最新美国发明专利第2014-09-02期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08822430B2	Antiviral compounds The invention is related to anti-viral compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08822428B2	Double-stranded RNA oligonucleotides which inhibit tyrosinase expression Novel double-stranded RNA oligonucleotides are useful for decreasing tyrosinase expression, have cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical applications, for example are useful skin depigmenting or anti-browning agents, and can be associated with cationic particles less than or equal to 1 μm in size, having a zeta potential of from 10 to 80 mV.
US08822422B2	Antitumor agent An antitumor agent containing, in combination, at least one kind of antitumor agent selected from the group consisting of an antitumor agent that forms a cross-link with DNA and shows an antitumor effect, an antimetabolite antitumor agent and a taxane antitumor agent, and a histone deacetylase inhibitor. According to the present invention, an antitumor agent causing reduced side effects and having a superior antitumor activity can be provided.
US08822419B2	Membrane resident peptide in anti-cancer peptides causes tumor cell necrosis rather than apoptosis of cancer cells An aspect of the invention provides a method of selectively necrosing cells, comprising: providing a plurality cells, including at least one cancer cell and at least one non-cancerous cell; and administering to the cells a compound, including an HDM-2 targeting component and a cytotoxic component attached to the HDM-2 targeting component, wherein said compound comprises a membrane-active form.
US08822417B2	Albumin variants Variants of a parent albumin having altered plasma half-life compared with a parent albumin are described. Fusion polypeptides and conjugates including the variant albumin are also described. Embodiments include, but are not limited to, a polypeptide which is a variant of albumin, including one or more alterations at one or more positions corresponding to 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 and 120 in SEQ ID NO: 2.
US08822410B2	Tympanic membrane permeating ear drops and uses thereof The present invention provides compositions and methods for noninvasive delivery of therapeutic agents across an intact tympanic membrane. For example, the compositions include a penetration enhancer which increases the flux of a therapeutic agent (e.g., antibiotic) across the tympanic membrane. Such compositions are particularly useful in the treatment of otitis media. Additionally, the composition may include a sustained release agents that, in some embodiments form sustained release reservoirs, in situ, once administered to a patient.
US08822408B2	Cell growth-promoting peptide and use thereof The pharmaceutical composition includes at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and an active ingredient including an artificially synthesized peptide includes: (A) an amino acid sequence constituting a cell-penetrating peptide and (B) an amino acid sequence constituting the signal peptide in amyloid precursor protein (APP) or an N-terminal partial amino acid sequence or C-terminal partial amino acid sequence from the amino acid sequence constituting that signal peptide.
US08822405B2	Uses of mammalian cytokines and agonists; related reagents The present invention relates generally to uses of TSLP in the treatment of cancer.
US08822404B2	Perfuming compositions and uses thereof A perfuming composition capable of prolonging the release of a perfuming component into the surrounding environment when applied on a body surface. The composition includes isocetyl alcohol as a fragrance evaporation modulator in the presence of high amounts of ethanol. Also, consumer articles containing such compositions and methods for the perfuming of a body surface and for increasing the long-lastingness of a perfuming component using these compositions.
US08822403B2	Detergent composition including a saccharide or sugar alcohol Solid detergent compositions according to the present invention include at least one alkali metal silicate, at least one polycarboxylic acid, at least one saccharide or sugar alcohol and water. Suitable saccharides include sucrose, fructose, inulin, maltose and lactulose, and may be present in the composition in a concentration of at least 0.5 wt %. Compositions according to certain embodiments form stable solid block detergent compositions that do not swell significantly even when subjected to elevated temperatures.
US08822400B2	Polyol oxidases The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing a polyol oxidase in micoroorganisms, and the use of polyol oxidases in cleaning compositions. The invention includes cleaning compositions that contain combinations of two or more POx oxidases, and cleaning compositions that contain combinations of two or more POx oxidases and a perhydrolase. In particular, the invention provides methods for expressing polyol oxidases in bacterial hosts for use in detergent applications for cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.
US08822398B2	Detergent compositions comprising a polydimethylsiloxane on sodium acetate foam control agent and methods of making The present invention relates to a detergent composition for dish washing and clothes washing machines which includes an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, and a foam control agent which includes polydimethylsiloxane, sodium acetate, and mixtures thereof. The detergent composition is in a dry form and is capable to reduce or preclude the formation of suds when combined with water.
US08822396B2	Solution for removing residue after semiconductor dry process and method of removing the residue using the same A residue-removing solution for removing residues present on semiconductor substrates after dry etching and/or ashing, the residue-removing solution comprising a Cu surface protective agent including: at least one compound selected from compounds (1), (2) and (3) each having as a basic skeleton a five-membered or six-membered heteratomic structure as defined herein; a compound capable of forming a complex or chelate with Cu (copper); and water. Further, the residue-removing solution has a pH of 4 to 9.
US08822395B2	Refrigerating-machine oil composition and compressor and refrigerating apparatus both employing the same The present invention provides a refrigerating machine oil composition for use in a compressor for a refrigerator in which a sliding surface of at least a part of constitutional members of the compressor is coated with a lubrication film-forming composition containing a resin having a heat distortion temperature of 100° C. or higher as a binder, and a solid lubricant, wherein the refrigerating machine oil composition contains a base oil made of a polyoxyalkylene glycol having a kinematic viscosity of from 3 to 50 mm2/s as measured at 100° C., and a compound selected from the group consisting of amide compounds, amidated amino acid compounds and aliphatic amines having a specific structural formula which compound is contained in an amount of from 0.01 to 1% by mass on the basis of a total amount of the refrigerating machine oil composition, the refrigerating machine oil composition being capable of ensuring a good lubrication of sliding portions of the compressor upon starting operation of the compressor and during the operation; a compressor using the refrigerating machine oil composition; and a refrigerating apparatus including the compressor.
US08822393B2	Lubricant for percussion equipment This invention discloses a lubricant suitable for use in percussion equipment. The lubricant comprises a base oil selected from the group consisting of Group I or Group II, blended in a synergistic amount with a gear oil package and a friction modifier. The lubricant exhibits superior wear and superior extreme pressure properties due to the synergistic effect of the gear oil package and the friction modifier. In a preferred embodiment, the gear oil package comprises a polyalkyl methacrylate polymer, and the friction modifier comprises a synthetic ester.
US08822390B2	Scale inhibitor This invention relates to a process for inhibiting scaling in a subterranean oil or gas producing formation, comprising adding to the formation a composition comprising a metal chelant, a scale inhibitor and divalent metal cations, wherein the stability constant of the metal chelant-metal cation chelate at ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the stability constant of the chelate formed from the metal cations and the scale inhibitor, and wherein the solubility of the chelate formed from the metal cations and the scale inhibitor decreases with increasing temperature.
US08822389B2	Dendritic comb-shaped polymer thickening agent, preparaton of the same and application thereof The present invention relates to a dendritic comb-shaped polymer thickening agent and preparation and application thereof; it is a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of monomer (A) and monomer (B). Monomer (A) is one or more water-soluble unsaturated monomers with olefin chain, and monomer (B) is at least one monomer with the following general structure: wherein R1, R2 is selected from H or C1˜C12 alkyl group, respectively; R3, R4, R5 is selected from H or C1˜C8 alkyl group, C1˜C8 alkylaryl group, C1˜C8 alkyl ether or C1˜C8 alkyl ester group, respectively; A′ is selected from COO− or OH. The content of the monomer (A) is 70˜99.99% of the total mass of the monomer (A) and the monomer (B), and the content of monomer (B) is 0.01˜30% of the total mass of the monomer (A) and the monomer (B). The viscosity of the polymer solution with the present polymer is 30% higher than that with common polyacrylamide and it is used in polymer flooding for oil reservoir with permeability lower than 400 mD in oilfields.
US08822388B2	Multi-component aqueous gel solution for control of delayed gelation timing and for resulting gel properties A water based solution having a controllable gel time is disclosed. The solution has predetermined ratios of a water soluble silicate solution having at least one alkali metal, a predetermined ratio of a water dispersible polymer, and a predetermined ratio of a water soluble initiator containing a reactive carbonyl compound.
US08822387B2	Composition and method for using waxy oil-external emulsions to modify reservoir permeability profiles A waxy oil-external emulsion is provided for injection into a selected zone of a subsurface formation. The selected zone is typically a high permeability zone. The emulsion generally comprises oil, added wax, and water. The emulsion may also include an emulsifying agent and a solvent. The emulsion is formulated to be a liquid at a temperature greater than a targeted temperature in the subsurface formation, but a solid at the targeted temperature. The targeted temperature is typically the maximum operating temperature for the formation. A method of formulating the emulsion is also provided. Further, a method of plugging a high permeability zone using the emulsion is disclosed.
US08822384B2	Methods for detecting plasticizers Nanoparticles having one or more attached sensing moieties including uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP) and deoxythymidine 5′-triphosphate (dTTP), are disclosed herein. These nanoparticles can, for example, be used for detection of plasticizers, such as phthalates, in the sample. Methods, kits and apparatuses using these nanoparticles for detecting plasticizers in a sample are also disclosed herein.
US08822382B2	Hydrocolloid systems for reducing loss of volatile active compounds from their liquid formulations for pre- and post harvest use on agricultural crops Ethylene response manipulation formulations are disclosed. The formulations comprise at least one ethylene response manipulation agent which is at least partially encapsulated, a polyol liquid medium, or a hydrogel medium, or a combination of polyol and hydrogel medium. A preferred ethylene response manipulation agent is 1-methylcyclopropene.
US08822380B2	Herbicidal composition The present invention provides a method for post-emergence selective weed control in turf sites by applying an herbicidal composition comprising sulfentrazone and quinclorac to a locus where weeds are present.
US08822375B2	Method for activating colorant associated with an article Methods and apparatuses for activating colorant in selected regions of an article in which the colorant is incorporated are described. The colorant activation can create various desired visual aspects.
US08822372B2	Process for producing olefin oxide A process for producing an olefin oxide which comprises reacting an olefin with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a copper oxide and a ruthenium oxide on a porous support.
US08822365B2	Process for the preparation of a solid metallocene catalyst system and its use in polymerisation of olefins Process for the preparation of a solid olefin polymerization catalyst system, comprising an organometallic compound of a transition metal of Group 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC 2007) in the form of solid particles comprising the steps of I) generating an emulsion by dispersing a liquid clathrate in a solvent (S) wherein (i) the solvent (S) constitutes the continuous phase of the emulsion and comprises a nonreactive fluorinated synthetic oil having a viscosity at 20° C. according to ASTM D445 of at least 10 cSt up to 2000 cSt (ii) the liquid clathrate constitutes in form of droplets the dispersed phase of the emulsion, II) solidifying said dispersed phase to convert said droplets to solid particles and III) optionally recovering said particles to obtain said catalyst system, wherein the liquid clathrate comprises (a) a lattice being the reaction product of a1) a transition metal compound of formula (I) LmRnTXq wherein “T” is a transition metal of anyone of the groups 3 to 10 of the periodic table (IUPAC2007), preferably a transition metal of anyone of the groups 4 to 6 of the periodic table (IUPAC2007), more preferably titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr) or hafnium (Hf), i.e. zirconium (Zr) or hafnium (Hf), each “X” is independently a monovalent s-ligand, each “L” is independently an organic ligand which coordinates to the transition metal (T), “R” is a bridging group linking said organic ligands (L), “m” is 2 or 3, preferably 2, “n” is 0, 1 or 2, preferably 1, “q” is 1, 2 or 3, preferably 2, m+q is equal to the valency of the transition metal (T), a2) a cocatalyst comprising aluminoxane a3) a compound being effective to form the lattice with the transition metal compound and/or the aluminoxane and b) a hydrocarbon solvent (HS).
US08822364B2	Method for treating a platinum contaminated catalytic component An example method includes determining that a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) component having a zeolite-based catalyst is contaminated with platinum (Pt). The method further includes elevating the temperature of the SCR component to at least 600° C. in response to the determining the catalytic component is contaminated with Pt, and maintaining the elevated temperature of the catalytic component for a predetermined time period thereby restoring reduction activity of the catalyst.
US08822360B2	Article including ceramic structure An article which includes a structure of a ceramic material that has a composition SiOxMzCy, where Si is silicon, O is oxygen, M is at least one metal and C is carbon and wherein x<2, y>0 and z<1 and x and z are non-zero.
US08822358B2	Polyester fabrics for airbag and preparation method thereof Disclosed is a fabric for an airbag including a polyester fiber, and particularly to a polyester fabric for an airbag of which toughness is 3.5 to 6.0 kJ/m3 and tearing strength measured according to the ASTM D 2261 TONGUE method is 18 to 30 kgf, wherein the fabric includes polyester fiber of which toughness is 70 to 95 J/m3, a method of preparing the same, and an airbag for a car including the same.
US08822357B2	Film airbags made from ribbons Inflatable airbag for a vehicle which is deployed in the event of an accident involving the vehicle to provide protection for an occupant of the vehicle includes a plurality of ribbons coupled together to define an enclosed, fluid-retaining space and a layer of film laminated on at least one of an outer side of the woven ribbons and an inner side of the ribbons. The ribbons each have a width of less than about 3 mm and preferably about 0.5 to about 1 mm. The ribbons may be made from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester or polyamide and the layers of film may be made from polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester or polyamide. The ribbons and layers of film may be made of the same or different materials.
US08822355B2	Fire resistant composite material and fabrics made therefrom The present invention relates to fire resistant composite materials and to fire resistant fabric materials and mattresses made therefrom. The composite materials include (a) a substrate selected from the group consisting of cotton, rayon, lyocell and blends thereof; and (b) a coating consisting essentially of water, ammonium polyphosphate, urea formaldehyde binder material, prefarbricated glass microcells, acrylic latex binder, ammonium lauryl sulfate surfactant, thickener material, a second surfactant, surfactant-generated microcells, a catalyst and starch. The binder materials bond the ammonium polyphosphate, prefarbricated microcells, thickener material, surfactants, surfactant-generated microcells, catalyst and starch together and to the substrate such that the substrate is coated with the coating.
US08822346B1	Method and apparatus for self-aligned layer removal A reaction block having a plurality of reaction chambers defined therein is provided. A bottom surface of each of the reaction chambers is configured to provide a seal for a corresponding reaction region on the substrate and around a periphery of the substrate. The reaction block includes a plurality of inlet channels and provides a gap between a top surface of the substrate and a bottom surface of the reaction block. The gap accepts a fluid from the inlet channels, wherein the reaction block includes a plurality of vacuum channels having access to the bottom surface of the reaction block to remove the fluid from the gap. A method of selectively etching a substrate for combinatorial processing is also provided.
US08822345B2	Apparatus including gas distribution member supplying process gas and radio frequency (RF) power for plasma processing A plasma processing apparatus includes a gas distribution member which supplies a process gas and radio frequency (RF) power to a showerhead electrode. The gas distribution member can include multiple gas passages which supply the same process gas or different process gases at the same or different flow rates to one or more plenums at the backside of the showerhead electrode. The gas distribution member provides a desired process gas distribution to be achieved across a semiconductor substrate processed in a gap between the showerhead electrode and a bottom electrode on which the substrate is supported.
US08822339B2	Slurry composition for CMP, and polishing method The present invention relates to a CMP slurry composition comprising an abrasive particle; a dispersant; an ionic polymer additive; and a non-ionic polymer additive including a polyolefin-polyethylene glycol copolymer including at least two polyethylene glycol repeat unit as a backbone and at least a polyethylene glycol repeating unit as a side chain, and a polishing method with using the slurry composition. The CMP slurry composition shows a low polishing rate to a single-crystalline silicon layer or a polysilicon layer and a high polishing rate to a silicon oxide layer, resulting in having an excellent polishing selectivity.
US08822338B2	CVD apparatus and method of forming semiconductor superlattice structure using the same Provided is a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus, including: a reaction chamber including an inner pipe having an internal space, and an external pipe configured to cover the inner pipe so as to maintain a sealing state thereof; a wafer holder disposed within the inner pipe and receiving a plurality of wafers stacked therein; and a gas supplier including at least one stem pipe disposed at the outside of the reaction chamber so as to supply a reactive gas thereto, a plurality of branch pipes connected to the stem pipe to introduce the reactive gas from the outside of the reaction chamber into the reaction chamber, and a plurality of spray nozzles provided with the branch pipes to spray the reactive gas to the plurality of respective wafers.
US08822335B2	Semiconductor device with air gap and method for fabricating the same A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a semiconductor structure having an open portion over a substrate, forming a sacrificial spacer on sidewalls of the open portion, forming a recessed first plug in the open portion, forming an air gap by removing the sacrificial spacer, forming a capping layer to expose the top surface of the recessed first plug and to cap the air gap, forming a protective layer over the capping layer and the recessed first plug, forming an ohmic contact layer over the protective layer, and forming a second plug over the ohmic contact layer.
US08822334B2	Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure comprises: providing a substrate (100) on which a dummy gate stack is formed, forming a spacer (240) at sidewalls of the dummy gate stack, and forming a source/drain region (110) and a source/drain extension region (111) at both sides of the dummy gate stack; removing at least part of the spacer (240), to expose at least part of the source/drain extension region (111); forming a contact layer (112) on the source/drain region (110) and the exposed source/drain extension region (111), the contact layer (112) being [made of] one of CoSi2, NiSi and Ni(Pt)Si2-y or combinations thereof, and a thickness of the contact layer (112) being less than 10 nm. Correspondingly, the present invention further provides a semiconductor structure which is beneficial to reducing contact resistance and can maintain excellent performance in a subsequent high temperature process.
US08822331B2	Anchored damascene structures An anchored conductive damascene buried in a multi-density dielectric layer and method for forming the same, the anchored conductive damascene including a dielectric layer with an opening extending through a thickness of the dielectric layer; wherein the dielectric layer comprises at least one relatively higher density portion and a relatively lower density portion, the relatively lower density portion forming a contiguous major portion of the dielectric layer; and, wherein the opening in the relatively lower density portion has a lateral dimension relatively larger compared to the relatively higher density portion to form anchoring steps.
US08822322B2	Semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same A method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device includes forming a mold stack on a substrate and the mold stack including first sacrificial layers and second sacrificial layers alternately stacked on the substrate. The method also includes forming a plurality of vertical channels that penetrate the mold stack and that contact the substrate, patterning the mold stack to form word line cuts between the vertical channels, the word line cuts exposing the substrate, removing one of the first and second sacrificial layers to form recessed regions in the mold stack, forming a data storage layer, at least a portion of the data storage layer being formed between the vertical channels and the gates, forming gates in the recessed regions, forming air gaps between the gates by removing the other of the first and second sacrificial layers, and forming an insulation layer pattern in the word line cuts.
US08822320B2	Dense finFET SRAM A method for fabricating the device includes patterning a first structure and a second structure on a semiconductor device. A first angled ion implantation is applied to the second structure such that the first structure is protected and a second angled ion implantation is applied to the first structure such that the second structure is protected, wherein exposed portions of the first and second structures have an altered rate of oxidation. Oxidation is performed to form thicker or thinner oxide portions on the exposed portions of the first and second structures relative to unexposed portions of the first and second structures. Oxide portions are removed to an underlying layer of the first and second structures. The first and second structures are removed. Spacers are formed about a periphery of remaining oxide portions. The remaining oxide portions are removed. A layer below the spacers is patterned to form integrated circuit features.
US08822317B2	Self-aligned III-V MOSFET diffusion regions and silicide-like alloy contact A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor and method for forming the same include exposing portions on a substrate adjacent to a gate stack, forming a dopant layer over the gate stack and in contact with the substrate in the portions exposed and annealing the dopant layer to drive dopants into the substrate to form self-aligned dopant regions in the substrate. The dopant layer is removed. A metal containing layer is deposited over the gate stack and in contact with the substrate in the exposed portions. The metal containing layer is annealed to drive metal into the substrate to form self-aligned contact regions in a metal alloy formed in the substrate within the dopant regions. The metal layer is then removed.
US08822315B2	Methods of treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition and resulting structures and devices A method is disclosed for treating a silicon carbide substrate for improved epitaxial deposition thereon and for use as a precursor in the manufacture of devices such as light emitting diodes. The method includes the steps of implanting dopant atoms of a first conductivity type into the first surface of a conductive silicon carbide wafer having the same conductivity type as the implanting ions at one or more predetermined dopant concentrations and implant energies to form a dopant profile, annealing the implanted wafer, and growing an epitaxial layer on the implanted first surface of the wafer.
US08822313B2	Surface treatment methods and systems for substrate processing Embodiments provided herein describe methods and systems for processing substrates. A plasma including radical species and charged species is generated. The charged species of the plasma are collected. A substrate is exposed to the radical species of the plasma. A layer is formed on the substrate after exposing the substrate to the radical species.
US08822312B2	Method of forming high growth rate, low resistivity germanium film on silicon substrate A method of forming a doped semiconductor layer on a substrate is provided. A foundation layer having a crystal structure compatible with a thermodynamically favored crystal structure of the doped semiconductor layer is formed on the substrate and annealed, or surface annealed, to substantially crystallize the surface of the foundation layer. The doped semiconductor layer is formed on the foundation layer. Each layer may be formed by vapor deposition processes such as CVD. The foundation layer may be germanium and the doped semiconductor layer may be phosphorus doped germanium.
US08822310B2	Method, apparatus for holding and treatment of a substrate Some embodiments discussed relates to an apparatus for holding a substrate, comprising a body with a surface for a semiconductor wafer to rest on, with the surface having a first surface area on which a first area of the semiconductor wafer can rest, and a second surface area on which a second area of the semiconductor wafer can rest, wherein the second surface area protrudes with respect to the first surface area.
US08822308B2	Methods and apparatus for transfer of films among substrates A method is disclosed which includes: forming at least one layer of material on at least part of a surface of a first substrate, wherein a first surface of the at least one layer of material is in contact with the first substrate thereby defining an interface; attaching a second substrate to a second surface of the at least one layer of material; forming bubbles at the interface; and applying mechanical force; whereby the second substrate and the at least one layer of material are jointly separated from the first substrate. Related arrangements are also described.
US08822303B2	Method for manufacturing semiconductor device A method of fabricating a semiconductor component that including the following steps is provided. A plurality of stacked structures is formed on a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed to cover the stacked structures, wherein the first dielectric layer has a plurality of overhangs, the overhangs wrap top portions of the stacked structures. A dry conformable etching process is performed to conformably remove the first dielectric layer until a portion of the first dielectric layer located outside of the overhangs is removed. A second dielectric layer is formed on the stacked structures, wherein the second dielectric layer connects the adjacent overhangs to form an air gap between the stacked structures.
US08822302B2	Methods of fabricating a storage node in a semiconductor device and methods of fabricating a capacitor using the same Methods of forming a storage node in a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming an interlayer insulation layer on a substrate, forming an etch stop layer and a first sacrificial layer on the interlayer insulation layer, patterning the first sacrificial layer and the etch stop layer to form a first sacrificial layer pattern and an etch stop layer pattern that define a storage node contact hole, forming a recessed first storage node conductive pattern that conformally covers a lower sidewall and a bottom surface of the storage node contact hole, forming a second storage node conductive pattern that includes a first portion surrounded by the recessed first storage node conductive pattern and a second portion conformally covering an upper sidewall of the storage node contact hole, and removing the first sacrificial layer pattern. The recessed first storage node conductive pattern and the second storage node conductive pattern constitute a storage node.
US08822301B2	Profile engineered thin film devices and structures The present invention relates to electrically active devices (e.g., capacitors, transistors, diodes, floating gate memory cells, etc.) having dielectric, conductor, and/or semiconductor layers with smooth and/or dome-shaped profiles and methods of forming such devices by depositing or printing (e.g., inkjet printing) an ink composition that includes a semiconductor, metal, or dielectric precursor. The smooth and/or dome-shaped cross-sectional profile allows for smooth topological transitions without sharp steps, preventing feature discontinuities during deposition and allowing for more complete step coverage of subsequently deposited structures. The inventive profile allows for both the uniform growth of oxide layers by thermal oxidation, and substantially uniform etching rates of the structures. Such oxide layers may have a uniform thickness and provide substantially complete coverage of the underlying electrically active feature. Uniform etching allows for an efficient method of reducing a critical dimension of an electrically active structure by simple isotropic etch.
US08822297B2	Method of fabricating MOS device Provided is a method of fabricating a MOS device including the following steps. At least one gate structure is formed on a substrate, wherein the gate structure includes a gate conductive layer and a hard mask layer disposed on the gate conductive layer. A first implant process is performed to form source and drain extension regions in the substrate, wherein the gate conductive layer is covered by the hard mask layer. A process is of removing the hard mask layer is performed to expose the surface of the gate conductive layer. A second implant process is performed to form pocket doped regions in the substrate, wherein the gate conductive layer is not covered by the hard mask layer.
US08822295B2	Low extension dose implants in SRAM fabrication A static random access memory fabrication method includes forming a gate stack on a substrate, forming isolating spacers adjacent the gate stack, the isolating spacers and gate stack having a gate length, forming a source and drain region adjacent the gate stack, which generates an effective gate length, wherein the source and drain regions are formed from a low extension dose implant that varies a difference between the gate length and the effective gate length.
US08822294B2	Method for improving write margins of SRAM cells The present invention provides a method for improving the write margins of the SRAM cells. The method comprises: before etching a polysilicon layer to form the polysilicon gates, performing a pre-implantation process to the polysilicon layer; wherein the polysilicon layer defines SRAM NMOSFETs regions and SRAM PMOSFETs regions; wherein the pre-implantation process comprises pre-implanting the fifth-group elements to the SRAM NMOSFETs regions and the NMOSFETs regions except to the SRAM NMOSFETs regions in the polysilicon layer, and pre-implanting the third-group elements to the PMOSFETs regions excluding the SRAM PMOSFETs regions in the polysilicon layer; wherein the process of pre-implanting the third-group elements comprises forming a pre-implantation photo mask capable of covering the SRAM PMOSFETs regions and using the pre-implantation photo mask to pre-implanting the third-group elements.
US08822293B2	Self-aligned halo/pocket implantation for reducing leakage and source/drain resistance in MOS devices A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate dielectric over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate and a sidewall of the gate dielectric has a joint point; forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric; forming a mask layer over the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode, wherein a first portion of the mask layer adjacent the joint point is at least thinner than a second portion of the mask layer away from the joint point; after the step of forming the mask layer, performing a halo/pocket implantation to introduce a halo/pocket impurity into the semiconductor substrate; and removing the mask layer after the halo/pocket implantation.
US08822290B2	FinFETs and methods for forming the same A method includes recessing isolation regions, wherein a portion of a semiconductor strip between the isolation regions is over top surfaces of the recessed isolation regions, and forms a semiconductor fin. A dummy gate is formed to cover a middle portion of the semiconductor fin. An Inter-Layer Dielectric (ILD) is formed to cover end portions of the semiconductor fin. The dummy gate is then removed to form a first recess, wherein the middle portion is exposed to the first recess. The middle portion of the semiconductor fin is removed to form a second recess. An epitaxy is performed to grow a semiconductor material in the second recess, wherein the semiconductor material is between the end portions. A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed in the first recess. The gate dielectric and the gate electrode are over the semiconductor material.
US08822289B2	High voltage gate formation Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods of manufacturing charge-trapping memory by patterning the high voltage gates before other gates are formed. One advantage of such an approach is that a thin poly layer may be used to form memory and low voltage gates while protecting high voltage gates from implant penetration. One approach to accomplishing this is to dispose the layer of poly, and then dispose a mask and a thick resist to pattern the high voltage gates. In this manner, the high voltage gates are formed before either the low voltage gates or the memory cells.
US08822287B2	Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices include forming an integrated structure and a first stopping layer pattern in a first region. A first insulating interlayer and a second stopping layer are formed. A second preliminary insulating interlayer is formed by partially etching the second stopping layer and the first insulating interlayer in the first region. A first polishing is performed to remove a protruding portion. A second polishing is performed to expose the first and second stopping layer patterns.
US08822284B2	Method for fabricating FinFETs and semiconductor structure fabricated using the method A method for fabricating FinFETs is described. A semiconductor substrate is patterned to form odd fins. Spacers are formed on the substrate and on the sidewalls of the odd fins, wherein each spacer has a substantially vertical sidewall. Even fins are then formed on the substrate between the spacers. A semiconductor structure for forming FinFETs is also described, which is fabricated using the above method.
US08822277B2	Method for manufacturing light emitting diode package A method for manufacturing LED packages includes following steps: providing an engaging frame including a lead frame, electrode structures having first and second electrodes, and defining slots between the electrode structure, each first electrode including a first inserting part and each second electrode including a second inserting part; providing a substrate and combining the substrate and the engaging frame together to make through holes of the substrate located at lateral sides of the first and second inserting parts respectively, insulating parts of the substrate received in the slots of the engaging frame, and cavities of the substrate receiving the first and second inserting parts; providing LED diodes, and connecting each LED diode electrically to the first and second electrodes; and cutting along the first and second inserting parts to make sides of the first and second inserting parts exposed to ambient air.
US08822274B2	Packaged IC having printed dielectric adhesive on die pad A method of assembling a packaged integrated circuit (IC) includes printing a viscous dielectric polymerizable material onto a die pad of a leadframe having metal terminals positioned outside the die pad. An IC die having a top side including a plurality of bond pads is placed with its bottom side onto the viscous dielectric polymerizable material. Bond wires are wire bonded between the plurality of bond pads and the metal terminals of the leadframe.
US08822263B2	Epitaxial growth method of a zinc oxide based semiconductor layer, epitaxial crystal structure, epitaxial crystal growth apparatus, and semiconductor device It is provided a hetero epitaxial growth method, a hetero epitaxial crystal structure, a hetero epitaxial growth apparatus and a semiconductor device, the method includes forming a buffer layer formed with the orienting film of an oxide, or the orienting film of nitride on a heterogeneous substrate; and performing crystal growth of a zinc oxide based semiconductor layer on the buffer layer using a halogenated group II metal and an oxygen material. It is provided a homo epitaxial growth method, a homo epitaxial crystal structure, a homo epitaxial growth apparatus and a semiconductor device, the homo epitaxial growth method includes introducing reactant gas mixing zinc containing gas and oxygen containing gas on a zinc oxide substrate; and performing crystal growth of a zinc oxide based semiconductor layer on the zinc oxide substrate.
US08822259B2	Methods for enhancing light absorption during PV applications Embodiments of the invention generally relate to solar cell devices and methods for manufacturing such solar cell devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming a solar cell device includes depositing a conversion layer over a first surface of a substrate, depositing a first transparent conductive oxide layer over a second surface of the substrate that is opposite the first surface, depositing a first p-doped silicon layer over the first transparent conductive oxide layer, depositing a first intrinsic silicon layer over the first p-doped silicon layer, and depositing a first n-doped silicon layer over the first intrinsic silicon layer. The method further includes depositing a second transparent conductive oxide layer over the first n-doped silicon layer, and depositing an electrically conductive contact layer over the second transparent conductive oxide layer.
US08822256B1	Method for fabricating infrared sensors A method for fabricating infrared sensors is disclosed. a chalcogenide layer is initially deposited on a substrate. A group of vias is then formed within the chalcogenide layer. After the vias have been converted to a group of studs, a vanadium oxide layer is deposited on the chalcogenide layer covering the studs. Next, the vanadium oxide layer is separated into multiple vanadium oxide membranes. After the chalcogenide layer has been removed, each of the vanadium oxide membranes is allowed to be freestanding while only supported by a corresponding one of the studs. The vanadium oxide membranes will be used as infrared sensors.
US08822254B2	MEMS device and manufacturing method A MEMS manufacturing method and device in which a spacer layer is provided over a side wall of at least one opening in a structural layer which will define the movable MEMS element. The opening extends below the structural layer. The spacer layer forms a side wall portion over the side wall of the at least one opening and also extends below the level of the structural layer to form a contact area.
US08822251B2	Micro electro mechanical system, semiconductor device, and manufacturing method thereof The present invention provides a MEMS and a sensor having the MEMS which can be formed without a process of etching a sacrifice layer. The MEMS and the sensor having the MEMS are formed by forming an interspace using a spacer layer. In the MEMS in which an interspace is formed using a spacer layer, a process for forming a sacrifice layer and an etching process of the sacrifice layer are not required. As a result, there is no restriction on the etching time, and thus the yield can be improved.
US08822248B2	Epitaxial growth of crystalline material A device includes an epitaxially grown crystalline material within an area confined by an insulator. A surface of the crystalline material has a reduced roughness. One example includes obtaining a surface with reduced roughness by creating process parameters which result in the dominant growth component of the crystal to be supplied laterally from side walls of the insulator. In a preferred embodiment, the area confined by the insulator is an opening in the insulator having an aspect ratio sufficient to trap defects using an ART technique.
US08822240B2	Temperature detecting apparatus, substrate processing apparatus and method of manufacturing semiconductor device A temperature detecting apparatus is provided which is capable of suppressing disconnection of a thermocouple wire or positional deviation of a thermocouple junction portion caused by change over time. The temperature detecting apparatus includes: an insulation rod installed to extend in a vertical direction and including a through-hole in vertical direction; a thermocouple wire inserted in the through-hole of the insulation rod, the thermocouple wire including a thermocouple junction portion at an upper end thereof and an angled portion at a lower end of the insulation rod; and a buffer area installed below the insulation rod and configured to suppress a restriction of a horizontal portion of the angled portion upon heat expansion, wherein an upper portion of the thermocouple wire or a middle portion in the vertical direction are supported by the insulation rod.
US08822239B2	Manufacturing method for semiconductor device A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate including an active element formation face on which an active element is formed; detection electrodes detecting a remaining amount of ink by being wet in the ink; an antenna transmitting and receiving information; a storage circuit storing information relating to the ink; and a control circuit controlling the detection electrodes, the antenna, and the storage circuit.
US08822237B2	Hole first hardmask definition A semiconductor device and a method of manufacture are provided, such as a MTJ device and a method of manufacturing a MTJ device. The MTJ device may include a bottom electrode, a MTJ stack, and a top electrode, wherein the top electrode is formed using a hole-filling technique. The top electrode may have slanted sidewalls. The MTJ stack may be formed by depositing corresponding MTJ layers. A patterned mask may be formed and patterned over the MTJ layers to form an opening defining the top electrode. The opening is filled with a conductive material to form the top electrode. The top electrode is then used as a mask to pattern the MTJ layers, thereby forming a MTJ stack.
US08822236B2	Hydrogen-blocking film for ferroelectric capacitors An ammonia-free method of depositing silicon nitride by way of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Source gases of silane (SiH4) and nitrogen (N2) are provided to a parallel-plate plasma reactor, in which energy is capacitively coupled to the plasma, and in which the wafer being processed has been placed at a support electrode. Low-frequency RF energy (e.g., 360 kHz) is applied to the support electrode; high-frequency RF energy (e.g., 13.56 MHz) is optionally provided to the parallel electrode. Process temperature is above 350° C., at a pressure of about 2.5 torr. Any hydrogen present in the resulting silicon nitride film is bound by N—H bonds rather than Si—H bonds, and is thus more strongly bound to the film. The silicon nitride can serve as passivation for ferroelectric material that may degrade electrically if contaminated by hydrogen.
US08822235B2	Electronic component with reactive barrier and hermetic passivation layer An electronic component is provided on a substrate. A thin-film capacitor is attached to the substrate, the thin-film capacitor includes a pyrochlore or perovskite dielectric layer between a plurality of electrode layers, the electrode layers being formed from a conductive thin-film material. A reactive barrier layer is deposited over the thin-film capacitor. The reactive barrier layer includes an oxide having an element with more than one valence state, wherein the element with more than one valence state has a molar ratio of the molar amount of the element that is in its highest valence state to its total molar amount in the barrier of 50% to 100%. Optionally layers of other materials may intervene between the capacitor and reactive barrier layer. The reactive barrier layer may be paraelectric and the electronic component may be a tunable capacitor.
US08822234B2	Method of fabricating a semiconductor device A method of fabricating a miniaturized semiconductor device so as to form MTJ elements therein include the steps of depositing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) precursor layer on a substrate and planarizing the precursor layer; forming a sacrificial and patternable dielectric layer on the MTJ precursor layer; patterning the sacrificial dielectric layer in accordance with predetermined placements and shapes of a to-be-formed hard mask, the patterning forming corresponding openings in the sacrificial dielectric layer; depositing an etch-resistant conductive material such as Cu in the openings for example by way of plating, and selectively removing the sacrificial dielectric layer so as to leave behind the etch-resistant conductive material in the form of a desired hard mask. Using the hard mask to etch and thus pattern the MTJ precursor layer so as to form MTJ elements having desired locations, sizes and shapes.
US08822230B2	Chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus In a chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus according to the present invention, a beam applied from a light source to a chromatography test strip is formed into an elliptical shape by an optical means such as a cylindrical lens, a variation in absorbance that accompanies elution of a marker regent is detected while the elliptical beam is applied between a marker reagent hold part and a detection part, and a measurement is automatically started in a prescribed period of time since the detection of variation. According to the chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus so configured, non-uniform coloration is reduced by shaping the beam elliptically with the optical means, whereby the accuracy of quantitative analysis is enhanced, and the apparatus can be operated easily.
US08822225B2	Method of calculating a phosphorus-protein ratio A method of identifying a patient who is non-compliant with prescribed diet and/or phosphate binder regimen calculates a phosphorus-protein ratio (PPR) by calculating the patient's protein intake, measuring the patient's serum phosphorus concentration, and estimating the amount of phosphorus removed by the patient's kidneys from measured residual urea clearance. The PPR is the ratio between the total amount of phosphorus removed from the patient and the patient's protein intake. The method enables identifying a patient that is non-compliant with prescribed diet and/or phosphate binder regimen if the PPR is outside of an acceptable range.
US08822224B2	Method for automatic testing of anatomical laboratory specimens A method for automatic evaluation, processing and/or testing of an anatomic pathology specimen is disclosed. The specimen is placed into a primary or secondary container labeled with a unique identification code, placed into a specimen carrier, and the carrier marked with an identification code which uniquely identifies the specimen and, by virtue of the identification code, the evaluation, processing and/or tests to be conducted thereon. The identification code may be in the form of a bar code, an RFID tag or similar device or any other identification that is either human read able, machine readable or electronically transferred. The specimen contained within the specimen container or within the specimen carrier is entered into the anatomic pathology, histology or molecular diagnostics LAS at a receiving station, which reads the identification code.
US08822223B2	Mature dendritic cell compositions and methods for culturing same This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-γR) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-αR) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g., mRNA or DNA), an agonistic antibody to CD40 receptor or by CD40 ligand polypeptide. The enriched populations can be further modified by the administration of an immunogen to the DC. The DC will take up and process the immunogen on its cell surface.
US08822221B2	Targeted integration into the PPP1R12C locus Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted integration of an exogenous sequence into the human PPP1R12C locus, for example, for expression of a polypeptide of interest.
US08822217B2	Method for cultivating tendon cells from pluripotent cells of mesenchymal origin A method for cultivating tendon cells from non-embryonic pluripotent cells of mesenchymal origin includes the cultivation of isolated cells in a culture medium under standard culture conditions in a culture vessel. In order to increase the collagen secretion, before their complete confluence, the cells are further cultivated in a culture medium mixed with ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid-2-phosphate in a concentration of 25 to 75 μg/ml and are subjected to hyperosmolar treatment in a culture medium whose osmolarity is adjusted to 350 to 500 mosmol/l.
US08822209B2	Disposable spinner flask A disposable spinner flask includes an asymmetric container, a lid, and a spinning mechanism. The container can be sealingly coupled to the lid, which includes an access port and a cap configured to be coupled to the access port for preventing bacteria, viruses, and fungi from passing therethrough while allowing air to flow between the container and a surrounding environment. The lid may include a structure for retaining the cap when the cap is removed. The spinning mechanism can include a shaft, at least one blade, and a magnetic device. Further, the spinning mechanism can include a receptacle that fixedly receives the magnetic device toward an end of the blade assembly, the magnetic device configured to rotate when subjected to an external magnetic force.
US08822203B2	Systems and methods for ex vivo organ care The invention, in various embodiments, provides systems, methods and solutions for perfusing an organ ex vivo.
US08822202B2	Apparatus and methods for cell isolation A unitary apparatus for isolating cells from adipose tissue including a lipid separation processor with a dispersing head equipped with a plurality of ports and a digestion chamber for dissociation of the constituent cells disposed in adipose tissue. The lipid separating apparatus is useful for the separation of lipids and adipocytes from a mixed cell population. A cell seeding chamber may be attached to the cell isolation apparatus. The components of the apparatus may be packaged in modular kit form.
US08822200B2	Method for open diatom cultivation Provided is an open diatom cultivation method where continuous production of one or more selected diatom species achieve dominancy in the production system and that dominancy is maintained. The algae culture solution containing diatoms is first introduced to an open microalgae culture system. Then, carbon dioxide and nutrient salts are added to form a culture solution for diatom cultivation. The method enables industrial scale cultivation of diatoms at economically competitive production cost, with a high cultivation density and for a high production volume. The method also enables continuous stable production of selected diatoms and solves the difficult problem of controlling invading algae by always using the most competitive of local diatoms without imposing a selected algae which may be superior in some localities and under some climate conditions.
US08822197B2	3-hydroxypropionic acid and other organic compounds Methods and materials related to producing 3-HP as well as other organic compounds are disclosed. Specifically, isolated nucleic acids, polypeptides, host cells, and methods and materials for producing 3-HP and other organic compounds are disclosed.
US08822190B2	Polymicrobial formulations for enhancing plant productivity The present invention relates to eco-friendly compositions and methods for providing plant growth enhancing formulations comprising mixtures of microbial isolates. In particular, numerous bacterial and fungal strains were isolated from a variety of soil types, from rhizospheres and from root nodules of leguminous plants, in designed combinations, for providing plant growth and plant productivity enhancing formulations. These specifically designed polymicrobial formulations would further provide protection against plant pathogens lowering the need for nitrogen containing fertilizers, solubilize minerals, protect plants against pathogens, and make available to the plant valuable nutrients, such as phosphate, thus reducing and eliminating the need for using chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
US08822185B2	Peroxisome biogenesis factor protein (PEX) disruptions for altering polyunsaturated fatty acids and total lipid content in oleaginous eukaryotic organisms Methods of increasing the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the total lipid fraction and in the oil fraction of PUFA-producing, oleaginous eukaryotes, accomplished by modifying the activity of peroxisome biogenesis factor (Pex) proteins, are disclosed. Disruptions of a chromosomal Pex3 gene, Pex10p gene or Pex16p gene in a PUFA-producing, oleaginous eukaryotic strain resulted in an increased amount of PUFAs, as a percent of total fatty acids and as a percent of dry cell weight, in the total lipid fraction and in the oil fraction of the strain, as compared to the parental strain whose native Pex protein was not disrupted.
US08822183B2	Device for amplifying target nucleic acid A device for amplifying target nucleic acid in a sample can include a planar fluidic assembly including a transparent substrate, a porous material layer on a surface of the transparent substrate, and a cover over the porous material layer and sealingly affixed to the substrate. The cover may be spaced from the porous material layer and a flow channel defined between the porous material layer and the cover. The flow channel may have a uniform cross-section from a first end to a second end. The assembly can further include an inlet in flow communication with the first end of the flow channel to introduce sample containing target nucleic acid into the flow channel, an outlet in flow communication with the second end of the flow channel, and a plurality of nucleic acid primers retained by the porous material layer at discrete regions along and within the flow channel, each of the plurality of nucleic acid primers being complementary to a portion of the target nucleic acid in the sample to enable a primer-based amplification reaction of the target nucleic acid. The porous material layer may be configured to retain, at the discrete regions and during a primer-based amplification reaction, sample introduced to the flow channel and amplified product of the amplification reaction.
US08822179B2	Nucleic acid compositions and the encoding proteins The subject invention provides at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding an aldouronate-utilization regulon isolated from Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2, a bacterium which efficiently utilizes xylan and metabolizes aldouronates (methylglucuronoxylosaccharides). The subject invention also provides a means for providing a coordinately regulated process in which xylan depolymerization and product assimilation are coupled in Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2 to provide a favorable system for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biobased products. Additionally, the nucleic acid sequences encoding the aldouronate-utilization regulon can be used to transform other bacteria to form organisms capable of producing a desired product (e.g., ethanol, 1-butanol, acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, succinate, lactate, acetate, malate or alanine) from lignocellulosic biomass.
US08822171B1	Methods for screening for inhibitors of tau phosphorylation by casein kinase I Methods for screening for substances capable of modulating the phosphorylation of tau protein are disclosed, and in particular paired helical filament (PHF) tau, and the use of such modulators in the treatment of tauopathies. The assays and screening methods are based on the identification of new phosphorylation sites in PHF tau and new kinases and combinations of kinases as therapeutic targets, in particular the identification of casein kinase 1 as a kinase which phosphorylates tau protein.
US08822170B2	Thermostable luciferases and methods of production Luciferase enzymes with greatly increased thermostability, e.g., at least half lives of 2 hours at 50° C., cDNAs encoding the novel luciferases, and hosts transformed to express the luciferases, are disclosed. Methods of producing the luciferases include recursive mutagenesis. The luciferases are used in conventional methods, some employing kits.
US08822169B2	HMG1 antibody for treating inflammatory conditions There is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating sepsis, including septic shock and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), comprising administering an effective amount of a HMG1 antagonist. There is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock, comprising measuring the serum concentration of HMG1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk of exhibiting sepsis or septic shock symptoms. Lastly, there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for effecting weight loss or treating obesity, comprising administering an effective amount of HMG1 or a therapeutically active HMG1 fragment.
US08822168B2	Assays for detecting small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle assembly and survival of motor neurons activity The present invention includes assays and kits for detecting the assembly of an RNA binding protein-RNA complex and for detecting the activity of an RNA binding protein.
US08822165B2	Method for producing cAMP using chimeric olfactory receptor A method for producing cAMP using a chimeric olfactory receptor. The method includes a step of preparing a reaction system comprising a first layer, a lipid bilayer membrane, and a second layer, and a step of supplying a chemical substance which stimulates the chimeric olfactory receptor to the first layer so as to produce the cAMP from ATP. The lipid bilayer membrane includes the chimeric olfactory receptor and adenylate cyclase. The chimeric olfactory receptor penetrates the lipid bilayer membrane. The second layer contains ATP and a G protein. The G protein is placed in the vicinity of one end of the chimeric olfactory receptor. The chimeric olfactory receptor is derived from a mouse olfactory receptor and the N-terminal of the chimeric olfactory receptor is modified with an amino acid sequence.
US08822162B2	Cyanochrome fluorophores Genetically-engineered cyanochrome fluorophore molecules (fluorophores) with increased fluorescence and with absorbing fluorescence in the blue and green (blue/green) portion of the light spectrum are provided. These fluorophores are derived from the domains of phytochromes, and in particular cyanobacterial phytochromes. Methods for generating these fluorophores and various applications of these fluorophores are also provided.
US08822160B2	Molecular adaptors The invention relates to transmembrane protein pore for use in detecting a analyte in a sample. The pore comprises a molecular adaptor that facilitates an interaction between the pore and the analyte. The adaptor is covalently attached to the pore in an orientation that allows the analyte to be detected using the pore.
US08822157B2	Bacterial proteins with pesticidal activity Provided are pesticidal, particularly insecticidal, proteins which resemble S-layer proteins, as well as variants or mutants thereof, and DNAs encoding them. Further provided are methods and means for using said DNA or protein for controlling pests, particularly plant insect pests.
US08822156B2	Methods for rapid identification of pathogens in humans and animals The present invention provides methods of: identifying pathogens in biological samples from humans and animals, resolving a plurality of etiologic agents present in samples obtained from humans and animals, determining detailed genetic information about such pathogens or etiologic agents, and rapid detection and identification of bioagents from environmental, clinical or other samples.
US08822152B2	Multiplex nucleic acid amplification using blocked primers The present invention is in the field of nucleic acid amplification, and in particular in transcription-based amplification, providing improvements thereof. Specifically, the present invention provides primers, and methods for using them, that improve transcription-based amplification reactions, in particular multiplex reactions.
US08822146B2	Derivatization of biomolecules by covalent coupling of non-cofactor compounds using methyltransferases The present invention relates to a use of non-cofactor compounds, represented by formulas (I) or (II) wherein R and Z are independently selected from H, D, C1-C12-alkyl, preferably C1-C4-alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl, phenyl or -LX, wherein X represents a functional group or a reporter group attached via a linker group L, and QH is selected from —SH, —SeH, —NHNH2 or —ONH2, for a targeted modification or derivatization of a biomolecule by covalent coupling to the biomolecule in the presence of a directing methyltransferase. Further development of the method of targeted modification and derivatization are the method for targeted labeling a biomolecule and method for detecting unmethylated target sites in a biomolecule comprising modification of the biomolecule according to the present invention.
US08822145B2	Identification of POLD2 sequences Provided are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments that encode human SNARE YKT6, human glucokinase, human adipocyte enhancer binding protein (AEBP1) and DNA directed 50 kD regulatory subunit (POLD2), vectors and hosts containing these fragments and fragments hybridizing to noncoding regions as well as antisense oligonucleotides to these fragments. The invention is further directed to methods of using these fragments to obtain SNARE YKT6, human glucokinase, AEBP1 protein and POLD2 and to diagnose, treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a pathological disorder.
US08822143B2	Modular compositing-multiple lot screening protocols for detection of pathogens, microbial contaminants and/or constituents Particular aspects provide a method of sampling, testing and validating test lots (e.g., single-unit production lots), comprising: assembling a plurality of product portions from each of a plurality of test lots and combining the collected product portions to provide a corresponding set of test lot samples (wherein each test lot sample is attributed to a particular corresponding test lot); enriching the set of test lot samples; removing equal portions of each enriched sample, and combining the removed portions to provide a modular composite sample; and testing of the modular composite sample for the target agent/organism, wherein where such testing is positive, individual test lots may nonetheless yet be validated by further testing of a respective enriched test lot sample and obtaining a negative test result. The methods have broad utility for monitoring all sorts of test lots (e.g., environmental lots, production lots, pharmaceutical lots, etc.) and for efficiently affecting informed, targeted remedial measures.
US08822141B1	Front side wafer ID processing A method for printing a wafer ID on a wafer, the method comprises identifying a wafer ID on a back side of the wafer. Subsequently, etching a plurality of recesses, consistent in size with chip features of the wafer, into the front side of the wafer, such that the plurality of recesses depicts the wafer ID. The method further comprises filling the recesses with a metal.
US08822139B2	Method for providing an ordered layer of self-assemblable polymer for use in lithography A method for providing an ordered polymer layer at a surface of a substrate includes depositing a self-assemblable polymer layer directly onto a primer layer on a substrate to provide an interface between the self-assemblable polymer layer and the primer layer, and treating the self-assemblable polymer layer to provide self-assembly into an ordered polymer layer, such as a block copolymer, having first and second domain types at the interface. The primer layer is adapted to improve its chemical affinity to each domain type at the interface, in response to the presence of the respective domain type in the self-assembled polymer at the interface during the self-assembly of the self-assemblable polymer layer into the ordered polymer layer. This may lead to reduction in defect levels and/or improved persistence length for the ordered polymer layer. The method may be useful for forming resist layers for use in device lithography.
US08822136B2	Patterning process and resist composition A negative pattern is formed by coating a resist composition onto a substrate, the resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having an acid labile group-substituted hydroxyl group, an acid generator, an onium salt of perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acid, and an organic solvent, prebaking, exposing, baking, and developing in an organic solvent such that the unexposed region of film is dissolved away and the exposed region of film is not dissolved. In image formation via positive/negative reversal by organic solvent development, the resist film is characterized by a high dissolution contrast between the unexposed and exposed regions.
US08822131B2	Flexographic printing plate precursor Disclosed is a flexographic printing plate precursor in which formation of cracks and wrinkles in an infrared ablation layer is suppressed and the scratch resistance of the layer is improved. The precursor includes a support, photosensitive resin layer, and an infrared ablation layer that are laminated in the order presented. The binder polymer contained in the infrared ablation layer contains a polymer (A) and an acrylic resin (B). The polymer (A) contains the same structural unit as the structural unit contained in the binder polymer in the photosensitive resin layer. The mass ratio (A/B) of the component (A) with respect to the component (B) is within a range of 1/3 to 3/1. The difference between a plastic hardness (Ha) of the infrared ablation layer and a plastic hardness (Hb) of the photosensitive resin layer is 30 mN/mm2 or smaller.
US08822127B2	Photosensitive resin composition for black matrix A photosensitive resin composition for a black matrix and a black matrix formed with the same are provided. The photosensitive resin composition for a black matrix includes a solvent consisting of 5-30 weight % of a first solvent having a boiling point of 110-159° C., 55-90 weight % of a second solvent having a boiling point of 160-200° C., and 3-15 weight % of a third solvent having a boiling point of 201-280° C., and the first solvent, the second solvent, and the third solvent are an aliphatic compound and use at least one solvent composition selected from a group consisting of alkyl ester, alkyl ketone, alkyl ether, and alkyl alcohol, and thus a uniform thin film having no surface defect can be obtained, and the photosensitive resin composition has an excellent process property while securing a high light shielding property and thus a black matrix pattern having a few defect can be obtained, and is thus useful for a liquid crystal display.
US08822121B2	Toner to develop electrostatic charge image, device to supply the same, and apparatus and method of forming image using the same A toner to develop an electrostatic charge image, a toner supply device employing the toner, an apparatus to form an image employing the toner, and a method of forming an image using the toner are provided. The toner includes at least a binder resin, a colorant, and a releasing agent. By using the binder resin including a combination of a reduced molar weight binder resin, an increased molar weight binder resin, and the releasing agent having an effecdtive compatibility with the binder resin together, the toner has accurately-controlled dynamic viscoelastic properties represented by a loss tangent. The toner to develop an electrostatic charge image according to an embodiment has development stability, development lifetime, fixability, charging stability, gloss, an anti-offset property, and heat storage ability at predetermined levels or higher.
US08822120B2	Toner To provide a toner having a superior developing performance while preventing any fixing assembly from being contaminated, the toner has toner particles which have toner base particles containing at least a binder resin, a colorant and a wax, and an inorganic fine powder, wherein the wax has a 0.2% by mass heating loss temperature of 200° C. or more and a 1.0% by mass heating loss temperature of 250° C. or more and has a melt viscosity at 120° C. of from 3.0 mPa·s to 15.0 mPa·s.
US08822117B2	Chemical toner composition and method for preparing the same The present invention relates to a chemical toner composition and a method for preparing the same. The chemical toner composition includes: a resin emulsion; a pigment dispersion; a wax dispersion; and a dispersible polymer coagulant, wherein the dispersible polymer coagulant is a copolymer comprising unsaturated ester monomers and amino-containing monomers. Accordingly, the present invention uses a novel dispersible polymer coagulant to prepare uniform toner particles with excellent roundness and improved flowability and to reduce moisture absorption.
US08822115B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive substrate, a photosensitive layer, and a surface layer that is provided on the photosensitive layer. The surface layer includes a cross-linked component which is a reaction product of compound A and compound B. The compound A is at least one compound selected from guanamine compounds and melamine compounds, and the compound B is a charge-transporting material. A structure derived from at least one compound selected from the guanamine compounds and the melamine compounds included in the surface layer amounts for 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight, and a structure derived from the charge-transporting material included in the surface layer amounts for 85% by weight or greater. Surface roughness Rz of the surface layer is from 0.1 μm to 0.3 μm, and the surface has at least one compound selected from fatty acid metal salt and fluorine resin particles.
US08822114B2	Electrophotographic photoreceptor, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a substrate; a photosensitive layer that is provided on the substrate; and a surface layer that is provided on the photosensitive layer, contains fluororesin particles, is a single layer having a thickness of 3 μm or greater, and has a cross-section, taken along a thickness direction thereof, which satisfies specific expressions.
US08822110B2	Photosensitive resin composition for color filter and color filter including the same Disclosed is a photosensitive resin composition for a color filter that includes (A) an acrylic-based copolymer including a structural unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, wherein R1, R2, Q, and n are the same as defined in the specification; (B) an acrylic-based photopolymerizable monomer; (C) a photopolymerization initiator; (D) a colorant; and (E) a solvent.
US08822109B2	Colored curable composition, color filter, and solid image pickup element A colored curable composition including: (A) a pigment dispersion containing (a-1) a pigment, (a-2) a compound having a pigment skeletal structure and an amino group in its molecule, and (a-3) a dispersion resin; (B) an oxime-based initiator; and (C) a polymerizable compound. A colored curable composition that is useful for forming a colored region of a color filter, which even with a high content of a pigment, is capable of curing with high sensitivity, is excellent in developability and is capable of highly finely forming a thin-layer colored region excellent in hue is also provided. A color filter provided with a high fine thin-layer colored region excellent in color properties formed by the colored curable composition of the invention, and a solid image pickup device provided with the color filter, which is excellent in color properties are further provided.
US08822108B2	Reticles with subdivided blocking regions Methods for designing, fabricating, and using attenuated phase shift reticles, or photomasks are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed for subdividing the radiation blocking regions of previously fabricated reticles of previously existing designs. The methods may include forming radiation blocking regions that are subdivided, by cut lines, into discrete, spaced apart sections with dimensions (e.g., surface area, etc.) configured to minimize or eliminate the buildup of electrostatic energy by the radiation blocking regions and/or the discharge of electrostatic energy from the radiation blocking regions and the damage that may be caused by such electrostatic discharge. The methods may include configuring the reticle to prevent radiation from passing through the cut lines between adjacent sections of a subdivided radiation blocking region.
US08822107B2	Grid refinement method The present disclosure provide one embodiment of a method of a lithography process for reducing a critical dimension (CD) by a factor n wherein n<1. The method includes providing a pattern generator having a first pixel area S1 to generate a data grid having a second pixel area S2 that is equal to n2*S1, wherein the pattern generator includes a multi-segment structure having multiple grid segments, wherein the grid segments includes a first set of grid segments and a second set of grid segments, each of the first set of grid segments being configured to have an offset in a first direction; and scanning the pattern generator in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction during the lithography process such that each of the second set of grid segments is controlled to have a time delay.
US08822104B2	Photomask A photomask is provided. The photomask is applied to a photolithography apparatus and includes a substrate with a mask pattern disposed thereon. The mask pattern includes at least one main pattern and a plurality of sub-resolution assistant features (SRAFs). The SRAFs are disposed around the at least one main pattern and separated from each other, wherein a distance between each of the SRAFs and the at least one main pattern is about 3 to 10 times a linewidth of the at least one main pattern. The photomask would result in an improved imaging quality on the wafer.
US08822101B2	Fuel cell mechanical components A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.
US08822099B2	Fuel cell separator with gasket and method for manufacturing the same The present invention provides a fuel cell separator with a gasket manufactured by integrally forming a gasket on one side of a separator; independently injection molding a frame gasket on a frame such that a first airtight portion covers the entire surface of the frame to maintain the shape of the frame gasket and a second airtight portion projects upward and downward from both ends of the first airtight portion; and bringing the first airtight portion of the frame gasket into contact with the other side of the separator with the gasket formed on one side thereof. To create a fuel cell stack in certain embodiments, the invention stacks the second airtight portion of the frame gasket on another second airtight portion of an adjacent unit cell with a membrane-electrode assembly interposed therebetween.
US08822096B2	Fuel cell electrical power source for a portable electronic device with thermoelectric module An electrical power source for a portable electronic device. The electrical power source includes at least one fuel cell adapted to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for powering at least one component of the portable electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to provide fuel to the fuel cell, and at least one thermoelectric module in thermal contact with at least one of the fuel cell and fuel tank for regulating the temperature of the at least one fuel cell and at least one fuel tank.
US08822094B2	Fuel cell system operated on liquid fuels A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heavy hydrocarbon fuel source, and a fractionator configured to separate light ends from heavy ends of a heavy hydrocarbon fuel provided from the heavy hydrocarbon fuel source.
US08822090B2	Internally reforming fuel cell assembly with staged fuel flow and selective catalyst loading for improved temperature uniformity and efficiency A fuel cell assembly including a fuel reforming unit for reforming a fuel supply for a series of fuel cells constituting a fuel cell stack. The reformed fuel supply is routed first to the anode of the fuel cell most adjacent the reforming unit, and thereafter to a manifold external to the stack. The manifold intakes that portion of the reformed fuel supply not fully exhausted after passing through the first anode and feeds such reformed fuel to successive fuel cells in series, thus providing staged fuel supply throughout the stack and optimal fuel utilization in producing electricity. The reforming unit includes a series of baffles for directing the reformed fuel supply to the first anode and to the manifold to maximize utilization of fuel consumed by cells in the stack. Also, cooling occurring as a result of the endothermic reaction occurring in the reforming unit is captured and spread optimally throughout the stack to achieve optimal temperature gradients throughout the stack, thus enabling optimal operation of and increased life of the stack.
US08822086B2	Solvent for electrolyte solution, electrolyte solution, and gel-like electrolyte The invention provides a solvent for an electrolyte solution, an electrolyte solution, and a gel-like electrolyte superior in oxidation resistance and flame resistance. A solvent for an electrolyte solution comprising at least one boric ester represented by the following formula (I), and a boric ester represented by the following formula (II): B(ORf)3 (I); B(OCH2CH2CN)3 (II) wherein, in formula (I), each Rf independently represents CH2(CF2)nCF3 or CH(CF3)2, n is an integer from 0 to 6, and at least a part of each of —ORf and —OCH2CH2CN included in the boric esters is transesterified.
US08822082B2	Separator for electrochemical device, electrode for electrochemical device, and electrochemical device A separator for an electrochemical device of the present invention includes a porous film including: a filler; an organic binder; and at least one resin selected from resin A that has a melting point of 80 to 140° C. and resin B that absorbs a non-aqueous electrolyte and swells upon heating and whose swelling degree increases with increasing temperature, and the filler contains boehmite having a secondary particle structure in which primary particles are connected.
US08822076B2	Non-aqueous electrolytic secondary battery and positive electrode for non-aqueous electrolytic secondary battery A nonaqueous electrolytic secondary battery and a positive electrode for a nonaqueous electrolytic secondary battery are provided. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material layer containing a positive electrode active material and a coupling agent represented by a general formula (1). The positive electrode active material includes lithium transition metal oxide particles. At least one rare-earth compound selected from the rare-earth compound group consisting of specific rare-earth hydroxides and specific rare-earth oxyhydroxides is fixed on the surfaces of the lithium transition metal oxide particles in a dispersed form.
US08822074B2	Electrode for lithium-ion secondary battery Disclosed is an electrode for a lithium-ion secondary battery which includes a porous membrane layer that is inhibited from decreasing in flexibility. The electrode for lithium-ion secondary battery comprises a current collector and, formed thereon in the following order, an electrode active-material layer comprising an electrode active material, a thickener, and a binder and a porous membrane layer containing an inorganic filler, wherein the binder is one which, when used to form a composite film comprising the binder and the thickener, forms a spherical island phase in a cross section of the composite film, the island phase having an average diameter of 0.5 μm or larger. The binder preferably is an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester polymer having a content of alkyl acrylate monomer units of 85 mass % or higher.
US08822073B2	Electrode with organic/inorganic composite and electrochemical device comprising the same Disclosed is an electrode comprising an organic/inorganic composite introduced onto either surface or both surfaces thereof, the organic/inorganic composite comprising inorganic particle or aggregates thereof having a unique spectrum or color pattern according to a predetermined rule, and a polymer capable of interconnecting and fixing the inorganic particles. Also, disclosed are an electrochemical device comprising the above electrode, and a method for identifying the origin or kind of an electrode itself or an electrochemical device comprising the same by using the above electrode.
US08822072B2	Nonaqueous electrolyte and nonaqueous electrolyte battery A nonaqueous electrolyte includes: a solvent, an electrolyte salt, and at least one of heteropolyacid salt compounds represented by the following formulae (I) and (II): HxAy[BD12O40].zH2O (I), HpAq[B5D30O110].rH2O (II). A represents Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Al, NH4, or an ammonium salt or phosphonium salt; B represents P, Si, As or Ge; D represents at least one element selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Rh, Cd, In, Sn, Ta, W, Re and Tl; x, y and z are values falling within the ranges of (0≦x≦1), (2≦y≦4) and (0≦z≦5), respectively; and p, q and r are values falling within the ranges of (0≦p≦5), (10≦q≦15) and (0≦r≦15), respectively.
US08822069B2	Battery pack A battery pack includes a bare cell including an electrode assembly arranged within a can having an opening that is sealed by a cap plate, a protective circuit module (PCM) arranged on the cap plate, a lead member connecting the PCM to the cap plate; a coupling member inserted into the cap plate and coupled to the lead member. The coupling member is made out of a different material than that of the cap plate, each of the coupling member and the lead member include nickel. By including such a coupling member, the strength and durability of the weld connecting the cap plate to the PCM is improved and the contact resistance is lowered.
US08822067B2	Battery Pack A battery pack including a housing connectable to and supportable by a hand-held power tool; a first battery cell defining a first axis and having opposite first cell ends; a second battery cell defining a second axis and having opposite second cell ends; a third battery cell defining a third axis; and a terminal for electrically connecting the battery pack to the hand-held power tool. The second battery cell and the third battery cell may be arranged with the second axis and the third axis in a common plane, the first battery cell may be arranged with the first axis non-parallel to the common plane and have one remote first cell end. The terminal may be supported on the housing, in the direction of the first axis, between the one first cell end and the common plane and, in a direction of the second axis, between the second cell ends.
US08822066B2	Secondary battery A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a first collecting plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate, the first collecting plate including a first fuse region; a second collecting plate electrically connected to the second electrode plate, the second collecting plate including a second fuse region; and a case accommodating the electrode assembly, the first collecting plate, and the second collecting plate, wherein a first sectional area of the first fuse region is larger than a second sectional area of the second fuse region.
US08822061B2	Battery module with plurality of batteries having bent terminal portions connected with fixing plate A battery module includes a plurality of unit batteries, each including a positive terminal and a negative terminal which protrude outside of each unit battery and which have bent terminal portions, and a connection member which electrically connects the unit batteries with each other and which includes a fixing plate fixed to the bent terminal portions of adjacent unit batteries by welding so as to improve productivity and provide high stability.
US08822059B2	Lithium ion battery A lithium ion battery includes at least one battery cell. The battery cell includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a separator. The separator is sandwiched between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. At least one of the cathode electrode and the anode electrode includes a current collector. The current collector is a carbon nanotube layer consisting of a plurality of carbon nanotubes.
US08822058B2	Thermally conductive member, and battery device using the same An object is to, in a battery pack device in which battery cells are lined up, provide a thermally conductive member that can reduce the risk of heat being conducted to an adjacent battery cell in order to make the cooling property of each battery cell uniform, and a battery pack device using this thermally conductive member. Provided is a thermally conductive member arranged between battery cells when assembling the battery cells into a battery pack, wherein the thermally conductive member includes thermally conductive layers each having a thermal conductivity of 0.5 W/mK or more provided respectively on both sides of a backing layer having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W/mK. Especially, it is preferred that a resin member forming the backing layer has a flexural modulus of 1 GPa or more.
US08822057B2	High surface area flow battery electrodes A flow cell battery includes at least one anode and at least one cathode, with a separator membrane disposed between each anode and each cathode. Each anode and cathode includes a bipolar plate and a carbon nanotube material positioned proximally at least one side of the bipolar plate.
US08822055B2	Secondary battery A secondary battery adapted to minimize deterioration attributable to temperature is provided. In the secondary battery, a cross-sectionally elliptic electricity-generating element group in which a positive electrode sheet including at one side in a longitudinal direction thereof a section not coated with an active material mixture, and a negative electrode sheet including at one side in a longitudinal direction thereof a section not coated with an active material mixture are wound via separators is accommodated in a battery container. When a planar region of the electricity-generating element group is seen in plan view, the number of connections between the non-coated section of the positive or negative electrode sheet and a connecting surface of a positive or negative electrode connecting sheet is two for each of positive and negative electrodes, and a distance between the two connections is greater than ¼ of innermost circumferential length of the electricity-generating element group, but is smaller than ¼ of outermost circumferential length of the electricity-generating element group.
US08822051B2	Protection circuit module including thermistor and secondary battery pack having the same A secondary battery comprises a bare cell and a protection circuit module comprising a printed circuit board and a thermistor. The thermistor comprises: a supporting member comprising an elastic material; a temperature sensor formed on the supporting member; a terminal configured to couple to a printed circuit board; and a conductive portion formed on the supporting member, wherein the conductive portion is connected to the terminal and to the temperature sensor.
US08822046B2	Stack with wide seed layer A stack having a seed layer structure with a first part having a first cross-track width and a free layer deposited over the seed layer structure and with a second cross-track width, wherein the first cross-track width is greater than the second cross-track width. In one implementation, the seed layer structure further comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer and a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) layer. In one alternate implementation, the cross-track width of the seed layer structure is substantially equal to the combined cross-track width of the free layer and cross-track width of two permanent magnets.
US08822045B2	Passivation of aluminum nitride substrates The present invention provides methods of protecting a surface of an aluminum nitride substrate. The substrate with the protected surface can be stored for a period of time and easily activated to be in a condition ready for thin film growth or other processing. In certain embodiments, the method of protecting the substrate surface comprises forming a passivating layer on at least a portion of the substrate surface by performing a wet etch, which can comprise the use of one or more organic compounds and one or more acids. The invention also provides aluminum nitride substrates having passivated surfaces.
US08822043B2	Organic compound and organic light-emitting device The present invention provides organic compounds which are indenobenzo[k]fluoranthene derivatives represented by the following general formula (1): In general formula (1), R1 to R14 are each independently selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an amino group, an aryl group, and a heterocyclic group.
US08822042B2	Luminescent cyclometallated iridium(III) complexes having acetylide ligands The present invention relates to phosphorescent (triplet-emitting) organometallic materials. The phosphorescent materials of the present invention comprise Ir(III)cyclometallated alkynyl complexes for use as triplet light-emitting materials. The Ir(III)cyclometallated alkynyl complexes comprise at least one cyclometallating ligand and at least one alkynyl ligand bonded to the iridium. Also provided is an organic light emitting device comprising an anode, a cathode and an emissive layer between the anode and the cathode, wherein the emissive layer comprises a Ir(III)cyclometallated alkynyl complex as a triplet emitting material.
US08822041B2	Anthracene derivatives, luminescent materials and organic electroluminescent devices Anthracene derivatives each having a structure including an anthracene skeleton, a phenanthrene skeleton selected from among various phenanthrene skeletons different in bonding site which is bonded to the 9-position of the anthracene skeleton and a group selected from among various aryl groups and so on which is bonded to the 10-position of the anthracene skeleton. Organic EL devices made by using the derivatives exhibit high light emission efficiency and a long life.
US08822040B2	Organic electroluminescent element A main object of the present invention is to provide an organic EL element which can ease damages of an organic EL layer upon formation of an electrode layer, and enables display of a high quality image. The present invention attains the above object by providing an organic electroluminescent element comprising: a substrate; a first electrode layer formed on the substrate; an organic electroluminescent layer which is formed on the first electrode layer, and has at least a light emitting layer; a semiconductor buffer layer which is formed on the organic electroluminescent layer, and contains an inorganic compound having a band gap of 2.0 eV or more and a metal; and a second electrode layer formed on the semiconductor buffer layer.
US08822039B2	Charge-transporting varnish and organic electro-luminescent devices made by using the same A charge-transporting varnish containing either a charge-transporting substance consisting of a charge-transporting oligoaniline or a charge-transporting organic material consisting of the charge-transporting substance and a charge-accepting dopant and at least one polymer selected from among polyimides and polyimide precursors; and charge-transporting thin films and organic EL devices, made by using the varnish. The varnish can give thin films which little suffer from defects and have high uniformity and flatness and excellent mechanical strengths, heat resistance, and transparency. In particular, the varnish realizes excellent EL characteristics such as low driving voltage, high emission efficiency, and long service life, when used in organic EL devices.
US08822032B2	Phosphor containing glass frit materials for LED lighting applications The disclosure is directed to glass frits materials containing phosphors that can be used in LED lighting devices and for methods associated therewith for making the phosphor containing frit materials. Suitable non-lead glasses have a composition, in mol %, in the range of 20-24% K2O, 8-12% ZnO, 2-6% Al2O3, 35-41% B2O3 and 22-28 SiO2. Suitable leaded glasses have a composition, in wt %, in range of 72-79% PbO, 8-13% Al2O3, 8-13% B2O3, 2-5% SiO2 and 0-0.3% Sb2O3. Commercial high-lead glass can be used in practicing the disclosure. Among the unique advantages are the ability to blend two or more phosphors within the same frit layer which will yield a multi-phosphor-containing glass after firing; the ability to deposit the phosphor onto a substrate into a desired geometric pattern; and the fluorescing layer can be applied to the active plane, with the glass serving as protective substrate.
US08822031B2	Hot melt moisture cure adhesive composition An adhesive composition that includes: one or more polyester polyether copolymers of formula I: wherein Nu is a predominately cyclic nucleus and R1 is randomly selected from either a C2-6 alkylene or an amorphous, long-chain polyether subunit including a polyoxyalkylene group; one or more polyisocyanate prepolymers that includes the reaction product of: one or more polyols; and a polyfunctional isocyanate having a functionality of more than about 2; polymeric MDI; and a first aromatic or aromatic-aliphatic polymer tackifying resin having a softening point of equal to or greater than about 100° C.
US08822026B2	Carbon nanotube transparent films The present disclosure generally relates to conductive films and methods for forming conductive films. In some examples, a substrate may be provided having a dispersion of silica nanoparticles provided on a surface thereof. Carbon nanotubes may be adhered to the dispersion of silica nanoparticles on the surface of the substrate to provide the conductive film on the substrate.
US08822021B2	Process for the production of propylene random copolymers for injection moulding applications Process for the production of polypropylene random copolymers containing 2.5 to 5.0 wt % of ethylene as comonomer and having an MFR2 in accordance with ISO 1 133 (230° C., 2.16 kg load) of ≧25 g/10 min to 100 g/10 min and a hexane-solubles content, determined according to FDA CFR 21 §177.1520 below 5 wt %, said process comprising the step of polymerizing propylene and ethylene in the presence of a catalyst system comprising (i) a Ziegler-Natta procatalyst which contains a trans-esterification product of a lower alcohol and a phthalic ester as internal donor and (ii) an organometallic cocatalyst and (iii) an external donor represented by formula (I) or (II) Si(OCH2CH3)3(NR1R2) (I) or Si(OCH3)2(CH3(cyclohexyl) (II) wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, the polypropylene random copolymers with a low level of odor and taste themselves and their use for injection molding applications, preferably for thin-wall packaging for food packaging in non-cooking applications and for medical packaging.
US08822018B2	Hydrophobic substrate including a plasma-activated silicon oxycarbide primer The invention relates to a process for obtaining a hydrophobic coating on a substrate, preferably consisting of a glass material, a ceramic or a glass-ceramic, said process being characterized in that it comprises: a) a first deposition step, consisting in applying a primer first layer essentially consisting of the silicon oxycarbide SiOxCy type on said substrate, said primer layer having an RMS surface roughness of greater than 4 nm; b) an activation step, in which said SiOxCy primer layer is activated by a plasma of a gas chosen from the noble gases of the Ar or He type and the gases N2, O2 or H2O or by a plasma of a mixture of these gases; and c) a second deposition step, in which a hydrophobic coating comprising at least one fluorocompound, preferably a fluoroalkylsilane, is deposited on said first layer. The invention also relates to hydrophobic glazing comprising or formed by a substrate as defined above, this glazing being in particular used as glazing for transport vehicles or for buildings.
US08822014B2	Glue-free anti-slip polyvinyl chloride floor brick and preparing method thereof The present invention discloses a glue-free anti-slip polyvinyl chloride floor brick which includes a polyvinyl chloride anti-slip layer having a bottom surface formed with a flexible thermal-pressed pattern by thermal pressing. The thermal-pressed pattern includes a plurality of continuously and repetitively connected, closed and non-equilateral hexagonal protruded ribs, which are characterized with a required flexibility by utilizing a special ingredient amount of the anti-slip layer and provided with an anti-slip coefficient of 1.5 by incorporating with non-equilateral hexagonal anti-slip patterns with special sizes and shapes, thereby enhancing the slip resistance of the floor brick to overcome the bottlenecks in plastic floor brick industries.
US08822012B2	Yoga mat with support and traction The present disclosure provides a mat including a compressible first layer, openings formed through one or more first portions and columns disposed in/proximate to the openings. One or more second portions, or at least one column, or both may be configured to be depressed to provide support and traction. The present disclosure further provides a towel including an absorption layer and a compressible region of flexible fiber disposed on one or more first portions of a top surface of the absorption layer. The towel may further include one or more columns disposed either on one or more second portions or in/proximate to openings formed through the one or more second portions. The compressible region of flexible fiber may be configured to be depressed in a compressed configuration to provide support and traction. The mat or the towel may be further adapted to form a grip apparatus.
US08822010B2	Element for electronic component A surface of an anode body made of a metal material having a valve action is oxidized so as to form a dielectric layer, a conductive polymer precursor solution is stuck to the surface of the dielectric layer, the solvent is evaporated in an atmosphere of a relative humidity of 30 to 45% to be removed, electropolymerization is carried out so as to obtain a semiconductor layer having projections being 2 to 70 μm high on the outer surface thereof, a conductive carbon layer is laminated using a conductive carbon paste, and a conductive metal layer containing a metal conductive powder and a binder is laminated so as to obtain an element for an electronic component, and the element for an electronic component is encapsulated by a resin so as to obtain an electronic component.
US08822009B2	Industrial fabric, and method of making thereof A support member such as a belt or sleeve includes a topographical pattern on its sheet contact side. A plurality of land areas, corresponding depressions, through voids, and/or groove areas are formed on the top surface of the support member to produce the topographical pattern. The land areas, corresponding depressions, through voids, and/or groove areas may be formed by graving, cutting, etching, embossing, mechanical perforation or a combination thereof. The improved belt or sleeve imparts desired physical characteristics, such as bulk, appearance, texture, absorbency, strength, and hand to a nonwoven product produced thereon.
US08822007B2	Decorative element, dashboard, and method for manufacturing a decorative element The invention relates to a decorative element, to a dashboard of a motor vehicle, and to a method for manufacturing said decorative element, wherein the decorative element includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the decorative element being made of a first non-transparent material, wherein said first material has a decoration layer, and the second portion of the decorative element being made of a second transparent material, the first portion and the second portion of the decorative member being unitary.
US08822006B2	Core of vacuum insulation member and vacuum insulation member using the same A core of a vacuum insulation member and a vacuum insulation member using the same are disclosed. The core of a vacuum insulation member includes: a plurality of plates which are spaced apart from each other; and a support member supporting the plurality of plates between the plates.
US08822003B2	Component having an overlapping laser track; method for producing such a component A component having a laser track as a fracture initiation line, said laser track being composed of laser holes formed by a laser beam for preparing for a later separation of the component into individual components. In order to ensure that, upon separation, the fracture always extends along the laser track, fractures deviating from the laser track are avoided, and the fracture edges after fracture are formed evenly and do not have jagged edges, it is proposed that the distance between two adjacent laser holes be less than or equal to the diameter of said laser holes, in each case measured on the surface of the component.
US08821994B2	Liquid crystal display having improved wavelength dispersion characteristics A multilayer optical retardation compensation film having at least one positive C-plate and at least one negative C-plate is used in an LCD device. The multilayer film may have a substantially flat wavelength dispersion curve, or the multilayer film combined with other layers in the LCD device may have a substantially flat wavelength dispersion curve. Polymer films for the positive C-plate may be identified according to their absorbance maxima at certain wavelength ranges.
US08821992B2	Oligosiloxane modified liquid crystal formulations and devices using same A liquid crystal formulation is described. The liquid crystal formulation comprises a first oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material; and at least one additional material selected from a second oligosiloxane-modified nano-phase segregating liquid crystalline material, non-liquid crystalline oligosiloxane-modified materials, organic liquid crystalline materials, or non-liquid crystalline materials, wherein the liquid crystal formulation has an I→SmA→SmC phase transition, with a SmC* temperature range from about 15° C. to about 35° C., a tilt angle of about 22.5°±6° or about 45°±6°, a spontaneous polarization of less than about 50 nC/cm2., and a rotational viscosity of less than about 600 cP. Devices containing liquid crystal formulations are also described. The device has a stable bookshelf geometry, bistable switching, and isothermal electric field alignment, a response time of less than 500 μs when switched between two stable states, and an electric drive field of less than about 30 V/μm.
US08821986B2	Activated silicon precursors for low temperature deposition Provided are processes for the low temperature deposition of silicon-containing films using activated SiH-containing precursors. The SiH-containing precursors may have reactive functionality such as halogen or cyano moieties. Described are processes in which halogenated or cyanated silanes are used to deposit SiN films. Plasma processing conditions can be used to adjust the carbon, hydrogen and/or nitrogen content of the films.
US08821984B2	Composition and method for imparting increased water repellency to substrates and substrates treated with same A treatment composition for imparting water repellency to articles comprising a blend of one or more fluorochemical esters and one or more polycarbodiimides, a method for treating articles with such composition, and the articles produced thereby. The treatment composition and method are especially well suited for use by consumers on personal articles such as garments.
US08821982B2	Method of making a solvent-free polymer-based tire sealant The invention relates to a method for the production of a tire sealant (C) with a polymeric base. A highly viscous first sealant component (A) (including a natural rubber component that is undiluted or diluted with at least one additional natural rubber component and mixture ingredients that are free of a solvent and an activator) is mixed with at least one second sealant component (B) (comprising a separately produced medium with low viscosity containing at least one activator), to combine to the tire sealant (C), wherein a cross linking occurs associated with the subsequent application of the tire sealant (C) to the inside of the tire. Appropriate method steps are disclosed.
US08821980B2	Method of making a patterned layer for absorbent article A patterned layer is intended to be used in an absorbent article, and has a pattern, for example in the form of a text or an image, which appears clearly legible or interpretable for an observer at a certain distance. The pattern can be formed by a number of dots which, when the layer is in a first state, have a first surface density which forms the legible or interpretable pattern and which, when the layer is in a second and then expanded state, have a second surface density which is lower than the first surface density in the first state, the pattern becoming in the second state essentially illegible or uninterpretable for the observer at the given distance on account of the lower surface density.
US08821977B2	Transporting device, in particular for transporting sheet-like substrates through a coating installation A transport device and method of transporting a substrate using a rotatable shaft and baffles may be used to extend cleaning intervals for the transport device and reduce deposition of a vapor deposition material upon the transport device.
US08821974B2	Substrate processing method A liquid hydrophobizing agent is supplied to a substrate and a surface of the substrate is hydrophobized. A solvent, lower in surface tension than water and capable of dissolving the hydrophobizing agent, is supplied to the substrate in a pre-drying rinsing step. Thereafter, the substrate is dried. The substrate to be processed is maintained in a state of not contacting water until it is dried after being hydrophobized.
US08821966B2	Image display device A method for manufacturing an image display device includes the step of forming a cured resin layer by interposing a photo-curable resin composition between a protection member and a display-side panel including an image display unit and a frame member and then photo-curing the photo-curable resin composition, with the photo-curable resin composition being disposed across between the image display unit and the frame member. In the manufacturing method, a high-viscosity resin composition having a viscosity of 3000 mPa·s or more and 12000 mPa·s or less is used as the photo-curable resin composition. Alternatively, after a gap between the image display unit and the frame member is sealed with a sealing film, a photo-curable resin composition is interposed between the display-side panel and the protection member.
US08821960B2	Apparatus for slot die setup and control during coating The invention relates generally to an apparatus and method that enables a very accurate initial setup of the coating gap for slot die coater and subsequent control of the coating gap during coating operations such that web splices and web defects do not interrupt the coating process. An highly accurate initial set up is achieved via the use of a tapered or wedge-shaped adjustment member mounted perpendicular to the axis of travel of the coating head where the movement of this tapered or wedge-shaped adjustment member in a direction perpendicular to the axis of travel of the slot die housing adjusts the coating gap in increments on the order of ten microns. Substrate splices and defects are detected prior to reaching the coating position such that a feed-forward controller is able to momentarily retract the coating head both avoiding slot die damage and avoiding interruption of the coating process, yet the apparatus is able to return the coating head, with high precision, to its prior position once the splice or defect has passed.
US08821957B2	Method for depositing a nanometric thin film on a substrate The invention concerns in particular a method for depositing a nanometric multilayer thin film on a substrate from a liquid solution containing at least one surfactant. The method includes the following steps: forming a film from the solution; contacting the substrate; and depositing the film on the substrate. The invention is particularly formed to enable depositing black films on different types of surfaces, in particular for obtaining highly organized films. The films obtained by the method are particularly useful in electronics and optics.
US08821953B2	Method and apparatus for decocting ingredients in a solvent A method and an apparatus for decocting ingredients in a solvent. The apparatus including a container for containing the solvent, a recipient for containing the ingredients, the recipient being placed inside the container, a pipe connecting a bottom part of the container and a bottom part of the recipient, a pump placed in series with the pipe for circulating the solvent from the bottom part of the container to the bottom part of the recipient.
US08821950B2	Accordion susceptor for microwave preparation of cookies The present invention provides an innovative packaging for microwave preparation of expandable food, such as cookies, an innovative food product prepared from the packaging and the method of preparation thereof. The innovative packaging includes first and second susceptor sheet portions each having an accordion-like shape; one or more members for spacing the susceptor sheet portions at a predetermined distance; and an expandable uncooked food placed between the two susceptor sheets, wherein the food is in intimate contact with sheet portions and becomes efficiently browned and crisped during microwave cooking. The food is preferably a cookie dough.
US08821949B2	Microbiological reprocessing of by-products of biodiesel production An industrial method of reprocessing a mixture of by-products produced during biodiesel production containing a glycerol fraction and degumming residue as well as a feed additive, which may be obtained by this method.
US08821947B2	Cholesterol-reducing diet A method of treating cholesterol imbalance, high LDLs, and other metabolic syndrome problems and symptoms of osteoarthritis. The regimen preferred embodiment includes lipids as 60% or more of daily caloric content, protein up to 10%-15% of daily caloric content; and carbohydrates up to 25% or less of daily caloric content, primarily in the form of non-starchy, low-glycemic fresh fruit and vegetables, and nuts, along with a daily intake of 35 grams of dietary fiber, with a significant percentage of this as soluble fiber; average daily cholesterol intake of less than 10 mg, and 30 grams of cocoa solids.
US08821944B1	Polymorph compositions, methods of making, and uses thereof The described invention provides a biodegradable, biocompatible delivery system of flowable sustained release microparticulate composition of a substantially pure crystalline form of a bioactive agent such as, for example, nimodipine, a process of preparing a therapeutic form of a substantially pure crystalline form of the bioactive agent and a method for treating an interruption of a cerebral artery in a subarachnoid space at risk of interruption caused by brain injury in a mammal, which reduces signs or symptoms of at least one delayed complication associated with brain injury.
US08821943B2	Methods and compositions for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents Compositions and methods for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, and particularly for mucosal, oral, nasal, or parenteral delivery of therapeutic agents. The compositions comprise carrier particles containing or encapsulating a therapeutic agent or agents, which have been modified on their surface to contain one or more targeting moieties that enable the enhanced uptake and transport of the therapeutic agent via receptor-mediated processes such as endocytosis or transcytosis.
US08821938B2	Porous drug matrices and methods of manufacture thereof Drugs, especially low aqueous solubility drugs, are provided in a porous matrix form, preferably microparticles, which enhances dissolution of the drug in aqueous media. The drug matrices preferably are made using a process that includes (i) dissolving a drug, preferably a drug having low aqueous solubility, in a volatile solvent to form a drug solution, (ii) combining at least one pore forming agent with the drug solution to form an emulsion, suspension, or second solution and hydrophilic or hydrophobic excipients that stabilize the drug and inhibit crystallization, and (iii) removing the volatile solvent and pore forming agent from the emulsion, suspension, or second solution to yield the porous matrix of drug. Hydrophobic or hydrophilic excipients may be selected to stabilize the drug in crystalline form by inhibiting crystal growth or to stabilize the drug in amorphous form by preventing crystallization. The pore forming agent can be either a volatile liquid that is immiscible with the drug solvent or a volatile solid compound, preferably a volatile salt. In a preferred embodiment, spray drying is used to remove the solvents and the pore forming agent. The resulting porous matrix has a faster rate of dissolution following administration to a patient, as compared to non-porous matrix forms of the drug. In a preferred embodiment, microparticles of the porous drug matrix are reconstituted with an aqueous medium and administered parenterally, or processed using standard techniques into tablets or capsules for oral administration.
US08821936B2	Solid pharmaceutical formulation This invention provides a solid pharmaceutical formulation having high physical strength and further having excellent drug release properties and digestibility of excipients when administered, which comprises (a) an active medical ingredient and (b) a pre-gelatinized starch in an amount of 10 to 90% by weight, said pre-gelatinized starch being prepared by pre-gelatinizing a cheap and stable usual starch during the procedure for formulation. This invention also provides a method for preparing the solid pharmaceutical formulation.
US08821933B2	Polymers and hydrogels Methods and compositions related polymers and hydrogels. In some cases to biodegradable hydrogels for use in medical applications are disclosed. The polymers and hydrogels may be produced from cross-linked dextran and poly(epoxides). The poly(epoxides) may be poloxamers.
US08821930B2	Modified release preparations containing oxcarbazepine and derivatives thereof Controlled-release preparations of oxcarbazepine and derivatives thereof for once-a-day administration are disclosed. The inventive compositions comprise solubility- and/or release enhancing agents to provide tailored drug release profiles, preferably sigmoidal release profiles. Methods of treatment comprising the inventive compositions are also disclosed.
US08821928B2	Controlled release pharmaceutical compositions for prolonged effect Layered pharmaceutical composition suitable for oral use in the treatment of diseases where absorption takes place over a large part of the gastrointestinal tract. The composition comprising A) a solid inner layer comprising i) an active substance, and ii) one or more disintegrants/exploding agents, one of more effervescent agents or a mixture thereof. the solid inner layer being sandwiched between two outer layers B1) and B2), each outer layer comprising iii) a substantially water soluble and/or crystalline polymer or a mixture of substantially water soluble and/or crystalline polymers, the polymer being a polyglycol in the form of one of a) a homopolymer having a MW of at least about 100,000 daltons, and b) a copolymer having a MW of at least about 2,000 daltons, or a mixture thereof, and iv) an active substance, which is the same as in said solid inner layer A), and layer A being different from layer B, the layered composition being coated with a coating C) that has at least one opening exposing at least one surface of said outer layer, the coating being substantially insoluble in and impermeable to fluids and comprising a polymer, and the composition having a cylindrical form optionally with one or more tapered ends, wherein the ratio between the surface area of one end surface of the cylinder and the length of the cylinder is in a range of from 0.02 to 45 mm.
US08821921B2	Vitamin D3 for the transdermal treatment of pain and inflammation The use of vitamin D3 for the manufacture of a medicament for the transdermal treatment of neurogenic inflammation and neuropathic pain (including peripheral neuropathic pain); also a method for the relief of neurogenic inflammation and neuropathic pain using this medicament.
US08821920B2	Therapeutic patch for transdermal delivery of capsaicin The invention relates to a topical patch comprising a therapeutic compound-impermeable backing layer, a self-adhesive matrix based on polysiloxanes and containing capsaicin or a therapeutic compound analogous to capsaicin, and a protective film to be removed before use, in which the matrix contains liquid microreservoirs based on an amphiphilic solvent, in which the therapeutic compound is present in completely dissolved form and the concentration of the therapeutic compound in the microreservoir droplets is below the saturation concentration. The invention furthermore relates to a process for its production and its use in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
US08821919B2	Wound debridement A method for debridement of wound on the skin by placing against the wound a glass-based borate-based composition to release dissolution products which support neutrophilic activity into the wound by dissolution.
US08821918B2	Cross-linked gelatin composition comprising a wetting agent Disclosed is a biocompatible, hemostatic, cross-linked gelatin composition comprising a biocompatible material comprising cross-linked gelatin and a sufficient amount of wetting agent to permit uniform wetting of the sponge in the presence of an aqueous solution.
US08821898B2	Active compound combinations having insecticidal and acaricidal properties The invention relates to novel insecticidal active compound combinations comprising, firstly, cyclic ketoenols or other insecticidally active compounds and, secondly, further insecticidally active compounds from the group of the anthranilamides, which combinations are highly suitable for controlling animal pests, such as insects and unwanted acarides.
US08821895B2	Streptococcus pyogenes antigens and corresponding DNA fragments The present invention relates to antigens, more particularly antigenS of Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A Streptococcus (GAS)) bacterial pathogen which are useful as vaccine component for therapy and/or prophylaxis.
US08821893B2	Oral vaccine for Borrelia The present invention relates to vaccines for control of Borrelia infections in animal and human populations. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising recombinant bacteria engineered to express one or more Borrelia burgdorferi antigens for use as Lyme disease vaccines. In some embodiments, the recombinant bacteria are freeze-dried.
US08821891B2	Live attenuated rotavirus vaccine for oral administration The invention provides liquid rotavirus formulations that are suitable for oral administration to human infants. In particular the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines, comprising a rotavirus antigen, a sugar and a carboxylate wherein said formulation has a pH of between pH 5.0 and pH 8.0 and comprises no phosphate or less than 5 mM phosphate. The invention also provides methods of preparing said rotavirus formulations and use thereof in the prevention or treatment of rotavirus associated diseases in humans.
US08821890B2	Influenza virus vaccine composition and methods of use The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for enhancing the immune response of a human in need of protection against influenza virus (IV) infection by administering in vivo, into a tissue of the human, at least one polynucleotide comprising one or more regions of nucleic acid encoding an IV protein or a fragment, a variant, or a derivative thereof, or a protein encoded thereby. The polynucleotide is incorporated into the cells of the human in vivo, and an immunologically effective amount of an immunogenic epitope of an IV, or a fragment, variant, or derivative thereof is produced in vivo. The IV protein (in purified form or in the form of an inactivated IV vaccine) is also administered in an immunologically effective amount.
US08821889B2	West Nile Virus vaccine The invention provides for immunogenic compositions against West Nile Virus. The immunogenic compositions, in alternate embodiments, also include other equine pathogens. The West Nile Virus composition of the present invention advantageously provides for protection against North American Dominant West Nile Virus strains or isolates.
US08821887B2	T-cell antigen peptide from allergen for stimulation of IL-10 production A first or second polypeptide for use in a method of treating or preventing a disorder by tolerization, wherein said method comprises administration of the first and second polypeptide; and wherein both first and second polypeptides: i) are of 7 to 30 amino acids in length; ii) comprise at least one MHC Class II-binding T cell epitope; and iii) are a fragment of a protein allergen or a homologous variant of said fragment; wherein said first polypeptide induces the release of an amount of IL-10 that is greater than the amount of IL-10 released in response to the whole protein allergen from which the first polypeptide derives; wherein said disorder is characterized by an inappropriate immune response to the protein allergen from which the second polypeptide derives.
US08821886B2	Recombinant antigen Recombinant protein of the catalytic subunit of the phosphatase Serine/threonine protein of Angiostrongylus costarricensis, and active peptides used in the production of an intranasal anthelmintic vaccine.
US08821884B2	Compositions and methods using MD-2 mutants and chimeric proteins The invention provides compositions and methods for the targeted bacteriostatic and antibacterial agents and for treatment of sepsis caused by infectious diseases, such as bacterial and fungal diseases. In one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions for decreasing the levels of LPS in the circulation of an individual, e.g., a human patient with sepsis, e.g., gram negative septic shock. In one aspect, the invention is directed to chimeric proteins comprising the MD-2 polypeptide and an opsinizing agent, e.g., antibody Fc domains, or equivalent. In one aspect, the invention is directed to chimeric proteins comprising fragments or altered form of MD-2 polypeptide and an opsinizing agent, e.g., antibody Fc domains, or equivalent. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the chimeric polypeptides of the invention, and methods of making and using them, including methods for ameliorating or preventing sepsis. The invention also provides compositions for transfecting cells with nucleic acid comprising the mutant MD-2 proteins and/or the chimeric polypeptides of the invention.
US08821883B2	Method of treating B cell cancers by administering truncated BAFF receptors The disclosure provides a non-naturally occurring BAFF-R glycoprotein having a deletion in the extracellular domain which results in an altered O-linked glycosylation pattern. The disclosure also provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating B-cell- and T-cell-mediated disorders.
US08821880B2	Methods and agents for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, and methods of treating, hepatocellular carcinoma in a subject. The invention also relates to polypeptide antagonists of PLVAP proteins, including humanized and chimeric antibodies that specifically bind PLVAP proteins, as well as compositions and kits comprising such polypeptide antagonists.
US08821878B2	Compositions of human lipids and methods of making and using same The disclosure features methods of making compositions that include a human lipid. The methods can include: obtaining whole human milk; separating the milk into a cream portion and a skim portion; processing the cream portion; and pasteurizing the processed cream portion.
US08821874B2	KLK-13 antibody inhibitor for treating dry eye Disclosed herein is a method of treating dry eye with a KLK-13 antibody.
US08821873B2	Treatment of diffuse large-cell lymphoma with anti-CD20 antibody The present invention concerns methods for the treatment of diffuse large cell lymphoma by administration of an anti-CD20 antibody and chemotherapy. Particular embodiments include the administration of anti-CD20 antibody in combination with chemotherapy comprising CHOP (cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin/doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone/prednisolone) and/or in combination with a transplantation regimen.
US08821868B2	Anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies Described herein are compositions and methods of use of anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies or fragments thereof, such as murine, chimeric, humanized or human PAM4 antibodies. The subject antibodies show a number of novel and useful therapeutic characteristics, such as binding with high specificity to pancreatic and other cancers, but not to normal or benign pancreatic tissues and binding to a high percentage of early stage pancreatic cancers. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies bind to pancreatic cancer mucins. The antibodies and fragments are of use for the detection, diagnosis and/or treatment of cancer, such as pancreatic cancer. The antibodies, such as PAM4 antibodies, bind to a PAM4 antigen that shows unique cell and tissue distributions compared with other known antibodies such as CA19.9, DUPAN2, SPAN1, Nd2, B72.3, and Lea and Le(y) antibodies that bind to the Lewis antigens.
US08821867B2	4-1BB binding molecules The present disclosure provides isolated binding molecules that bind to human 4-1BB, nucleic acid molecules encoding an amino acid sequence of the binding molecules, vectors comprising the nucleic acid molecules, host cells containing the vectors, methods of making the binding molecules, pharmaceutical compositions containing the binding molecules, and methods of using the binding molecules or compositions.
US08821862B2	Soluble β-N-acetylglucosaminidase based antibiofilm compositions and uses thereof The present invention provides compositions comprising an antibiofilm enzyme, a soluble β-N-acetylglucosaminidase similar to the dspB gene (DispersinB®), and an antimicrobial for preventing growth and proliferation of biofilm-embedded microorganisms in acute and chronic wounds, and methods of treatment. The invention further provides methods for preparing medical devices, and in particular, wound care devices using soluble β-N-acetylglucosaminidase based antimicrobial compositions.
US08821852B2	Vaccines with live bacterial isolates for systemic administration The present invention pertains to vaccines suitable for administering systemically that comprise live aro mutant bacteria, an adjuvant, an aromatic supplement, or both an adjuvant and an aromatic supplement. The present invention also pertains to the manufacture of such a vaccine and a method of protecting an animal by administration of the vaccine.
US08821849B2	Internal clamp for surgical procedures One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of occluding a vascular site in a mammal, comprising the step of introducing into the vasculature of a mammal at or proximal to a surgical site, a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, thereby temporarily occluding a vascular site of said mammal, wherein said temporarily occluded vasculature site is kept in a substantially cylindrical shape.
US08821847B2	Perfume compositions Perfume compositions effective against urine malodor and having a low odor, comprise between 20% and 50% of perfume ingredients comprising at least 15% by-weight of N-ethyl-N-(3-methylphenyl) propanamide.
US08821837B2	Aqueous method of making magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles The invention discloses an aqueous method of making polymer coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Nanoparticles made by the method are included in the invention.
US08821836B2	SPARC binding peptides and uses thereof The invention provides SPARC and Albumin binding peptides for the targeting of disease sites, such as tumors, with therapeutic and diagnostic agents. In particular, compositions comprising SPARC binding peptide-Antibody Fc domain fusion proteins and methods of their use are disclosed.
US08821835B2	Flexible and/or elastic brachytherapy seed or strand A flexible or elastic brachytherapy strand that includes an imaging marker and/or a therapeutic, diagnostic or prophylactic agent such as a drug in a biocompatible carrier that can be delivered to a subject upon implantation into the subject through the bore of a brachytherapy implantation needle has been developed. Strands can be formed as chains or continuous arrays of seeds up to 50 centimeters or more, with or without spacer material, flaccid, rigid, or flexible.
US08821831B2	Process for producing crystalline titanium oxide coating film through electrolytic anodizing The invention concerns a method for producing a crystalline titanium oxide film useful as a photocatalyst, a photovoltaic element, etc. The crystalline titanium oxide film is produced by steps (a-1) and (b): (a-1) a step of heating titanium or titanium alloy under conditions (1) or (2) to form titanium nitride on the surface of the titanium or titanium alloy; (1) in an atmosphere of nitrogen and/or ammonia gas in the presence of a carbon material acting as an oxygen trapping agent; or (2) in an atmosphere where a pressure is reduced to discharge atmospheric gas, and then nitrogen and/or ammonia gas are/is introduced in the presence of a carbon material acting as an oxygen trapping agent; and (b) a step of immersing the titanium or titanium alloy obtained in step (a-1) above in an electrolyte containing an inorganic acid and/or organic acid, and applying voltage for anodization.
US08821830B2	Urchin-like copper oxide material manufacturing method An urchin-like copper oxide material manufacturing method, comprising following steps: providing copper powder of length about 5 to 150 μm; placing the copper powder on an aluminum oxide plate to be heated up; and heating up the aluminum oxide plate in a reaction temperature of 300° C. to 700° C., to obtain urchin-like copper oxide material on the aluminum oxide plate. By employing the manufacturing method, it only requires a simple thermal oxidation process to synthesize and obtain various types of urchin-like copper oxides having good stability and reproducibility, hereby achieving excellent performance in various opto-electronic applications.
US08821829B2	Reactor and process for preparing phosgene A reactor (1) for preparing phosgene by gas-phase reaction of carbon monoxide and chlorine in the presence of a solid catalyst, which reactor has a bundle of parallel catalyst tubes (2) aligned in the longitudinal direction of the reactor whose ends are fixed in tube plates (3) and have a cap (4) at each end of the reactor (1), and has deflection plates (6) which are aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the reactor in the intermediate space (5) between the catalyst tubes (2) and leave free passages (7) located alternately opposite one another on the interior wall of the reactor, and in which the catalyst tubes (2) are charged with the solid catalyst, the gaseous reaction mixture is passed from one end of the reactor via one cap (4) through the catalyst tubes (2) and is taken off from the opposite end of the reactor (1) via the second cap (4) and a liquid heat transfer medium is passed through the intermediate space (5) around the catalyst tubes (2), where the reactor (1) has no tubes in the region of the passages (7), is proposed.
US08821827B2	Method and apparatus for preparation of granular polysilicon An apparatus for preparing granular polysilicon comprises a reactor tube, a reactor shell, an internal heater, and components for controlling pressure, supplying a fluidizing gas and a reaction gas, discharging gas, and discharging particles. The reactor tube is associated with an inner space comprising an inner zone that contains a bed of silicon particles and is the site at which silicon deposition occurs. The inner zone comprises a heating zone and a reaction zone. The fluidizing gas supplying component supplies a fluidizing gas for fluidizing the bed of silicon particles to a bottom of the heating zone. The apparatus can minimize the problems occurring during the heating of silicon particles at high temperature for silicon deposition on the surface of the silicon particles.
US08821822B2	Process and plant for recovering NH3 from a mixture comprising NH3 and acid gases Disclosed herein is a process and a plant for recovering ammonia from a mixture including ammonia, acid gas containing H2S and/or CO2 and low-boiling water-soluble organic components. To avoid an enrichment of volatile organic compounds in the acid gas absorber, a partial stream of the liquid phase is withdrawn from an acid gas absorber and processed such that gaseous ammonia with a reduced content of volatile organic components is obtained, which is recirculated into the acid gas absorber.
US08821816B2	Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry substrates having low volume matrix array elements Provided herein are substrates for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis. Each spot includes 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte.
US08821815B2	Cell isolation instrument A cell isolation instrument includes: a first container which has an opening in an upper portion; a filtration member which defines at least a part of a lower portion of the first container; an isolation member which is movably housed in the first container to collide with a tissue, thereby isolating cells; and a second container which houses the first container in a manner that the first container can be taken out.
US08821814B2	Cartridge containing reagent, microfluidic device including the cartridge, method of manufacturing the microfluidic device, and biochemical analysis method using the microfluidic device A microfluidic device including a platform and a cartridge is disclosed. The platform includes a chamber containing a fluid. The reagent cartridge is mounted to the platform. and contains a solid reagent for detecting material contained in the fluid.
US08821811B2	In-vitro contact lens testing Contact lens testing apparatuses and method for testing contact lenses for analytes are presented. In an aspect, a device is provided that includes a housing configured to hold one or more contact lenses, and a testing compartment provided within the housing and comprising a reagent, the reagent configured to facilitate a chemical reaction in response to the existence of a predetermined biomarker disposed on or within a contact lens placed in the testing compartment, wherein the chemical reaction produces a known result related to state information of an individual from which the biomarker was generated.
US08821808B2	Sterilization wraps and methods for sterilizing articles There is provided an improved sterilization wrap and a method for using the improved sterilization wrap to sterilize an article. The wrap is made of at least one sheet, and preferably two sheets, of sterilization material and in some embodiments, includes an additional sheet which may be made of an absorbent material. The sheet of absorbent material may have a smaller perimeter than at least one sheet of sterilization material. One side of at least one sheet of sterilization material includes a central portion. The absorbent material may be attached to the central portion of at least one sheet of sterilization material. The article to be sterilized is placed on the sterilization wrap and is then wrapped. The absorbent material provides sterility protection for the article in addition to the at least one sheet of sterilization material and also wicks moisture away from the article after sterilization has taken place. A visual indicator may be provided to indicate whether or not the article has been exposed to adequate sterilization conditions.
US08821805B2	Process unit with improved reactant feeding for the production of alkylate gasoline This application provides a process unit for the production of alkylate gasoline, comprising: a) a nozzle having an orifice that dispenses one or more recirculated streams comprising ionic liquid catalyst into a chamber in the nozzle, b) a conduit for introducing a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising an olefin to the orifice at a close distance from the orifice; and c) a throat connecting the chamber in the nozzle to an alkylation zone. The process unit can have multiple Venturi nozzles.
US08821803B2	Porous bodies and methods Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
US08821802B2	Method and apparatus for computer controlled scent delivery An apparatus for producing a scent, constituted of: a directional air mover arranged to produce an air flow exhibiting an angular velocity in relation to a central linear axis of the air flow; a plurality of electronically controlled scent producing elements arranged about the produced air flow, each of the plurality of electronically controlled scent producing elements distal of the directional air mover such that scent from any of the plurality of electronically controlled scent producing elements are not deposited on any surface of the directional air mover; and a control unit in communication with each of the directional air mover and the plurality of electronically controlled scent producing elements. Preferably, the plurality of electronically controlled scent producing elements is arranged radially about the central linear axis of the air flow.
US08821801B2	Conversion of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to nitric oxide (NO) A nitric oxide delivery system, which includes a gas bottle having nitrogen dioxide in air, converts nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide and employs a surface-active material, such as silica gel, coated with an aqueous solution of antioxidant, such as ascorbic acid. A nitric oxide delivery system may be used to generate therapeutic gas including nitric oxide for use in delivering the therapeutic gas to a mammal.
US08821795B2	Combinatorial screening method and apparatus A combinatorial screening method and system are provided. The combinatorial system and method provide rapid data generation for characterization of phase change material. The characterization data is collected through a multipoint probe card where multiple regions are characterized in a single annealing cycle.
US08821789B1	Sample preparation assembly A sample preparation assembly includes a torch configured for use with an inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy instrument. The torch includes at least two approximately cylindrical tubes arranged substantially concentrically. The sample preparation assembly also includes an injector configured for use with the inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy instrument. The injector includes an injection nozzle and a spray chamber. The sample preparation assembly further includes a heat sink element. The heat sink element includes a securing element. The securing element is configured to mate with a mounting element of the torch to mechanically support the heat sink element.
US08821785B2	Joining and a repair method A method of forming a fully consolidated joint between first and second components comprising the steps of forming a slot in the first component; inserting at least part of the second component into the slot; inserting a powder material into the slot; heating the powder material to form a pressure tight skin; and applying hot isostatic pressure to the pressure tight skin to form a fully consolidated joint. Also a method of repairing a component.
US08821783B2	Decurling method and apparatus, and film production method A continuous multi-layer film includes a support layer having a first film surface, and a hard coat layer, formed on the support layer, having a second film surface, and having a curling tendency in an inward direction. In the decurling method, the multi-layer film is transported. A first transition of the support layer in the multi-layer film being transported into a rubber phase is induced by supplying fluid vapor on the support layer. After supplying the fluid vapor, a second transition of the support layer from the rubber phase into a glass phase is induced. The multi-layer film is transported while a portion of the support layer in the rubber phase is prevented from contacting a solid object. The hard coat layer is formed from a polymer produced from an ultraviolet curable compound, and the support layer is formed from cellulose acylate.
US08821775B2	Method for coextruding a plurality of fluid layers A die for coextruding a plurality of fluid layers generally includes a primary forming stem, one or more distribution plates, and a microlayer assembly. The microlayer assembly includes a microlayer forming stem and a plurality of microlayer distribution plates.
US08821772B2	Fluorescent compounds for detecting use of proper plastic molding temperatures A method comprising injection molding a plastic part from a polymer formulation comprising an injection moldable thermoplastic and a fluorescent compound, wherein the fluorescent compound has a decomposition temperature that establishes a maximum processing temperature for the polymer formulation. The fluorescent compound will thermally decompose to generate gaseous products causing visible bubble formation in the surface of the plastic part in response to exposure to a processing temperature that exceeds the decomposition temperature of the fluorescent compound. If the plastic part was processed without exposure to a processing temperature that exceeds the decomposition temperature of the fluorescent compound, then any fluorescent compound within the plastic part will cause the plastic part to fluoresce in response to exposure to black light. A suitable fluorescent compound may be, for example, selected from oxalates, carbamic acids, carbonic acids, diazocarbonyl compounds, and combinations thereof. A preferred fluorescent compound is bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)oxalate.
US08821770B2	High refractive index inorganic oxide nanoparticles comprising surface treatment and polymerizable resin Microstructured films comprising surface modified inorganic oxide particles and polymerizable resins are described.
US08821769B2	Silver alloy target for forming reflection electrode film for organic EL element, and method for manufacturing the silver alloy target Disclosed is a silver alloy target for forming a reflective electrode film for an organic EL element, which has a component composition containing 0.1% to 1.5% by mass of In and the remainder composed of Ag and unavoidable impurities. The average grain diameter of the crystal grain of the alloy is 150 to 400 μm, and the dispersion of the grain diameter of the crystal grain is 20% of the average grain diameter or less.
US08821768B2	Bonding method and bonding material using metal particle It is an object of this invention to provide a bonding material capable of realizing bonding by metallic bonding at a bonding interface at a lower temperature compared to a bonding material using a metal particle having an average particle diameter of not more than 100 nm and a bonding method. There is provided a bonding material including a metal particle precursor being at least one selected from the group consisting of a particle of a metal oxide, a particle of a metal carbonate, and a particle of a metal carboxylate and having an average particle diameter of 1 nm to 50 μm and a reducing agent composed of an organic substance, wherein the content of the metal particle precursor is more than 50 parts by mass and not more than 99 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the bonding material.
US08821767B2	Cathode active material A cathode active material is provided by which excellent charge and discharge properties in a high-current range can be obtained when used in non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. The cathode active material consists of a mixed metal fluoride represented by the general formula Fe(1-x)MxF3. M is a metal element selected from the group consisting of Y, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Cr. x is 0.01≦x≦0.15.
US08821766B2	Lithium manganate for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, process for producing the same, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery The present invention aims at providing lithium manganate having a high output and an excellent high-temperature stability. The above aim can be achieved by lithium manganate particles having a primary particle diameter of not less than 1 μm and an average particle diameter (D50) of kinetic particles of not less than 1 μm and not more than 10 μm, which are substantially in the form of single crystal particles and have a composition represented by the following chemical formula: Li1+xMn2-x-yYyO4 in which Y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg and Co; x and y satisfy 0.03≦x≦0.15 and 0.05≦y≦0.20, respectively, wherein the Y element is uniformly dispersed within the respective particles, and an intensity ratio of I(400)/I(111) thereof is not less than 33% and an intensity ratio of I(440)/I(111) thereof is not less than 16%.
US08821762B2	Anthra[2,3-b]benzo[d]thiophene derivatives and their use as organic semiconductors The invention relates to novel anthra[2,3-b]benzo[d]thiophene derivatives, methods of their preparation, their use as semiconductors in organic electronic (OE) devices, and to OE devices comprising these derivatives.
US08821757B2	Liquid-crystalline medium The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I), in which R0 has the meanings indicated in Claim 1, and to the use thereof in electro-optical liquid-crystal displays.
US08821756B2	Substrate with a modified liquid crystal polymer marking The present invention relates to a marking on an item or substrate, which marking is based on a chiral nematic (also called cholesteric) liquid crystal precursor composition. Prior to curing the chiral liquid crystal precursor composition in the chiral liquid crystal state at least one optical property exhibited by the composition is modified by two modifying agents of different types in at least one area of the item or substrate.
US08821751B2	Chemical mechanical planarization composition and method with low corrosiveness A CMP composition and associated method are provided that afford good corrosion protection and low defectivity levels both during and subsequent to CMP processing. This composition and method are useful in CMP (chemical mechanical planarization) processing in semiconductor manufacture involving removal of metal(s) and/or barrier layer material(s) and especially for CMP processing in low technology node applications.
US08821749B2	Azeotrope-like compositions of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene Azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions are disclosed. The azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions are mixtures of E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene with E-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene or 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene. Also disclosed is a process of preparing a thermoplastic or thermoset foam by using such azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions as blowing agents. Also disclosed is a process of producing refrigeration by using such azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions. Also disclosed is a process of using such azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions as solvents. Also disclosed is a process of producing an aerosol product by using such azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions. Also disclosed is a process of using such azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions as heat transfer media. Also disclosed is a process of extinguishing or suppressing a fire by using such azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions. Also disclosed is a process of using such azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions as dielectrics.
US08821747B2	Method of manufacturing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk A method for manufacturing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk comprises a surface grinding step of processing a mirror-surface plate glass, having a main surface in the form of a mirror surface, to a required flatness and surface roughness using fixed abrasive particles. The method comprises, before the surface grinding step using the fixed abrasive particles, a surface roughening step of roughening the surface of the mirror-surface plate glass by frosting.
US08821744B2	Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus A substrate processing method using a substrate processing apparatus includes a first step and a second step. The first step is to apply a negative voltage pulse from a pulsed power supply to be included in the apparatus. The second step is to apply floating potential for an interval of time between the negative voltage pulse and a positive voltage pulse from the pulsed power supply subsequent to the negative voltage pulse. In addition, the apparatus includes a chamber, a first electrode, a second electrode, an RF power supply, and the pulsed power supply. The second electrode is provided so that the second electrode faces the first electrode to hold a substrate. The RF power supply applies an RF voltage having a frequency of 50 MHz or higher to the second electrode. The pulsed power supply repeatedly applies a voltage waveform with the RF voltage to the second electrode.
US08821742B2	Plasma etching method A plasma etching method by using a plasma etching apparatus having a depressurizable processing chamber; a lower electrode for mounting thereon a substrate to be processed in the processing chamber; an upper electrode facing the lower electrode in the processing chamber with a plasma generation region formed therebetween; a radio frequency power supply unit for applying a radio frequency power between the upper electrode and the lower electrode to thereby form a radio frequency electric field in the plasma generation region, the method comprising: supplying a first gas including etchant gas to an upper gas inlet to introduce the first gas through the upper electrode into the plasma generation region; and feeding a second gas including dilution gas to a side gas inlet to introduce the second gas through a sidewall of the processing chamber into the plasma generation region.
US08821741B2	Substrate processing method and substrate processing apparatus A preprocess step for supplying an inert gas into an enclosed space in which a substrate is disposed, while exhausting gas by sucking out of the enclosed space. And then, an etching step for supplying a process vapor into the enclosed space while exhausting gas out of the enclosed space at an rate lower than a rate in the preprocess step. And then a post-process step for supplying an inert gas into the enclosed space while exhausting gas by sucking out of the enclosed space at a rate higher than the rate in the etching step.
US08821740B2	Nanowire manufacturing method Provided is a nanowire manufacturing method, comprising forming a plurality of grid patterns on a substrate, forming a nanowire on the grid patterns, and separating the grid pattern and the nanowire. According to the present invention, the width and height of the nanowire can be adjusted by controlling the wet-etching process time period, and the nanowire can be manufactured at a room temperature at low cost, the nanowire can be mass-manufactured and the nanowire with regularity can be manufactured even in case of mass production.
US08821738B2	Thermal annealing process A method for processing a substrate is provided; wherein the method comprises applying a film of a copolymer composition, comprising a poly(styrene)-b-poly(siloxane) block copolymer component; and, an antioxidant to a surface of the substrate; optionally, baking the film; annealing the film in a gaseous atmosphere containing ≧20 wt % oxygen; followed by a treatment of the annealed film to remove the poly(styrene) from the annealed film and to convert the poly(siloxane) in the annealed film to SiOx.
US08821737B2	Substrate processing method A processing method of a substrate which includes: a first bonding step which bonds a ring-shaped first support member to a first surface of the substrate along the outer periphery of the substrate; a first processing step which processes the substrate; and a first separating step which separates the first support member from the substrate by separation at the bonded position.
US08821733B2	Systems and methods for recovering fine particles from fluid suspensions for combustion The present invention provides compositions, systems and methods for using coal from coal processing sources to remove coal fines from a mixture and form a coal-on-coal composite particle.
US08821730B2	Dehydration method The present invention includes a dehydration method comprising the steps of providing a distilled process-target fluid to a water separation membrane device via a heat exchanger; separating the process-target fluid into a dehydrated product and water by using the water separation membrane device; detecting a temperature of any one of the water separation membrane device and the process-target fluid supplied to the water separation membrane device by using a temperature monitoring device; and controlling the temperature of the process-target fluid so that the temperature of the distilled process-target fluid being maintained at a temperature higher than the condensation temperature of the distillate by 5 to 10° C. by using a temperature adjustment device provided in the water separation membrane device.
US08821722B2	Filter system with vibration dampening A filter is described that is combined with a device to address vibrations. Such vibrations can adversely impact filter performance. An engine system including this combination is also described.
US08821721B2	Oil recovery boom The oil recovery boom of the present invention is designed to collect great amounts of oil if used in conjunction with many other booms. The oil recovery boom includes a set of eductors, and removes the adjacent oil for extraction from the sea. A high pressure pump placed at one end of the boom takes water from the sea and pumps it through a flexible manifold. The manifold in turn provides water pressure to each eductor and, the oil carried with the water is then pumped into a barge or containment with overflow sections, which will then separate the oil from the water for later processing. Embodiments of the present invention adopts an array of eductors which can be positioned either in series or in parallel. The oil recovery boom of the present invention provides for the immediate and large-scale removal of oil from the sea.
US08821719B2	Arrangement for connection of a medical device to a water line The arrangement for connection of a medical device, particularly a dialysis device, to a permeate line for the supply of permeate into the device is characterized by an adapter comprising a first supply line section with a terminal coupling member for connection to the water line, a pressure sensor and two successively arranged shut-off valves, and two second supply line sections that branch off from the first supply line member by means of a branching member. Both second supply line sections are connected to two different lines of the device in such a manner that disinfection fluid flows through both second supply line sections in a disinfection process of the device.
US08821718B2	Automated fluid handling system Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing (20) and two or more fluid handling units (26) arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section (30) and an internal non fluidics section (32), and wherein the housing (20) comprises a liquid handling panel (22) with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components (26) such that the external fluidics section (30) is separated from the non fluidics section (32) by the liquid handling panel (22).
US08821717B2	Process for upgrading hydrocarbon feedstocks using solid adsorbent and membrane separation of treated product stream A process for upgrading hydrocarbon oil feedstreams employs a solid adsorption material to lower sulfur and nitrogen content by contacting the hydrocarbon oil, with a solid adsorbents in a mixing vessel; passing the slurry to a membrane separation zone to separate the solid adsorption material with the adsorbed sulfur and nitrogen compounds from the treated oil; recovering the upgraded hydrocarbon product having a significantly reduced nitrogen and sulfur content as the membrane permeate; mixing the solid adsorbent material with aromatic solvent to remove and stabilize the sulfur and nitrogen compounds; transferring the solvent mixture to a fractionation tower to recover the solvent, which can be recycled for use in the process; and recovering the hydrocarbons that are rich in sulfur and nitrogen for processing in a relatively small high-pressure hydrotreating unit or transferring them to a fuel oil pool for blending.
US08821715B2	Electrochemical promotion of catalysis in hydrodesulfurization processes An electrochemical catalytic method for the hydrodesulfurization of a petroleum-based hydrocarbon stream is described involving a hydrogen-containing gas in an electrochemical cell employing Non Faradic Electrochemical Modification of Electrochemical Activity.
US08821710B2	Production of fuel from chemicals derived from biomass Hydrocarbons may be formed from six carbon sugars. This process involves obtaining a quantity of a hexose sugar. The hexose sugar may be derived from biomass. The hexose sugar is reacted to form an alkali metal levulinate, an alkali metal valerate, an alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or an alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. An anolyte is then prepared for use in a electrolytic cell. The anolyte contains the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate. The anolyte is then decarboxylated. This decarboxylating operates to decarboxylate the alkali metal levulinate, the alkali metal valerate, the alkali metal 5-hydroxy pentanoate, or the alkali metal 5-alkoxy pentanoate to form radicals, wherein the radicals react to form a hydrocarbon fuel compound.
US08821707B2	Electric Al or Al alloy plating bath using room temperature molten salt bath and plating method using the same Disclosed herein is an electric Al or Al alloy plating bath which comprises (A) an aluminum halide; (B) one kind of compound or at least two kinds of compounds selected from the group consisting of N-alkylpyridinium halides, N-alkylimidazolium halides, N,N′-alkylimidazolium halides, N-alkyl-pyrazolium halides, N,N′-alkylpyrazolium halides, N-alkylpyrrolidinium halides and N,N-alkyl-pyrrolidinium halides; and (C) a high boiling point aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the molar ratio of the aluminum halide (A) to the compound (B) ranges from 1:1 to 3:1 and the flash point of the plating bath is not less than 50° C. The plating bath never involves any risk of causing an explosion, can be handled industrially with safety and can provide a smooth and fine Al of Al alloy plated film. Moreover, the resulting film has high resistance to corrosion even when it does not contain any chromium and therefore, it is quite suitable from the viewpoint of the environmental protection and it can thus be used in a wide variety of applications including the plating of parts for motorcars, and the plating of parts for electrical appliances.
US08821700B2	Photoelectrochemical cell and energy system using same A photoelectrochemical cell (100) includes: a semiconductor electrode (120) including a conductor (121), a first n-type semiconductor layer (122) having a nanotube array structure, and a second n-type semiconductor layer (123); a counter electrode (130) connected to the conductor (121); an electrolyte (140) in contact with the second n-type semiconductor layer (123) and the counter electrode (130); and a container (110) accommodating the semiconductor electrode (120), the counter electrode (130) and the electrolyte (140). Relative to a vacuum level, (I) band edge levels of a conduction band and a valence band in the second n-type semiconductor layer (123), respectively, are higher than band edge levels of a conduction band and a valence band in the first n-type semiconductor layer (122), (II) a Fermi level of the first n-type semiconductor layer (122) is higher than a Fermi level of the second n-type semiconductor layer (123), and (III) a Fermi level of the conductor (121) is higher than the Fermi level of the first n-type semiconductor layer (122).
US08821698B2	Multipurpose segmented titanium mixed metal oxide (MMO) coated anode with integrated vent A multi purpose segmented Titanium Mixed Metal Oxide coated impressed current cathodic protection anode assembly (Ti MMO anode assembly). The Ti MMO anode assembly includes combinations selected from four anode components and four connection components. The various components may be assembled for different applications in liquid or soil environments for the prevention or reduction of corrosion and loss of structural integrity. For example, the Ti MMO anode assembly may be applied to protect pipelines, buried structures, piers and internal surface protection of tanks and vessels in different arrangements such as deep wells, shallow ground beds, or distributed individual anodes.
US08821697B2	Silver selenide sputtered films and method and apparatus for controlling defect formation in silver selenide sputtered films Method and apparatus for sputter depositing silver selenide and controlling defect formation in and on a sputter deposited silver selenide film are provided. A method of forming deposited silver selenide comprising both alpha and beta phases is further provided. The methods include depositing silver selenide using sputter powers of less than about 200 W, using sputter power densities of less than about 1 W/cm2, using sputter pressures of less than about 40 mTorr and preferably less than about 10 mTorr, using sputter gasses with molecular weight greater than that of neon, using cooling apparatus having a coolant flow rate at least greater than 2.5 gallons per minute and a coolant temperature less than about 25° C., using a magnetron sputtering system having a magnetron placed a sufficient distance from a silver selenide sputter target so as to maintain a sputter target temperature of less than about 350° C. and preferably below about 250° C. during sputter deposition, and heating the sputter deposition substrate to greater than about 30° C.
US08821695B2	Coal reforming system A coal reforming system includes a drying furnace for drying low-grade coal, a carbonizing furnace for carbonizing the dried low-grade coal, hot air generating furnaces for supplying hot air to the drying furnace or the carbonizing furnace, and a carbonizing gas circulation line for supplying a carbonizing gas, which is generated in the carbonizing furnace, as a fuel for the hot air generating furnaces while the temperature thereof is maintained.
US08821690B2	Paper product, and process for manufacturing a paper product The invention relates to a paper product formed from fiber-based source material and applicable as printing paper. According to the invention, the surface of the paper product is finished by providing sufficient density on the surface so that the density of at least one surface layer of the paper product is sufficiently high to yield a Gurley-Hill value of more than 7000 s/100 ml as measured from the entire paper product, and the paper product has been dried to a moisture content of less than 3.5%. In addition, the invention relates to a process for manufacturing a paper product.
US08821689B1	Starch-biogum compositions A composition comprising starch, a biogum and water subjected to heat, shearing and optionally depolymerization is provided which is useful as a stable high solids dispersion useful in various applications including as wet-end additives for paper making.
US08821687B2	Flushable article including polyurethane binder and method of using the same A flushable article such as a wipe that includes a substrate that includes fibers, and a dried binder composition in contact with the fibers, the article (e.g., wipe) being insoluble in water having a pH of no greater than 6, and disintegrating in water having a pH of at least 6.5.
US08821684B2	Substrate plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method A substrate plasma processing apparatus includes a substrate holding electrode and a counter electrode which are arranged in a chamber, a high frequency generating device which applies a high frequency of 50 MHZ or higher to the substrate holding electrode, a DC negative pulse generating device which applies a DC negative pulse voltage in a manner of superimposing on the high frequency, and a controller controlling to cause intermittent application of the high frequency and cause intermittent application of the DC negative pulse voltage according to the timing of on or off of the high frequency.
US08821680B2	Fluoropolymer containing laminates The multilayer film serves as a laminate. In some embodiments, the film is a multilayered structure that, in its base form, encompasses an intermediate layer with first and second outer layer affixed to opposing sides of the intermediate layer. In some embodiments, the first outer layer is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer includes a polyester and the second outer layer is an olefinic polymer.
US08821677B2	Hermetic container and manufacturing method of the same Adherence between a sealing material and a glass substrate is assured, thereby improving airtightness of a hermetic container. A manufacturing method of the hermetic container has: an assembling step of sealing a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate through a circumferential sealing material having plural straight line portions and plural coupling portions which connect the plural straight line portions so as to define an internal space between the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate; and a sealing step of maintaining the internal space to a negative pressure to an outside after the assembling step, applying such local force as to compress the coupling portions of the circumferential sealing material in a thickness direction of the sealing material, and heating and melting the sealing material by irradiating local heating light to the sealing material, to seal the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate.
US08821674B2	Optical film material roll and method for manufacturing image display device using thereof Disclosed is a material roll that includes a roll of an optical film having defect information markings printed thereon and is resistant to the formation of a defect by the transfer of a bump/dent deformation at the marking site. The material roll includes a long sheet of an optical film with polarizer wound into roll shape; and marking(s) formed at or in a vicinity of at least one defect site. The marking has an optical density of 1.5 or more, and a thickness of a center part of the marking is 1.5 μm or less. The marking preferably has an optical density per unit thickness of 2.5 μm−1 or more.
US08821665B2	Intermediate transfer belt of image recording device, method for making the same, and image recording device A method includes: shaping a transparent belt base having opposite ends into a tubular shape with the ends thereof spaced away from or in contact with each other to make a tubular belt base; superposing a release base having a liquid layer of a curable polyurethane elastomer on and in contact with the outer periphery of the tubular belt base inclusive of the space or contact portion between the ends in a manner that the liquid layer is sandwiched in between the transparent belt base and the release base; curing the curable polyurethane elastomer while the liquid layer being sandwiched between the transparent belt base and the release base to form a transparent polyurethane elastomer layer; stripping the release base off the transparent polyurethane elastomer layer; and connecting the ends of the tubular transparent belt base spaced away from or in contact with each other to form a joint.
US08821664B2	Method of fabricating pneumatic tire A pneumatic tire provided with a resin film at an outer surface of the tire side portion to be able to be exfoliated therefrom by pasting a smooth resin film having a melting point equal to or higher than 23° C., a Young's modulus equal to or larger than 2.5 GPa and a thickness of 10 through 150 μm to an outer surface of a side portion of an unvulcanized tire and vulcanizing and molding the unvulcanized tire in a state of pasting the resin film.
US08821661B2	Method of manufacturing honeycomb structure and degreasing apparatus for honeycomb molded body A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure including a honeycomb unit includes forming a honeycomb molded body having a plurality of cells extending from a first end face to a second end face of the honeycomb molded body along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb molded body and separated by a plurality of cell walls, placing the honeycomb molded body in a degreasing apparatus so that the first end face faces downward and the second end face faces upward, feeding introduced gas into the degreasing apparatus, degreasing the honeycomb molded body at a temperature of approximately 200° C. to approximately 400° C., and firing the degreased honeycomb molded body at a temperature of approximately 500° C. to approximately 900° C. to obtain the honeycomb unit.
US08821659B2	Apparatus and method for real-time alignment and lamination of substrates Real-time alignment of substrates is conducted by way of placing a first substrate together with a second substrate located over the first substrate in a fixed relative position onto a first substrate holder. The first substrate holder is operative to support the first substrate. A second substrate holder is operative to contact and control the position of the second substrate relative to the first substrate. A pattern recognition system is operative to view reference marks on the first and second substrates for determining their relative alignment, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the first substrate holder and/or the second substrate holder will align the first substrate relative to the second substrate based on their relative alignment as determined by the pattern recognition system. Thereafter, the substrates are fully laminated to secure them to each other.
US08821657B2	Method and device for recovering energy from a hot strip bundle In a device and a method for recovering energy from at least one metal hot strip bundle (B) which has a temperature of more than 200° C. and is produced in a hot rolling mill (H), the at least one hot strip bundle (B) passes through an energy recovery device (3). In order to recover energy, a gaseous medium (G) flows around the at least one hot strip bundle (B) within the energy recovery device (3) such that said hot strip bundle absorbs energy, particularly heat, dissipated by the at least one hot strip bundle (B), thereby providing a technically simple method and a corresponding device for recovering energy, both of which can be used for any kind of hot strip, independently of the further processing thereof. Furthermore, CO2 and energy can be saved.
US08821655B1	High strength, high conductivity copper alloys and electrical conductors made therefrom A copper base alloy achieves a breakthrough electrical conductor product of strength, flexure and conductivity of minimal inverse in relationship of at least 85% IACS electrical conductivity while providing an 80 to 85 ksi tensile strength, an increase of at least 33% in strength compared to prior art and is made from an alloy containing 0.2-0.5 w/o chromium, 0.02-0.20 w/o silver and 0.04-0.16 w/o of a third metallic component selected from tin, magnesium and tin/magnesium together.
US08821653B2	Heavy wall steel pipes with excellent toughness at low temperature and sulfide stress corrosion cracking resistance Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise carbon steels and methods of manufacturing thick walled pipes (wall thickness greater than or equal to about 35 mm) there from. In one embodiment, a steel composition is processed that yields an average prior austenite grain size greater than about 15 or 20 μm and smaller than about 100 μm. Using this composition, a quenching sequence is provided that yields a microstructure of greater than or equal to about 50% by volume, and less than or equal to about 50% by volume, lower bainite, without substantial ferrite, upper bainite, or granular bainite. After quenching, pipes may be tempered. The quenched and tempered pipes may exhibit yield strengths greater than about 450 MPa (65 ksi) or 485 (70 ksi). Mechanical property measurements find the quenched and tempered pipes suitable for 450 MPa grade and 485 MPa grade, and resistance to sulfide stress corrosion cracking.
US08821649B2	Magnetic material and motor using the same Characteristics of a magnetic material are improved without using a heavy rare earth element as a scarce resource. By incorporating fluorine into a magnetic powder and controlling the crystal orientation in crystal grains, a magnetic material securing magnetic characteristics such as coercive force and residual flux density can be fabricated. As a result, the resource problem with heavy rare earth elements can be solved, and the magnetic material can be applied to magnetic circuits that require a high energy product, including various rotating machines and voice coil motors of hard discs.
US08821641B2	Nozzle unit, and apparatus and method for treating substrate with the same Provided is a substrate treatment apparatus. The substrate treatment apparatus includes a process chamber, a support unit disposed within the process chamber to support a substrate, and a nozzle unit disposed within the process chamber to spray gas. The nozzle unit includes a first nozzle spraying process gas, and a second nozzle spraying blocking gas onto an inner wall of the process chamber or an area adjacent to the support unit to prevent the process gas from being deposited on the inner wall of the process chamber or the support unit.
US08821640B2	Solid precursor-based delivery of fluid utilizing controlled solids morphology Apparatus and method for volatilizing a source reagent susceptible to particle generation or presence of particles in the corresponding source reagent vapor, in which such particle generation or presence is suppressed by structural or processing features of the vapor generation system. Such apparatus and method are applicable to liquid and solid source reagents, particularly solid source reagents such as metal halides, e.g., hafnium chloride. The source reagent in one specific implementation is constituted by a porous monolithic bulk form of the source reagent material. The apparatus and method of the invention are usefully employed to provide source reagent vapor for applications such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) and ion implantation.
US08821638B2	Continuous deposition apparatus Provided is a continuous deposition apparatus wherein replacement operations of a feeding unit and a take-up unit are easily performed. The continuous deposition apparatus is provided with: a vacuum chamber (1); a deposition roller (2); evaporation sources (7L1, 7L2, 7R) which supply a deposition material to a film substrate from the side of the film substrate which is wound on the deposition roller and on which a coating is to be deposited; a feeding unit (3) which supplies the film substrate to the deposition roller (2); and a take-up unit (4) which takes up the film substrate after the coating is deposited thereon. The vacuum chamber (1) is provided with: an evaporation source opening for carrying out and carrying in the evaporation sources; evaporation source door sections (16L, 16R) which open and close the evaporation source opening; another opening provided for the substrate on which the coating is to be deposited, besides the evaporation source opening, for the purpose of carrying out and carrying in the feeding unit (3) and the take-up unit (4); and door sections (17L, 17R) which are provided for the substrate and open and close the opening provided for the substrate.
US08821637B2	Temperature controlled lid assembly for tungsten nitride deposition Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses for vapor depositing tungsten-containing materials, such as metallic tungsten and tungsten nitride. In one embodiment, a processing chamber is provided which includes a lid assembly containing a lid plate, a showerhead, a mixing cavity, a distribution cavity, and a resistive heating element contained within the lid plate. In one example, the resistive heating element is configured to provide the lid plate at a temperature within a range from about 120° C. to about 180° C., preferably, from about 140° C. to about 160° C., more preferably, from about 145° C. to about 155° C. The mixing cavity may be in fluid communication with a tungsten precursor source containing tungsten hexafluoride and a nitrogen precursor source containing ammonia. In some embodiments, a single processing chamber may be used to deposit metallic tungsten and tungsten nitride materials by CVD processes.
US08821634B2	High temperature furnace insulation A high temperature furnace comprising hot zone insulation having at least one shaped thermocouple assembly port to reduce temperature measurement variability is disclosed. The shaped thermocouple assembly port has an opening in the insulation facing the hot zone that is larger than the opening on the furnace shell side of the insulation. A method for producing a crystalline ingot in a high temperature furnace utilizing insulation having a shaped thermocouple assembly port is also disclosed.
US08821627B2	Effect pigments with an outer protective coating comprising zinc oxide The present invention relates to effect pigments based on substrates having an outer coating comprising metal oxide, hydroxide and/or oxide hydrate and at least one organic coupling agent.
US08821624B2	Ceramic extrusion molding composition and binder A non-crosslinked, nonionic, water-soluble cellulose ether having a syneresis value of at least 25% by weight in which the hydrogen atom of a hydroxyl group is substituted by a C6-C26 alkyl halide, monoepoxide or monoisocyanate is useful as a binder in ceramic extrusion molding.
US08821623B2	Non-aqueous inkjet ink A non-aqueous inkjet ink including at least a pigment, a dye and organic solvents, wherein the total amount of the pigment and the dye is at least 3 mass % relative to the total amount of the ink, the content ratio of the pigment to the dye is in the range from 7:3 to 4:6, the pigment has a DBP oil absorption in the range from 60 cm3/100 g to 140 cm3/100 g, and the organic solvents include at least two organic solvents including an organic solvent with an α value of at most 10 and an organic solvent with an α value of at least 30.
US08821620B2	Drying agent cartridge and air treatment system with drying agent cartridge A drying agent cartridge for a commercial vehicle includes a drying agent cartridge housing which is delimited at the top by a cover and at the bottom by a support element. The drying agent cartridge also has a drying agent container which is accommodated in the drying agent cartridge housing. The drying agent container is connected to the drying agent cartridge housing in a positively locking manner.
US08821618B2	Fabrication method for gas-adsorbing device, gas-adsorbing device, and method of using the same A gas-adsorbing member is charged in low gas-permeable container (7) through its opening portion, wherein low gas-permeable container (7) is constituted by a hollow cylindrical metal member which is opened at its one end and is sealed at its other end and, also, has body portion (9) extending from the one end to the other end thereof such that the length of the body portion is equal to or larger than the maximum width of the end portions. Then, a sealing member is installed within the opening portion and near the opening portion. Then, the sealing member is molten by being heated. Thereafter, the sealing member within the opening portion is cooled to be solidified, thereby attaining sealing of the opening portion. Thus, it is possible to provide a gas-adsorbing-device fabricating method capable of suppressing degradations of the gas-adsorbing member and capable of reducing the fabrication costs.
US08821616B2	Zeolite DDR nanoparticles DDR nanocrystals were synthesized using hydrothermal secondary growth. The morphology of the nanoparticles can be manipulated by changing the ratio of silica to water, the synthesis temperature, and the mineralizing agents. Specifically, nanocrystals with morphology of hexagonal plates, octahedral, and diamond-like plates are disclosed. These nanoparticles can be used as seed coatings for DDR membrane growth on substrates, and for the fabrication of mixed matrix membranes, and for any other use where uniform, small DDR zeolite crystals are beneficial.
US08821615B2	Sour gas treatment process The disclosure relates to a process for treating a gas mixture containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, including the following steps: deacidificating the gas mixture by bringing the gas mixture into contact with a first lean absorbent solution stream, delivering a deacidified gas mixture, and a first rich absorbent solution stream; regenerating the first rich absorbent solution stream, delivering the first lean absorbent solution stream and a sour gas stream; distillating the sour gas stream, delivering a first carbon-dioxide-rich stream and a hydrogen-sulphide-rich stream; purifying the first carbon-dioxide-rich stream by bringing the first carbon-dioxide-rich stream into contact with a second lean absorbent solution stream, delivering a second carbon-dioxide-rich stream and a second rich absorbent solution stream, the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the second carbon-dioxide-rich stream being greater than the molar concentration of carbon dioxide in the first carbon-dioxide-rich stream. The disclosure also relates to an installation designed to implement this process.
US08821613B2	Method for thiosulfate leaching of precious metal-containing materials Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
US08821611B2	Titanium boride A titanium metal or a titanium alloy having submicron titanium boride substantially uniformly dispersed therein and a method of making same is disclosed. Ti power of Ti alloy powder has dispersed within the particles forming the powder titanum boride which is other than whisker-shaped or spherical substantially uniformly dispersed therein.
US08821607B2	Particle capture unit, method for manufacturing the same, and substrate processing apparatus A particle capture unit adopted to be exposed to a space in which particles fly includes at least a first layer formed of a plurality of first fiber-like materials and a second layer formed of a plurality of second fiber-like materials. The first fiber-like materials are thinner than the second fiber-like materials and arrangement density of the first fiber-like materials in the first layer is higher than that of the second fiber-like materials in the second layer, the second layer is interposed between the first layer and the space, and the first and second layers are hardened and bonded together by sintering.
US08821604B2	Polycrystalline diamond compact and method of making same A polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond table attached to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond table includes an upper surface and at least one peripheral surface. Diamond grains of the polycrystalline diamond table define a plurality of interstitial regions. The polycrystalline diamond table includes a region having silicon carbide positioned within at least some of the interstitial regions thereof. In an embodiment, the first region extends over only a selected portion of the upper surface and/or at least a portion of the at least one peripheral surface. In another embodiment, the first region substantially contours the upper surface and a chamfer.
US08821603B2	Hard compact and method for making the same A hard composite member produced by a rapid omni-directional compaction process that includes the steps of: providing a pre-compaction composite comprising a substrate, a superhard member and a layer of braze between the substrate and the superhard member; placing the pre-compaction composite in a pressure transmitting material contained within a shell to form an isostatic die assembly; heating the isostatic die assembly to a temperature at which the pressure-transmitting material is capable of fluidic flow and wherein the temperature ranges between greater than the melting point of the braze layer and less than or equal to about 1200° C.; and in a forging press, compressing the isostatic die assembly to consolidate the pre-compaction composite under omnidirectional pressure at a pressure equal to or greater than about 60,000 psi into a dense, consolidated body.
US08821602B2	Systems and methods for providing supplemental aqueous thermal energy Systems and methods for collecting, storing, and conveying aqueous thermal energy are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a floating film retains solar energy in a volume of water located under the film. A series of curtains hanging from a bottom surface of the film define a passage between a periphery of the film and a center of the film to direct the heated water at the center of the film. The heated water is circulated to deliver the heat to a dissociation reactor and/or donor substance. The donor is conveyed to the reactor and dissociated.
US08821600B2	Dry bottom reactor vessel and method A reactor vessel includes an entrained-flow gasifier and a dry solids discharge beneath the gasifier.
US08821598B2	Control system and method to operate a quench scrubber system under high entrainment In certain embodiments, a system includes a first water supply pump configured to pump water from a gas scrubber sump of a gas scrubber directly to a quench chamber sump of a quench chamber via a first water supply line.
US08821590B2	Aqueous textile treatment Liquid hydrous laundry treatment agent containing hydrogen peroxide and omega-6 fatty acid, and optionally further ingredients compatible with said components.
US08821581B2	Method and apparatus for wrist arthroplasty A prosthetic wrist can replace a portion of an anatomical wrist. A bone replacing portion can be provided that also includes an augment member to assist in fixation of the bone portion or the prosthesis to the bone. The various prosthesis embodiments can allow for a hemi- or total, or revision wrist arthroplasty. Modular portions can allow for intraopertative customization.
US08821577B2	Intervertebral disk prosthesis An intervertebral disk prosthesis (4), comprising: a rigid top plate (5); a rigid bottom plate (6); and an elastically-compressible intermediate cushion (7) received between the two inside surfaces of the plates (5, 6); remarkable in that the assembly is subdivided in the thickness direction into two units resting one on the other via complementary contact surfaces.
US08821575B2	Methods and devices for rhinoplasty and treating internal valve stenosis Methods and devices for rhinoplasty and treating nasal valve stenosis are disclosed herein. The nasal valve acts as a flow-limiter and can contribute to airway obstruction if resistance within the nasal valve is excessive. In one embodiment, a system for treating nasal valve stenosis includes a first elongate implant and a second elongate implant configured to support the nasal valves when implanted. The implants can be coupled together by connecting elements, such as eyelets, tethers, complementary socket joints, and button-rivet supports.
US08821571B2	Compensatory container The invention concerns compensatory container (1) to influence blood pressure, comprising volume chamber (2) with connectors (3) for connecting volume chamber (2) to a natural cardiovascular system, and in which a change in pressure in the cardiovascular system may effect a change in volume of volume chamber (2), as well as means of adjustment which limit the change in volume of volume chamber (2) in a lower pressure region below a pressure threshold of at least 100 mmHg to a maximum of 10 cm3, and which, in an upper pressure region between the pressure threshold and 150 mmHg, effect a change in volume of volume chamber (2) of not less than 10 cm3, whereby the means of adjustment comprise frame (4) and at least one flexible body (5) working in conjunction with such frame. Frame (4) and flexible body (5) are located outside volume chamber (2), with frame (4) having two front parts (6) and at least three support rods (7) connecting two front parts (6), between which is situated the at least one flexible body (5).
US08821568B2	Implant modified with non-hydroxylated vitamin D precursors An implant to be used as medical or dental implant, comprising a metallic or polymeric base which is covered by the vitamin D precursor cholecalciferol. The implant can be obtained by direct covering of the polymeric or metallic base with a solution comprising cholecalciferol or also covering the base with the 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), and subsequently irradiated with UV light to induce the formation of cholecalciferol. Optionally, the coating of the implant may include an antioxidant such as vitamin E. This implant enhances osseointegration in compromised patients by means of the endogenous synthesis and activity of vitamin D in hard and mineralized tissue regeneration. Furthermore, a method to obtain these implants which comprises coating the surface of the implant directly with cholecalciferol or with a specific concentration of 7-DHC and irradiated with UV light to induce the formation of cholecalciferol.
US08821567B2	Apparatus and method for implantation of a bifurcated endovascular prosthesis A bifurcated stent graft for animal or human implantation and method of delivery thereof. The device stent graft employs a first component having an axial passage communicating with the axial cavities of a second leg and longer first leg. A separate leg extension is engageable to the second leg. A first catheter engages the first component for translation to the implantation site and a second catheter engaged with the first is provided with a prepositioned guide wire inside the second leg which may be employed to easily position a guide wire for engagement of the second leg with the leg extension.
US08821566B2	Alloy for medical use and medical device Provided is alloy for medical use and a medical device that is novel and useful. The alloy for medical use according to, for example, an embodiment of the present invention is mainly composed of three kinds of elements of gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and niobium (Nb). A total content of the three kinds of elements can be no smaller than 99% by weight, in which a platinum content can be no smaller than 5% by weight and no greater than 50% by weight and a niobium content can be no smaller than 3% by weight and no greater than 15% by weight. By adjusting the content ratio of the three elements, for example, it is possible to reduce or prevent artifacts in an MRI. Non-magnetization is also possible.
US08821563B2	System and method for deploying and positioning an endovascular device A dilator tip (100) for deploying and positioning an endovascular device (570) at a treatment site includes an elongate body (105) having at least two substantially longitudinal channels (110) in an outer surface (105s) of the body and at least two deployment struts (115). Each deployment strut (115) has a free end (120) releasably attached to a proximal edge (575) of an endovascular device (570) to be deployed, a constrained end (125) restrained within one of the longitudinal channels (110), and a pivot portion (130) between the free end (120) and the constrained end (125). In an undeployed configuration of the dilator tip (100), the free ends (120) reside within the longitudinal channels (110), and in a deployed configuration of the dilator tip (100), the free ends (120) are pivotally extended away from the longitudinal channels (110) by way of the pivot portions (130).
US08821562B2	Partially crimped stent A crimping method that crimps a stent over multiple catheters. The method includes differentially crimping a stent on certain portions of a balloon catheter so that a second catheter can be threaded through the uncrimped portion of the stent and exit through the links of a conventional stent design or through a specific hole in the stent designed for a branched vessel.
US08821557B2	Surgical fastener with predetermined resorption rate A resorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The resorbable screw fastener is 100% resorbed in vivo during a period of time ranging from about 14 days to about one year after implantation.
US08821550B2	Spinal stabilization installation instrumentation and methods A system for installing a vertebral stabilization system. The system includes an installation tool including a handle portion and a shaft extending distally from the handle portion. The shaft includes a conduit and a staple mechanism. The system also includes a flexible implant member extending along the conduit configured to be advanced out from a distal end of the shaft, and a staple housed in the staple mechanism. The staple is configured to secure the flexible implant member to a vertebra. The handle portion is configured to selectively advance the flexible implant member from the shaft and to selectively actuate the staple mechanism.
US08821545B2	Surgical filament snare assemblies A surgical filament snare assembly including an anchor capable of being fixated in bone and having a filament engagement feature. A first filament has a noose with first and second noose limbs connected, preferably slidably, to the filament engagement feature. The first and second noose limbs emerge from the anchor as first and second free filament limbs that are capable of being passed through tissue to be repaired and then passable through the noose. The noose is capable of receiving the free filament limbs and strangulating them when tension is applied to at least one of the free filament limbs and the noose to enable incremental tensioning of the tissue after anchor fixation. Preferably, the snare assembly further includes a flexible sleeve joining at least some portion of the first and second free filament limbs to facilitate passing of the free filament limbs as a single unit.
US08821540B2	Self-retaining sutures having effective holding strength and tensile strength A barbed suture with a first end and a second end and a body with a plurality of barbs extending from the body. Each barb causes the suture to resist movement in an opposite direction from which the barb faces. Projections extend from said suture. The projections can also engage tissue. The barbs cover the projections when the first end of the suture is moved in tissue and exposes the projections in order to engage tissue when the suture is moved in the direction of the second end through tissue.
US08821539B2	Collapsible barbed sutures having reduced drag and methods therefor A barbed suture includes a flexible thread having a core with a leading end, a trailing end, and a central axis. The barbed suture includes a first flexible flap connected to the core, the first flap extending between the leading and trailing ends of the core, and a second flexible flap connected to the core, the second flap extending between the leading and trailing ends of the core. The flexible flaps and the core have an S-shaped profile when viewed in cross-section. The barbed suture includes first and second slots formed in the respective first and second flaps for dividing the flaps into first and second barbs projecting from the core, whereby each slot extends outwardly from the core and rearwardly toward the trailing end of the core.
US08821538B2	Implantable tissue structure modifiers and methods for using the same Implantable tissue structure modification devices are provided. Aspects of the tissue structure modification devices include first and second tissue securers separated by a contraction region, wherein the device is configured to be implanted at a cardiac location and assume a first constrained length that is longer than a second relaxed length. Also provided are methods of using the devices for tissue structure modification, as well as delivery systems and kits that find use in the methods. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of different applications, including valve (e.g., mitral valve) structure modification.
US08821537B2	Methods and apparatus for fixing sheet-like materials to a target tissue A staple for attaching a sheet-like implant to tissue or bone may include first and second arms, and first and second flukes. In some embodiments, the first arm has a proximal end and a distal end, and the second arm has a proximal end and a distal end. A bridge extends from the proximal end of the first arm to the proximal end of the second arm. The first fluke has a proximal end abutting the distal end of the first arm, and the first fluke extends distally from the first arm. The first fluke has a lateral extent larger than a lateral extent of the first arm and is mounted eccentrically thereto. The first fluke includes a proximal surface projecting at an outward angle in a proximal direction away from the distal end of the first arm to engage the tissue or bone when inserted therein. The second fluke has similar features. This arrangement causes the first and second flukes to rotate in response to a pullout force on the bridge. Methods for attaching a sheet-like implant to a target tissue are also disclosed.
US08821533B2	Device for minimally invasive plastic surgery lift procedure Described are medical devices configured for use in cosmetic surgery. The medical devices include an elongate body member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of gaps defined therebetween. At least a portion of the body member is associated with one or more layers of a collagenous extracellular matrix (ECM) material. The elongate member can include one or more tissue engaging members. In preferred embodiments, the collagenous extracellular matrix material includes one or more native or non-native bioactive components.
US08821532B2	Vascular closure device A device for closure of an opening formed through a wall of a body vessel of a patient is provided, as well as an introducer system for delivery of the closure device. Various embodiments include the closure device having hook members configured to engage the tissue interior of the body vessel wall, hook members configured to engage interstitial tissue adjacent to the body vessel, a plug member to contact sealably the opening from inside the body vessel, and combinations thereof. A retraction member is removably attached to the each of the embodiments to permit manipulation of the device. Remodelable material may be included with each of the embodiments to promote quicker healing. The introducer includes a sheath that is insertable through the opening and a pusher disposed within the lumen of the sheath and movable within the sheath lumen to deploy the device.
US08821529B2	Device and method for occluding a septal defect A device for occluding a septal defect is provided. In general, the occluding device has a contracted state that allows the occluding device to be received within a delivery device for deployment to the site of the defect and an expanded state that is achieved when the occluding device is deployed from the delivery device. The occluding device has a proximal portion, which may be substantially circular, a distal portion, which may be substantially ovaloid, and a connecting portion extending between the two. The distal portion may define first and second outer parts at opposite ends of the major axis, which may be bent or curved. The configuration of the proximal and distal portions allow the occluding device to securely engage the septal wall and be kept in position at the septal defect without causing substantial interference with the functioning of adjacent heart structures.
US08821525B2	Lancets with improved coupling features and sterility caps Improved lancet configurations and protective lancet endcap configurations are disclosed. In example forms, one or more flexing cantilevers project from the lancet body for coupling with a cooperating receiver of a lancing device. A gripping handle extends from a sterility cap for ease of removal from and replacement over the lancet tip. A lancet body has a smoothly curved wave contour with at least one crest and at least one trough for engagement with a cooperating receiver of a lancing device.
US08821524B2	Feedback control of on/off pneumatic actuators A surgical system having feedback control for pneumatic actuators includes a pneumatic pressure source and a vitrectomy cutter having a cutting mechanism, a first pneumatic input port, and a second pneumatic input port. A pneumatic actuator is configured to direct pneumatic pressure to one of the first and second pneumatic input ports. A first pressure transducer is located and configured to detect actual pressure at the first pneumatic input port, and a second pressure transducer is located and configured to detect actual pressure at the second pneumatic input port. A controller communicates with the first and second pressure transducers and the pneumatic actuator. It is configured to change the pneumatic actuator actuation timing based on the data communicated from the first and second pressure transducers.
US08821521B2	Gastro-intestinal device and method for treating addiction A device and a method for treating a medical condition include a reversible member disposed in a patient's gastro-intestinal tract, and a dispensing member coupled to the reversible member that delivers a drug and/or a noxious when a predetermined substance is detected. In a different embodiment, the device and method of the present invention include a polymer infused with a drug and disposed into a preformed shell inside the gastric space, where it expands and hardens, releasing the drug over time. Both the casing and the polymer may be biocompatible. The present invention enables the slow-release of anti-addictive agents without patient tampering and with the appropriate dosage. Ancillary systems such as sensors, actuators, refill and recharge ports, and communication and data processing units may also be included.
US08821516B2	Clip applier with migrational resistance features A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.
US08821515B2	Ligating instrument A ligating instrument is provided, including an elongate member, such as a tube, having a lumen, the elongate member extending from a proximal actuator member to a distal ligating band dispenser. A pull line may extend through the lumen of the elongate member, with a proximal end of the pull line connected to the actuator member and a distal end of the pull line connected to the ligating band dispenser, wherein actuation of the actuator member draws the pull line in a proximal direction through the elongate member to deploy the ligating bands. The ligating band dispenser may be adapted to be mounted on the distal tip of an endoscope, and the elongate member may be adapted to be positioned outside of the endoscope from the ligating band dispenser to the actuator member. Alternatively, a ligating instrument may be provided for use with an endoscope, wherein a pull line of the ligating instrument is adapted to be positioned outside of the endoscope, wherein the pull line may be secured to the endoscope by clips or some other means. In a method of using a ligating instrument with an endoscope, a distal ligating band dispenser is attached to a distal tip of an endoscope, and a pull line of the ligating instrument is extended on the outside of the endoscope, such that the pull line extends, on the outside of the endoscope, from the distal ligating band dispenser to a proximal actuator member.
US08821514B2	Powered tack applier The present disclosure is directed to a fastener applying surgical fastener applier for ensuring proper seating of a fastener within tissue. The surgical fastener applier includes an actuation mechanism, a drive mechanism, and a control system. The control system is configured to determine loading along an axis and to allow movement of the drive mechanism.
US08821513B1	Navel umbilical cord tab The navel umbilical cord tab is a method and apparatus provided for cleaning the navel and umbilical cord.The navel umbilical cord tab placed around the navel with the umbilical cord protruding through the center orificeThe navel umbilical cord tab is engaged to maneuver, control, support, and protect the umbilical cord.The navel umbilical cord tab allows for thorough cleaning of the navel and umbilical cord using cotton swabs with or without cleaning chemicalsThe navel umbilical cord tab eliminates physical holding of the umbilical cord during the cleaning procedure.
US08821511B2	Instrument guide for use with a surgical navigation system An instrument guide system for use with a surgical navigation system, the instrument guide system comprising a handle assembly, an instrument attachment assembly, a shaft connecting the handle assembly to the instrument attachment assembly, an electromagnetic sensor assembly removably mounted within an opening in the handle assembly, and an instrument removably attachable within a bore of the instrument attachment assembly.
US08821508B2	Holder/impactor for contoured bone plate for fracture fixation A bone fixation plate for fixation of fractures having a small terminal bone fragment, such as fractures of the distal radius. The plate includes an elongated body, and two hook members extending from a first end of the elongated body. A contoured region is configured to approximate the surface contour of the distal radius proximate the volar rim, the dorsal rim, or the radial arm. Each hook member is configured to provide subchondral support to a distal bone fragment, without causing shortening of the fragment into the metaphyseal bone, and without providing a bending torque directed to the base of the plate. The tooth members of the hook plate are preferably sharpened at their tips and edges to facilitate their impaction. A holder/impactor for gripping the radial hook plate, and for further facilitating impacting of the hook plate without the need to pre-drill pilot holes, is also provided.
US08821506B2	Bone screw A bone screw comprises an interior channel and at least one opening extending from the interior channel to an exterior of the screw shaft. A head is connected to the screw shaft. A fluid delivery probe comprises an interior channel. The fluid delivery probe is locked to the head so that the fluid delivery probe does not separate from the head under extremely high pressures when a fluid is pumped through the fluid delivery probe and into the screw shaft. Also, a leak-free seal is formed between the fluid delivery probe and the screw shaft so that the leak-free seal does not leak under extremely high pressures when a fluid is pumped through the fluid delivery probe and into the screw shaft.
US08821502B2	Instrument and method for spinal compression and distraction An instrument for multilevel compression and distraction of vertebrae in a spinal column includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a linking member, and a coupler. The first arm includes a distal end with a first aperture for receiving a first screw extender that attaches to a first vertebra. The second arm includes a distal end with a second aperture for receiving a second screw extender that attaches to a second vertebra. The third arm includes a distal end with a third aperture for receiving a third screw extender that attaches to a third vertebra. The linking member pivotally links proximal ends of the first, second, and third arms. The coupler positions the distal ends of the first arm and the second arm relative to the third arm to compress and distract the first vertebra and the second vertebra relative to the third vertebra.
US08821500B2	Femoral cutting block A cutting block assembly comprising first and second interlocking blocks for resecting a distal femur. The first block has a first surface for providing a guiding surface for making an anterior chamfer cut on the femur and a second surface for providing a guiding surface for making a posterior chamfer cut on the femur. The second block is adapted to detachably couple to the first block. The second block has a first surface for providing a guiding surface for making an anterior cut on the femur and a second surface for providing a guiding surface for making a posterior cut on the femur.
US08821498B2	Ligament screw attachment device A bone block assembly including a bone block having a proximal end, a distal end, a central axis defined therethrough, and a hole formed therethrough, and a threaded screw having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first eyelet formed on the proximal end of the threaded screw, the threaded screw configured to be received within the hole of the bone block. The first eyelet of the threaded screw is, at least partially, exposed on the proximal end of the bone block when the threaded screw is fully engaged with the bone block. The first eyelet of the threaded screw is configured to receive a suture.
US08821495B2	System and method for hyoidplasty Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the hyoid bone, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. An implant is positioned adjacent a hyoid bone. The spatial orientation of the hyoid bone is manipulated, to affect the configuration of the airway. The implant restrains the hyoid bone in the manipulated configuration. The implant is positioned adjacent to pharyngeal structures to dilate the pharyngeal airway and/or to support the pharyngeal wall against collapse.
US08821494B2	Surgical instruments and methods of use One embodiment of the present invention includes a surgical instrument including an instrument body including a shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and a length therebetween; and a bushing having a length, wherein at least a portion of the length of the bushing includes a spring portion including a resilient member, wherein the bushing is cannulated such that the shaft of the instrument is positioned therethrough.
US08821493B2	Depth controllable and measurable medical driver devices and methods of use Disclosed are devices and methods for creating a bore in bone. The devices and methods described involve driving a rotating bit in an axial direction such that both rotation and linear movement are controlled and measurable. The instrument is useful for a surgeon to control and simultaneously measure the travel of the tool into the bone and prevent injury to surrounding structures.
US08821490B2	Removable ink for surgical instrument The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for preventing reuse of a surgical instrument. The single-use surgical instrument includes a housing, an electrical connector and a treatment component. Indicia may be printed on the housing, the electrical connector and/or the treatment component. A removable ink is applied to any portion of the surgical instrument in the form of indicia that is readable by a scanning device. The removable ink includes a protein-based composition that is reactivateable with a sterilization solution having an enzyme-based composition such that upon sterilization, the removable ink reacts with the sterilizing solution and becomes unreadable by the scanning device.
US08821481B2	Apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery An apparatus for ophthalmic laser surgery includes a contact surface for shaping abutment of an eye to be treated, a first radiation-source for making a treatment laser beam available, optical components for directing the treatment laser beam through the contact surface onto the eye, and also a measuring instrument for measuring the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye bearing against the contact surface, whereby the measuring instrument makes measured data available that are representative of the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye at least one point of the same. The apparatus enables a monitoring of the depth of the anterior chamber for a predetermined limiting value being fallen short of and in this way can prevent a dangerous close approach of the posterior surface of the cornea to the anterior surface of the lens when the eye is pressed against the contact surface.
US08821476B2	Devices, methods and kits for delivery of therapeutic materials to a pancreas Devices and methods are described herein for engraftment of stem cells into a pancreas using an endovascular approach. Targeted intra-arterial injection of stem cells selectively in a splenic artery can achieve engraftment of insulin producing cells in the tail of the pancreas with high efficiency and without systemic circulation of these cells to other organs. In one embodiment, a catheter device includes expandable occlusion elements in the form of inflatable balloons that can be used to isolate a proximal and distal end of a pancreatic portion of the splenic artery. In another embodiment, the occlusion elements include a filter element instead of a balloon. In some embodiments, targeted delivery of stem cells to the pancreatic tail can be achieved for treatment of, for example, diabetes. In some embodiments, an arterial section of the splenic artery can be isolated for selective perfusion of therapeutic cells/drugs to the tail of the pancreas.
US08821475B2	System and method for delivering a target volume of fluid A method for delivering a target volume of fluid to a destination is provided. The method includes delivering a first volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a first incremental volume, the first volume of fluid being less than the target volume and delivering a second volume of fluid to the destination in increments each having approximately a second incremental volume, the second incremental volume being less than the first incremental volume, such that the sum of the first volume and the second volume is approximately equal to the target volume.
US08821470B2	Two-piece wearable absorbent article with advantageous fastener performance configurations A two-piece wearable absorbent article (such as a diaper) including an outer cover and an absorbent insert for use therewith, are disclosed. The outer cover may have a first hook-and-loop fastening system that provides for removable and refastenable and adjustable fastening of the outer cover about a wearer's lower torso. The absorbent insert and outer cover may have a second hook-and-loop fastening system that provides for removable and refastenable fastening of the insert within the outer cover. The first and second hook-and-loop fastening systems may have respective holding force and acoustic characteristics within advantageous performance ranges, individually and with respect to each other.
US08821468B2	Absorbent disposable incontinence diaper having side portions The invention relates to a disposable absorbent incontinence diaper (2) of the open type, having a main part (4), comprising a front region (6) having front lateral longitudinal edges (42), a rear region (8) having rear lateral longitudinal edges (41) and a crotch region (10) that is located in between in the longitudinal direction (28) and comes to lie between the legs of a user, wherein the main part (4) comprises an absorbent pad (12), and having rear side portions (20) that are attached to the rear region (8) on both sides and front side portions (22) that are attached to the front region (6) on both sides, said rear and front side portions extending in the transverse direction (30) beyond the lateral front and rear longitudinal edges (42, 41) of the main part (4), and wherein the rear side portions (20) have first closure means (32) which are close to the leg opening and have closure aids and wherein the closure means (32) can be secured in a detachable manner at least on the outer side of the front side portions (22), as a result of which the front region (6) and the rear region (8) can be connected together, wherein the transverse edge (55), facing the crotch region (10), of the front side portions (22) extends substantially parallel to the transverse direction (30) and wherein, in order to form rear side-portion leg-opening regions (51), the rear side portions (20) are formed, at least on the side facing the crotch region (10), in a manner extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction (28) or in a curved manner, characterized in that the length-to-width ratio R of the side-portion leg-opening region of the rear side portions (20) is 0.1-0.4, in that the tear propagation resistance Fm of the material forming the side portions is at least 4.0 N in the longitudinal direction of the diaper, and in that the spacing C of the closure means (32) close to the leg opening from the lower edge of the rear side portions is at most 5 cm.
US08821466B2	Devices and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage Described here are body liners and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage using one or more body liners. The body liners may be formed from one or more liner layers and in some instances may comprise one or more adhesive regions to connect the body liners to the skin of a wearer. The body liners may be configured to absorb fluid, and may selectively distribute fluid relative to the body liner.
US08821464B2	Disposable ostomy assemblies Disposable elements for use in ostomy. In one embodiment a cap with an integral bag is provided. In another embodiment a sealable bag is provided with means for sealing. In another embodiment, the ostomy port itself is disposable.
US08821459B2	Removable suction assembly for medical handpieces A system and method for more efficient cleaning and sterilizing of surgical handpieces by using a removable valve assembly. The valve assembly is removable to provide access to a first suction passageway and a second suction passageway for cleaning purposes. The valve assembly has a protrusion that engages with a handpiece to secure the assembly to the handpiece. The protrusion of the valve assembly may also be retracted into the valve assembly to allow the valve assembly to disengage the handpiece thereby allowing the valve assembly to be removed from the handpiece. The first suction passageway may also be removable.
US08821456B2	Daneshvar medication pads, suppositories and methods A medication delivery system for delivering medication to an internal body cavity through a natural body orifice that opens to the cavity has a pad for external placement against the body orifice and an elongated body that extends from the pad through the body orifice when the pad is externally placed against the body orifice. The elongated body carries medication and is long enough to deliver the carried medication to tissue forming the body cavity. The pad has a medication-holding zone surrounding the elongated body on an inner face of the pad and carrying medication that is delivered externally to tissue surrounding the body orifice concurrent with delivery of the medication carried by the elongated body to the tissue forming the body cavity.
US08821453B2	Folding panel needle guard A folding panel needle guard comprises front and rear panels coupled together at hinges, a collar attached to the front panels at hinges, a guard base element coupled to the rear panels at hinges, a hub and a spring to unfold and lock the front and rear panels in a co-linear needle shielded configuration. The folding panel needle guard is mountable to a needle or syringe assembly.
US08821452B2	Reminder device for a pen-shaped medical delivery device Reminder device for indication of time-related information for a pen-shaped medical delivery device, the reminder device comprising: a housing part comprising a guiding device, an adjusting element which is movably disposed on the guiding device for selecting of a position of the adjusting element for indication of a time information, an indication device disposed along the guiding device and having an outer surface with sequential time indicia disposed thereon, wherein the indication device provides a time indication which corresponds to the position of the adjusting element, so that a user can mark a time information on the pen-shaped medical delivery device.
US08821450B2	Encoding and sensing of syringe information A syringe for use with a powered injector to inject a fluid into a patient that includes a length of material adapted to transmit or propagate electromagnetic energy therethrough. The length of material includes at least a first indicator positioned along the length of material. The first indicator is adapted to interact with at least a portion of the energy being propagated through the length of material in a manner that is detectable. The presence (or absence) of the first indicator provides or corresponds to information about the syringe configuration. The indicator(s) of the present invention can, for example, provide information about syringe configuration by the number and/or position thereof. A plurality or set of such syringes can be provided, with the configuration of each such syringe being represented by the presence or absence of indicator(s) of that syringe.
US08821447B2	Device and a system for delivery of biological material The present invention provides a device and a system for the delivery of biological material across the biological tissue. The device may be for the programmed delivery of biological material through a needle or a micro-needle or micro-needles or biodegradable micro-needles.
US08821441B2	Stretch resistant therapeutic device A vasoocclusive coil is reinforced with a stretch resistant member to improve safety during retraction of the coil. The stretch resistant member is fixedly attached at one end to the vasoocclusive coil, and the other end of the stretch resistant member is detachably mounted to an elongated pusher member to allow for placement and release of the vasoocclusive coil within the patient's vasculature.
US08821438B2	Catheter system having a fluid circuit A catheter having a fluid circuit to control and modulate flow of inflation fluid to and from a balloon.
US08821437B2	Pharmaceutical device for the administration of substances to patients Biological materials such as vaccines can be stabilized in certain glassy materials soluble in water. It has been proposed to form these glassy materials as a powder suspended in a non-aqueous liquid for injection into a patient. This method is complicated by the need to find suitable compatible liquids and to stop the glassy particles from congregating in liquid. These problems have been obviated by supporting the glassy material on a porous membrane remote from the eluant. When the biological material requires administration, the eluant can be passed across the membrane dissolving the glass and causing the substance to be carried by the liquid into the patient.
US08821431B2	Air gap for supporting cells Apparatus is provided including a housing, configured for insertion into a body of a subject, one or more oxygen reservoirs disposed within the housing, at least one layer of functional cells, disposed within the housing, and gaseous oxygen disposed within the one or more oxygen reservoirs. The apparatus is arranged to permit passage of the gaseous oxygen from the one or more oxygen reservoirs to the functional cells. The one or more oxygen reservoirs define first and second air gaps, the first air gap is configured to receive oxygen in a first concentration, and the second air gap is disposed adjacent to the layer of functional cells and stores the oxygen in a second concentration that is lower than the first concentration. Other applications are also described.
US08821429B2	Intragastric implant devices An intragastric implant comprises an anchor and a therapeutic device or a diagnostic device. The anchor is adapted to extend between the fundus and the pyloric valve of a stomach, to be retained without attachment to the stomach wall, and to anchor the device within the stomach with a relatively stable position and orientation. The therapeutic or diagnostic device is adapted to extend from the esophagus or stomach to the intestines or stomach. The therapeutic or diagnostic device, when extending into the esophagus, will be slidably received through the gastroesophageal junction and, when extending into the intestines, will be slidably received in the pyloric valve.
US08821428B2	Traction apparatus and rope take-up mechanism of traction apparatus A traction apparatus which impresses a desired traction force to a body to be pulled is provided. The traction apparatus includes: a traction mechanism that includes a harness coupled to the body to be pulled, a rope having one end attached to the harness, and a take-up drum attaching to an other end of the rope and impressing the traction force on the body to be pulled by taking up the rope; a first pulley that engages at a predetermined wrapping angle the rope to which the traction force is impressed by being taken up by the take-up drum, a rope load being impressed to the first pulley from the rope; a coupling plate that rotatably holds the first pulley, the rope load being impressed to the coupling plate from the first pulley; a load sensor plate that holds the coupling plate at one end portion thereof, the rope load being impressed to the load sensor from the coupling plate; an outer frame that fixes an other end portion of the load sensor plate; and a load cell adhered to a surface of the load sensor plate.
US08821427B1	Rear entry ankle brace with medial and lateral access An ankle brace includes a foot and ankle holder made from a flexible fabric having a foot portion transitioning to an upper ankle portion with opposite first and second sides. The upper ankle portion has an open front and back. A rear portion is attached to partially enclose the open back. The rear portion has opposite first and second panels that removably attach to the first and second sides of the upper ankle portion, respectively. An optional tongue is located at the open front and laces overlie the tongue. A rigid heel support is disposed inside the foot portion, and the heel support may include pivoting joints. Elongated support straps extend under the foot portion and wrap around the ankle holder. Retention straps extend around the ankle holder.
US08821423B2	Compliance strapping A compliance strapping includes a predetermined adjustability, tamper deterring and indicating strapping, adapted, in use, to form an encircling loop. The compliance strapping is passed around an object and for further security the strap can be threaded through lining material or through a wearable article or medical device. The free end of the elongate member is passed through the loop, which may be a D-loop sewn into the strapping, thus forming an encircling loop of strapping. The second end is brought around to close proximity with a region of the strapping which has been passed through the loop and the tamper indicating means fastened known as the self locking rivet to said region of the strapping. Thus the encircling loop cannot be broken because the region of the strapping with the self locking rivet fastened thereto cannot pass back through the D-loop.
US08821422B2	Device for applying a pulsating pressure to a local region of the body and applications thereof The present invention generally relates to a device for applying a pulsating pressure to a local region of the body and applications thereof. The device may be used to increase the blood flow in a local region of the body, and in preferred embodiments provides a device for regulating the core body temperature of a patient.
US08821421B2	Massage device with flexible substructure A massage device, methods and apparatus are disclosed. Embodiments of a massage device are provided that include a first end configured to be held and manipulated by the hand of a user and a second end configured for application to a portion of the human body. The device further includes a flexible portion connecting the first end to the second end. The flexible portion contains a source of vibrational motion and has a rigidity of an amount sufficient to transmit the vibrational motion from the source to the second end of the device.
US08821418B2	Monitoring, predicting and treating clinical episodes Apparatus is provided, including a sensor configured to sense motion of a subject and generate a motion signal in response thereto. The apparatus includes an output unit and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: (a) analyze the motion signal, (b) at a first time, determine that the motion signal is indicative that the subject is likely sleeping, (c) at a second time following the first time, determine that the motion signal is indicative that the subject is likely no longer sleeping, and (d) in response thereto, drive the output unit to alert a clinician if the subject is at an increased risk for falling out of a bed. Other applications are also described.
US08821414B2	Device and method for predicting a loss of control over a muscle A device for predicting a loss of control over a muscle of a human being has a detector for detecting a sound of the muscle, an acquirer for acquiring an acceleration of the human being and an evaluator for evaluating the sound and the acceleration to determine an imminent loss of control over the muscle from the sound and the acceleration.
US08821409B2	Lung aerosol collection device A device for collecting material from lung aerosols. The device functions by collecting aerosols from the lower airway separated from material in the by collecting air from the upper airway in a chamber that when full causes the remaining exhaled aerosols from the lungs to be captured by a filter. The filter collects sample of material from the separated lung aerosols.
US08821407B2	Fertility status diagnosis system Methods and apparatus for interpreting vaginal measurement data by electronic means without the need for the user to take part in the data interpretation process. More specifically, an intelligent probe monitors folliculogenesis and correlates the ovarian function data to probe profile characteristics of the female reproductive cycle. A fertile window is defined with reference to the correlation between folliculogenesis and probe cyclic profiles.
US08821404B2	Cardiac decompensation detection using multiple sensors Physiological data, such as thoracic impedance data, can be obtained over a first time window to establish a baseline, or can be used to form one or more data clusters. Additional physiological data, such as thoracic impedance test data acquired over a later time window, can be obtained and compared to the baseline or data clusters to determine an indication of worsening heart failure. In an example, a quantitative attribute of one or more data clusters can be monitored and used to provide an indication of worsening heart failure. A posture discrimination metric can be obtained, such as using the physiological data obtained over the first time window. The additional physiological data, such as can be obtained over a second time window, can be compared to the posture discrimination metric to provide a patient posture status.
US08821399B2	Tape cassette for a medical handheld device A tape cassette for a medical handheld device is disclosed as comprising a carrier tape, which carries test fields for assaying a sample of a human or animal bodily fluid and/or lancets as functional elements, a supply chamber, in which a supply section of the carrier tape comprising unused functional elements is positioned, a winding unit, in order to wind up the carrier tape and draw it through a tape exit opening of the chamber, so that the functional elements may be brought sequentially into a usage position. The carrier tape in the tape exit opening is oriented transversely to the supply section positioned in the supply chamber.
US08821397B2	Depth of consciousness monitor including oximeter The present disclosure relates to a sensor for monitoring the depth of consciousness of a patient. The sensor includes a plurality of light sources, light detectors, and in some embodiments, electrodes. In an embodiment, the sensor includes reusable and disposable portions.
US08821396B1	Surgical access system and related methods A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue refraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08821393B2	Vaginal manipulator with an adjustable length head A vaginal manipulator includes a shaft attached to a head and a door connected to the head. The head has an anterior side opposite a posterior side and includes a core fixed to the shaft and a sleeve coupled in a sliding relationship to the core. The door is coupled to the core and is movable relative to the posterior side of the head through an opening provided in the sleeve. A proximal end of the core defines a proximal end of the head and a distal end of the sleeve defines a distal end of the head. The proximal end of the core is fixed to the shaft. The sleeve moves relative to the core to provide the head with an adjustable length between the proximal end of the head and the distal end of the head.
US08821392B2	Surgical retention port and method of use A surgical retention port particularly useful as an arthroscopic port for shoulder surgery is provided. The surgical retention port has a long pointed instrument such as a trocar or obturator, an inner cannula extending around the pointed instrument, a plurality of rotatable fingers coupled to the inner cannula, and an outer cannula extending around the inner cannula. In one embodiment of the invention, the inner cannula and long pointed instrument are keyed such that rotation of the long pointed instrument can effect rotational movement of the inner cannula. Rotation of the inner cannula in turn causes the rotation of the fingers from a first position where the fingers assume a collapsed configuration to a second position where the fingers assume an extended or open configuration.
US08821390B2	Surgical access method and assembly including sleeve and port A surgical access assembly includes a sleeve and a port. The sleeve is adapted for insertion within tissue to access an underlying tissue site. The sleeve defines a first passage therethrough. The first passage has a first diameter. The port defines one or more second passages extending therethrough. The port is adapted for insertion within the first passage of the sleeve in a substantially sealed relationship therewith. The one or more second passages are adapted for a substantially sealed reception of a surgical object therethrough. The one or more second passages have one or more second diameters. The port is selectively removably positionable within the first passage of the sleeve. The first diameter is greater than the one or more second diameters.
US08821388B2	Multijointed bending mechanism and multijointed medical equipment having multijointed bending mechanism A multijointed bending mechanism having a first bending piece, a second bending piece connected to the first bending piece so as to be rotatable around a first rotation shaft, a third bending piece connected to the second bending piece so as to be rotatable around a second rotation shaft, at least two first wires connected to the first bending piece to rotate the first bending piece and at least two second wires connected to the second bending piece to rotate the second bending piece. The second wires are disposed inwards of the first wires with respect to a vertical direction of the first and second rotation shafts.
US08821380B2	Antenna apparatus, antenna, antenna holder, and body-insertable apparatus system An antenna apparatus is configured to acquire information from a body-insertable apparatus that is configured to be inserted into a subject to move inside the subject. The antenna apparatus includes an antenna that includes one sheet on which plural receiving antennas are fixed and in which a first positioning hole is formed; and an antenna holder that includes a container portion which is configured to hold the antenna at a predetermined position and in a predetermined orientation and in which second positioning hole is formed at a position corresponding to the first positioning hole when the antenna is held. The antenna holder is configured to be attached to a predetermined position of the subject using the first and second positioning holes as an index when the antenna is held in the antenna holder.
US08821377B2	Laparoscopic surgery The present invention relates to a method of laparoscopic surgery, and a kit which could be used in laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
US08821375B1	System and method for treating pelvic organ prolapse A method of treating pelvic organ prolapse in a patient is provided. The method includes inserting a support device into a natural vaginal opening of the patient and placing the support device in contact with an interior apical portion of a vagina. The method additionally includes implanting an anchor in the patient and attaching a first end of the anchor to the support device and attaching a second end of the anchor to one of a sacrum and a ligament of the patient.
US08821371B2	Implantable pump for operation of hydraulic implant An implantable pump for pumping fluid to or from a hydraulic surgical implant inside a human's or an animal's body comprises a wall forming a chamber for the fluid, the wall including a base plate and a membrane, which is displaceable relative to the base plate to change the volume of the chamber to pump the fluid between the chamber and the surgical implant. The membrane is penetrable by an injection needle to add hydraulic fluid to or withdraw hydraulic fluid from the chamber, in order to calibrate the amount of fluid, and the membrane is self-sealing to seal the hole which is formed in the membrane by the penetrating injection needle. The implant typically is a hydraulic constriction device, which can be designed for treating reflux disease, urinary incontinence, impotence, anal incontinence or obesity.
US08821370B2	Device, system and methods for introducing soft tissue anchors A system for providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes first and second soft tissue anchors, a suburethral support, an introducer, and a filament. The first soft tissue anchor has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a base having a hollow tubular structure, a plurality of barbs, and a tip. The sub-urethral support portion has first and second ends, the first and second soft tissue anchors extending from the first and second ends of the sub-urethral support portion. The introducer has an elongate shaft and a handle, the elongate shaft having a proximal end at the handle and a distal end with an aperture extending through the distal end. The filament extends through the hollow tubular section of the first soft tissue anchor and through the aperture in the distal end of introducer.
US08821369B2	Method for soft tissue anchoring with introducer A method of providing support to an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes making a vaginal incision for providing access for placement of a mesh support device below a urethra of a patient without penetrating an abdominal wall of the patient. The mesh support device includes a sling portion and first and second soft tissues connected to first and second ends of the sling portion. The mesh support device is delivered through the vaginal incision using an introducer including a curved elongate shaft having a distal portion and a proximal portion connected to a handle. A suture is passed through a hollow tubular section of the first soft tissue anchor. The suture passed through an aperture in a distal end of the introducer and the introducer is advanced over the suture until the first soft tissue anchor is located at the distal end of the introducer.
US08821366B2	Transseptal cannula, tip, delivery system, and method A cannula assembly, further comprising a cannula body for directing blood from the heart of a patient, having distal and proximal ends and a lumen therebetween. A tip coupled to the distal end of the body, the tip having an opening. A pump for drawing blood into the cannula assembly and dispensing the blood from the cannula assembly and into the patient circulatory system. The lumen of the cannula body further comprises a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being larger than the second inner diameter. A tapered portion defined as a decrease in inner diameter from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter between the proximal and distal ends, the tapered portion configured to prevent cavitation of the blood within the cannula.
US08821363B1	System for solidification of liquid medical waste The invention includes a system for solidification of liquid medical waste for use in connection with a vessel configured to receive an aqueous liquid to be solidified. The system includes an absorbent composition including a plurality of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles and a plurality of second particles. Additionally, a soluble packet may be included so that the absorbent composition is released upon dissolution of the packet. The invention also includes a liquid solidification system for reducing gel block and a method of solidifying liquid medical waste.
US08821361B2	Centrifugal separator and swing rotor for centrifugal separator A centrifugal separator comprising: a driving portion; and a swing rotor including, a rotor body, a through-hole passing through the rotor body, pin insert grooves which are provided parallel to the through-hole so as to oppose each other and only partially penetrate the rotor body, and a bucket including, a bucket body that has a contact surface which is configured to contact the rotor body during centrifugal separation, and a cap assembly that seals the bucket body and has a swing shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to an longitudinal direction of the bucket, wherein the swing rotor is rotated when the bucket is inserted into the through-hole, to swing the bucket, and the swing shaft can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the bucket relative to the bucket body and rotated about a longitudinal central axis of the bucket.
US08821356B2	Fitness bar A multi-piece fitness bar may include an outer, a middle, and an inner bar. The three bars may be annular and nested, one inside of the next in size. The inner bar may protrude from the ends of the middle bar, and the middle bar may protrude from the ends of the outer bar. A end-cap may be configured to hold the bars in place and in a staggered manner with respect to each other. The end-cap may include staggered internal surfaces, each designed to mate with and hold in place a specific bar. The multi-piece fitness may provide from several combinations of weight, depending upon which of the bars are used in combination or individually. Each bar may be coated with an external grip. The end-cap may provide for clearance fits between the three bars to protect the external grips and facilitate interchangeability.
US08821354B1	Abdominal muscle and cycle workout machine The abdominal muscle and cycle workout machine is a workout machine that features a cycling apparatus working in conjunction with an abdominal roller machine. The abdominal muscle and cycle workout machine features a modified workout bench having curved contours that enable an end user to lie in a recumbent position in order to perform cycling exercises while simultaneously conducting exercise that targets abdominal muscles. The machine includes a torsion dial to adjust the tension on the cycling apparatus. The abdominal roller machine includes opposing handlebars that an end user grabs onto in order to perform abdominal crunches while simultaneously performing a cycling exercise.
US08821350B2	Exercise and communications system and associated methods An exercise and communications system includes an interactive device, a remote device, and an external device, wherein the interactive device is configured to gather data relating to a user of the system and transmit the same to the remote device, and the remote device is configured to provide analyze the data and transmit a response to the interactive device, which in turn communicates the response to the user and additionally communication with an external device for retrieval of instructions, programs, and data, inter alia. An exercise and communications system facilitates communication between a plurality of users, each having an interactive device and a remote device.
US08821345B2	Vehicle controller A vehicle controller includes an F/C control section, a battery voltage detection section, an AT control section, an alternator, and an ECU. The ECU determines the difference between a target deceleration for varying deceleration smoothly and a deceleration attained at each gear stage as a target deceleration which is generated by the alternator. The ECU compensates for the difference between target deceleration and the deceleration by the target deceleration to smooth variations in the deceleration of the whole vehicle, thereby improving drivability.
US08821344B2	Controlling a transmission skip change upshift A method for controlling a transmission gear change to a desired gear includes disengaging an offgoing transmission control element, changing engine speed to a synchronous speed of the desired gear, decreasing engine output torque, and engaging an oncoming transmission control element.
US08821342B2	Accessory drive motor configuration An accessory drive motor configuration is disclosed. One embodiment of the accessory drive motor configuration is an apparatus including an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, wherein the crankshaft is structured to provide traction power. The apparatus further includes an accessory drive system operably coupled to a shaft. The shaft is selectively coupled to an electro-mechanical device and selectively coupled to the internal combustion engine. The shaft extends through at least a portion of the electro-mechanical device.
US08821340B2	System and method for controlling endload force of a variator A system and method for controlling the endload force of a variator includes reducing a net force applied to a variator input disc of the variator. The variator includes an endload chamber, a subtraction chamber, and a valve fluidly coupled between the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber. Each of the endload chamber and the subtraction chamber applies an opposing force to the variator input disc. The valve is activateable to reduce the net force applied to the variator input disc. The valve may be activated based on the variator ratio, the position of the variator roller, and/or other parameters of the variator or operation thereof.
US08821336B2	Multi-speed transmission and backing plate A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish at least ten forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio. At least one of the torque transmitting mechanisms includes a backing plate having an annular outlet for distributing cooling fluid.
US08821335B2	Vessel propulsion apparatus A vessel propulsion apparatus includes a prime mover, a drive shaft, a pinion, a rear gear, a propeller shaft, a front bearing, a cylindrical front housing, and a cylindrical rear housing. The front housing surrounds the front bearing about a propeller axis and supports the rear gear via the front bearing in a manner rotatable about the propeller axis. The rear housing is disposed behind the front housing. The front housing surrounds the propeller shaft about the propeller axis and supports the propeller shaft at a position more rearward than the rear gear in a manner rotatable about the propeller axis.
US08821331B2	Speed/torque enhancing power transmission A speed/torque enhancing power transmission is disclosed that translates slow rotating, high torque motion to high rotation, low torque motion or alternatively high rotating low torque motion to low rotating high torque motion and is suitable as a speed increaser for use in a device like a wind turbine. As a speed increaser the transmission has certain advantages, such as reduced weight and/or size compared to other units having the same performance characteristics. The speed increaser employs a pair of externally toothed spur gears orbiting in a non-rotating manner 180° out of phase inside an internally toothed ring gear. The input drives the ring gear and the orbiting spur gears drive separate eccentrics on the output shaft extending in opposite directions to provide dual output. In one embodiment, cross guide projections on the spur gear and cross guide projections on the housing engage slots in a swash plate.
US08821330B2	Set of sprockets for a bicycle rear wheel and sprocket assembly comprising such a set A set of sprockets has a first sprocket with a greater diameter, at least one second sprocket with a smaller diameter and one or more spacer elements operatively arranged between, and in abutment with the sprockets. At least one of the aforementioned sprockets and spacer elements has engagement portions with a freewheel body of a hub of a bicycle rear wheel, the engagement portions defining an ideal circumference for coupling with the freewheel body. The first sprocket rests against the second sprocket, through at least one of the one or more spacer elements, at at least one first contact point arranged at a first radial distance with respect to a longitudinal rotation axis, and at least one second contact point arranged at a second radial distance from the longitudinal rotation axis. The radial distance between the first contact point and the second contact point is at least equal to ⅓ of the radial extension between the circumference and a radially outer end of the second sprocket.
US08821325B2	Detachable apparatus for securing a transmitting device for use with a hunting arrow for tracking game A tracking apparatus secures a transmitting device onto a target game animal. The tracking apparatus engages with a target and separates the apparatus from the arrow. The apparatus includes a transmitting device for transmitting a signal to a receiving device; a stopping component for detaching the tracking apparatus from the arrow after the arrow collides with the target; and a securing component for securing the tracking apparatus to the target, said securing component including barbs angled towards the rear of the arrow for stopping rebound motion of the tracking apparatus after the arrow collides with the target. In one embodiment, the barbs are reinforced with reinforcing arms. In another embodiment, the securing component includes a torsion spring. In another embodiment, the stopping component includes one or more wings with a front edge facing the front of the arrow that is relatively perpendicular to the axis of the arrow.
US08821314B2	Muscle-back, with insert, iron type golf club head A muscle-back iron golf club head includes a blade-like upper mass, a muscle-like lower mass, a planar front surface, a top surface, a sole surface, a heel surface, a toe surface, and a rear surface having a first contour. A recess is in the rear surface, the recess having a first portion in the blade-like upper mass and a second portion in the muscle-like lower mass. An insert may be provided in the recess, and such insert may substantially fill the recess and may include a back surface having a second contour which is different from the first contour of the club head rear surface.
US08821311B2	Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic features A golf club head includes a body member having a ball striking face, a crown, a toe, a heel, a sole, a back and a hosel region, located at the intersection of the ball striking face, the heel, the crown and the sole. The body member may have a first cross-section having a first airfoil-shaped surface in the heel. The first cross-section may be oriented at approximately 90° from the centerline of the club head. The body member may have a second cross-section having a second airfoil-shaped surface. The second cross-section may be oriented at approximately 45° or at approximately 70°. The airfoil-shaped surfaces may be defined by spline points or by equations. A golf club including the golf club head is also provided.
US08821309B2	Golf club assembly and golf club with aerodynamic features A golf club head may include a body member having a ball striking face, a crown, a toe, a heel, a sole, a back, and a hosel region located at the intersection of the ball striking face, the heel, the crown and the sole. The crown may have a relatively round rear-side edge profile, as viewed from above. The sole may have a relatively square rear-side edge profile, as viewed from below. The rear-side edge of the sole may extend rearwardly beyond the rear-side edge of the crown along at least a portion of the back, as viewed from above. Further, the heel may have an airfoil-like surface in the forward portion of the heel. A golf club including the golf club head is also provided.
US08821307B2	Golf club head A golf club head includes a primary component and a secondary component, wherein the secondary component is rotatably or pivotally associated with the rear surface of the primary component. The secondary component is adjustable between a first orientation and a second orientation relative to the primary component such that the golf club head has a first sole contour when the secondary component is in the first orientation and a second sole contour when the secondary component is in the second orientation, the first sole contour being different from the second sole contour.
US08821300B2	Torsional vibration attenuation apparatus A torsional vibration attenuation apparatus includes a driving rotation member and a driven rotation member which can be twisted in an enlarged torsion angle range with a non-linear torsional property, thereby preventing an excessively large torque from being transmitted from driving member to the driven member. The torsional vibration attenuation apparatus includes a boss, a cam member having a cam surface formed in an elliptical shape and provided on the outer peripheral portion of the boss to be integrally rotated with the boss, and a pair of arm members each provided between the cam member and a coil spring and having one end held in contact with the can surface and the other end held in engagement with a spring seat of the coil spring.
US08821298B2	Game system, game method, game device, and storage medium storing game program A game system capable of determining, and reflecting in games contents, nervousness of a player due to fear or the like is provided. A game device main body 110 performs the game processing based on an operation of the player on the first controller 121, and calculates, in a scene of a game, a nervousness parameter indicating the degree of nervousness of the player in the scene based on an operation of the player on the first controller 121. Specifically, the game device main body 110 calculates the nervousness parameter in such a way that the degree of nervousness increases according to the number of operations of the player on the first controller 121 that are irrelevant to the progress of the game, or the like, and causes the nervousness parameter to be reflected in the game processing.
US08821296B1	Network gaming system and casino management system link A network (e.g., Internet) based gaming system and one or more casino management systems (CMS) are connected to manage patron data, loyalty programs, and other data. The connection may be implemented as an abstracted integration. As such, the connection mechanism may be used to connect the network based gaming system to a variety of proprietary and other CMS types. The connection mechanism may be synchronous, such as for example via a web service using XML over SOAP, or asynchronous, such as for example using a message sender/listener system such as system-2-system (S2S).
US08821294B2	Real-time data services API A system and computer-implemented method for promoting an electronic game of a plurality of electronic games is provided. A storage module may store a user attribute relating to a first electronic game. An aggregator module is configured to aggregate a user attribute from each of a plurality of electronic games including the first electronic game. A transmitter module may transmit the user attribute relating to the first electronic game to the aggregator module upon the user attribute being stored in the storage module. An association module may associate, using an application programming interface, a user attribute of a second electronic game of the plurality of electronic games different from the first electronic game, the association module associating based on a rule engine implemented by the API and at least one of the user attribute of the first electronic game and game data of the second electronic game.
US08821292B2	Gaming reward and promotions system and gaming machines utilizing cash tickets having a feature trigger A casino gaming system includes gaming machines which are configured to accept and read tickets. The ticket may comprise cash-value tickets or non-cash value tickets. The tickets may also include secondary feature triggering indicia. A player may obtain a ticket from a system kiosk. The player may then present that ticket to a gaming machine, such as by inserting it into a media reader such as a bill acceptor. Associated monetary value or non-monetary credits may be credited to the machine. In addition, if the ticket includes a feature triggering indicia, when such an indicia is detected, the gaming machine preferably triggers or initiates the feature.
US08821288B2	Method of determining gifts of each friend user A preferential winning item that has a high selection probability is set to each user from candidate items 14a to 14e of an event. The preferential winning item is set so that the type of the preferential winning item differs between a reference user 2a and friend users 2b to 2e of the reference user 2a. The type of item that is given to each user as a result of playing an event thus differs between each user. Each user can easily acquire a plurality of preferential winning items, but cannot easily acquire a non-preferential winning item. This urges each user to give an item to another user as a present.
US08821282B2	Gaming machine having a molded curved display Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels projected onto a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a curved transparent material having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a radius of curvature similar to a mechanical reel. The gaming machine also includes a projector for projecting video images of one or more reels onto the inner surface of the curved transparent material. The gaming machine also has a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.
US08821280B2	Dynamic game system and associated methods Dynamic game system and associated methods provide a three dimensional dynamic environment for a game or simulation. The dynamic game system includes a controller for generating a dynamic image for the dynamic environment and a flexible game board, in communication with the controller, for displaying the dynamic image. The game board is flexible and provides depth to the three dimensional environment. The controller automatically zooms the dynamic image in and out between detail levels of the game.
US08821279B2	Game server, game controlling method thereof, non-transitory computer-readable medium and game system A game server includes a storage that stores information representing a virtual space having two-dimensionally arranged virtual positions where virtual users can exist, a map-creating section creating a two-dimensional map by connecting a route between the virtual positions, a table that stores identification data of a virtual user existing at each virtual position, a data-transmitting section transmitting two-dimensional-map-image data to a network-connected terminal, a data-receiving section receiving operation data from the terminal, a position-changing section changing the virtual position of the virtual user to a destination virtual position when accumulated points become or exceeds required points, and a data-updating section updating the identification data when the virtual position of the virtual user is changed. The two-dimensional map includes various types of pieces having a route from one edge to another edge of a polygon obtained by dividing the two-dimensional map and formed by combining the pieces to connect the routes.
US08821278B2	Gaming system having controllable dynamic signage A gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game in response to receipt of a first wager from a first player and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game in response to receipt of a second wager from a second player. The system further comprises a community display having a plurality of display regions thereon, and at least one controller operative to (i) detect activation of a first supplemental feature by the first player, (ii) detect activation of a second supplemental feature by the second player, (iii) determine in which of the plurality of display regions to display the first and second supplemental features in accordance with at least a first rule set, and (iv) display the first and second supplemental features on the community display.
US08821272B2	System and method of gamification of real-life events There is a system and method for gamification of real-life events over a computerized network. The system includes an observer module configured to generate real-life data in response to observation of a real-life event. The system includes an interface engine module configured to operate an ongoing computerized game that includes game objects. The system includes an implementation module configured to receive an implementation instruction and automatically effect a real-world occurrence associated with the implementation instruction. The system includes a control module, including a processor, configured to convert real-life data from the observer module into a game object, provide the created game object to the interface engine module for injection into an ongoing computer game, and convert a player interaction into an implementation instruction and provide the same to the implementation module. The system includes a player module configured to permit a player to play the ongoing game.
US08821258B2	Method for providing games over a wide area network A method for providing games over a wide area network is disclosed. The invention includes several methods for providing at least one game accessible over a wide area network by a plurality of users. One method comprises receiving a request from a user to play a game, the request comprising an identification of the user; verifying that the user is eligible to play the game; receiving a payment method from the user; and enabling the game responsive to completing the steps verifying that the user is eligible and receiving a payment method.
US08821256B2	Game system A game system that is capable of performing a game by employing an information card in place of a conventional paper-based system is provided. This game system includes: a plurality of gaming machines; a bill identifying device that is associated with each of the gaming machines, for identifying bills of different currencies and an amount of the bills, and outputting data representative of an identified result; a player tracking device that is integrated with each of the gaming machine, for converting data output from the bill identifying device to credit data for executing a game, based on a money exchange rate stored therein, and sending out the converted credit data to the gaming machine; a control device for inputting a money exchange rate from an outside, providing the input money exchange rate to the player tracking device, and updating the money exchange rate stored in the player tracking device; and an information card device that is integrated with the player tracking device, for causing an information card to store data equivalent to an amount of money to be awarded to a player according to a game result of the gaming machine, and sending out credit data for executing a game to the gaming machine.
US08821254B2	Gaming machine having effect corresponding to award to be provided for special game and playing method thereof In a gaming machine, a unit game causing arranged symbols to be rearranged is displayed on a display. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a special game including a predetermined number of the unit games is displayed on the display. Additionally, a total amount of payout to be provided to a player when the special game is executed, a symbol rearrangement pattern in the predetermined number of unit games for providing the total amount of payout, and contents of an effect corresponding to the total amount of payout to be provided to the player are determined before start of the special game. Moreover, the contents of the effect previously determined and the predetermined number of unit games according to the symbol rearrangement pattern previously determined are displayed on the display during the special game. Furthermore, after the special game including the predetermined number of unit games is executed, the total amount of payout previously determined are provided to the player.
US08821253B2	Sharing wagering game machine resources Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to determine that a second resource is available to be shared in place of a first resource located in a first wagering game machine operable to receive a wager associated with a wagering game. The second resource may be located apart from the first wagering game, perhaps in a second wagering game machine, or in a wagering game server.
US08821251B1	Gaming system and method providing plays of a game until outcomes associated with one characteristic outnumber outcomes associated with another characteristic by a designated quantity Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing plays of a game until outcomes associated with one characteristic outnumber outcomes associated with another characteristic by a designated quantity. In operation of one embodiment, the gaming system initiates a gaming session associated with a game. Each of a plurality of different potential outcomes of a play of the game is associated with at least one of a plurality of different characteristics. The gaming system provides plays of the game until a total quantity the outcomes of the plays of the game associated with one of the characteristics outnumber a total quantity of the outcomes of the plays of the game associated with another one of the characteristics by a designated quantity.
US08821247B2	Online gaming with embedded real world monetary wins via lotteries and skill-based wagering There is described herein an interactive game having both lotterized and skill-based wagering aspects embedded therein. A skill-based game is used to provide players with the challenge and entertainment value that they are accustomed to experiencing in popular mobile games, while adding the possibility of collecting real world winnings via lotteries and other forms of wagering.
US08821243B2	System with player-centric rewards A system that provides various player-centric rewards to the casino patrons. The rewards may be provided across multiple games including slots, tables, keno, and any other casino game. The sweepstakes rewards may be used to promote increased play for chosen time periods, locations, and/or individual players. In addition, patrons can earn sweepstakes rewards based upon the amount of coins played at the slot machine, on the slot floor or throughout the entire casino. Furthermore, the patrons can receive a birthday reward, which may be credited to the eligible patrons on or about the patron's birth date. The rewards may be directly credited to the gaming machines using either cashable or non-cashable credits. The system facilitates patrons continuing to accrue rights toward a reward even when playing different gaming machines, or when playing machines having different denominations.
US08821242B2	Systems and methods for enhancing cognition The disclosure is directed to cognitive training exercise adapted to train working memory systems in mammals in an intuitive, engaging, and adaptively challenging way to enhance cognition. Exercises engage users in the task of first seeing a grid with angled “bumpers” placed in various places throughout the grid. After a short initial presentation, the bumpers disappear, and the user must remember the location and orientation of the bumpers and calculate a route that a “pinball” will travel after being released from a designated starting position. In this way, the user is manipulating the remembered grid layout in working memory to solve a physically realistic task.
US08821238B2	System and method for personalized location-based game system including optical pattern recognition There is provided a personalized game system comprising a user account database containing user accounts for a plurality of users, a pattern database containing recognition data for a plurality of patterns, a controller in communication with the user account database and the pattern database, and a game installation. The game installation comprises an audiovisual presentation system, an identification interface in communication with the controller to read a user identifier to identify a user account of a user from the user account database, and an optical interface in communication with the controller to optically read a card pattern on a game card to match the card pattern with a pattern in the pattern database, the game card having no physical contact with the game installation. The controller is configured to change a state of the game system based on the matched pattern.
US08821237B2	Gaming method and system Disclosed herein is a method of gaming, in which a first player and a second player each submit a set of 2 completed gaming tables, a game board and a guess board, for competition against each other. Each gaming table has the same number of gaming cells and is populated by the respective player with a set of tokens. The populated game board of the first player is compared to the populated guess board of the second player to determine a score for either the first player or the second player, depending on the scoring methodology. Similarly, the populated game board of the second player is compared to the guess board of the first player to determine a score for the first player. Two gaming tables are compared against each other by comparing the values of tokens located in corresponding positions of the gaming tables that are being compared. An intermediate score is determined for each position on the gaming table. Those intermediate scores are then utilized to determine a score for a player. The scores for the first player and the second player are compared to determine a winner.
US08821234B2	Methods and/or systems for designing virtual environments In an editor a plurality of valid start points are determined. Based on the plurality of start points a user may select one of the points. When a user selects one of the points, the editor determines at least one valid end point. The user may then draw a line between the selected point and a valid end point. As a result of the connection between the two points a new environment is created in the editor.
US08821233B2	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.
US08821228B1	Dual bin combine system A dual bin combine system for combine harvesters which increases the storage capacity of harvested grain products when compared with previous systems. The dual bin combine system generally includes a combine harvester having a frame and a first tank for storing material harvested by the combine harvester. A frame extension, which extends in a rearward direction from the frame, includes a second tank. A transferring conduit extends from the first tank to the second tank. When operating the harvester, material may be fed from both tanks to reduce downtime unloading and thus more efficiently harvest crops.
US08821220B2	Power tool with interchangeable tool head A power tool that includes a tool body housing, a drive system, a tool head and a connection system. The drive system is housed in the tool body housing. The tool head, which is configured to perform work on a work piece, includes a tool head housing and an input member that is driven by the drive system when the tool head is coupled to the tool body housing. The tool head can be engaged to the tool body housing in at least two pre-defined and distinct orientations. The connection system secures the tool head to the tool body housing in each of the at least two pre-defined and distinct orientations.
US08821218B2	Disk burnishing device A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk is provided that includes the steps: forming a layer of a lubricant material on a surface of a magnetic storage medium, the layer of lubricant material also being located on an interior and/or exterior edge of the medium; and removing at least some of the lubricant material from the edge 160 of the medium.
US08821214B2	Polishing pad with porous elements and method of making and using the same The disclosure is directed to polishing pads with porous polishing elements, and to methods of making and using such pads in a polishing process. In one exemplary embodiment, the polishing pad includes a multiplicity of polishing elements, at least some of which are porous, each polishing element affixed to a support layer so as to restrict lateral movement of the polishing elements with respect to one or more of the other polishing elements, but remaining moveable in an axis normal to a polishing surface of the polishing elements. In certain embodiments, the polishing pad may include a guide plate positioned to arrange and optionally affix the plurality of polishing elements on the support layer, and additionally, a polishing composition distribution layer. In some embodiments, the pores are distributed throughout substantially the entire porous polishing element. In other embodiments, the pores are distributed substantially at the polishing surface of the elements.
US08821210B2	Brassiere with customizable vertical lift An adjustable support brassiere comprises traditional bra elements—a bra band with closure; breast cups; and respective shoulder straps. Adjustability may comprise inner support cups having opposite ends being selectively attached on each breast cup, and a respective support strap being secured to each inner support cup, with a distal end of the support strap secured to an adjustment clip, which may releasably secure a portion of the shoulder strap. Adjustably securing different portions of the shoulder strap causes lifting and reconfiguring of the inner support cup to produce a desired amount of substantially vertical lifting to the woman's breast(s) in one embodiment, which is generally healthier for breast tissue than the typical inward displacement. Adjustments may be made by a woman throughout the day to alter her appearance as desired. Alternative embodiments permit lifting as well as inward/outward displacement, and may therefore serve as a minimizer.
US08821206B2	Flotation device The invention relates to a flotation device for use in retrieving an object that is dropped in water. According to the invention the flotation device comprises attachment means and a holder that is resistant in regard of spray water and atmospheric humidity. The holder comprises an inflatable body of a substantially waterproof and air-impervious material, and gas-forming reagents within the inflatable body. The inflatable body is sealed off from the rest of the interior of the holder by means of a narrow seal. In the event of activation of the flotation device, water ingresses in the holder and through the seal and comes into contact with the gas-forming reagents. The formation of gas required for the exertion of a flotation or driving force occurs within the inflatable body itself. The formed gas inflates the inflatable body.
US08821205B2	Low-drag fin and foil system for surfboards The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser of negative angle of attack of a trailing fin (50), versus the higher or positive angle of attack of a forward fin (48), makes the board (12) highly maneuverable by creating a yawing moment that aids the rotation of the board (12) as it is turned. The system particularly utilizes fins (40) having foil (42) shapes in which either the cambered side (74) or the non-cambered side (76) is provided with a combination of a convex curvature (68) and a concave curvature (70) to result in an oscillating curvature (72) which has a positive effect on control and acceleration.
US08821204B1	Inflatable stand up paddle board with rigid needle nose An inflatable stand up paddle board includes an inflatable main body made of high pressure drop stitch material; a deck formed on a top portion of the inflatable main body on which a user stands; and a molded needle nose attached to the front of the inflatable main body, the molded needle nose being dimensioned and configured to completely encompass the front of the main body to provide a V-shaped bow, the bottom of the V being the nose of the bow.
US08821203B1	Body surfing hydrofoil and associated methods A body surfing hydrofoil includes a breastplate having a buoyant material extending between an inner surface and outer surface. The breastplate has a generally rigid planar shape defined by a perimeter having opposing sides diverging outwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion. A spacer is affixed to the inner surface of the breastplate and is sufficiently flexible for compressing and retracting as a result of breathing by a person biased against the spacer. A rear flotation member is integrally connected to the breastplate.
US08821200B2	Modular gondola drive for a floating device A gondola drive for a floating device has an underwater housing circulated around by water. The gondola drive contains a drive module which has a drive module housing and a shaft disposed therein, a transmission module with a transmission module housing and a transmission disposed therein and a propeller. The drive module and the transmission module are each configured as separate components connected to one another such that the drive module housing and the transmission module housing form at least a part of the underwater housing and that the shaft is coupled to the transmission for driving the propeller.
US08821198B2	Surface mounted electrical contact An electrical contact is provided for electrically connecting a connecting object to a printed circuit board, without the need of a housing. The electrical contact a board mounting portion, a spring region, and a contact portion. The board mounting portion extends parallel to the major surface of the printed circuit board with one end mounted thereto. The spring region extends from another end of the board mounting portion and having a holding portion that extends parallel to the major surface of the printed circuit board and an inclined portion that extends vertically from the holding portion and with respect to the printed circuit board. The contact portion connects to the inclined portion of the spring region and includes a curved shape with a connecting object contact point at a top of a curved part.
US08821195B2	Connector The invention provides a connector including first and second contacts having substantially the same overall length. The first and second contacts each include a contact portion, a first straight portion extending in a first direction, a first bent portion bent in a direction including a second direction, an intermediate portion, a second bent portion bent in a direction including a third direction, a second straight portion extending in the direction including the third direction, and a tail. In the second contact, the contact portion is spaced apart in the third direction from the contact portion of the first contact, the first straight portion has a larger length than the first straight portion of the first contact, the second straight portion has a smaller length than the second straight portion of the first contact, and the tail is spaced apart in the first direction from the tail of the first contact.
US08821191B2	Electrical connector assembly A connector includes a housing and at least one terminal. The at least one terminal comprises a base portion, two attaching portions and an elastic arm portion. The two attaching portions are configured to have a height different from that of the base portion and are attached to the housing. The two attaching portions of each terminal can be disposed adjacent to the corresponding end portion of the housing and respectively on opposite sides of the corresponding opening.
US08821182B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector for an electrical connection is disclosed, comprising a female receptacle to connect to either a male shorting cap or a male plug. The male plug and female receptacle can be fastened to a standard knockout in a light fixture. The male plug and female receptacle have alignment means such that they can only fit together one way, and once together are positively connected by means of a twist-lock ring. The male plug is connected to the female receptacle by aligning the two fins to the two corresponding grooves, and pushing inward such that the protrusions of the female receptacle pass through the indentations in the ring of the male plug. The twist-lock ring is turned and the nubs on the protrusions engage the notches of the female receptacle, creating a removable twist-lock ring.
US08821179B2	Clamp mechanism for clamping a cable A clamp mechanism for clamping a cable on a circuit board is disclosed in the present invention. The clamp mechanism includes a base disposed on the circuit board. The cable can be accommodated inside the base. The clamp mechanism further includes a clamping portion disposed on the base in a resiliently deformable manner. The clamping portion moves away from the circuit board when the cable is accommodated inside the base, and a resilient recovering force generated by the resilient deformation simultaneously drives the clamping portion to press the cable, so as to constrain a movement of the cable relative to the base.
US08821178B2	Connector A connector, in which each conductive pattern includes a plate-like terminal engaging a protruding terminal on the other connector. The plate-like terminal includes a protruding terminal receiving opening for receiving the protruding terminal, a beam-like first terminal member positioned to the side of the protruding terminal receiving opening, and a first contact portion formed in the first terminal member. The first terminal member generates spring force towards the center of the connector in the lateral direction when the protruding terminal received inside the protruding terminal receiving opening moves relative to the first contact portion.
US08821177B2	Connector mechanism A connector mechanism includes: a first connector that is arranged on a first substrate; a second connector that is arranged on a second substrate and is connected to the first connector in a positional relationship in which the second substrate and the first substrate face each other; and a packing including: a first face that elastically abuts against the first substrate; a second face that is a face on an opposite side to the first face and that elastically abuts against the second substrate; and connector abutting convex portions that are protrusively provided with respect to an inner face of a connector space that is a through-hole which allows the first face and the second face to communicate and sealingly houses the connectors in a connected state, and that elastically abut against an outer face of the connectors disposed in the connector space and are disposed integrally with the connectors.
US08821174B2	Floating connector small in size and improved in strength A floating connector has a stationary housing, a movable housing, and a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is made of a metal plate and is provided with a first plate portion and a second plate portion. The first plate portion is embedded in a guide portion of the stationary housing so as to extend in a depth direction. The second plate portion is embedded in the guide portion so as to extend inward in a width direction from one end in the depth direction of the first plate portion.
US08821172B1	Electrical connector and socket allowing connector to be rotated while preserving polarity An electrical connector may include a cord comprising a plurality of wires and a plug extending from the cord. The plug may include a top portion and an opposing bottom portion, which each include a plurality of contacts. The plurality of contacts on each of the top portion and opposing bottom portion may include at least two contacts with a first distance from a front portion of the plug and at least one contact with a second distance from the front of the plug. Each of the plurality of contacts on the top portion may be coupled to one of the plurality of wires and to one of the plurality of contacts on the bottom portion. The coupling may be configured to maintain a same arrangement of contacts and electrical paths to the plurality of wires when the plug is rotated one hundred eighty degrees.
US08821171B2	Rotatable plug assembly and housing for a volatile material dispenser A rotatable electrical plug assembly for a volatile material dispenser includes a support block including a base having a base member and a wall extending from the base member and forming a cavity with the base member. The plug assembly further includes a cover disposed within the cavity and electrical plug pins extending through apertures in the base and including contacts that extend at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the plug pins, wherein the contacts are disposed between the base member and the cover. A ratio of an overall plug assembly thickness over a plug pin thickness is less than about 1.5.
US08821168B2	Horizontally configured connector A connector includes a pair of mating portions positioned side-by-side and each mating portion includes a pair of mating blades that are supported in vertical arrangement within the respective mating portion. A retainer can hold together the housing portions that form the mating portions. The retained can include a latching member that is configured to be translated in a vertical direction. An actuator can be translated in a horizontal direction, the horizontal translation causing the latching member to translate in the vertical direction.
US08821167B2	Apparatus for electrically connecting a flexible circuit to a receiver An electrical assembly combination includes (a) a receiver having a receiver housing and a plurality of receiver housing electrical contacts, and (b) a connector device comprising a connector housing capable of accepting and retaining a terminal end of a flexible assembly having a plurality of flexible assembly electrical contacts. The connector device is capable of being reversibly attached to the receiver housing such that each of the receiver housing electrical contacts is electrically connected to a flexible assembly electrical contact in a removable, non-permanent manner.
US08821164B2	Decorative canister The present invention is a decorative canister comprising a container further defined by an opened top end and a closed bottom end. A lid is hingedly connected to the opened top end. However, the lid can be non-connected. Decorative fabric surrounds the outer surface area of the sidewall. Decorative ornaments are attached at predetermined locations to the decorative fabric.
US08821158B1	Method and apparatus for matching digital three-dimensional dental models with digital three-dimensional cranio-facial CAT scan records The system creates digital images of teeth topography using a dental impression tray that provides registration information for integration of a digital three-dimensional model with a digital three-dimensional cranio-facial CAT scan record. The impression tray is held in the patient's mouth during a CAT scan. The tray includes fiduciary markers that can be accurately located by the CAT scan. The tray also includes a dental impression material which, subsequent to the CAT scan, is removed from the patient's mouth and placed on a table of an X-Y-Z scanning machine for scanning the impression. In this manner, a set of electronic data related to the patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissues is generated. The fiduciary markers, which may be constructed of titanium, are included in both sets of electronic data for the patient's teeth. The markers are then used as common reference points in the spatial matching of the two scans.
US08821150B2	Manufacturing method of color filter substrate A manufacturing method of a color filter substrate includes forming a black matrix on a substrate, the black matrix including first, second, third and fourth openings, forming first, second and third color filter patterns in the first, second and third openings, forming an overcoat layer on the substrate, disposing a soft mold on the organic material layer, the soft mold including first depressed portions and a second depressed portion, the first depressed portions corresponding to the black matrix, and the second depressed portion corresponding to the fourth opening, wherein a first depth of the first depressed portions is larger than a second depth of the second depressed portion, applying pressure to the soft mold such that the first and second depressed portions are filled with the overcoat layer, first curing the overcoat layer, detaching the soft mold from the overcoat layer, and second curing the overcoat layer.
US08821148B2	Sheet forming apparatus for use with doctor blade A sheet forming apparatus includes a supply port for supplying a slurry, a discharge port for discharging a green sheet, a first slurry spreading chamber, a second slurry spreading chamber, and a third slurry spreading chamber that are disposed between the supply port and the discharge port, and joining holes through which the first, second, and third slurry spreading chambers are joined to each other. At least two of the joining holes are disposed one on each side of the supply port along a transverse direction of the green sheet.
US08821147B2	Extrusion die device An extrusion die device includes a die holder including a supporting hole and a die assembly accommodated in the supporting hole, wherein the die assembly includes a male die including a core member having a projected portion, a core case holding the core member, a female die including a body which includes an engagement groove engaging the core case of the male die, and which engages the supporting hole, and a nesting member formed in an annular shape and accommodated in the body at a portion close to a raw material supply part, and a cap member formed in a plate shape, disposed at a position closer to the raw material supply part than from the male die, covering a portion of the core member, and connected to the core case, and wherein a space between the nesting member and the core member is defined as a molding hole allowing the extrusion raw material to pass therethrough.
US08821144B2	Alignment interlock for molds and dies An alignment interlock for reciprocating tooling that includes a female lock having a central engagement area and a corresponding male lock having a profile shaped to matingly engage with the central engagement area. A plurality of particle rings are preferably formed on an engagement surface of the profile and an engagement ramp having a polished, radiused lead-in is preferably formed at a leading edge of the profile.
US08821131B2	Air compressor According to the invention, an air compressor includes: one pair of air tanks arranged parallel to each other by being separated from each other in a constant interval, for storing thereinto compressed air; a compressing unit that compresses air sucked from an external space so as to supply the compressed air to the air tanks; and a motor coupled to the compressing unit so as to drive the compressing unit, while the motor and the compressing unit are arranged above the one pair of air tanks; wherein: a cooling fan that generates cooling wind is provided on one end of a rotation shaft of the motor; and a control circuit unit that drives the motor is arranged above the one pair of air tanks and at a position which is overlapped with an axial direction projection area of the cooling fan.
US08821129B2	Fan unit for filter fans A fan unit (1), to be attached to a filter frame (40) of a filter fan, consisting of a housing with a cylindrical housing rim, an inlet opening (20), an outflow opening (7) and at least one protective grid which covers one of both of the openings, and one fan (4) attached to the housing via a motor mount (14) which conveys the air in at least the axial direction. The design enabling the manufacture of a more compact fan unit in an easier and more cost-effective manner, which provides high efficiency and can be installed as a suction as well as a blowing fan unit in the filter fan, and is easy to dismount for the maintenance of the filter fan. This is attained in that the fan unit housing is divided perpendicularly with respect to the axis (X-X) of the fan (4) in the region of the housing rim (9, 22) into two housing parts, one forming a motor bracket (2) and the other forming an air inlet part (3), which are detachably connected to one another, whereby the motor bracket (2) as well as the air inlet part (3) each integrally form a protective grid structure (8, 21).
US08821123B2	Double-ducted fan A double-ducted fan includes a hub, a rotor having a plurality of blades rotatably and coupled to the hub, a first duct, a second duct, and a channel defined between the first duct and second duct. The first duct circumscribes the rotor, and the second duct circumscribes at least a portion of the first duct. The second duct can be oriented axially upward such that there is an axial distance is between the leading edges of the first duct and second duct. The channel can be configured to direct air flow cross-wise to the first duct over a top of the first duct into the inlet side of the fan. The second duct can be movable relative to the first duct to adjust at least a portion of the channel. The length of the first duct can be different from the length of the second duct.
US08821119B2	Blade A fan blade for a gas turbine engine has an aerofoil part and a root part. The root part includes a root former; the root former includes a zone of weakness, which reduces the ability of the root part to withstand an impact force. Thus, in an impact situation in which the fan blade has separated from the fan rotor and the fan blade has itself separated into fragments, the root part will fracture or buckle more easily than would be the case with conventional arrangements. This will lower the impact force of the root part upon the fan casing, thus permitting the fan casing to be designed to withstand lower impact forces. The fan casing can therefore be made lighter, and cheaper, than in conventional arrangements.
US08821118B2	Optimization of downstream open fan propeller position A method and apparatus for controlling a propeller of a contra-rotation open fan (CROF) engine of an aircraft. A diameter of the propeller is set to be at a first diameter during at least a portion of a first flight condition of the aircraft. The diameter of the propeller is set to be at a second diameter, different from the first diameter, during at least a portion of a second flight condition of the aircraft.
US08821114B2	Gas turbine engine sealing structure A turbine section having a plurality flow path components forming a plurality of guide vane rings and ring segments arranged in axial succession to define a boundary of a hot gas duct. A vane carrier located around the gas duct, and sealing elements extend radially between circumferentially extending grooves in the vane carrier and respective grooves in the flow path components. The sealing elements include radially inner and outer edges, and at least one axially facing side defining a chamfered portion extending to one of the edges to accommodate axial movement of the sealing element about the one edge within a respective groove.
US08821113B2	Air cycle machine seal land An air cycle machine includes a bearing housing with a shaft bore. A rotor shaft is arranged in the shaft bore and includes knife edges extending from the rotor shaft. A seal engages the shaft bore and includes an outer diameter and an inner diameter providing a seal land axially aligned with the knife edges. A radial clearance between the seal land and the knife edges is nominally 0.006 inch. The inner diameter is arranged between lateral sides of the seal that define a width. In one example, a tapered surface extending at an angle relative to the outer diameter from the lateral side to the seal land, the tapered surface facing the large end. The outer diameter to the inner diameter provides a first ratio of 1.25-1.28, and the inner diameter to the width provides a second ratio of 4.33-5.58.
US08821111B2	Gas turbine vane with cooling channel end turn structure A vane structure for a gas turbine engine. The vane structure includes a radially outer platform and a radially inner platform, and an airfoil having an outer wall extending radially between the outer platform and the inner platform. A cooling passage is defined within the outer wall and has a plurality of radially extending channels. An outer end turn structure is located at the outer platform to conduct cooling fluid in a chordal direction between at least two of the channels. The outer end turn structure includes an enlarged portion wherein the enlarged portion is defined by an enlarged dimension, in a direction transverse to the chordal direction, between the at least two channels.
US08821109B2	Device for detecting the axial position of a rotary shaft and its application to a turbo-molecular pump A device for detecting the axial position of a rotary shaft of a rotary machine comprises a target of ferromagnetic material placed at the end of the rotary shaft, an induction coil associated with a stationary magnetic circuit and placed facing the target while leaving an airgap, and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit comprises an AC voltage source connected between a first end of the induction coil and a zone situated at a reference voltage, at least one capacitor connected between the ends of the induction coil, and a detector device interposed between a second end of the induction coil and the zone situated at the reference voltage, in order to deliver on a line information about the magnitude of the current flowing between the second end and the zone situated at the reference voltage.
US08821103B1	Lift attachable to a vehicle A lifting system for lifting and lower people between a vehicle door and ground level uses a carriage that is slid underneath and out from the undercarriage of the vehicle. A lift platform is flush with the carriage when stowed and is capable of being raised from this position up to the door and lowered down to the ground. A series of housing are located on the underside of the carriage and have a sprocket gear thereon. Extension arms are attached to each gear and rotatably to a lift platform. Rack gears mesh with the sprocket gears for rotating the arms and thus the platform up and down, the rack gears articulated via one or more hydraulic drives, with rotation of the arms resulting in articulation of the platform.
US08821096B2	Decoloring device, sheet feed method, and computer-readable recording medium recording sheet feed program There is provided a decoloring device including a decoloring unit, a first sheet conveying unit, a first sheet feed unit, a thickness detecting unit, a decolorability determining unit, and a second sheet feed unit. The first sheet conveying unit conveys the sheet to the decoloring unit. The first sheet feed unit feeds the sheet to the first sheet conveying unit. The decolorability determining unit determines whether or not the sheet which is subject to thickness detecting is decolorable by the decoloring unit based on a detection result in the thickness detecting unit. A second sheet feed unit is disposed at a downstream side in relation to the thickness detecting unit and at an upstream side in relation to the decoloring unit in a sheet conveying path by the first sheet conveying unit and feeds the sheet to the first sheet conveying unit.
US08821094B2	Anchor assembly with toggle for hollow walls An anchor assembly (A) for hollow walls comprises an anchor body (400) and a toggle member (231) that is displaceable between a first position wherein the toggle member (231) is substantially aligned with the anchor body (400) such that the anchor assembly (A) can be inserted in the wall (W) via a cutting distal end (325) of the toggle member (231), and a second position wherein the toggle member (231) extends behind the wall (W) at an angle relative to the anchor body (400) which extends through the wall (W). The toggle member (231) is held captive in the first position but is released and then rotated to the second position by a fastener (218) introduced in the anchor body (400). The fastener (218) threadably engages the toggle member (231) thereby drawing the toggle member (231) against a hidden side of the wall (W).
US08821092B2	Fastening member and compressor apparatus A fastening member includes a bolt and a nut for attaching a compressor to a vehicle body. A non-circular relative rotation prevention portion is formed below a head portion of the bolt. A washer is non-rotatably press fitted around the relative rotation prevention portion. Before the attachment, the head portion and the washer are temporarily fixed with a space generated therebetween. An elastic body, which is attached to the compressor, is disposed between the washer and the nut. A cylindrical member is provided at an inner circumference of the elastic body. As a result, when the nut is screwed, an axial force of the nut is transmitted to the washer via the cylindrical member, and the space between the washer and the head portion is reduced, completing the attachment.
US08821090B2	Dowel composed of a strand arrangement The invention relates to a dowel that is composed of a strand arrangement comprising at least one first strand (12) which extends along a longitudinal axis (L) and at least one second strand (14) which extends at an angle (Y) to the at least one first strand (12) and intersects said at least one first strand (12) at intersection points. The at least one first strand (12) and/or the at least one second strand (14) is/are wound around the longitudinal axis (L) at a certain distance (171, 172) while the at least one first strand (12) is connected to the at least one second strand (14) at the intersection points. The strand arrangement is embodied such and/or is made of such a material that the strand arrangement can be expanded at an angle to the longitudinal axis (L). Such a dowel has the particular advantage of evenly distributing the pressure which acts upon the wall surface (102) of a bore. A single-size dowel can be used for several screw diameters. Furthermore, the amount of boring dust produced is significantly reduced, less power is required for drilling the bore, and the feed force applied to the drill can be decreased because a bore with a comparatively small diameter can be created.
US08821085B2	Tool holder for clamping tools by shrink fit The invention relates to a tool holder (1) for clamping tools by shrink fit. The tool holder, due to its specific shaping in the area of the shrink-fit head (6) and the shrink-fit base (5) of the tool holder, is less prone to oscillate than known tool holders, therefore allowing inter alia higher speeds so that the cutting capacity, determined by the speed of the tool, the tool feed and the cutting depth of the tool, can be increased and the machine running times required to produce a workpiece can be reduced. The tool holder (1) of the present invention allows to produce and machine workpieces in a substantially more efficient and economical manner.
US08821084B2	Tool holding module A tool holding module comprises a fixture seat and a tool rod. The fixture seat has a first outer surface on an external wall, a first top surface on one end, and a fixture head is located on the same end. The fixture head has a second outer surface on an external wall and a second top surface on one end. The internal wall of the tool rod has first and second inner surfaces respectively corresponding to the first and second outer surfaces, and has first and second butting surfaces respectively corresponding to the first and second top surfaces. The tool rod and fixture seat are connected to enfold the fixture head. The security of the tool holding module is enhanced via close contact of the first outer and inner surfaces, the second outer and inner surfaces, the first top and butting surfaces, the second top and butting surfaces.
US08821083B2	Machine tool including a plurality of tool spindles and a frame shaped rack The invention relates to a machine tool (1), comprising a plurality of fixed tool spindles (3) and such that can optionally be displaced from a retracted idle position to an extended working position and can be positioned at different positions in a frame-like rack (2), and a workpiece carrier (4) with at least one workpiece holder (5), with the workpiece (4) carrier being movable at least in several axes in a translational manner and preferably also in a rotational manner. In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that at least one of the tool spindles (3) is associated with a tool magazine (7) plus tool changer (8).
US08821081B1	Tool for repairing cross-threading and other damage in threaded blind holes A slotted inverse tap, compressible for insertion past damaged entry threads in blind holes. (FIG. 1 thru FIG. 5) The tool can be made to smaller sizes than that of prior art. An elongate slot (23) proceeds through a first threaded end (21), then well into a reduced diameter cylindrical body (25). After insertion to the hole bottom, a tabbed shim (28) is inserted to the slot from its side, then pressed down until stopped. The shim (28) enforces mating engagement with undamaged internal threads. A second end of hex and/or squared or other configuration facilitates use of a tap wrench or other tool for rotational extraction. Damaged threads are reformed/re-cut upon rotational withdrawal.
US08821076B2	Devices, systems and methods for controlling erosion At least one exemplary device includes a tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, a ratio of a length of the mesh enclosure to a diameter of the mesh enclosure greater than 40, having an opposing pair of ends, at least one of the ends sealed, the enclosure surrounding a filling.
US08821075B2	Yieldable support prop and method A yield support prop for a mine includes a first metal tube extending from the mine floor having a first portion having a first outside diameter and a second portion having a second outside diameter. The prop includes a second metal tube that is disposed about the first portion and extends toward the mine roof, when the second tube receives a load from the mine roof, the second portion deforms the second tube and expands the second tube creating resistance against the load from the mine roof. A method for supporting a mine roof. A method for building a yieldable mine prop.
US08821073B2	Concentrically loaded, adjustable piering system A method for constructing a pier system to stabilize and level a structure by constructing a pier in sections and advancing the pier sections below a foundation using a hydraulic ram until bedrock is reached, and completing the piering system by positioning a head plate on top of the pier to provide a stable platform for a house jack and applying a vertical lifting force with the house jack to lift the foundation of the structure.
US08821071B2	Conical piled monopod A conical piled monopod provides a fixed, ice worthy structure used in cold weather offshore environments for accessing hydrocarbon deposits under the seafloor.
US08821063B2	Control system and method for road cutting machine A system for controlling a cutting machine for cutting rumble strips in a road surface includes a rotatable cutting head, a cylinder for driving the cutting head out of and into contact with the road surface, and a controller. The controller is programmed to execute an input/output function for varying a proportional gain and an error amplification signal over a range of forward speed of the cutting machine. An I/O function is based on six predetermined cutting machine speed values; wherein a proportional gain and a depth increment are specified for each speed value. The respective speed values increase progressively. As an actual forward speed of the cutting machine varies between two of the six predetermined input speed values a linear interpolation is applied between the next lower and the next greater speed value to vary the instantaneous proportional gain and depth increment to be applied by the controller.
US08821061B2	Forward locking pull pin A pull pin is configured to lock in a forward position to prevent accidental or undesirable retraction of the pull pin. The pull pin has a housing, a pull pin shaft, an inner shaft, a first and second spring, and at least one ball bearing. The housing has a ball locking space, which holds the ball bearing between the locking space and a ball aperture formed in the pull pin shaft to thereby lock the pull pin shaft in the forward position. Only upon the application of an external force to the inner shaft, which aligns a ball release portion with the ball aperture, can the ball bearing move into the ball release portion and thereby move out of said locking space, allowing for the retraction of the pull pin shaft.
US08821060B2	Profile of interfacing projections A method of joining a first component to a second component, the method comprising preparing the first component by forming an array of projections extending from a bond surface of the first component, each projection having a base, a tapered tip and a tapered overhang beneath the tip, wherein the overhang has an undercut surface which is inclined and faces towards the local bond surface; bringing the components together so as to embed the projections in the second component; and hardening the second component after the array of projections has been embedded into it. Also, a joint so formed.
US08821056B2	Antiperspirant compositions and methods for making same A consumer product comprising packaging including a product chamber and an outer jacket at least partially surrounding the product chamber; and an antiperspirant composition disposed within the product chamber, wherein the composition exhibits an average standard deviation of less than or equal to about 5 of penetration peak force measurements taken in accordance with a penetration test method as defined herein.
US08821055B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus includes a main body, an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a first feed path forming member, and an ejection portion. The first feed path forming member is disposed between the image forming unit and the fixing unit in the main body and forms a first feed path in which a transferring member is fed. The ejection portion includes a tray member disposed at an upper end portion of the main body and including a communication opening that provides communication between an inside and an outside of the main body. The communication opening is disposed between the image forming unit and the fixing unit in a plan view. The first feed path forming member includes a first through hole. The first through hole is open toward the communication opening and the communication opening is open toward the first through hole.
US08821054B2	Printer apparatus A printer apparatus includes a supply unit to supply recording media, a recording unit to record information to the recording media, and a storage unit to store the recording media. A tray is formed in at least one of the supply unit and the storage unit and detachably connected to the apparatus to store a plurality of recording media in a stacked state. The apparatus includes a support surface for supporting a bottom surface of the tray, and at least one wall surface touching or opposing a side surface of the tray. An opening is defined by the bottom surface and the at least one wall surface to allow the tray to be detached from a direction within a predetermined angle of the side surface of the apparatus. A positioning device is disposed in at least one of the support surface and the wall surface for positioning the tray.
US08821052B2	Cutting device and recording apparatus A cutting device includes a conveyance unit for conveying a recording medium in a conveyance direction, a guide configured to guide a recording medium, a blade movable in a direction intersecting with the conveyance direction, for cutting the recording medium when the blade moves with a leading end side thereof inclined to the upstream side, a presser member movable to a first position where the presser member holds down the recording medium and to a second position where the presser member does not hold down the recording medium, wherein the presser member holds down the recording medium at a position separated farther than a thickness of the recording medium from the guide in the first position, and wherein the presser member holds down the recording medium at least from before the blade starts to cut the recording medium to when the blade is cutting the recording medium.
US08821045B1	Camera mount A system includes a beam bracket, a small camera bracket, and a large camera bracket. The beam bracket is adapted to be mounted to a building structure and has mounting holes distributed in a spatial configuration. The small camera bracket has mounting holes distributed in the same spatial configuration as the beam bracket with the mounting holes of the small camera bracket adapted to be aligned with the mounting holes of the beam bracket. The small camera bracket further includes a plate adapted to support a small camera. The large camera bracket has mounting holes distributed in the same spatial configuration as the beam bracket and adapted to be aligned with the mounting holes of the beam bracket. The large camera bracket further includes a plate adapted to support a large camera that is larger than the small camera.
US08821039B2	Optical transceiver having optical receptacle arranged diagonally to longitudinal axis An optical transceiver capable of narrowing an extra space for an external optical fiber is disclosed. The optical transceiver of an embodiment provides an optical receptacle with a port, to which the external optical fiber is to be inserted, headed for a direction in diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the optical transceiver. In another embodiment, the optical transceiver provides an optical receptacle capable of turning the port thereof.
US08821038B2	Pluggable optical transceiver having inner optical connection and optical connector installed therein A pluggable optical transceiver is disclosed. The transceiver comprises a plurality of OSAs, an optical member and a plurality of inner fibers to couple the optical member with OSAs. The inner fibers each provides an inner connector to couple with one of OSAs. The housing, which installs the OSAs, the optical member and the inner fiber, is made of metal and has a grooves into which the inner fibers is set so as to arrange them orderly.
US08821032B2	Optical fiber connector and assembly tool for optical fiber connector An optical fiber connector includes an inner housing and a fixing module sleeved in the inner housing. The fixing module includes a support member and a fastening assembly fastened to the support member. The support member has a fixing portion, and the fixing portion defines a first restricting groove. The fastening assembly includes a fastener, a fixing member, an elastic member, and a pressing member. The fixing member defines a second restricting groove. The fastener sleeves on the fixing member and the elastic member. The fastener engages with the support member, and then the elastic member is resisted between the fixing member and the fastener, thereby generating an elastic force to drive the fixing member to abut against the fixing portion. The pressing member slidably engages with the support member and resists the fixing member.
US08821029B2	Connecting module between a drive shaft of an engine fan and a rolling-element bearing A connecting module interposed between a drive shaft of an aircraft engine fan and a rolling-element bearing, wherein the module includes an inner structure attached to the shaft and including a bonnet, and an outer structure attached to the bearing, which is radially supported on a mechanism installed on the inner structure and delimiting a raceway which is complementary to the bonnet so as to form a ball-joint connection kept in a blocked state by a blocking device installed on the inner structure and protruding radially from the bonnet, wherein a mechanism forming a mechanical fuse provides a junction between the device and the bonnet, such that the ball-joint connection is released following fracture of this mechanism forming a mechanical fuse. The radial support mechanism is added to the device.
US08821027B2	Suspension stop with reinforced sealing A suspension stop device for a suspension arm of a vehicle, having a coil spring, having a stop bearing defining a rotation axis of the device and a bottom metal washer turning with respect to a top metal washer; a support piece for transmitting to the bottom washer forces exerted by the spring, the support piece comprising a support zone for the bottom washer; a cover covering the top washer and delimiting with the support piece a housing for the bearing, the cover being provided with a skirt covering a peripheral zone of the support piece and delimiting with the peripheral zone of the support piece an annular labyrinth, disposed radially outside the housing and connecting the housing to the outside; and an annular deflector delimiting with the skirt of the cover at least one top opening and with the support piece at least one bottom opening.
US08821026B2	Double roller cage for a double-row cylinder roller bearing with mass compensation A double roller cage for a double-row cylinder roller bearing, with a central ring part (1) from which webs (2, 3) protrude axially on both sides, wherein the webs (2; 3) of one side in each case form a row of bearings (4; 5) together with the rolling bodies arranged therein, wherein every two adjacent webs (2; 3) of a row of bearings (4; 5) delimit a receiving pocket (6; 7) for a rolling body, and in which, at least in one row of bearings (5), the webs (3) are designed so as to taper in the circumferential direction for a radial filling of the receiving pockets (7) with the rolling bearings. So that the double roller cage has satisfactory running behavior and is relatively simple and cost-effective to produce, recesses (12, 12′, 13, 14, 16) are formed on the other of the two rows of bearings (4; 5) in order to produce a symmetrical mass distribution between the two rows of bearings (4; 5).
US08821024B2	Member for rolling bearing and rolling bearing The present invention provides a member for a rolling bearing (1) which is capable of decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide generated from a polymeric member in discarding the rolling bearing, contributing to restraint or prevention of an increase in the concentration of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or a decrease of the concentration thereof in the atmosphere, and allows a continuous use temperature to be high and an endurance time to be long and a rolling bearing using the member. The member for the rolling bearing (1) is composed of a molding of a polymeric elastic body or a synthetic resin composition. The member is at least one member selected from among an inner ring (2), an outer ring (3), rolling elements (4), a retainer (5), and a sealing member (6). A raw material derived from a biomass is at least partially used for a producing raw material of a polymeric matrix composing the polymeric elastic body or the synthetic resin composition.
US08821021B2	Fluid dynamic bearing device A shaft member is provided with a shaft portion and a flange portion coupled with a lower end surface of the shaft portion. The shaft portion is formed into a complete circular shape in cross section, and the flange portion is provided with a through-hole in which a part of a circumferential region is retracted to a radially outer side with respect to a lower end of the shaft portion so as to exhibit a non-circular shape. The shaft portion and the flange portion are coupled with each other in a state of butting the lower end surface of the shaft portion and an upper end surface of the flange portion against each other. With this, a fluid path is formed by opening both end surfaces of the flange portion.
US08821020B2	Motion guide device and method of producing the same The motion guide device has a raceway rail having a rolling-element rolling part; a moving block having a loaded rolling-element rolling part facing the rolling-element rolling part and a rolling-element circulation passage including a rolling-element return passage extending approximately in parallel with the loaded rolling-element rolling part; and a plurality of rolling elements arranged in the rolling-element circulation passage. The moving block has a rolling part made of steel and having the loaded rolling-element rolling part, a mounting part connected to the rolling part, having a mounting surface for mounting the moving block onto a counterpart device and having a specific gravity lower than that of the rolling part, and a return part made of resin and having the rolling-element return passage.
US08821018B2	Bags with reinforced bag walls Improved merchandise bag with reinforced bag wall is formed of thinner than normal specially selected film material with a thickened center section. For merchandise bags, the thickened center section provides a stronger bag bottom and stronger areas for the formation of bag handles. Handle bags include soft loop, round die cut oval die cut, wave top, patch and rigid handles. For T-shirt style bags, thinner plastic in the gusset and handle areas is made up for by multiple layers of film in these regions. T-shirt bags may have single, triple or folded gussets providing as many as eight layers of film in these regions. The thickened center section will substantially match the thickness of the gusseted areas and provide for a more easily stacked bag. The bags are formed of mono layer or multi-layer film and at least a portion of the bag walls is corona treated to improve adhesion.
US08821017B2	Projector as collimator light A radiography system for obtaining a radiographic image of a subject, has a radiation source within an enclosure, the radiation source energizable to direct radiant energy along a radiation path toward an imaging receiver, wherein the radiation path is defined according to a collimator. A digital projector is coupled to the enclosure and is energizable to provide an illumination beam that outlines the defined radiation path.
US08821010B2	Temperature measuring method, particularly of a human or animal patient A temperature measuring method comprises a step of detecting, by an infrared thermometer, the intensity of an infrared radiation coming from a region of interest of a patient for determining the patient's temperature, and a step of pointing a target area that is coincident with the region of interest and is the even and smooth surface of a body having a homogeneous underlying vascularization, and being preferably devoid of hair or chitinous or keratinous skin formations.
US08821007B2	Timepiece balance spring A balance spring with two pairs each formed of adjacent coils respectively including a stopping device and a complementary stopping device defining together, for each pair, a respective, relative, maximum angular travel of the coils during the local coupling thereof. The stopping device and the complementary stopping device define different maximum angular travel values, to gradually limit the amplitude of pivoting between the ends of the balance spring during accelerations greater than desired values, one of the pairs cooperating in abutment before the other, to gradually modify the resulting rigidity of the balance spring by the successive deactivation or reactivation of the coils thereof.
US08821004B2	Flat panel display device, stereoscopic display device, and plasma display device A flat panel display device includes a backlight system and a display panel, wherein: the backlight system includes a light source, a light homogenization mechanism, and a back frame; the back frame carries the light source and the light homogenization mechanism and the back frame includes at least first and second primary assembling pieces, wherein the first primary assembling piece has an end forming at least two joint sections, each of the joint sections having a structure mating an end of the second primary assembling piece, the first primary assembling piece using one of the joint sections to join the corresponding end of the second primary assembling piece. The back frame further includes secondary assembling pieces. The primary assembling pieces and/or the secondary assembling pieces form bumps. A stereoscopic display device and a plasma display device are also provided.
US08821003B2	Light guide plate having dual micro structures A light guide plate includes a light incident surface, a light exit surface; and a bottom surface opposite the light exit surface. The light incident surface includes many first micro structures and many second micro structures. Each second micro structure cover some of the first micro structures.
US08820995B2	Back light unit and image display device using the same A back light unit and an image display device are disclosed. The image display device includes a first reflection pattern and a second reflection pattern which are disposed on a plate at a predetermined interval from a light source and which pass light having an acute angle emitted by the light source.
US08820993B2	Projection headlight with recessed light beam producing section Projection headlights for vehicles with a reflector, with a light source assigned to the reflector, with a lens arranged in the main direction of the beam in front of the reflector and with a screen arranged in the region of the focal point of the lens, said screen being arranged between the light source and the lens and comprising an elongated screen edge surface having a contour on an upper edge in order to form a light/dark boundary of a light distribution arrangement, wherein the elongated screen edge surface comprises a light beam reduction section in a middle area, so that at least part of the light beam emitted from the light source and hitting the light beam reduction section is not further reflected in the main direction of the beam, wherein the light beam reduction section is designed as a recess.
US08820991B2	Lighting or signalling device with optical guide for motor vehicles A lighting and/or signalling device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one light source (S) emitting a light beam and at least one optical guide (G) within which the light beam propagates, the optical guide comprising: a first face forming an exit face (FS) for the light beam, a second face forming a face (FR) for reflecting the light beam, and a screen (ED) disposed facing the reflection face (FR) of the light guide (G) and comprising an orientation means redirecting light rays escaping from the guide at the reflection face, so as to return them, at least partially, into the guide, the orientation means comprising catadioptric reflecting patterns.
US08820990B2	Vehicle lamp and method for manufacturing a transparent element for a vehicle lamp A vehicle lamp has at least one transparent element (10), and at least one main light source, whose emitted light passes the optical boundary layers of the at least one transparent element (10) substantially perpendicularly. The at least one transparent element (10) has at least two optical areas (12, 20, 26) with different optical indices of refraction which adjoin one another along at least one optical boundary layer (16, 24), and at least in one of the adjoining optical areas (12), whose index of refraction is greater than the index of refraction of the adjoining optical area (20, 26), the light of at least one light source is coupled via at least one light coupling point (22) into a direction pointing substantially along the at least one optical boundary layer (16, 24), and the introduced light is decoupled via at least one light decoupling point (14).
US08820982B2	Lampshade having adjustable distance between two grasp portions A lampshade comprises a support seat, a reflector, and a cover. The support seat includes a frame and a clamping unit, the frame defining a central space, the clamping unit having two opposing connection bars attached to the frame and two grasp portions each being provided at one end of a corresponding connection bar. The distance between the two grasp portions is adjustable. The reflector is placed on top of the frame and has a reflective surface that can be fitted through the central space of the frame. The cover is placed on top of the reflector and fastened to the frame from a side opposite to the clamping unit. Accordingly, when a lighting device, such as a flashlight, is clamped by the lampshade, the light emitting from the lighting device can be reflected by the reflector to diffuse into the surrounding environment so as to increase the illuminating range.
US08820980B2	Display apparatus, electrical appliance and display method A display apparatus for an electric hob may have a colored, such as reddish-brown, hob plate, which may be composed of glass ceramic and have an inhomogeneous transmission profile for light with high transmission in the region of wavelengths of greater than 700 nm and with low transmission in the region below 700 nm. The display apparatus may have one light source with a defined output spectrum. The color locus of the light source may be shifted to the left starting from white and have a blue tinge. This configuration may provide a display that is visible or that correspondingly lights up as a substantially white illuminated display through the colored cover.
US08820974B2	Light-emitting-diode (LED) light bulb An LED light bulb, mainly comprising: an LED module, provided with a first connection portion; a circuit driving module, provided with a second connection portion, said first connection portion is connected to said second connection portion; and a lamp hood covered over said LED module. As such, said LED module or said circuit driving module can be replaced readily when they are found broken down, without the need to discard entire set of LED light bulb, hereby eliminating unnecessary waste, in achieving both cost effectiveness and environment protection.
US08820973B2	Stage lighting fixture A stage lighting fixture having : a light source for emitting a light beam along an optical axis; a reflector coupled to the light source; at least one dichroic filter for selectively intercepting the light beam; and at least one heat-shield assembly located between the light source and the dichroic filter, and having a heat-shield filter, in turn having a first portion with first beam filtering properties, and a second portion with second beam filtering properties.
US08820970B2	Lighting system having a window including a photoluminescent material The invention relates to a window (1), in particular, a building window, wherein the window comprises photoluminescent material (2) located within the window. The photoluminescent material (2) is preferentially a phosphorescent material provided on a sun blind which is located within a sealed space (5) between two transparent plates (3, 4) of the window. The photoluminescent material can be charged up by daylight and during the night the photoluminescent material can emanate light. Since the photoluminescent material is located within the window, the photoluminescent material is protected against environmental influences, in particular, against humidity, thereby increasing the lifetime of the photoluminescent material and, thus, of the window. The invention relates further to an object, in particular, a building, comprising the window, thereby giving the object an ambient glow.
US08820963B2	Solid state light fixture with a tunable angular distribution A light fixture may include LEDs that each emits light into a particular zone on a lens, where each zone has its own focal properties. Each LED may be grouped into one (or more) subset(s) that corresponds to the zone(s) struck by its emitted light. The LEDs may be selectively electrically controllable, so that the amount of light transmitted through each zone may be controllable by the electrical control system of the fixture. Because light transmitted through different zones emerges from the fixture having different widths, the electrical control system can directly control the amount of light emerging at each width. By mixing relatively narrow light with relatively wide light in the proper proportions, the electrical control system of the fixture may produce light having any desired angular profile between “narrow” and “wide”.
US08820962B2	LED illumination lamp bulb with internal reflector An LED illumination apparatus includes a substrate, a light source disposed on the substrate, a cover unit to cover the light source, and a reflector configured to extend from the cover unit inside to the upper substrate, whereby a light generated by the light source illuminates an area below a bottom side of the substrate.
US08820956B2	Lighted pick tool The present invention relates to a lighted pick tool. The lighted pick tool includes a lighted pick tool, comprising a handle; a pick tool extending from the handle; and a light mounted in the handle and arranged to direct light toward a distal end of the pick tool, and further including a power source within the handle operable to selectively activate the light.
US08820950B2	Light emitting device and illumination apparatus According to one embodiment, a light emitting device which is attached to an illumination apparatus and radiates light having a correlated color temperature of 2900 to 3600K is provided. The light emitting device includes a substrate, blue light emitting LED elements and red light emitting LED elements mounted on the substrate, and a wavelength converting unit. The red light emitting LED elements have a luminous intensity of 0.2 to 2.5 times as large as that of the blue light emitting LED elements at normal use temperature in a state where the light emitting device is attached to the illumination apparatus. The wavelength converting unit is excited by light emitted from the blue light emitting LED elements and converts the light to light having a peak wavelength within a range of 500 to 600 nm.
US08820948B2	Compound parabolic collectors for projection lens metrology A new and useful optical element for an optical imaging system is provided, characterized in that the optical element comprises a reflecting surface that is rotationally symmetric and oriented at a grazing angle to a relatively small slit that is illuminated over a relatively large range of angles, such that the optical element collects radiation from the relatively small slit that is illuminated over a large range of angles, and the reflecting surface reflects the collected radiation. The optical element is configured to convert a large range of angles leaving a very small slit, to a much smaller range of angles over a larger area.
US08820947B2	Projection apparatus with locking structure A projection apparatus with locking structure includes an apparatus case including a main casing, a lid and at least one locking structure at the main casing and the lid, a light source, a light valve and a lens. The structure includes a slot having two opposite ends at the casing, at-least one elastic arm in the slot and at-least one positioning pillar at the lid. When the lid covers the main casing and the pillar extends into the first end, by rotating the lid relatively to the main casing, the pillar moves along the slot to the second end; when the pillar is at the second end, the elastic arm limits the pillar at the second end. The light source is for providing an illumination beam. The light valve and lens are for respectively converting the illumination beam into an image beam and the image beam into a projection beam.
US08820946B2	Projection optical system and projection display apparatus A projection optical system substantially consists of a first optical system composed of a plurality of lens groups and a second optical system composed of one reflection mirror having a convex aspherical surface arranged in this order from the reduction side, in which all optical surfaces constituting the first and second optical systems are formed so as to have rotationally symmetrical shapes around one common axis, the projection optical system is configured such that focus adjustment is performed by individually moving two lens groups in the first optical system along the common axis, and the lens disposed on the most magnification side in the reduction side lens group of the two lens groups is a lens having a convex surface on the magnification side, thereby magnifying and projecting an image formed on a conjugate plane on the reduction side to a conjugate plane on the magnification side.
US08820941B2	Projection apparatus and light source adjusting method thereof A projection apparatus including a digital micro mirror device (DMD), a light source, a lens, a photoelectric conversion device, a decision device and an adjustment module is provided. When the DMD is switched to a first operating state, the DMD reflects a light beam emitted by the light source to the lens. When the DMD is switched to a second operating state, the DMD reflects the light beam to the photoelectric conversion device. The photoelectric conversion device generates a signal value according to a light intensity of the light beam. The decision device compares the signal value with a predetermined value. When the signal value is smaller than the predetermined value, the decision device generates a driving signal value. The driving signal value is used for driving the adjustment module to sequentially adjust a position of the light source along a plurality of axes.
US08820940B2	Illumination device and image display apparatus An illumination device includes: an excitation light source that emits excitation light having a first wavelength; and a fluorescent member that includes a fluorescent substance that, when it is irradiated with the excitation light, emits light having a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength, transmits a part of the excitation light and reflects another part of the excitation light, and a first reflective film provided at a side of the fluorescent substance, which is opposite to an excitation light incidence side, the fluorescent member emitting multiplexed light including an excitation light component reflected from the fluorescent substance and the first reflective film and a light component emitted from the fluorescent substance.
US08820935B2	Ophthalmological analysis instrument and method An ophthalmological analysis instrument for measuring a topography of a surface of an eye includes a projection apparatus and a monitoring apparatus. The projection apparatus has at least one illumination device and an aperture device. The illumination device has a first light source, which can emit light in a predominantly monochromatic spectrum, it being possible to image an image pattern on a surface of an eye by the aperture device. Images of the imaged image pattern being recordable by the monitoring apparatus, and a topography of the surface of the being derivable from the images, wherein the illumination device has at least one further light source, which can emit polychromatic light in a predominantly visible spectrum.
US08820933B2	Imaging apparatus and imaging method An imaging apparatus according to the present invention can cause a display unit to display a scanning range of each of a plurality of measurement light beams in an intersection image (an image in a direction intersecting a direction in which an inspection object is irradiated with the plurality of measurement light beams) of the inspection object.

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