heat insulated structure, the heat generated by the light source unit and transferred to the heat sink is transferred inside the heat sink and radiated from one part to the air at the side where the light from the light source unit is emitted from the attaching hole. Therefore, the radiation performance can be improved.
US08770776B1	Water lantern with flashing light The present invention provides a water lantern with flashing light which mainly comprises a water lantern body, a holder, and a graphics card unit. The water lantern body is provided above the holder. The water lantern body comprises a plane portion backward. The holder is provided with a slot backward corresponding to the plane portion. The bottom of the slot is provided with at least one flashing light-emitting element. The graphics card unit is inserted in the slot of the holder, and corresponding to the plane portion of the water lantern body. The graphics card unit obtains the light source from the light-emitting element from the bottom. Therefore, looking back from the front of the water lantern body, the patterns on the graphics card unit allows the water lantern body having enlarged brilliant effects visually.
US08770772B1	Luminous keyboard A luminous keyboard includes: a press key unit and a backlight module unit including a light guiding plate, a plurality of light guiding points, an upper light-permeable thin film disposed on a top surface of the light guiding plate, a lower light-permeable thin film disposed on a bottom surface of the light guiding plate, and a luminous element. The upper and lower light-permeable thin films respectively have refractive indices lower than that of the light guiding plate.
US08770768B2	Spherical mechanical linkage and multi-axis trackers Spherical mechanical linkages may include a yoke defining a first axis and a second axis, a crank rotatably coupled to the yoke about the first axis; a deflecting member that defines a plane and that is coupled to the crank along a third axis, and a rocking frame slideably coupled to the yoke in the plane defined by the deflecting member and rotatably coupled to the yoke about the second axis. Such spherical mechanical linkages may further include a stub shaft coupled to the deflecting member and rotatably coupled to the crank along a fourth axis. One or more components of the spherical mechanical linkage may be symmetric about an axis. A payload, such as a mirror or a camera, can be mounted on the linkage as part of a multi-axis tracker.
US08770767B2	Sliding mirror system The sliding mirror system permits a 360° view of an object or subject to be viewed. The system includes a plurality of panels, at least one panel being movable relative to the other panels. The movable panel(s) is mounted on rails or the like for sliding movement. Each panel is configured as a portion of an arc. Multiple mirrors are mounted on the face of each panel. Each mirror may also assume an arc-shaped configuration.
US08770765B2	Thermal management of very small form factor projectors with synthetic jets A thermal management device (401) is provided which comprises a synthetic jet actuator (403) and a heat sink (405) comprising a fin (407). The fin has at least one interior channel (409) defined therein which has first and second openings that are in fluidic communication with each other. The synthetic jet actuator is adapted to direct a synthetic jet into said channel.
US08770760B2	Image projection device The rotation axis of each mirror of a DMD (4) defines an angle of 45° with respect to long and short sides of a rectangular image display area. A polarization conversion optical system (24) makes a polarization direction of light from a light source (1) arranged in one direction and projects the arranged light, and after total reflection from the critical surface (31b) of a TIR prism (3), the light is guided to the DMD (4). When the incident surface of the critical surface (31b) and the mirror incident surface of the DMD (4) are in parallel with each other, a PBS prism array of the polarization conversion optical system (24) carries out the polarization and separation of the light from the light source (1) in a direction corresponding to the long side direction of the image display area of the DMD (4) in the case of the separation of the light from the light source (1) into two linear polarizations having different polarization directions. A polarization control means makes the two linear polarizations after the polarization and separation arranged in parallel or vertical polarization directions with respect to the incident surface of the critical surface (31b) and projects the same. Thus, a polarization condition of the light for illuminating the DMD (4) can be prevented from falling into disorder at a reflecting surface in the optical path, so that a light amount of the projection image can be prevented from reducing.
US08770752B2	Ophthalmic apparatus, ophthalmic system, processing apparatus, and blood flow velocity calculation method An ophthalmic apparatus includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate a subject's eye with a measurement beam scanned by a scanning unit, an acquisition unit configured to acquire an image of the subject's eye based on a return beam returned from the subject's eye, of the measurement beam irradiated by the irradiation unit, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a blood flow velocity of the subject's eye based on a displacement between a position of a blood cell in a first image obtained by the acquisition unit and a position of the blood cell in a second image obtained by the acquisition unit at a different time from the first image and on a difference between time when an image of the blood cell in the first image is obtained and time when an image of the blood cell in the second image is obtained.
US08770750B2	Apparatus and method for establishing and/or improving binocular vision An apparatus and method are disclosed that provide for establishing and/or improving binocular vision by adaptation of perceptual motor learning for the visual system of a patient suffering of a binocular vision disorder. The apparatus has a set of two units, one for respectively eye, for manipulation of a vision parameter of the visual presentation, e.g. picture, movie, image. To control the visual presentation on respectively unit a processing unit is connected. The processing unit is adapted to determine a boundary value of a first and/or second vision parameter for the first and/or second manipulation of the first and second unit, where binocular vision disappears for the patient. Furthermore, the processing unit controls at least one vision parameter by manipulating, including oscillating or fluctuating, it within a first range, the first range having a maximum value that is less than the boundary value, for the perceptual motor learning.
US08770749B2	Eyewear with chroma enhancement Some embodiments provide a lens including a lens body and an optical filter configured to attenuate visible light in a plurality of spectral bands. Each of the plurality of spectral bands can include an absorptance peak with a spectral bandwidth, a maximum absorptance, and an integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth. An attenuation factor obtained by dividing the integrated absorptance peak area within the spectral bandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak can be greater than or equal to about 0.8 for the absorptance peak in each of the plurality of spectral bands.
US08770745B2	Lens having an optically controlled peripheral portion and a method for designing and manufacturing the lens A contact lens or phakic IOC lens is provided with a peripheral portion that has a power profile that provides optical control of peripheral vision images. Typically, the central portion of the lens is also provided with optical control. The power profile of the lens at the boundary of the central and peripheral portions meets certain boundary conditions that ensure that the lens provides a desired or selected vision correction. Because the peripheral portion of the lens provides optical control that defocuses the peripheral vision image relative to the retina, the lens can be used to prevent or inhibit growth of the eye, thereby preventing or inhibiting myopia or the effects of myopia.
US08770740B2	Eyewear Eyewear which is suitable for routine wear and within masks which are sealed against noxious environmental gases or penetration by water is provided by a frame made up of resilient metal parts including wires to provide the frame with a shape, which facilitates the placement of the eyewear on the head of the user while limiting the movement of the eyewear when in use so as to avoid breaking the seal of a mask inside of which the eyewear is disposed when the mask is donned by the user. The eyewear has a lens holding frame for holding lenses adjacent the eyes of the user's head and connected by a bridge across the user's nose. Flexible members bent arcuately around and in conformance with the sides of the head of the user have a kink whereby to facilitate acceptance between the sides of the head and the seal of the mask with sufficient tightness against the side of the head to limit movement of the frame and the space between the seal and the head thereby avoiding breaking of the seal when the mask is in operation.
US08770739B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body; an openable and closable cover provided at the apparatus body; a conveyance unit to convey a recording medium upward and downward; a recording head to eject liquid droplets to the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance unit; and an opening authorization mechanism to authorize moving of the conveyance unit from a first open position to a second open position, the conveyance unit having a greater opening amount at the second open position than at the first open position, wherein the conveyance unit is disposed between the cover and the recording head, and configured to be openable to the first open position when the cover is in the open position, and openable to the second open position when the opening authorization mechanism authorizes the moving of the conveyance unit from the first open position to the second open position.
US08770737B2	Ink jet inks containing nanodiamond black colorants A liquid ink including (a) a carrier, (b) a colorant including nanodiamond black, and (c) a polymeric additive selected from the group including Gum Arabic, polyacrylate salts, polymethacrylate salts, polyvinyl alcohols, hydroxyl propylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, polyvinyl ether, starch, polysaccharides, polyethylene imines derivatized with polyethylene oxide, polyethylene imines derivatized with polypropylene oxide, and mixtures thereof.
US08770736B2	Inkjet ink composition containing anti-kogation agents Ink compositions and methods of using the same are disclosed. An example ink composition includes an inkjet vehicle, from about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt % of colorants, from about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % of anti-kogation agents, and from about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % of dispersed resin beads.
US08770734B2	Water-based ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, ink-jet recording method, method for preventing corrosion of metal member, method for producing water-based ink for ink-jet recording, and ink-jet recording apparatus There is provided a water-based ink for ink-jet recording including: a self-dispersible carbon black modified by carboxylic acid group; water; and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein oxalate ion is contained in the water-based ink in a amount of not more than 45 ppm by weight.
US08770729B2	Image forming apparatus mounting replaceable liquid cartridge An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid cartridge, a cartridge holder, a hook member, and an engagement portion. The recording head ejects liquid droplets. The liquid cartridge stores liquid to be supplied to the recording head. The cartridge holder replaceably mounts the liquid cartridge. The hook member is integrally formed with an inner wall face of the cartridge holder to engage the liquid cartridge when the liquid cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder. The engagement portion is provided at an outer wall face of the liquid cartridge to engage the hook member.
US08770728B2	Image forming device Disclosed is an image forming device including a carriage including recording heads and sub-tanks; a platen having a conveyance surface; flexible tubes for supplying liquids to the sub-tanks, the flexible tubes being extended along a main scanning direction above the platen, wherein extended portions of the flexible tubes are folded at middle portions of extended portions in the main scanning direction; first and second tube guides that support the folded extended portions of the flexible tubes, wherein the flexible tubes are arranged in a height direction, wherein the first tube guide is disposed at a position higher than that of the second tube guide, and wherein the tubes are supported by a thin plate-like sheet member formed of an elastic material.
US08770721B2	Liquid discharge head and method of manufacturing the same A liquid discharge head includes a liquid discharge substrate including a discharge port; a flow path for supplying liquid to the liquid discharge substrate; an absorption member capable of absorbing a laser beam, wherein a first flow path portion constituting a portion of a wall of the flow path is formed on a surface thereof; and a transparent member transparent to a laser beam, wherein a second flow path portion constituting another portion of the wall of the flow path is formed on a surface thereof; wherein the flow path is formed by welding the surfaces of the absorption and transparent members with each other at a periphery of the first flow path portion using a laser beam, and wherein the second flow path portion is constituted by a depression including an inclined surface capable of reflecting a laser beam directed toward the first flow path portion.
US08770716B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a recording head to eject ink droplets through a nozzle onto a recording medium, a replaceable ink cartridge to contain ink to be supplied to the recording head, a replaceable waste-ink tank to store waste ink ejected from the recording head, a cartridge mounting portion provided on a front side of the image forming apparatus and configured to accommodate the ink cartridge, including a first opening through which the ink cartridge is inserted, a tank mounting portion provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus, adjacent to the cartridge mounting portion, and configured to accommodate the waste-ink tank and to include a second opening through which the waste-ink tank is inserted, and an openably closable cartridge cover disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus, configured to cover both the first opening and the second opening.
US08770708B2	Inkjet printer and recovery method for a print head An inkjet printer including: a print head for printing by discharging ink droplets from nozzles; a recovery process unit that executes a print head recovery process; a clock unit that counts time; a print operation measuring unit that acquires printing frequency per unit time; and a memory unit that memorizes the printing frequency per unit time; wherein the recovery process unit executes the print head recovery process based on the printing, frequency per unit time in the memory.
US08770707B2	Drop detector assembly and method A drop detector assembly includes an ejection element formed on a substrate to eject a fluid drop, and a light detector formed on the substrate to detect light scattered off of the fluid drop. A fluid drop ejected from a nozzle formed in a transparent nozzle plate scatters light that is detected through the transparent nozzle plate.
US08770704B2	Job change scrap reduction Reducing waste in a digital printing system (200) includes moving media (214) through a web transport system (205) at a first speed. A first job is printed on the print media and a downstream finishing device (203) in a first configuration acts on the media. The web slows to a second speed prior the end of the first job and the finishing device changes to a second configuration after the first job has passed. A time to complete changing from the first to the second configuration is estimated and a time for a first section of the media containing the end of the first job to arrive at the finishing device is estimated. A second job is printed on the media prior to completion of the change based on the estimated time to completion.
US08770702B2	Liquid droplet jetting apparatus and liquid droplet jetting state inspection unit A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes: a liquid droplet jetting head which has a liquid droplet jetting surface on which a plurality of nozzles are open and aligned in a row in a first direction; and a liquid droplet jetting state inspection unit which inspects liquid droplet jetting state of each of the nozzles, including: a liquid droplet landing body which has a landing surface facing the liquid droplet jetting surface and on which the liquid droplets jetted from each of the nozzles land, and which is configured to be relatively movable, with respect to the liquid droplet jetting head, in a second direction which is parallel to the liquid droplet jetting surface and intersects the first direction; and a landing detection mechanism which detects whether or not the liquid droplets have landed on a predetermined detection area provided on the landing surface of the liquid droplet landing body.
US08770697B2	Printer vacuum unit mechanism A printing system is disclosed. The printing system includes a first print engine to print content on a web of paper and a vacuum unit to provide stabilization and cooling of the web. The vacuum unit operates in a first mode upon receiving an activation signal from the first print engine and operates in a second mode upon de-assertion of the activation signal.
US08770692B2	Crosstalk reduction in piezo printhead Crosstalk in a piezo printhead is reduced by storing a coefficient that expresses an amount of crosstalk between a first nozzle and an adjacent nozzle. A drive waveform voltage is pre-biased using the coefficient, and the pre-biased waveform is applied to a piezoelectric material of the first nozzle.
US08770691B2	Acoustically ejecting a droplet of fluid from a reservoir by an acoustic fluid ejection apparatus The invention provides apparatuses and methods for acoustically ejecting the fluid from a reservoir contained in or disposed on a substrate. The reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of the reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of determining the energy level of the transmitted acoustic radiation and raising the energy level of subsequent pulses to a level sufficient to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir. The invention is particularly suited for delivering fluid from a plurality of reservoirs in an accurate and efficient manner.
US08770685B2	Logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart-line for fluid-ejection device A fluid-ejection device includes physical data lines, a controller, and a fluid-ejection mechanism. The physical data lines communicatively connect the controller and the fluid-ejection mechanism. The controller is to assert a logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line to denote that a first data sub-packet of a new data packet of nozzle data for a predetermined sequence of fluid-ejection nozzles of the fluid-ejection mechanism is being transmitted over the physical data lines. The fluid-ejection mechanism is to listen for the controller to assert the logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line, to discern that the first data sub-packet of the new data packet is being transmitted over the physical data lines.
US08770684B2	Refrigerator and manufacturing method of the same The present embodiment provides a refrigerator. The refrigerator according to the present embodiment includes a panel member forming at least a portion of the exterior of the refrigerator, an inner case of which at least portion is spaced from the panel, a display case provided at one side of the panel member, insulating material filled in space between the panel member and the inner case, and a display unit mounted on the display case after the filling of the insulating material is completed.
US08770683B2	Drawer guide for a furniture drawer component A pullout guide for a furniture pullout part configured to be pulled out from a piece of furniture over a predefined pullout distance. The pullout guide includes a retraction device configured to retract the furniture pullout part at least over a portion of the predefined pullout distance. The retraction device includes a spring configuration having a first spring and a second spring connected in parallel with respect to each other. Each of the first and second springs includes a different spring characteristic curve than the other spring and/or each of the first and second springs includes a different force-distance characteristic acting in a pullout direction of the pullout guide.
US08770681B2	Rack with lockable tray A rack includes an enclosure, a tray and a locking member. The enclosure defines a receiving space. The enclosure includes a side wall. The side wall includes a rail. A locking slot is defined in the side wall. The tray is received in the receiving space and is slidable on the rail. The tray includes a side plate. An operating hole is defined in the side plate. The locking member includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a locking portion located on the second end. The first end is attached to an inner surface of the side plate. The locking portion is engaged with the locking slot.
US08770680B1	Lock device for two-way travel drawer A lock device for two-way travel drawers of a support body, including in combination pegs each on one side of the drawer; a plurality of two slides each on either side of the drawer; and a lock assembly longitudinally mounted on one side of the support body and including a groove member, a sliding member, a biasing member, a lock, and snapping members. The groove member includes front and rear flanges, and an upward bend on an upper portion. The sliding member is slidably disposed in the groove member and includes longitudinal sets of two flush openings, and an upper hook. The biasing member interconnects the bend and the hook. The lock is on an upper portion of the support body for stopping the sliding member. The snapping member includes a central bottom trough and two inclined surfaces each extending from the trough to either end latch.
US08770679B2	Container data center A container data center includes a container, and a number of cabinets arranged in the container. A shockproof device is mounted to the bottom of the cabinet. A supporting apparatus is mounted between the top of the cabinet and the container. The supporting apparatus includes a first sleeve fixed to the top of the container, and a second sleeve, wherein a first end of the second sleeve is slidably engaged in the first sleeve, and a second end of the second sleeve is fixed to the top of the top wall of the cabinet.
US08770678B2	Work stations for manicurists A representative work station comprises a center console module having front, rear, top, and bottom walls. The front wall includes at least one hole for storing at least one nail drying device. The top wall includes a first airflow device for producing airflow from the outside to the inside of the center console module. The center console module further comprises a tray that is positioned below the first airflow device and receives particles from the first airflow device. At least two end modules are coupled to the center console module. The at least two end modules include a first end module that receives the particles from the tray.
US08770668B2	System and method for exchanging a milling drum assembly In one aspect of the invention, a system for exchanging a milling chamber comprises a vehicle comprising a milling chamber supported by the underside of the vehicle. The underside comprises a track that interfaces with a guide of the milling chamber. The track and guide are configured to accommodate lateral movement of the milling chamber with respect to a length of the vehicle.
US08770665B2	Wheelchair accessible recliner A wheelchair accessible recliner is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the recliner includes a backrest disposed at the rear portion of the recliner and configured to support a torso and back area of a user. A front base member serves to act as a wheel chock to secure rear wheels of the wheelchair within the recliner so that the user can tilt back in his or her wheelchair to stretch and relax. The backrest is adjustable and supported by a back strut. The back strut may be adjusted manually to adjust the angle of the backrest or can be adjusted by an actuator. Armrests are disposed on each side of the recliner and configured to support arms of the user when the wheelchair is positioned within the recliner.
US08770661B2	Configurable underseat storage feature A vehicular underseat storage assembly includes a rigid first side wall pivotally connected to a first stanchion. A rigid second side wall is pivotally connected to a second stanchion. A rigid front wall couples a forward end of the first side wall to a forward end of the second side wall. The first side wall, second side wall, and front wall define a storage cavity operable between a collapsed condition and a deployed condition. Substantially all of an inside surface of the first side wall is in abutting contact with an inside surface of the front wall when the storage cavity is in the collapsed condition.
US08770651B2	Off-highway truck body floor design A truck body floor includes a truck body floor frame and a floor plate attached to and supported by the truck body floor frame. The truck body floor frame includes two frame rails extending along a longitudinal length of the truck body floor, and a plurality of bolster structures attached to both of the two frame rails and extending across a width of the truck body floor. The plurality of bolster structures includes at least one layered bolster structure having an inner bolster and an outer bolster that is at least partially flush with and attached to the inner bolster.
US08770649B2	Device, assembly, and system for reducing aerodynamic drag A system and methods for reducing aerodynamic drag and mitigating detrimental side wind effects on vehicles moving through air or water with a plurality of new subsystems disposed in a plurality of locations on the vehicles. Each one of the subsystems includes a sub-set of small-scale vortex generators that have an intake for air from airflow around the vehicle and that produce intensive small-scale vortices with large lifespan, and/or a new fairing device that streamlines airflow and produces a sheet of small-scale-vortices. The subsystems direct the vortices with large lifespan and/or sheets of vortices into the vehicle's drag-producing volumes. The vortex generators have one or several air channels preventing airflow from bypassing vortex-producing elements and the elements inside the channels that produce small-scale vortices. The novel fairing devices are of bluff shape and/or with bluff obstructions and/or slots for generating sheets of intensive small-scale vortices in surrounding airflow.
US08770645B2	Back assembly for wheelchair users for installation in motor vehicles A backrest arrangement for installation in a motor vehicle for transporting wheelchair users, and a motor vehicle including the backrest arrangement. The backrest arrangement includes a fixing device that attaches the backrest arrangement to the roof of the motor vehicle. A backrest is mounted to the fixing device and is configured to support a wheelchair user. The backrest is rotatably mounted to the fixing device by a telescoping bar. The backrest may thereby be moved between a stowage position and a substantially extended operative position by rotating the backrest down from the stowage position and extending the telescoping bar. While in the stowage position, the backrest may be disposed completely in the roof region of the motor vehicle so that the backrest arrangement does not take up space in the passenger region.
US08770643B2	Tamper resistant battery compartment Motor vehicles assembled using a cutaway truck chassis may contain one or more batteries. These batteries may be accessible presenting potential for harm. The tamper resistant compartment for a battery in a passenger vehicle reduces access and visual interest that some may have in the batteries, while simultaneously providing easy access to mechanics. The tamper resistant compartment encompasses a box that is securely mounted to the chassis. The batteries inside the box may be connected to a remote battery stud and a battery shut-off switch. A movable panel integrated to the vehicle body serves as a covering and a door integrated to the movable panel provides access to the remote battery stud and battery shut-off switch.
US08770638B2	Bumper beam assembly for vehicle A bumper beam assembly for a vehicle may include a back beam disposed inside a vehicle bumper, both distal ends of the back beam being oriented in a lateral direction of a main body of the vehicle, crash boxes coupled to one side of the back beam, the crash boxes protruding from the both distal ends of the back beam toward the bumper, and back beam stays integrally coupled to the other side of the back beam, the back beam stays protruding from the both distal ends of the back beam toward an inside of the vehicle, in a direction opposite to a direction in which the crash boxes protrude.
US08770636B2	Bumper Providing a bumper absorbing large amount of impact energy with respect to both a light collision and a heavy collision, and preventing the reinforcement beam from bending and protruding backward at a portion where an obstacle collides and from displacing backward in this protruding state. Provided is a bumper for vehicles including a reinforcement beam made of metal and a pair of support members having a hollow cross section, protruding from a vehicle frame, and supporting the reinforcement beam therebetween. A quenched region is provide over a portion including a middle of the reinforcement beam. Unquenched portions are provided on the pair of connecting portions or a pair of adjacent portions inside the pair of connecting portions.
US08770630B2	Hose connecting method and connector arrangement A method for providing a hose pipe connection is disclosed. Embodiments of the method start with a pipe having an enlarged end portion. A sleeve is introduced into the end of the flexible hose. The sleeve has an inner diameter that is equal to the inner diameter of the hose. In an embodiment, the inner diameter of the sleeve is increased while the end of the hose is already placed on the sleeve. The hose fitted with the sleeve is then introduced into the enlarged end of the pipe. Crimping of the enlarged end will then secure the sleeve and the hose and provide a fluid tight and mechanically sturdy connection.
US08770625B1	Anti-counterfeiting articles An object is protected against counterfeiting by an article including an HVS-perceivable target and HVS-perceivable texture surrounding the target. The texture produces a gentle HVS stimulus modulation. Color of the target has a higher saliency than that of the texture, whereby the texture provides camouflage for the target. Location of the target with respect to the texture is a function of a serial number or other information about the object.
US08770624B2	Impact protection A method of vehicular safety management is disclosed in which a garment or like product is worn by an occupant of the vehicle. The garment includes crushable elements which absorb or dissipate energy on fracture from impact. An article of manufacture is disclosed which is worn by a vehicle occupant during travel and which incorporates component elements which fracture on impact and thereby dissipate collision energy.
US08770623B1	Rake and telescope adjustable steering column with spring support An adjustable steering column for a vehicle is provided. The adjustable steering column includes a mounting bracket having a first outer leg, a second outer leg and a cross bar connecting the first and second outer legs. A compression bracket is positioned between the outer legs and includes a first inner leg, a second inner leg and a lower plate connecting the first and second inner legs. The lower plate includes a spring slot. A column jacket is secured to the compression bracket and extends along a first axis. A rake bolt extends through the mounting bracket and compression bracket. A coil spring is seated on the cross bar and is secured to the rake bolt. The coil spring extends through the spring slot in the lower plate and supports the column jacket with the steering column in an unlocked condition.
US08770622B2	Airbag for a vehicle An airbag for a vehicle comprising an inflatable portion and lugs arranged at the periphery of the inflatable portion. The airbag is made of a one-piece-woven technology having a structure made of warp threads and weft threads. The airbag further comprises a marking for enabling a detection of an incorrect attachment of the airbag at the vehicle. The marking is realized by a coded weaving structure in at least one lug.
US08770621B1	Variable orifice construction A pressure vessel for an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel has a portion that is deformable by internal pressure resulting from combustion of gas generant therein. The deformable portion of the pressure vessel has at least one exit orifice therein. Upon deformation of the pressure vessel portion by internal pressure, the size of the exit orifice is increased to expedite the release of pressurized combustion gas from the pressure vessel.
US08770618B2	Curtain airbag device A curtain airbag device that is housed at a top edge portion of a side window glass placement location of a vehicle body, and the curtain airbag device comprising a gas supply passage that receives supplied gas and is deployed along a top portion of the side window glass placement location and towards a vehicle bottom direction; an occupant protection portion that is deployed to a lower side of the gas supply passage by receiving supplied gas through the gas supply passage; a gas release section that releases gas from inside the gas supply passage when an internal pressure of the gas supply passage reaches a specific pressure or higher, the specific pressure being higher than a design deployment pressure; and an internal pressure regulation chamber that accepts gas released by the gas release section.
US08770614B2	Snow glide board, in particular ski The invention relates to a snow glide board, in particular a ski, having a glide board body and guide and mounting elements located in a binding area of the glide board body for interlocking mounting of a binding.
US08770610B2	Axles, such as for bicycles A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.
US08770609B2	Unitary crown fork assembly and method of fabrication A bicycle is provided having a unitary steering tube-crown member and a unitary crank arm-spindle member. A multistage aluminum 3D forging process is used to form the unitary members. This may allow the fabrication of components with substantially hollow interior areas to reduce weight, reduce part count while maintaining high strength and ductility. The multistage 3D forging process provided also allows the combination of multiple components into a single unitary part.
US08770608B1	Bicycle front derailleur mount A bicycle including a bicycle frame that has a main frame and a rear frame coupled to the main frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and a derailleur mount that is coupled to the bicycle frame. The derailleur mount has a first mounting portion that is concentric with the pivot axis and defining a plane, a second mounting portion that is secured to the rear frame at a location spaced laterally from the plane, and a support portion. A derailleur is attached to the support portion.
US08770606B2	Control arm for a vehicle A component, especially a control arm for a vehicle, includes a base wall and a passage extending away from said base wall, and in particular, a control arm lug. A method for producing such a component includes shortening a deep-drawn contour which connects one side of the base wall to an inner contour of a passage in the longitudinal direction of the passage by means of upsetting.
US08770595B2	Ice hockey runner-blade assembly A customizable hockey skate includes a removable runner-blade assembly such that a runner-blade assembly having a first stiffness may be readily replaced with a runner-blade assembly having a second stiffness. The runner-blade assembly may be removably attached to first and second cups that are optionally removably attached to the sole of a skate boot. The first and second cups optionally are removably attachable at multiple lateral locations on the sole. Mounting plates to which the first and second cups are mounted may be included to provide damping interfaces between the first and second cups and the boot sole. The first and second cups may be separately removable from the sole such that the first cup may be replaced with a third cup (for example, a cup having a different stiffness than the first cup) without removal of the second cup.
US08770594B2	Electric suspension device and motorcycle An electric suspension device includes a cylinder, a sub-tank, a first oil passage and a second oil passage, a damping force adjusting valve, and a damping force adjusting motor. The cylinder is rotatable about a mounting axis. The first oil passage connects a first inner oil chamber and an outer oil chamber. The second oil passage connects the first inner oil chamber of the cylinder and an oil chamber of the sub-tank. The first and second oil passages are disposed outside an inner tube and an outer tube, and share a portion with each other. The first and second oil passages are entirely disposed on the same side with respect to a reference plane.
US08770593B2	Vehicle suspension systems A suspension system for a vehicle includes a damper having a central longitudinal axis, and a jack assembly attached to the damper. The jack assembly includes a seat abutting and rotatable about the damper, a resilient member coiled about the damper and coupled to the seat so that the resilient member is not rotatable with respect to the seat, a ball screw abutting and fixedly attached to the damper, wherein the ball screw is not rotatable about the damper, a ball nut abutting and rotatable about the ball screw and the damper, a first clutch coiled about the ball nut and coupled to the seat, and a second clutch coiled about the damper and coupled to the ball nut. The seat is translatable along the damper to thereby raise and lower the body of the vehicle. A vehicle including the suspension system is also disclosed.
US08770591B2	Connector seal The present invention is to provide a connector seal allowing an accurate inspection of presence of an incorrectly formed bore in a terminal insertion bore of the connector seal. A connector seal includes a seal main body and a plurality of terminal insertion bores. Each terminal insertion bore has an upper membrane potion and a lower membrane portion, which are spaced one another and interconnected together with a lamella. Preferably, the terminal insertion bore has a membrane, which includes a substantially curved groove and a substantially curved lamella. Preferably, the terminal insertion bore has a membrane which includes a lamella, the lamella being oriented in a direction coincident with a diagonal line of a rectangular cross-section of a terminal so that corners of the terminal hit opposite ends of the lamella.
US08770587B2	Multi-purpose reversible target, stand, and display A multi-purpose reversible target includes a target body having a first side and a second side, a plurality of target areas printed on the first side of the target body, and a plurality of tabs integral with the target body and on the second side of the target body. A stand includes an elongated body having a top end and an opposite bottom end, the bottom end configured for insertion into ground and at least one holder comprising a first loop and a second operatively connected to the first loop to thereby allow for friction fit of an edge of signage between the first loop and the second loop.
US08770586B2	Dousing game We disclose a fluid dousing game. The game includes a frame from which a container of fluid is suspended. The release of the fluid is controlled by a valve in the bottom of the container which is created by an opening in the bottom of the container combined with a valve. When a player throws a projectile and strikes a target, a spring loaded mechanism triggers release of the fluid from the container by opening the valve.
US08770585B2	Apportionment of pay out of casino game with escrow A gaming apparatus which, for each of a plurality of plays of a primary game: randomly generates one of a plurality of different primary game outcomes, displays the generated primary game outcome, and displays any award associated with the displayed primary game outcome. If a bonus triggering event occurs, the gaming apparatus: determines a first part of a constant value, causes the determined first part of the constant value to be provided to a first player, determines a second part of the constant value, wherein the determined first part of the constant value and the determined second part of the constant value form the constant value, and causes the determined second part of the constant value to fund a designated award.
US08770584B1	Picture game Described is a picture game which utilized bingo-style game cards having images depicted thereon. As random images and photos are selected and displayed, matching images on the game cards are identified until one or more players hold a game card having a pre-established pattern marked. During the display of images and photos, messages, including advertisements or trivia questions, may be displayed as well. In another version, the game may also be used to facilitate memory exercises.
US08770582B2	Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus In a conveying belt that is entrained about a pair of bundle discharge rollers along a stacking wall, on which an end part of a sheet stacked on a stack tray abuts, between the stack tray and an intermediate processing tray, a position of an outer peripheral surface is displaced such that a projection amount of the conveying belt from the stacking wall is large when the pair of discharge rollers discharges the sheet to the stacking portion, and such that the projection amount is small when the pair of discharge rollers moves the sheet toward a stopper of the intermediate stacking portion.
US08770581B2	Skew correcting device and image forming apparatus with separating mechanism A skew correcting device includes a first roller pair configured to nip and convey a sheet, a second roller pair disposed upstream of the first roller pair and configured to nip and convey the sheet, a contact portion disposed downstream of the first roller pair, the contact portion being a portion that the leading edge of the conveyed sheet comes into contact to correct skew of the sheet, a switching mechanism configured to change a nipping force of the first roller pair before the leading edge of the conveyed sheet comes into contact with the contact portion to form a loop in the sheet, and a control unit configured to make a determination on the basis of sheet information as to whether the nipping force of the first roller pair is to be changed, the control unit being configured to control the switching mechanism on the basis of the determination.
US08770580B2	Non-stop device In the case of a non-stop device having load-bearing rods (11,12), the load-bearing rods (11, 12) should be arranged so as to be displaceable to different extents.
US08770572B2	Conveying apparatus and image recording apparatus having the same In a conveying apparatus, a support member supports a second guide member such that the second guide member is pivotable between a first position and a second position, a downstream-side edge of the second guide member in a sheet conveying direction being closer to a first guide member than to a fourth guide member when the second guide member is in a first position, the downstream-side edge of the second guide member being closer to the fourth guide member than to the first guide member when the second guide member is in the second position.
US08770567B2	Cushioned support platform A work piece supporting device is disclosed for limiting vibrations caused by work piece processing. The device comprises a base portion having a plurality of openings therein. Each opening forms a well with an inner boundary and a peripheral surface extends therefrom. A plurality of elongate supports are each arranged to be located in a corresponding well for supporting the work piece when positioned above the base portion. A resilient support is positioned in the well between the inner boundary and the elongate support. The elongate support is movable between a first position in which the resilient support is in a relatively less compressed configuration to a second position in which the resilient support is in a relatively more compressed configuration.
US08770565B2	Jig for surface treatment The present disclosure provides a jig for surface treatment, which is used for fixing a metal plate having a bearing for surface treatment. The jig for surface treatment according to the present disclosure passes a hanging rod through the metal plate. Thereby, the jig for surface treatment will not contact with a processed surface of the metal plate and hence making no apparent flaws on the processed surface and maintaining completeness processed surface. In addition, the jig for surface treatment can load a plurality of metal plates at a time, performing surface treatment on the plurality of metal plates simultaneously, and thus improving productivity and practicability.
US08770562B1	Cutting board with adjustable trough A cutting board has two opposed longitudinal edges, two opposed transverse edges, a first diagonal edge between the first transverse edge and a first longitudinal edge, a second diagonal edge between the first transverse edge and a second longitudinal edge. The edges define broad upper and lower cutting board surfaces. A permanent magnet is affixed to each of the diagonal edges. Two elongate ferromagnetic fences have first and second legs disposed at right angles. In a dispensing trough position the second leg is engaged by the magnet to hold the second leg tightly against the diagonal edge with the first leg lying flat against the lower broad surface to thereby provide two fence members extending above the cutting surface to guide cut items toward an opening defined by a space between the fence members at a transverse edge. The size of the opening is adjusted by moving the fences.
US08770559B2	Liquid sealed vibration isolating device A liquid sealed vibration isolating device has first and second mounting members and an insulator placed between the mounting members. A partition member partitions a liquid chamber into primary and secondary liquid chambers. A valve portion provided on a diaphragm enclosing the secondary liquid chamber opens and closes a port of a passage between the liquid chambers. The valve portion has an annular thick wall portion which contacts a valve seat portion provided around the port and a movable elastic diaphragm portion provided on an inside of the wall portion and is thinner than the wall portion so as to be elastically deformable by a pressure of the hydraulic liquid. The hydraulic liquid passing through the passage causes orifice resonance when the passage is opened by the valve portion. The diaphragm, including the valve portion, membrane-resonates at a frequency in the vicinity of a resonance frequency of the orifice resonance.
US08770550B2	Process, pig and pressure housing for laying an elongated element A method for laying an elongated element in a duct using a fluid injected under pressure through a fluid inlet in a pressure housing disposed at the elongated element inlet extremity of the duct. A mechanical drive placed before the pressure housing and the duct pushes the elongated element into the pressure housing and the duct. The method includes installing a first front end pulling pig at the front end of the elongated element and installing at least one subsequent pulling pig around the elongated element. The distance between each pulling pig is mainly constant. The method also includes applying the same maximum pressure drop to each pulling pig. The total pressure of the fluid injected being mainly equally shared by all the pulling pigs.
US08770549B2	Locking devices Example methods, apparatus, system, and articles of manufacture for releasably locking components that are moveable relative to one another are disclosed herein. A disclosed example locking apparatus includes a locking device mountable to a first component and including at least one locking member. The example system also includes a catch member mountable to a second component. The catch member has a plurality of substantially similarly formed catches. The locking member is engageable with at least one catch in a plurality of predetermined catching positions in at least one of a releasable, form-locking manner or a releasable, force-locking manner. The example system also includes a force member to produce a relative movement between the locking member and the at least one catch. In at least a partial region of the catch member, at least a first catching position, a second catching position and a third catching position are traversable by the locking member. At least a first distance between the first catching position and the second catching position and a second distance between the second catching position and the third catching position have different lengths.
US08770548B2	Striking tools Hammers suitable to different tasks are described. Each hammer includes features to reduce vibration and provides advantageous balance and mass distribution. The hammers have a handle portion comprising an I-shape sectional profile and a head comprising a cavity formed therethrough. Each hammer may further comprise various nail or other fastener removal structures, such as a claw, slots, notches, or the like. The hammer may further include a nail-starter with magnetic nail retention.
US08770547B2	Fluid control valve A fluid control valve includes a resin valve body formed with first and second passages, a resin valve upper part connected to an upper surface of the valve body, and a resin diaphragm valve element held between the valve body and the valve upper part.
US08770542B2	Valve for controlling a flow of a fluid through a fluid channel, system and multiple-way valve The invention relates to a valve for controlling a flow of a fluid through a fluid channel, comprising a tube of flexible material in which a section of a fluid channel is formed, a valve component assigned to the tube, a squeeze element, which is formed and configured on the valve component by pressing against an outside surface of the tube to control a flow of a fluid through the fluid channel, optionally up to the closing of the fluid channel, a guide section, which is formed on the valve component, and a guide assigned to the valve component, which cooperates with the guide section in a relative movement of the guide and valve components relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the tube, such that the squeeze element is displaced in the relative movement, changing the pressure on the outside surface of the tube and thus changing the flow through the fluid channel.
US08770539B1	Electronic gadget holder for automobiles and tripods An apparatus for holding an electronic device, such as a smartphone or GPS device, is configured to secure the device within and without an automobile. The apparatus includes a handle grip assembly and a detachable clamp assembly. The clamp assembly may be configured with removable vent connectors to facilitate attachment of the clamp assembly to a standard air conditioning vent of the automobile. With the vent connectors removed, the clamp assembly may be coupled to a grip backing plate to form a tripod structure. A pair of legs swivel in and out of cradles formed in a handle assembly where an ergonomic handle serves as the third leg of the tripod.
US08770536B2	Clipping apparatus for expansion card A clipping apparatus includes a base, a support bracket, a positioning member and a rotating arm. The support bracket is located on the base. The support bracket is oblique relative to the base and defines a sliding slot. The positioning member is slidably engaged in the sliding slot. A first end of the rotating arm is pivotably engaged with the base. A second end of the rotating arm, opposite to the first end, is secured to the positioning member. An angle defined between the base and the support bracket is adjustable when the positioning member is slid relative to the base.
US08770530B2	Adjustable accessory bracket assembly The present general inventive concept provides an adjustable accessory bracket assembly having an adjustment mechanism to adjust one or more axes of rotation of a bracket assembly in order to adjustably position accessory devices, such as a bracket for a mirror or other accessory device. The adjustable accessory bracket assembly can include a handle member, a push rod assembly, and a mounting member such that the handle member pivots with respect to the mounting member. In some embodiments, adjustment of a single rotation axis is provided; other embodiments may be configured to simultaneously adjust multiple axes of freedom for multi-position bracket assemblies.
US08770528B2	Bracket assembly for a rack A bracket assembly for a rack is provided. The rack has a plurality of holes. The bracket assembly includes a bracket having multiple bracket holes, a base securely connected to the bracket, and a fastening member pivotally connected to the bracket. The base includes multiple connection members corresponding to the bracket holes. The fastening member includes a resilient leg and a fastening arm. The fastening arm has at least one fastening portion. One of the connection members is inserted into one of the holes of the rack. The fastening portion of the fastening arm is hooked to the rack so as to connect the bracket to the rack.
US08770527B2	Method and apparatus for installing a post mount In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for installing a post mount. In one embodiment, a support block for use in securing a post mount includes a body having a first end and a second end and an adjustment mechanism formed integrally with the first end of the body, by which a vertical orientation of a post mount incorporating the support block can be adjusted.
US08770526B2	Electrical box support assembly An electrical box support assembly for mounting an electrical box between a pair of studs is provided. The electrical box support assembly includes, but is not limited to, a pair of telescoping overlapping struts and a pair of engaging tabs detachably coupled with each end of the pair of telescoping overlapping struts. Each strut has a face to which the electrical box may be secured. Each of the pair of engaging tabs includes a first engagement member for primarily engaging a closed face of one of the studs and a side engagement member connected generally perpendicular with the first engagement member. Each end of the pair of telescoping overlapping struts may be detachably coupled at one of two positions on each engaging tab in order to accommodate electrical boxes of varying depths.
US08770514B2	Landing gear In the retracted position, aircraft landing gear of an aircraft is supported by an uplock hook. The deployment of the aircraft landing gear includes the steps of supporting at least part of the weight of the landing gear by a releasable catch in the form of an uplock hook, applying a lifting force to the landing gear to remove at least part of the load sustained by the releasable catch, releasing the catch and effecting the downward movement of the landing gear to the deployed position.
US08770510B2	Reel flange having an inclined interior surface A flange for a reel for supporting a wound flexible medium includes a plate member and a set of support elements. The reel includes an elongate core defining a longitudinal core axis. The plate member engages the core and extends radially from the core toward an outer edge and has an axially inclined media engaging surface. The set of support elements have a height extending from the plate member in the axial direction, and a length extending radially, at least a first support element extending radially from proximate the core to proximate the outer edge. The axial distance between the plate member and a top of the first support element proximate the outer edge is less than an axial distance between the plate member and the top of the first support element proximate the core.
US08770505B2	Wire material accumulator A wire material accumulator is configured to accumulate a wire material. The wire material accumulator includes a plurality of fixed-side pulleys rotatably supported on a fixed axis part, and a plurality of movable-side pulleys rotatably supported on a movable axis part that is supported so as to be movable toward and away from the fixed axis part. The wire material accumulator further includes a drawing mechanism part that applies a drawing force to a wire material W in the middle of the wire material being wrapped from any one to another of the plurality of fixed-side pulleys and the plurality of movable-side pulleys.
US08770504B1	Motor driven fishing reel A variable speed motor driven fishing reel is powered by a brushless DC motor and adapted for remote control operation by adapting a salt water bait-casting reel with a motorized drive assembly including an end plate having an environmentally sealed cover removably connected thereto, and mounted on the opposite side of the reel from the manual crank, the drive assembly including a brushless DC out-runner motor having an output shaft connected to a planetary gear system configured to power rotation of the fishing reel spool axel for driving the spool. A power cable provides 12.0 volt DC power from a suitable on-board vessel power source. An electronic motor control system allows for variation of DC motor speed via a manually actuated speed control knob. A remote control device is adapted for wireless communication with the electronic motor control system to allow for remote activation of the DC motor in low and high speed modes.
US08770501B2	Method and equipment for controlling crushing process A method, a system and a crushing plant for controlling a crushing process, which crushing plant includes a feeder for feeding material to be crushed to a crusher, a first crusher for crushing the fed material, a second crusher for crushing the crushed material and a conveyor for conveying the crushed material from said first crusher to said second crusher. A crushing plant includes measurement means for measuring the volume flow of the crushed material and control means for controlling the feeding speed of the material to be crushed responsive to change in the volume flow of the crushed material.
US08770497B2	Device and process for distributing a fluid Device for distributing a fluid in a controlled manner, in particular for distributing a gas loaded with particles, the device comprising a pipe (1) provided with at least one inlet orifice (2) and with a series of outlet orifices (3) spread along the pipe (1) and cut in the side wall of this pipe, characterized in that at least one section (4) of the wall, located downstream of at least one outlet orifice and limited by a section (5) of the edge of this orifice, has a shape such that this section of the edge of this orifice is positioned inside the pipe so that, when the device is in service, the flow direction of the fluid exiting this orifice and travelling along said wall section is controlled by the shape of the latter section.
US08770493B2	Telecom shelter cooling and control system A system configured to provide cooling of electronic equipment in a shelter in combination with an air conditioning (A/C) system. The system includes one or more blowers for drawing air into the shelter, a damper arrangement for controlling air exhaust. The system further includes a DC powered controller coupled to the one or more blowers, the damper arrangement, and the A/C system. The controller is configured to receive at least a first analog input signal associated with a shelter-interior temperature, a second analog input signal associated with a shelter-exterior temperature, and a plurality of alarm input signals and to generate the one or more first control signals to control blower rotational speed, the second control signal to open/close the damper arrangement, and a third control signal to inhibit/activate the A/C system based on at least the first analog input signal, or the second analog input signal, or a plurality of alarm input signals, or a combination of these.

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