Document Document Title
US09109006B2 Glatiramer acetate molecular weight markers
Aspects of the present application relate to molecular weight markers of glatiramer acetate for accurate determination of the average molecular weight of glatiramer acetate.
US09109001B2 3′,5′-cyclic phosphoramidate prodrugs for HCV infection
Provided herein are compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of Flaviviridae infections, including HCV infections. In certain embodiments, compounds and compositions of nucleoside derivatives are disclosed, which can be administered either alone or in combination with other anti-viral agents.
US09109000B2 Synthesis of nucleosides
A process for the preparation of nucleosides, derivatives and analogues thereof by coupling reaction of a protected suitable nitrogeneous purine or pyrimidine base, a derivative or analogue thereof and a protected suitable sugar in the presence of SnCl4 comprising the removal of SnCl4 by adding DMSO directly into the reaction mixture is described. Preferably said process is used for the preparation of antiviral and antitumor agents having a nucleoside or nucleoside-like structure, still more preferably for the preparation of azacytidine, decitabine, chlorfarabine, cladribine, mizoribine. A residual tin content lower than 300 ppm is obtained with said process.
US09108998B2 Dinuclear platinum-carbene complexes and the use thereof in OLEDs
The present invention relates to dinuclear Pt-carbene complexes comprising carbene ligands and pyrazole bridges, to a process for preparing the dinuclear Pt-carbene complexes by contacting suitable Pt compounds with the corresponding ligands or ligand precursors and/or pyrazole or corresponding pyrazole derivatives, to organic electronic components comprising at least one such dinuclear Pt-carbene complex, to an OLED comprising at least one such dinuclear Pt-carbene complex, to a light-emitting layer comprising at least one such dinuclear Pt-carbene complex, to an OLED comprising such a light-emitting layer, to a device selected from the group consisting of stationary visual display units, mobile visual display units and illumination means, comprising such an OLED, and to the use of an inventive dinuclear Pt-carbene complex in OLEDs.
US09108997B2 Method for recycling organic ruthenium compound for chemical vapor deposition
The present invention is a method for recycling an organic ruthenium compound for chemical vapor deposition, wherein an unreacted organic ruthenium compound is extracted from a used raw material through a thin film formation process. The method includes the following steps (a) to (c). (a) A modification step in which the used raw material and a hydrogenation catalyst are brought into contact with each other in a hydrogen atmosphere, thereby hydrogenating an oxidized organic ruthenium compound in the used raw material. (b) An adsorption step in which the used raw material and an adsorbent are brought into contact with each other, thereby removing impurities in the used raw material. (c) A restoration step in which the used raw material is heated at a temperature that is not lower than −100° C. and not higher than −10° C. with respect to the decomposition temperature of the organic ruthenium compound for eight hours or more, thereby adjusting the ratio of the isomers of the organic ruthenium compound in the used raw material.
US09108996B2 Ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts and precursors for their preparation
The invention is directed to ruthenium-based metathesis catalysts of the Hoveyda-Grubbs type. The new N-chelating diarylamino-based ruthenium catalysts described herein are stable in solid state and in solution and reveal rapid initiation behavior. Further, the corresponding N-substituted styrene precursor compounds are disclosed. The catalysts are prepared in a cross-metathesis reaction starting from N-substituted styrene precursors. The new Hoveyda-Grubbs type catalysts are suitable to catalyze ring-closing metathesis (RCM), cross metathesis (CM) and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Low catalyst loadings are sufficient to convert a wide range of substrates via metathesis reactions.
US09108994B2 (Triorganosilyl)alkynes and their derivatives and a new catalytic method for obtaining new and conventional substituted (triorganosilyl)alkynes and their derivatives
The present invention relates to new (triorganosilyl)alkynes and their derivatives having general formula 1 R1—C≡C—Z (I) In its second aspect, this invention relates to a new selective method for the preparation of new and conventional (triorganosilyl)alkynes and their derivatives having the general formula 1, by the silylative coupling of terminal alkynes with halogenotriorganosilanes in the presence of an iridium catalyst and a tertiary amine.
US09108991B1 Process for reducing the level of choride in chlorosilane direct process hydrolyzed substrate
The present invention relates to a process for providing a low-chloride hydrolyzate comprising contacting an acid or base hydrolyzed substrate of a chlorosilane direct process residue with nitric acid to provide a hydrolyzate with a chloride content of less than about 1.8% by weight. The process of present invention is especially useful in cement kilns and smelter operation.
US09108988B2 Method of purifying organic diphosphite compounds
A method of purifying an organic diphosphite of general formula (I) The method comprises providing a crude organic diphosphite of general formula (I) that is at least partly dissolved in a first solvent (L1), wherein (L1) is selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzenes, aryl alkyl ethers, chlorobenzene, and mixtures thereof, and precipitating by admixing with a second solvent (L2) selected from the group consisting of linear C1-C4-alkanols, ethylene glycol di(C1-C4-alkyl) ethers, and mixtures thereof, and separating off the precipitated organic diphosphite from the solvents.
US09108987B2 Silver/polydiguanide complex, preparation method thereof, and antibacterial composition containing the same as an active ingredient
The present invention relates to a silver/polydiguanide complex and derivatives thereof including silver and polydiguanide having at least two biguanide moieties, wherein the silver is stabilized in an oxidation state of an integer of 0 to 4, a mole ratio between the silver and the polydiguanide is 1:1-4, an average particle diameter of the complex is micrometer or nanometer, and zeta potential of the complex is greater than or equal to zero, a preparation method thereof, and an antibacterial composition for burns or wounds treatment including the same as an active ingredient. A silver/polydiguanide complex according to the present invention is different from conventional silver/polydiguanide complexes in carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen contents as well as in structure of silver and polydiguanide, and solubility, is a material that exhibits a very good antibacterial activity due to a much lower minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value by 10 to 100 folds or more compared to silver sulfadiazine which is a conventional therapeutic agent for burns, and may be usefully used as an antibacterial composition for burns or wounds treatment.
US09108985B2 Process for preparing trialkylgallium compounds
The invention relates to a process for preparing trialkylgallium compounds of the general formula R3Ga. The process is based on the reaction of gallium trichloride (GaCh), optionally in a mixture with partially alkylated products, with an alkylaluminium compound of the type RaAICIb (where R═C1-C5-alkyl, a=1, 2 or 3, b=0, 1 or 2 and a+b=3) in the presence of at least two alkali metal halides (e.g. NaCI and KCI) as auxiliary base. Preference is given to using alkylaluminium sesquichloride (R3AI2CI3) or trialkylaluminium (R3AI). The reaction mixture is heated to a temperature in the range from 120° C. to 250° C. and the trialkylgallium compound formed is separated off via a separator which is operated at a temperature which is more than 30° C. below the boiling point of the most volatile partially alkylated product. Complete alkylation is achieved here and partially alkylated products are recirculated to the reaction mixture. In a further step, the reaction mixture can be heated to a maximum of 350° C. and the remaining fully alkylated and partially alkylated products can be separated off. The process provides a high yield of trialkylgallium compound and displays high gallium utilization; the products are used, e.g., as precursors for MOCVD processes.
US09108977B2 Benzazepine compound
Provided is a compound which is useful as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like. The present inventors have investigated compounds having a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and have found that the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have an excellent 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity, thereby completing the present invention. That is, the benzazepine compounds of the present invention have a 5-HT2C receptor agonist activity and can be used as an agent for treating or preventing 5-HT2C receptor-related diseases, particularly incontinence such as stress urinary incontinence, urge urinary incontinence, mixed urinary incontinence, and the like, sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction syndrome and the like, obesity, and the like.
US09108976B2 Preparation of 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate
Synthetic methods are provided for preparation of oxycodone and salts thereof with an improved impurity profile. Thebaine is converted to 14-hydroxycodeinone sulfate intermediate to minimize a 7,8-dihydro-8,14-dihydroxycodeinone impurity. Efficient methods for conversion of oxycodone base to oxycodone hydrochloride are provided to minimize 14-hydroxycodeinone impurity in the final product.
US09108973B2 3,5-disubstituted alkynylbenzene compound and salt thereof
The present invention provides a compound represented by Formula (I) (wherein R1, X1, X2, Y, and Z are as defined in the specification), or a salt thereof.
US09108969B2 Substituted tricyclic acid derivatives as S1P1 receptor agonists useful in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders
The present invention relates to certain substituted tricyclic acid derivatives of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which exhibit useful pharmacological properties, for example, as agonists of the S1P1 receptor. Also provided by the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the invention, and methods of using the compounds and compositions of the invention in the treatment of S1P1 -associated disorders, for example, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, transplant rejection, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, ulcerative colitis, type I diabetes, acne, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertensive nephropathy, glomerulosclerosis, gastritis, polymyositis, thyroiditis, vitiligo, hepatitis, biliary cirrhosis, microbial infections and associated diseases, viral infections and associated diseases, diseases and disorders mediated by lymphocytes, auto immune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancer.
US09108968B2 Methods for producing 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene by reaction of a disubstituted carbodiimide and dipropylene triamine
Methods for producing 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene using a disubstituted carbodiimide, dipropylene triamine and optionally an ethereal solvent and/or an alcohol are disclosed. Use of 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene produced by this method in an electrodepositable coating composition, and electrophoretic deposition of such coating onto a substrate to form a coated substrate, are also disclosed.
US09108966B2 Beta-lactamase inhibitors
Aryl substituted diazabicyclooctanes (DBO) compounds that inhibit β-lactamases of class A, class C or class D and potentiate β-lactam antibiotics are disclosed. In particular, this disclosure provides DBO compounds that, when used in the disclosed Synergy MIC Assay with a β-lactam antibiotic at a fixed concentration have an MIC of 8 μg/mL or less against one or more isogenic β-lactamase expressing bacterial strains.
US09108965B2 Malonic acid di-salts and a method for preparing malonyl dihalides
A compound of Formula 2 is disclosed wherein R1, MA and MB are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 wherein R1 and X are as defined in the disclosure comprising contacting a compound of Formula 2 with a halogenating agent. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 4 wherein R1, R3 and R4 are as defined in the disclosure, comprising reacting a compound of Formula 5 wherein R3 and R4 are as defined in the disclosure with a compound of Formula 1, with a compound of Formula 1, the process of preparing the compound of Formula 4 includes the step of preparing the compound of Formula 1 from the compound of Formula 2 by the method disclosed above. Also disclosed is compound that is methyl 3,5-dichlorobenzeneethanimidate methyl 3,5-dichlorobenzeneethanimidate or ethyl 3,5-dichlorobenzeneethanimidate or salts thereof.
US09108964B2 8-[3-amino-piperidin-1-yl]-xanthines, the preparation thereof and their use as pharmaceutical compositions
The present invention relates to substituted xanthines of general formula wherein R1 to R3 are as defined herein, the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures, the prodrugs thereof and the salts thereof which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibiting effect on the activity of the enzyme dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV).
US09108963B2 Pyrazolopyridine, pyrazolopyrazine, pyrazolopyrimidine, pyrazolothiophene and pyrazolothiazole compounds as MGLUR4 allosteric potentiators, compositions, and methods of treating neurological dysfunction
Pyrazolopyridine, pyrazolopyrazine, pyrazolopyrimidine, pyrazolothiophene and pyrazolothiazole compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.
US09108962B2 Forms of tiotropium bromide and processes for preparation thereof
This invention relates to novel crystalline forms of tiotropium bromide, processes for preparing them, and their use in pharmaceutical formulations.
US09108961B2 Crystalline form of (R)-7-chloro-N-(quinuclidin-3-yl)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide hydrochloride
Crystalline Forms I and II of (R)-7-chloro-N-(quinuclidin-3-yl)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide hydrochloride monohydrate and compositions, methods of manufacture and therapeutic uses thereof are described.
US09108960B2 Nitrofurfuryl substituted phenyl linked piperidino-oxadiazoline conjugates as anti-tubercular agents and process for the preparation thereof
The present invention provides nitrofurfuryl substituted phenyl linked piperidino-oxadiazolone compounds of general formula (A) as anti-tubercular agents; wherein G=formula (B); X═H, F; R═H, CH3, C2H5, Benzyl.
US09108958B2 Selective CCR2 antagonists
The present invention relates to novel and selective antagonists for CCR2 (CC chemokine receptor 2) and their use for providing medicaments for treating conditions and diseases, especially pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD as well as pain.
US09108957B2 3-[1,4]oxazepane-4-pyrimidone derivatives
A compound represented by the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein Z represents nitrogen atom, C—F or the like; R1 represents a C1-C3 alkyl group; Y represents oxygen atom or N—R7; R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 each independently represents hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group, or a group represented by the formula (II): which is used for preventive and/or therapeutic treatment of a disease caused by tau protein kinase 1 hyperactivity such as a neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer disease).
US09108956B2 Cyclic ether DGAT1 inhibitorscyclic ether DGAT1 inhibitors
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): useful for treating disorders mediated by acyl coA-diacylglycerol acyl transferase 1 (DGAT1), e.g. metabolic disorders. The invention also provides methods of treating such disorders, and compounds and compositions etc. for their treatment.
US09108955B2 Heterocyclic inhibitors of necroptosis
The invention features a series of heterocyclic derivatives that inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) induced necroptosis. The heterocyclic compounds of the invention are described by Formulas (I) and (Ia)-(Ie) and are shown to inhibit TNF-α induced necroptosis in FADD-deficient variant of human Jurkat T cells. The invention further features pharmaceutical compositions featuring the compounds of the invention. The compounds and compositions of the invention may also be used to treat disorders where necroptosis is likely to play a substantial role.
US09108951B2 Substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,6-naphthyridines as factor XIa inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of factor XIa and/or plasma kallikrein which may be used as medicaments.
US09108950B2 1-pyrazolyl-3-(4-((2-anilinopyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)napththalen-1-yl) ureas as p38 MAP kinase inhibitors
There is provided a compound of formula (I) which is an inhibitor of the family of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes, and to its use in therapy, including in pharmaceutical combinations, especially in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory diseases of the lung, such as asthma and COPD.
US09108947B2 Inhibitors of the Renal Outer Medullary Potassium channel
This invention relates to compounds of Formula I having the following general structure: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are inhibitors of the Renal Outer Medullary Potassium (ROMK) channel (Kir1.1). The compounds are useful as diuretics and natriuretics and therefore are useful for the therapy and prophylaxis of disorders resulting from excessive salt and water retention, including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and chronic and acute heart failure.
US09108946B2 Processes for the preparation of pesticidal compounds
The present application provides processes for making pesticidal compounds and compounds useful both as pesticides and in the making of pesticidal compounds.
US09108945B2 Anhydrous lenalidomide form-I
Anhydrous polymorphic form-I of anti cancer drug, Lenalidomide whose chemical name is 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-isoindole-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione, is disclosed. Alternate methods for making anhydrous polymorphic form-I of Lenalidomide are also disclosed.
US09108943B2 Photoreactive benzamide probes for histone deacetylase 2
The design, modeling, synthesis, biological evaluation, and photoaffinity labeling studies of a series of photoreactive potent and selective HDACs 1 and 2 benzamide based probes are disclosed herein.
US09108933B2 Method for treating proliferative disorders associated with mutations in c-Met
The present invention relates to methods of inhibiting the activity of Hsp90 in a subject in need thereof and methods for treating c-Met associated cancers, in a subject in need thereof.
US09108931B2 Substituted piperazin-2,5-diones as multifunctional bioactive compounds
The invention relates to novel multifunctional bioactive compounds of the formula I: pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of using these compounds, in particular as therapeutic agents for the treatment of immune disorders.
US09108930B2 N1- and N2-carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazole serine hydrolase inhibitors and methods
The present invention provides inhibitors of a wide variety of serine hydrolase enzymes. The inhibitors of the present invention are N1- and N2-carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazole compounds such as those of Formula (I): in which N1, N2, and N3 are the nitrogen atoms at positions 1, 2, and 3, respectively, of the triazole ring, and R4, R5, R6 and R7 in Formula (I) are as described herein. Methods of inhibiting serine hydrolase enzymes and methods of preparing carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazole compounds also are described.
US09108925B2 Process for the manufacture of a precursor of vitamin B1
The present invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of Grewe-diamine comprising the following step: hydrolyzing a compound of formula (II), wherein R is hydrogen or straight- or branched chain C1-4 alkyl, with an aqueous alkali or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide solution, characterized in that the hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of an organic solvent.
US09108920B2 Diazeniumdiolate heterocyclic derivatives
A compound having the structure: useful for treating hypertension, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), congestive heart failure, conditions resulting from excessive water retention, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, cirrhosis, pre-eclampsia, osteoporosis or nephropathy.
US09108916B2 Carbazole compounds and therapeutic uses of the compounds
Compounds of the general structural formula (I) and (II) and use of the compounds and salts and hydrates thereof, as therapeutic agents are disclosed. Treatable diseases and conditions include cancers, inflammatory diseases and conditions, and immunodeficiency diseases. (I), (II).
US09108906B2 Production of alkane sulfonates
A process for the production of olefin sulfonates is presented. The process comprising generating olefins from normal alkanes through a dehydrogenation unit to produce a mixture of alkanes and alkenes. The mixture is sulfonated to react the olefins and generate olefin sulfonates. The olefin sulfonates are separated from the normal alkanes to produce a product stream, with the normal alkanes recycled to the dehydrogenation unit.
US09108905B2 TRPA1 antagonists
Compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, m, and Y are defined in the specification are TRPA1 antagonists. Compositions comprising such compounds and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also disclosed.
US09108902B2 Deuterated 2-amino-3-hydroxypropanoic acid derivatives
This invention relates to novel 2-amino-3-hydroxypropanoic acid derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. This invention also provides compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating diseases and conditions that are beneficially treated by administering an NMDA glycine-site antagonist.
US09108899B2 Sulfide scavengers, methods for making and methods for using
Methods for making sulfide scavenging compositions are provided. The method comprises reacting at least one secondary amine with at least one aldehyde and solvent in the presence of a catalyst to form a reaction composition, wherein a reaction temperature is less than or equal to 90° C. Sulfide scavengers using the above method are also disclosed. Methods for removing sulfides from fluid streams are also provided. The methods include adding the above sulfide scavengers to fluid streams.
US09108892B2 Process for the preparation of olefins
Process for the preparation of olefins comprising reacting an oxygenate and/or olefinic feed in a reactor in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst to form a mixture which comprises olefins and at least partially coked catalyst; separating olefins and at least partially coked catalyst as obtained; passing the at least partially coked catalyst to a regenerator; introducing into the regenerator an oxygen-containing gas to regenerate the at least partially coked catalyst, thereby producing a gaseous mixture and at least partially regenerated catalyst; analyzing the at least partially regenerated catalyst to control the burning rate of the coke present on the at least partially coked catalyst in the regenerator by adjusting one or more conditions of the regeneration of the at least partially coked catalyst on the basis of the analysis of the at least partially regenerated catalyst; and passing the at least partially regenerated catalyst to the reactor.
US09108890B2 Process for producing non-detonable training aid materials for detecting explosives
A method for manufacturing training aid materials for detecting homemade explosives includes spreading an explosive powder on a porous surface, storing the surface in a container that facilitates sublimation of the explosive powder such that the explosive powder redeposits onto the surface and into the pores over a period of time, and removing the surface from the container after the period of time to yield training aid materials. An additional method includes preparing a dilute solution of an explosive reaction mixture, and depositing the dilute solution on a surface prior to formation of an explosive product by the explosive reaction mixture. The surface is stored in a contain that facilitates formation of the explosive product, and removed after a period of time and cleaned to remove unreacted precursors to yield training aid materials.
US09108889B2 Agricultural blend and process of forming an agricultural blend
The present disclosure describes an agricultural blend and a process of forming an agricultural blend. The agricultural blend includes a slag by-product from a process having a slag other than stainless steel slag or includes 11 atomic % silicon from a soluble compound and total silicon of less than about 30 atomic % silicon or greater than about 39 atomic % silicon. The process includes producing a slag by-product and blending the slag by-product with a liquid binder system to form the agricultural blend, the slag not being stainless steel slag.
US09108887B2 Method for producing ceramic for heat-radiating members, ceramic for heat-radiating members, and solar cell module and LED light-emitting module using said ceramic
Provided is a process for producing a ceramic for a heat-radiating member. The process includes providing as a raw material an alumina powder having an alumina (Al2O3) content of at least 99.5 mass % and an average particle size of from 0.2 to 1 μm, and granulating the powder into a granular form ranging from 50 to 100 μm, pressing the raw material which has been obtained in the granulation step and which includes granular alumina, and heating a green compact in an air atmosphere at a firing temperature of from 1,480 to 1,600° C. to obtain a sintered body. Also provided is a process for producing a ceramic for a heat-radiating member, the ceramic being a sintered alumina body which has high thermal conductivity, efficient heat dissipation, excellent mechanical strength and thermal shock resistance and which is usable for cooling applications at heat generating areas of electronic devices and equipment.
US09108886B2 Material composition for producing a fireproof material and the use thereof, and fireproof molded body and method for the production thereof
A material composition for producing a fireproof material having a fine-grain fraction with grain sizes of less than 100 μm and a coarse-grain fraction with grain sizes of more than 100 μm is provided. The fine-grain fraction includes aluminum oxide having a weight proportion of at least 90% by wt. in relation to the total weight of the fine-grain fraction, zirconium oxide having a weight proportion of up to 5% by wt. in relation to the total weight of the fine-grain fraction, a stabilizer for the zirconium oxide as well as titanium oxide powder having a weight proportion of up to 5% by wt. in relation to the total weight of the fine-grain fractional. The coarse-grain fraction represents a weight fraction of more than 30% by wt. of the material composition.
US09108884B2 Metakaolin production and enhancement of industrial minerals
Methods for preparing metakaolin-enhanced industrial minerals. Mixing and heating kaolinite clay with an industrial mineral, such as activated carbon, that is between 750° F. and 1400° F. results in a metakaolin/activated carbon complex that provides good mercury sorbent qualities while producing a fly ash (after use as a sorbent in emissions applications) that has a lower foaming index.
US09108882B2 Solar-protection glazing having an improved light transmission coefficient
The invention relates to a transparent glass substrate including at least one glass sheet provided with a thin-film multilayer coating acting on solar radiation, having a light transmission of greater than 10% and an emissivity of less than 50% after a heat treatment, such as a bending or toughening treatment, characterized in that said multilayer coating includes: a niobium Nb functional layer with a thickness of between about 5 nm and about 35 nm; and at least one layer of another material, chosen from the group formed by Ti, Mo, B, Al or an alloy comprising at least one of these elements, which is placed relative to the glass substrate above the functional layer, said layer having a thickness of between about 1 nm and about 5 nm. The invention also relates to monolithic glazing or double glazing incorporating such a substrate.
US09108880B2 Nanostructured superhydrophobic, superoleophobic and/or superomniphobic coatings, methods for fabrication, and applications thereof
Systems, techniques and applications for nanoscale coating structures and materials that are superhydrophobic with a water contact angle greater than about 140° or 160° and/or superoleophobic with an oil contact angle greater than about 140° or 160°. The nanostructured coatings can include Si or metallic, ceramic or polymeric nanowires that may have a re-entrant or mushroom-like tip geometry. The nanowired coatings can be used in various self-cleaning applications ranging from glass windows for high-rise buildings and non-wash automobiles to pipeline inner surface coatings and surface coatings for biomedical implants.
US09108879B2 Non-alkali glass, and process for production of non-alkali glass
The present invention relates to an alkali-free glass having a strain point of 735° C. or higher, an average thermal expansion coefficient at from 50 to 350° C. of from 30×10−7 to 40×10−7/° C., a temperature T2 at which a glass viscosity is 102 dPa·s of 1,710° C. or lower, a temperature T4 at which a glass viscosity is 104 dPa·s of 1,340° C. or lower, and a devitrification temperature of 1,330° C. or lower, the alkali-free glass including, in terms of mol % on the basis of oxides: SiO2 66 to 69, Al2O3 12 to 15, B2O3 0 to 1.5, MgO 6 to 9.5, CaO 7 to 9, SrO 0.5 to 3, BaO 0 to 1, and ZrO2 0 to 2, in which MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO is from 16 to 18.2, MgO/(MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO) is 0.35 or more, MgO/(MgO+CaO) is 0.40 or more and less than 0.52, and MgO/(MgO+SrO) is 0.45 or more.
US09108878B2 Plate glass and manufacturing process thereof
Provided is the plate glass having high annealing temperature, high strength, excellent flatness and low viscosity, and manufacturing process thereof, which can be used for display and photovoltaic solar device. The plate glass contains (in mass %) boron oxide 0-3.9%, sodium oxide 0.01-14%, iron oxide 0.01-5%, fluorine oxide 0%, magnesia 7-22.2%, alumina 0.01-39%, wherein the content of silica is 1.9-4.1 times that of calcium oxide, the content of calcium oxide is 1.0-1.8 times that of magnesia.
US09108875B2 Heating and shaping system using microwave focused beam heating
A furnace for shaping glass sheets for aircraft transparencies using the cut-to-size method includes a preheat and cooling furnace defined as a first furnace, and a shaping furnace. A conveyor geared for reciprocating movement moves a bending iron supporting a glass sheet through the first furnace set to a preheat temperature. The glass sheet supported on the bending iron is heated in the shaping furnace by microwave beams from a gyrotron to heat portions of the glass sheet to be shaped to a complex shape. After the sheet is shaped, the conveyor moves the bending iron supporting the shaped glass sheet from the shaping furnace through the first furnace set to a cooling cycle.
US09108872B2 Solids separator and method of treatment for biowaste
The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.
US09108866B2 Method of scale inhibition
A method is disclosed to inhibit scale formation in aqueous systems whereby a threshold amount of a scale inhibiting agent, represented by an aminoacid alkylphosphonic acid, is added to the aqueous system. The aminoacid moiety can be represented by α-species or by species having, at least, two or more carbon atoms between the carboxylic moiety and the amine group. These aminoacid based inhibitors exhibit unusually superior performance and system acceptability compared to leading state-of-the-art inhibitors.
US09108860B2 Synthesis of amorphous calcium phosphate or poorly crystalline calcium phosphate powders by using Ca metal
The present invention relates to the synthesis of bioceramics, in particular, of amorphous or cryptocrystalline calcium phosphates.
US09108857B2 Process for ammonia saturation of solid materials, and corresponding assembly
A process for ammonia saturation of a solid material capable of absorbing and desorbing ammonia, the solid material being composed of solid particles and includes placing the solid material in contact with a cooled surface, with the solid material being disposed against the cooled surface in a thin layer having a thickness of less than 100 mm. The process further includes injecting a stream of gaseous ammonia to be in contact with the solid material, while the solid material is in contact with the cooled surface.
US09108854B2 Biocidal colloidal dispersions of silica particles with silver ions adsorbed thereon
A colloidal dispersion having carrier particles of silica having a particle size from 3 nm to 100 nm to which silver ions have been adsorbed, preferably in an amount of 0.0005-5 silver ions per nm2 of silica particle surface. The surface of the carrier particles of silica suitably contains aluminumsilicate sites. It also relates to a process for making a colloidal dispersion comprising providing a silica sol, adding a solution of silver nitrate to the silica sol under agitation yielding a colloidal dispersion with silver ions adsorbed on the surface of the silica particles. The dispersion is usable as a biocide in e.g. coatings, adhesives and sealants, in surface treatment and impregnation of organic materials, in surface treatment and impregnation of inorganic materials, in textiles, garments and shoes, in medical disposables, in plastics and rubbers, in water and air purification, and in crop protection.
US09108828B2 Lift mechanism
A lift mechanism is provided. The lift mechanism includes a frame having a base, a spine extending from the base and a table, adjustment units configured to permit table adjustments, an attachment mechanism by which the table is attachable to a rack frame and a driving unit configured to drive a load relative to the rack frame.
US09108827B2 Lattice mast crane and lattice mast boom
A lattice mast crane having a lattice mast boom which can be luffed up in a vertical luffing plane and which comprises a pivotal connection piece, a plurality of lattice pieces releasably connectable to one another, and a head piece, with the lattice mast boom having a two-strand or multi-strand region, wherein at least one side part is releasably arranged at the pivotal connection piece and the two-strand or multi-strand region is arranged directly or indirectly at the pivotal connection piece and/or directly or indirectly at least one side part.
US09108824B2 Remote access of an elevator control system with multiple subsystems
A method and system for remote access to multiple subsystems (102) of an elevator control system (104) are provided. The method includes receiving a request to establish a remote connection at an elevator control subsystem (112) from a remote user system (110). The method also includes determining whether a local connection is established between the elevator control subsystem (112) and service equipment (120). The method further includes establishing the remote connection in response to determining that the local connection is not established between the elevator control subsystem (112) and the service equipment (120). The method additionally includes sending a time since the service equipment (120) was last active and providing an option to complete the remote connection in response to determining that the local connection is established, the elevator control subsystem (112) is operating in a first mode of operation, and a configurable local activity timeout period has not expired.
US09108821B2 Sheet folding apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system
A sheet folding apparatus includes: a first sheet conveying unit; a second sheet conveying unit that is disposed downstream of the first sheet conveying unit; a folded part forming unit that forms a folded part on a sheet by nipping a turned-back portion formed on a part of the sheet between the first sheet conveying unit and the second sheet conveying unit; a second conveying path that bifurcates from the first conveying path and in which a sheet with the folded part is conveyed; and a pushing member that is movable between a pushing position at which the pushing member pushes the turned-back portion toward the folded part forming unit and a retracted position. The pushing member also serves as a changing unit that changes a direction of a leading end of the sheet that is conveyed in the first conveying path into a direction toward a second conveying path.
US09108817B1 Web guiding structure with continuous smooth recesses
A web-guiding system for guiding a web of media travelling from upstream to downstream along a transport path in an in-track direction. A web-guiding structure includes an exterior surface having a pattern of alternating ridges and recesses formed into the exterior surface. The web of media travels past the web-guiding structure with the first side of the web of media contacting at least some of the ridges on the exterior surface of the web-guiding structure. The ridges and recesses are formed into the exterior surface of the web-guiding structure such that the exterior surface has a continuous and smooth surface profile in the cross-track direction having a specified maximum slope magnitude and a specified minimum radius of curvature magnitude.
US09108816B2 Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus includes a printer section configured to print image data to a paper according to a print job, a control panel configured to receive instructions regarding the print job, a first discharging tray configured to receive the printed paper, and an second discharging tray configured to be opened and closed, to receive the printed paper when opened, and guide the printed paper to the first discharging tray when closed. The image forming apparatus further includes a detection section configured to detect whether the second discharging tray is open or closed, and a control section configured to control execution of the print job including controlling the printer section based on the instructions received in the control panel and the detection result of the detection section.
US09108813B2 Image forming apparatus and recording-material-transporting device
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming section that forms an image, a transport path section along which a recording material that is yet to undergo or has undergone image formation performed by the image forming section is transported, a transport unit that is provided in the transport path section and transports the recording material while nipping the recording material, an operated portion that is operated by a user and activates the transport unit such that the recording material is removed from the transport unit, and a notification unit that notifies a completion of the operation of the operated portion on the basis of a position of the recording material that is removed from the transport unit by the user's operation of the operated portion.
US09108810B2 Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet conveying apparatus comprising: a guide portion which guides a sheet; a support portion which rotatably supports the guide portion; a biasing portion which applies a force to the guide portion to be at a closed position with respect to the support portion and is provided to be detachably attachable; and a stopper portion which contacts with the biasing portion to regulate a rotation of the guide portion in a direction that the guide portion opens.
US09108809B2 Car dumper dust control system
A method and apparatus that reduce release of dust generated during rotary dumping of rail cars in a dumping facility. The method includes removing dust laden air from a space bounded by a backside airflow diverter, a rotational frame, a first baffle and a second baffle while the rotational frame is rotating with a rail car by drawing the dust laden air through a secondary air intake that passes through the backside airflow diverter into a backside hood. A dust control apparatus includes a diverter, overlying a backside hood having a concave curved upper surface; and at least one secondary air intake positioned to pass through the diverter being located approximately where pressure in the backside hood remains neutral or negative relative to a pressure even there is a transient increase in air pressure in a lower portion of the backside hood.
US09108806B2 Storage device for a filling line and beverage filling line comprising such a storage device
A storage device for a filling line for intermediately storing runners that are configured to accommodate containers includes a buffer stream configured to receive the runners with a variable intermediate storage capacity of the runners. An introduction device is configured to introduce the runners, independently of each other, from a storage area into the buffer stream.
US09108797B1 Methods and systems to identify and manage recyclable materials
A method to identify and manage recyclable materials provides a recyclable material with a quartz crystal identification element configured to oscillate at a predetermined frequency associated with the recyclable material. A mobile device detects the oscillation frequency of the quartz crystal, identifies the recyclable material based on the detected oscillation frequency, and sends that information to a controller. The controller creates handling instructions for the pickup of the identified recyclable material.
US09108795B2 Method for transporting concentrated mass loads by container
A cradle for use with a load-bearing pallet and a shipping container is disclosed and comprises a support portion, an arresting portion and a base portion. The support portion, in use, is disposed beneath and supporting the pallet. The pallet, in use, is disposed in the container between the container sides. The arresting portion, in use, arrests horizontal sliding motion of the pallet relative to the support portion. The base portion, in use, is disposed on the floor of the container and spreads the load of the pallet, the support portion and the arresting portion over the floor of the container to within the capacity of the container. The base portion further is adapted to permit the pallet to be deposited onto and removed from the support portion by the truck using the rear doors of the container. A method for shipping steel coils using the cradle is also disclosed.
US09108790B2 Divider and cutting board
A system (and method) for use with a cooler having a plurality of interior, opposed vertical channels comprises a cutting board and a cutting board holding assembly. The cutting board holding assembly comprises a first vertical side wall coupled to and positioned opposite a second vertical side wall, the first and second side walls defining a receptacle configured to receive the cutting board. Further, the first and second side walls are configured to slidingly engage two opposed vertical channels of a cooler.
US09108786B2 Transport device and transport means therewith
A device for the transportation of vehicles, at a prescribed maximum height of the system, transports an increased possible number of vehicles on a given surface area. The device is suitable for transportation by air, sea, and land. In this context, the vehicles are not unloaded from the device, even in the case of combined land, sea, or air transportation. The device consists of a lower pallet and an upper pallet. The upper pallet is supported on booms which, in turn, rest on the lower pallet. The booms are individually height-adjustable so that the upper pallet can be tilted relative to the lower pallet in the longitudinal direction. At the second end, there is a support element on which the device can be moved in the lengthwise direction, at least if it has been slightly lifted at the opposite first end.
US09108782B2 Dispensing systems with improved sensing capabilities
A dispensing system includes a dispenser, at least one sensor, and a shroud including at least one aperture. A virtual shield is provided between the sensor and the shroud to reduce background noise.
US09108780B2 Cardboard container for bottles and a blank for obtaining the container
The cardboard container has a base wall (10), a first lateral wall (11) and a second lateral wall (12), at two opposite longitudinal sides of the base wall (10), and which are foldable. A first series of tabs (2) each exhibit a first portion (21) exhibiting a through-hole (210) for inserting a bottle (F) and which is connected with the first lateral wall (11). A second series of tabs (3) each exhibit a first portion (31) exhibiting a through-hole (310) for insertion of a bottle (F) and which is connected in a single body with the second lateral wall (12) and with a second portion (33) fixed to the base wall (10). All the tabs are foldable, together with the first lateral wall (11) and the second lateral wall (12), such as to enable the container to take on a flattened configuration (I) and an opened-out volume (O).
US09108777B1 Child resistant blow-fill seal container
A child resistant container made from blow-molded plastic which comprises: a vial having an outlet port; a pre-determined volume of aseptic fluid disposed sealed within the vial; a cap detachable from the vial; and, a resilient guard having a first and second ends which are integral to the vial on opposing sides. The resilient guard is designed to not be separated from contact with the vial and has a mid-portion which is initially positioned above the top of the cap to prevent cap removal. The safety container is preferably single use.
US09108776B2 Lid, and container system and lid
In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. Another feature of an embodiment of a lid is the capability of lid nesting of multiple lids with interference fit between adjacent lids to lock the lids together.
US09108775B2 Spacer separation for coated glass sheets such as first surface mirrors
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to an apparatus, system and/or method for holding coated glass sheets (e.g., mirrors) during transport, storage and/or the like. In certain example, embodiments, spacers are used between adjacent glass sheets so as to reduce the amount of contact between the spacers and the glass sheets when such glass sheets are stored and/or transported.
US09108772B2 Container latching systems for one-handed operation
The present application is directed to devices for a latching system. The latching system may comprise first and second interlocking latching mechanisms. The first latching mechanism may be coupled to a front surface of a container and the second latching mechanism may be coupled to a lid for the container. The second latching mechanism may be biased into an interlocking position with the first latching mechanism when the lid is moved to a closed position on the container.
US09108771B2 Closures for plastic containers adapted for automated insert molding
A closure assembly for the dispensing of fluids from plastic containers such as pails. The closure assembly is adapted for automated insert molding attachment to container lids. The closure assembly is pre-assembled from a threaded plastic closure cap and closure body prior to insert molding. The plastic closure body has a nestable and extendable conical body web leading inward to a body neck closed by a tamper evident diaphragm seal. The conical body web leads outward to an improved radial body clamp flange and novel cylindrical body skirt. Cap bails lie radially inside and brace the body clamp flange from distortion. Once inserted and clamped into the container lid mold, only the body skirt is exposed for attachment to the container lid. Molten plastic is introduced into the mold void to form the container lid. This patent discloses optional body skirt recesses. During molding the introduced polymer envelopes the body skirt and enters the skirt top recess and skirt bottom recess mechanically locking the skirt to the lid. The plastic bond and/or mechanical lock between the body skirt and the plastic container lid combined with the diaphragm seal in the body neck resist leaks and provide tamper evident means.
US09108770B2 Re-sealable packaging
A re-sealable package and method which includes roll stock, a pressure sensitive label and a release member. The re-sealable package includes an outer layer laminated to an inner sealant layer. The pressure sensitive label has a first preselected shape and includes a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side. The side having the pressure sensitive layer is adhered to the inner sealant layer of the roll stock. The release member is formed in the outer layer, the release member having a second preselected shape which is smaller than the first preselected shape of the pressure sensitive label. As the release member is lifted from the pressure sensitive label, an area of the pressure sensitive adhesive is exposed to allow portions of the package to be removably adhered to the area of pressure sensitive adhesive.
US09108756B2 Unit for picking-up a tubular blank in a flattened configuration and for opening out the tubular blank
A unit for picking-up a flattened tubular blank and for opening out the blank has gripping devices borne by a pick-up member, a frame, and a first arm hinged to the frame and to the pick-up member. A second arm is hinged to the frame, at a hinge axis being arranged at a lower height than the first arm hinge axis. A third arm is hinged to the second arm and which to the pick-up member. The first arm and the second arm are activatable in phase relation with one another. The unit is configured such that the pick-up member picks up the flattened tubular blank from the pick-up position (P), rests the tubular blank on a rest plane, and opening-out the tubular blank. The unit then moves the pick-up member towards the pick-up position (P), passing over the opened-out tubular blank.
US09108754B2 Horizontal plastic stretch wrapping apparatus
A horizontal plastic stretch wrapping apparatus includes a main frame, a plurality of control components, an electrical enclosure, a plurality of control buttons, a slip ring, a wrapping arm, and a wrap dispenser. The electrical enclosure and the plurality of control components are positioned within the main frame, and the plurality of control buttons is positioned on the main frame. The plurality of control buttons controls the plurality of control components and the electrical enclosure. The wrap dispenser is connected to the wrapping arm, and the wrapping arm is connected to the main frame. The slip ring is positioned in between the main frame and the wrapping arm and provides electrical power from the electrical enclosure to the wrap dispenser. Once the horizontal plastic stretch wrapping apparatus is powered, a skid can be horizontally wrapped with a wrapping material by the rotating wrapping arm.
US09108749B2 Spacecraft momentum management
Three-axis spacecraft momentum management is performed for a spacecraft traveling along a trajectory, by an actuator including at least one thruster disposed on a single positioning mechanism. As the spacecraft travels along the trajectory, a desired line of thrust undergoes a substantial rotation in inertial space. When the spacecraft is located at a first location on the trajectory, the single positioning mechanism orients the thruster so as to produce a first torque to manage stored momentum in at least one of a first and a second of the three inertial spacecraft axes. When the spacecraft is located at a second location on the trajectory, the single positioning mechanism orients the thruster so as to produce a second torque to manage stored momentum in at least a third of the three inertial spacecraft axes.
US09108748B2 Satellite orbit raising using electric propulsion
Apparatus and methods for raising the orbit of a satellite having electric propulsion thrusters, an Earth sensor and an inertial reference sensor such as a gyro. A satellite positioning system generates orbital data and a profile generator generates an ideal electric orbit raising profile of the satellite. The ideal profile is one that the satellite must follow so that the perigee, apogee and inclination of the satellite can be adjusted simultaneously in a mass-efficient manner. A state machine processes the ideal profile and a true anomaly to generate a desired electric orbit raising profile. Steering apparatus generates signals that are used to control the attitude of the satellite to follow the desired profile. The desired profile places the satellite in an Earth-pointed attitude when the satellite is at a predefined point in the orbit, slews the satellite from the Earth-pointed attitude to an ideal orbit raising attitude, steers the satellite according to the ideal profile during orbit raising, and steers the satellite from the desired attitude to the Earth-pointed attitude.
US09108744B2 Airport construction
A major portion, if not the whole, of passenger facilities are located underground to reserve a virtually building-free ground level for the most efficient movements of aircraft. A number of pairs of parked positions of aircraft for loading/unloading are arranged in each of a number of rows. Adjacent aircraft face in opposite directions to facilitate loading/unloading from and to a pair of passenger gates located below each pair of such parked positions and to also facilitate forward movement of aircraft to and from such parked positions. The resulting arrangement is compact and allows efficient movement of aircraft to and from runways while also minimizing the distances passengers travel in moving from a terminal to gates and in moving from one gate to another. Loading/unloading ramps are moveable between inactive positions out of the paths of aircraft and active positions for loading and unloading. Two such ramps can be provided for fore and aft loading of one aircraft.
US09108741B2 Helicopter system and method for integrating collective flight director cues
A system and method are provided for integrating and displaying the collective cue and the pitch and roll cue of a helicopter display with a flight path marker providing a moving reference showing the aircraft flight path.
US09108735B2 Electro-expulsive de-icing system for aircraft and other applications
An apparatus for removing ice from an object (e.g., in-flight ice removal from the skin of an aircraft) includes an actuator assembly that forms an elongated electrically conductive loop. The actuator is mounted in a position enabling it to impact the object to be de-iced in response to movement of the loop that is produced by electric current pulses flowing in opposite directions in two mechanically independent loop subassemblies. The loop subassemblies include multiple electrically conductive elements interconnected at their ends using elongated flexible connectors in order to introduce a physical discontinuity that reduces any restriction of relative movement of the subassembly ends caused by the connectors.
US09108733B2 Integrated user interface system and method
An integrated user interface system being disposed at a chair and methods for manufacturing and using same. The user interface system comprises one or more interface elements that are disposed at an armrest or other suitable chair location and that are obscured from view or otherwise de-emphasized when a user is distal from the user interface system. At least one selected interface element becomes emphasized when a user hand becomes proximate to the user interface system. The selected interface element can become emphasized, for example, by becoming visible and/or by forming a raised projection. Upon becoming emphasized, the selected interface element is activated for use and can be manipulated to interact with available system resources. The chair advantageously can appear to be an ordinary chair when the user interface system is not in use and can present the user interface system when the user wishes to access the system resources.
US09108729B2 Autonomous control of unmanned aerial vehicles
A control module for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided. In one example, the control module includes a plurality of control modes, wherein each control mode represents a different autonomy setting, a command generator configured to generate a command causing a selection of a first of the plurality of control modes for the unmanned aerial vehicle, and an intelligence synthesizer that automatically switches the unmanned aerial vehicle between the selected first of the plurality of control modes and a second of the plurality of control mode upon detection of a trigger event.
US09108727B2 Blade fold system monitoring
A rotor blade fold system for an aircraft includes one or more actuators operably connected to one or more blade components of one or more rotor blades of the aircraft. One or more sensors are located at the one or more rotor blades and are configured to sense operation of the one or more blade components. A fold control system is configured to monitor output from the one or more sensors and is capable of stopping operation of the blade fold system, via communication with the one or more actuators, if the one or more blade components are not operating within predetermined limits.
US09108723B2 Flap panel shuttle system and method therefor
An aircraft control system is presented. The system includes a wing including a flap track, and a shuttle connected to the flap track and configured to slide along a length of the flap track. The system includes a flap panel pivotally attached to the shuttle at a flap pivot. The flap panel is configured to rotate about the flap pivot. When the shuttle is deployed along a length of the flap track, the shuttle is configured to prevent rotation of the flap panel about the flap pivot, and when the shuttle is withdrawn into a stowed position, the shuttle is configured to allow the flap panel to rotate about the flap pivot.
US09108719B2 Aircraft with AFT split-level multi-deck fusealge
An aircraft capable of carrying passengers and cargo includes a fuselage, having a crown section and a keel, a first passenger cabin, having a first floor, located in a forward portion the fuselage, and a first cargo deck, located below at least a portion of the first passenger cabin. A split level cabin is located in an aft portion of the fuselage, the split level cabin including an upper second cabin having a second floor above the level of the first floor, and a lower third cabin beneath the upper second cabin and having a third floor below the level of the first floor. A second cargo deck is located in the aft portion of the fuselage and beneath at least a portion of the lower third cabin. The crown section has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape fore-to-aft above the first passenger cabin and the split level cabin, and the keel below the second cargo deck is lowered compared to the keel below the first cargo deck. A modified aircraft having a split level aft cabin and lowered keel, and a method for modifying an aircraft in this way are disclosed.
US09108718B2 Composite-material structure and aircraft main wing and aircraft fuselage provided with the same
A main wing (1) on which a tensile load is exerted in a longitudinal direction includes a holed structural member that is a composite material made of fiber reinforced plastic which extends in the longitudinal direction and in which access holes (5) are formed and that serves as a center portion (3b); and a front portion (3a) and a rear portion (3c) that are composite materials made of fiber reinforced plastic which extend in the longitudinal direction of the main wing and which are connected to side portions of the center portion. The tensile rigidity of the center portion in the longitudinal direction is set to be lower than the tensile rigidity of the front portion and the rear portion in the longitudinal direction.
US09108716B2 Aircraft having a recessed cavity in an aft pressure bulkhead wall surface and a galley moved rearwardly into the recessed cavity increasing floor space in front of the galley
An aircraft cabin has been reconfigured with a rear fuselage galley and a modified aft pressure bulkhead that enables the galley to be moved rearwardly to provide additional floor space in the aircraft cabin.
US09108715B2 Rotary actuated high lift gapped aileron
A rotary actuated high lift gapped aileron system and method are presented. A high lift gapped aileron couples to an airfoil at a hinge line and changes a camber of the airfoil. A rotary actuator coupled to the high lift gapped aileron produces a rotary motion of the high lift gapped aileron in response to an actuation command. A droop panel positioned over the hinge line enhances lift of the high lift gapped aileron. A cove lip door positioned under the hinge line provides an airflow over the high lift gapped aileron. A deployment linkage mechanism coupled to the high lift gapped aileron positions the droop panel and the cove lip door in response to the rotary motion.
US09108713B2 Elevon control system
A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (100, 400, 1000, 1500) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils (141, 142, 1345, 1346) having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns (621, 622). Embodiments include one or more rudder elements (1045, 1046, 1145, 1146, 1245, 1345, 1346, 1445, 1446, 1545, 1546) which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member (1049, 1149, 1249, 1349) disposed within the fuselage housing (1001) and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.
US09108712B2 Airship with a controlled variable profile
The invention relates to an airship comprising a flexible envelope having at least one adjustment region provided with two longitudinal adjustment elements mounted in opposition and mobile in relation to each other between a maximum distancing position and a minimum distancing position, the two longitudinal adjustment elements being connected to each other by a group comprising a plurality of cables crossing the inner space of the envelope, each of the cables cooperating with a plurality or tightening points provided along each longitudinal element. The cables are connected to at least one tightening module that can exert a tightening or loosening action on the cables and thereby bring the longitudinal adjustment elements closer together or move them further away.
US09108709B2 Modular optronic periscope
A modular optronic periscope includes a staring module, having a plurality of static sensors providing image data for a wide field of view at moderate resolution, and an image processor, by way of which image data from the static sensors are stitched together into a single continuous image. A multi-spectral, narrow field of view at a higher resolution than the staring module is produced using a pointing module including a rotatable mirror, and a collimated optical bundle from the pointing module is imaged by way of an optical platform onto photosensitive devices to form a two dimensional image array. Each pixel of the image array is repositioned by way of image derotation circuitry before display.
US09108708B1 Small vessel marina
The invention relates to a small vessel marina which includes a stocks framework, which contains sliding elements at a distance from each other and joining beams between them, a boat trailer for a boat, which boat trailer is installed on top of the sliding elements and arranged movable along them, and in front of the boat trailer is connected a pier with steps with a connecting rail, which pier is movable along the boat trailer on top of the sliding elements.
US09108706B2 Retractable wake surfing tether
An retractable tether device is used to alert the driver of a fallen athlete and to return the athlete, primarily a wake surfer, back to position behind the watercraft. The tether consists of a coil spring with a storage reel for the line and an audible alert notification. When a wake surfer falls off the surfboard, the tether will pull out from the device. Simultaneously, the boat stops and the coil spring will retract the tether to reposition the wake surfer behind the boat. As the tether is reeled out, an alert such as an audible noise and/or vibratory signal will cue the driver that the wake surfer has fallen. To further ensure safety, each end of the apparatus would have break away clips. The safety break away clips would release in the case where the driver did not stop the boat. The tether could be connected to the tower, pylon or back of the boat's towable hook. As a result of this device, the surfer can efficiently engage in an increased number of wake surfing sessions.
US09108705B2 Semi-rigid floating tube assembly
An amusement device is formed by an elongate, semi-rigid, floating tube assembly with an outer, sleeve-forming tube of soft, flexible, buoyant material and semi-rigid, modular, inner tubing inserted longitudinally into the sleeve. The inner tubing is assembled from a series of identical, rigid, tubular, plastic links each having ball and a socket joint at respective opposite ends rotatively engaged with respective socket and ball joints of adjacent links. The engaging/abutting surfaces of the joints form interference, watertight fits to join the links in end-to-end relation to any desired length and enabling the tube assembly to be transversely bent by a person into different stable shapes. A creaking sound, audible to a user, is emitted during rotative movement of the joints during transverse bending of the tube assembly.
US09108703B2 Intelligent draft gauge for ships
A draft gauge, including: four balancing float tanks, a central control room, a first and second connection beam, a pump-valve chamber, a longitudinal connection beam, flexible centering brackets, a lateral connection beam, a scanning sensor, and a side scanner. The four balancing float tanks are arranged at two sides of a hull with every two balancing float tanks arranged at each side of the hull. The flexible centering brackets are fixed on an inner side of the first connection beam and on an inner side of the second connection beam, respectively. Every two balancing float tanks at opposite sides of the hull are connected via the lateral connection beam. The scanning sensors are evenly arranged on the lateral connection beam. The side scanner is arranged on one side of the balancing float tank in a close proximity to the hull.
US09108702B2 Mooring assembly for a vessel
In a mooring assembly for a vessel, comprising a moonpool defined in the vessel, a turret is rotatably mounted within the moonpool with an upper main bearing for transmitting horizontal and vertical loads between the vessel and turret and with a lower secondary bearing for substantially transmitting horizontal loads between the vessel and the turret. Mooring lines are attached to the lower region of the turret that comprises a number of circumferentially spaced torsion box like torsion members each extending substantially vertically. The torsion members resist bending in a circumferential direction that is greater than in a radial direction. The lower secondary bearing is defined by outwardly facing bearing members attached to said torsion members and an inwardly facing bearing ring attached to the moonpool. In a situation in which a torsion member is not loaded horizontally by a respective mooring line its bearing member does not engage the ring.
US09108699B2 Crank arm spider improvement for attaching ovoid chainrings
Crank arm spider adjustment orientation system to provide different angular orientations in the attachment of at least an ovoid chainring, comprising an ovoid chainring (3) and a spider (1), both of them provided with multiple anchorage points (30, 10) arranged as holes distributed along the perimeter of a BCD, and mechanical anchorage means (5) engaging chainring anchorage points (30) with corresponding spider anchorage points (10); where the number of said spider anchorage points (10) is multiple of and greater than the number of said mechanical anchorage means (5), and the angular increment between consecutive chainring's (3) orientations provided by the chainring anchorage points (30) is different than the angular increment between consecutive chainring's (3) orientations provided by the spider anchorage points (10), so the combination of the spider (1) with at least one ovoid chainring (3) multiplies the possibilities for said ovoid chainring's (3) orientation reducing the angular increment between consecutive chainring's (3) orientations.
US09108698B2 Suspension apparatus and suspension system
A first front fork includes an outer tube, an inner tube, a tubular cylinder provided inside the outer tube and the inner tube, a rod member moving relatively in an axial direction of the cylinder and having a space portion inside, which is formed in the axial direction, a piston fixed to an end portion of a wheel side of the rod member and sectioning a space in the cylinder into part of a rebound air spring chamber and an inner air spring chamber and a rod guide fixed to an end portion of a vehicle-body side of the cylinder and sectioning a space in the inner tube into part of the rebound air spring chamber and an outer air spring chamber.
US09108697B2 Folding trailer
A collapsible trailer for exercising or transporting an animal. The trailer is attachable to a vehicle, such as a bicycle, and features a floor capable of retracting into a running position where an animal is able to run on the ground and deploying into a riding position where an animal can ride without having to exert itself. The trailer is further capable of collapsing utilizing hinged connections between trailer sides in order to have the trailer fold flat to occupy a reduced floor area.
US09108696B2 Frame unit for bicycle and method of manufacturing the same
A frame unit for a bicycle includes: a left frame body in which a part of a head tube, a part of a seat tube, a part of a frame, and a left stay are integrally formed; and a right frame body in which a part of the head tube, a part of the seat tube, a part of the frame, and a right stay are integrally formed, in which the left frame body and the right frame body are coupled so as to integrally form the head tube, the seat tube, and the frame, flanges are formed to be inclined along edges of the left frame body and the right frame body, respectively, and the left frame body and the right frame body are coupled through the flanges.
US09108694B2 Bicycle fitting method for producing bicycle, bicycle fitting system and computer program product
A bicycle fitting method for producing a bicycle is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a bicycle riding information and a body measurement corresponding to a cyclist. According to the bicycle riding information, a bicycle model is provided. According to the body measurement and the selected bicycle model, a bicycle frame size and a set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters are provided. According to the bicycle model, the bicycle frame size, and the set of bicycle geometric adjustment parameters, a bicycle which fits the cyclist is produced.
US09108691B2 Tractor/trailer combinations
A tractor unit (10) and a trailer unit (14) are connected by a connecting pin (33) on one unit (12, 14) which is in use received in an opening (21) in a connecting surface of the other unit, the connecting pin (33) including a sensor device (70) to sense loads imposed on the connecting pin (33) as the trailer unit (14) tends to decelerate or accelerate relative to the tractor unit (12), there being a control system, including a controller (65) which receives signals from the sensor device (70) representative of loads imposed on the connecting pin (33), and at least one electrical motive machine (50) is controlled, the machine (50) being capable of being electrically driven by power from an electrical storage device to provide drive to drive at least one ground engaging wheel (45a, 45b) and of generating electrical power for storage by an electrical storage device (58), such as to minimize the loads imposed on the connecting pin (33).
US09108690B2 Motorised wheelbarrow
A pedestrian motorised wheelbarrow having a front axle member mounting two front road-wheels, a back axle member mounting two back road-wheels, an electric motor mounted towards the rear to drive directly the rear two wheels which in turn drive the front two wheels, a carrier for a battery-pack to power the motor arranged for substantially the whole battery-pack weight to be at the front axle member, the empty wheelbarrow having more than half its weight on the front axle member, a hopper such that its load will be mainly on the front axle member, handles for tilting the wheelbarrow to lift the rear wheels off the ground, and a brake operating automatically upon interruption of the motor's power supply; the hopper being pivotally mounted so that, upon sudden braking, it will tend to pivot to eject its load forwards subject to a releasable catch worked from the handle area.
US09108685B1 Apparatus for reducing vehicle drag and covering a tonneau of a vehicle, and a method thereof
An apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle generally has a front wall, two side walls, a truck bed, and a tailgate that altogether define a tonneau. The apparatus includes a tonneau cover that has a front panel and a rear panel. The tonneau cover is slidable along the side walls of the vehicle to move between a closed position and an extended position. In the closed position, the tonneau cover substantially covers the tonneau. In the extended position, at least a portion of the rear panel overhangs the tailgate exterior to the tonneau. The tonneau cover is securable in at least one of the closed position and the extended position.
US09108681B2 Sub-frame for vehicle
A vehicle sub-frame includes a hollow body having a hollow part thereinside formed by casting using a core. The hollow body includes a front wall and a rear wall. The front wall has a front bulging section formed to bulge outward at a position corresponding to a parting line. The front bulging section is formed on a part avoiding a top wall and a bottom wall of the hollow body. The rear wall has a rear bulging section formed to bulge outward at a position corresponding to the parting line. The rear wall is formed on a part avoiding the top wall and the bottom wall.
US09108680B2 Automobile chassis frame structure
A first and second pipe materials forming a front side frame are arranged in an up-and-down direction in a first horizontal portion, in a left-and-right direction in a second horizontal portion, and replaced from the up-and-down direction to the left-and-right direction in an inclined portion between the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion, and at least in the first horizontal portion and the second horizontal portion, the first and second pipe materials are welded to each other by welds, and therefore, it becomes possible to change in the longitudinal direction the cross-sectional shape or bending stiffness of the front side frame formed by joining the first and second pipe materials without changing the cross-sectional shapes thereof in the longitudinal direction, thus providing the front side frame that has a light weight but has excellent impact absorption performance at the time of a collision.
US09108678B2 Vehicle support frames with interlocking features for joining members of dissimilar materials
The present disclosure relates to various vehicle frame assemblies and methods of manufacturing the same. The vehicle frame assemblies have rails composed of dissimilar materials.
US09108669B2 Electric power assisted steering (EPAS) systems
A vehicle comprising an electric power assist steering (EPAS) system, wherein the EPAS system is capable of receiving a detected value of steering wheel torque and wherein the EPAS system is operable to improve the accuracy of the detected value of steering wheel torque by compensating for a weight imbalance present in the steering wheel.
US09108657B2 Cart braking system
A braking system for a cart is described herein. The braking system can include a pair of chocks positioned proximate to a wheel of a wheel assembly, where the wheel assembly is coupled to a cart frame. The braking system can also include a handle mechanically coupled to the cart frame, where the handle has an engaged position when a force is applied to the handle, and where the handle has a disengaged position when no force is applied to the handle. The braking system can also include a brake release mechanism coupled to the pair of chocks and the handle. When the handle is in the disengaged position, the pair of chocks are engaged with the wheel and the brake release mechanism is disengaged. When the handle is in the engaged position, the pair of chocks are disengaged from the wheel and the brake release mechanism is engaged.
US09108656B1 Collapsible wagon
A collapsible wagon includes a base and one or more upstanding walls forming a container for cargo. The upstanding walls are pivotally mounted to the base for pivoting between an unfolded position for use and a folded position for storage and transport. In some embodiments, the wagon includes a pinchless internal mechanical stop that eliminates pinch points where a user's fingers can be pinched during folding and unfolding of the walls. In some embodiments, the wagon includes a gang-operated latch system for releasably securing the endwalls to the sidewalls that is quick, easy, and reliable to use for folding and unfolding. And in some embodiments, the wagon includes a latch system that eliminates slack or play when in the unfolded use position for structural integrity.
US09108654B2 Infant car seat assembly
Infant car seat assemblies suitable for functioning as both a car seat and a stroller and capable of functioning with a wide variety of commercially available car seats. The infant car seat assembly for providing mobility to an infant car seat includes at least two hubs, a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs secured to the hubs at uppermost extents thereof and having at least two wheel assemblies secured to lowermost extents thereof, and at least two adapters configured to releaseably secure the hubs to the infant car seat.
US09108651B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, program, recording medium
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an extraction section which extracts, out of pieces of detection information each including position information and motion detection data acquired by terminal devices of respective users, detection information of a user on a specific train, based on the position information, and an estimation section which estimates distribution of people on the train based on the motion detection data included in the detection information extracted by the extraction section.
US09108649B2 Underframe structure of railcar
An underframe structure of a railcar capable of reducing a deformation amount of a cross beam supporting an underfloor equipment upon underfloor fire. The underframe structure of the railcar includes an underframe having a pair of side sills extending in a railcar longitudinal direction and a cross beam arranged between the side sills and extending in a railcar width direction, a structural floor provided on an upper surface of the underframe, and an underfloor equipment suspended down in a center part in the railcar width direction of the cross beam. The underframe structure includes a passenger cabin floor provided on an upper side of the structural floor, the passenger cabin floor forming a lower surface of a passenger cabin S, and floor receiving members supporting the passenger cabin floor and extending in the railcar longitudinal direction between the structural floor and the passenger cabin floor.
US09108648B2 Supporting device for a rail vehicle floor
A supporting device for a floor of a rail vehicle includes an elongate floor rail which is composed of a first metallic material and is divided into a plurality of longitudinal portions or sections, so as to form at least one joint. The floor rail is supported on a rail vehicle shell which is composed of a second metallic material. The floor rail is connected in the region of the joint to an intermediate profile which is provided for interconnecting the mutually adjoining longitudinal sections of the floor rail in a flexurally rigid fashion. A sliding fit or seat is formed between the longitudinal portions or sections of the floor rail and the intermediate profile.
US09108643B2 Driving assistant method and system for electric vehicle
A driving assistant method for an electric vehicle is provided with the following steps. When the electric vehicle is started up, a battery energy safe driving region is calculated and displayed. The battery energy safe driving region is updated dynamically according to vehicle information. The vehicle information includes battery information of the electric vehicle.
US09108642B2 Mobile object, system, and storage medium
There is provided a mobile object including an input detection unit configured to detect an input from an outside, an acquisition unit configured to acquire environmental information detected by a sensor in a remote location, in accordance with a content of detection performed by the input detection unit, and a control unit configured to control an actuator other than a driving actuator in accordance with the environmental information acquired by the acquisition unit, the driving actuator relating to movement of the mobile object.
US09108641B2 Control apparatus for vehicles
A control apparatus for controlling a vehicle includes an actuator ECU. The actuator ECU acquires a crankshaft angle (stopped crankshaft angle) at a time that an engine stops operating. The actuator ECU identifies a crankshaft angle depending on an edge of a first TDC pulse of a TDC pulse signal immediately after the engine has been started or restarted. Then, using the identified crankshaft angle as a reference, the actuator ECU corrects the stopped crankshaft angle.
US09108638B2 Methods and systems for a hybrid vehicle
Systems and methods for learning torque estimate errors and updating torque estimation models are presented. In one example, torque errors are learned during an engine shut-down, after a disconnect clutch coupled between an engine and an electric machine has been released. An updated torque estimation model is then used to control torque during subsequent engine operation to improve drive feel and vehicle performance.
US09108637B2 Method for controlling a separating clutch in a hybrid drive train, and drive train
A hybrid drivetrain and method for controlling a friction clutch of a hybrid drivetrain of a motor vehicle having a combustion engine which is coupled by means of a freewheel to a transmission input shaft of a transmission to transmit the engine torque, and having an electric machine which starts the combustion engine and/or propels the motor vehicle, which friction clutch transmits to the combustion engine a summed torque formed of a starting torque for starting the combustion engine by means of the electric machine and a drag torque which acts on the combustion engine when the drivetrain is in drag mode. To be able to operate the friction clutch reliably and to avoid over-dimensioning of the friction clutch as a result of high summed torques, a torque present at the friction clutch is limited to a predefined transmission torque which can be transmitted via the friction clutch.
US09108636B2 Transmission control device for hybrid vehicle
In a transmission control device for a hybrid vehicle, when an engine torque is equal to or less than a predetermined value during a constant speed traveling, a learning engine rotational speed is set to a rotational speed being higher by +α than the present engine rotational speed. Then, a learning engine torque is calculated that corresponds to the learning engine rotational speed, a learning clutch actuator operation amount is obtained that corresponds to the learning clutch torque, and a clutch actuator is operated based on the learning clutch actuator operation amount. Thereafter, when the engine rotational speed and the engine torque are in stable states, a clutch torque value corresponding to the learning clutch actuator operation amount is compensated by a stable engine torque value.
US09108633B1 Hybrid powertrain and method of controlling same
A hybrid powertrain with an engine, motor/generator, a belt drive train, a starting mechanism and one or more switching devices for one or more energy storage devices has at least one electronic controller that executes a stored algorithm and controls the hybrid powertrain in accordance with the stored algorithm to establish multiple operating modes including an operating mode in which a first switching device establishes an electrical connection between a first energy storage device and the motor/generator. The operating mode established can be dependent upon a parameter of the first energy storage device, a parameter of the control system, a parameter of the motor/generator, and/or a parameter of said at least one actuator. For example, the stored algorithm can control the hybrid powertrain based on a capacity to restart the engine.
US09108630B2 Drive control device for hybrid vehicle
A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises: a reverse drive control portion configured to operate the first electric motor so as to generate a positive torque and operate the second electric motor so as to generate a negative torque, with the clutch being placed in the engaged state, to run the hybrid vehicle in a reverse direction.
US09108627B2 Method for controlling a vehicle
A method for improving starting of an engine that may be repeatedly stopped and started is presented. In one example, the method adjusts application of vehicle brakes to reduce the possibility of impact between gear teeth after engine starting.
US09108624B2 Dual mode electromechanical variable speed transmission apparatus and method of control
A dual-mode electro-mechanical variable speed transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft system, a gear system having at least three branches, two electric machines, and at least a clutch. The first electric machine couples to a branch of the gear system, the output shaft system couples to another branch of the gear system, the input shaft couples to the remaining branch or one of the remaining branches of the gear system, and the second electric machine selectively couples either to the same branch that is coupled to the output shaft system with a speed ratio or to one of the remaining branches that is not coupled to the first electric machine with a different speed ratio. The transmission provides at least two power splitting modes to cover different speed ratio regimes. The transmission can also provide at least a fixed output shaft to input shaft speed ratio.
US09108621B2 Controlling powertrain components for hill-holding in a hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and a traction motor coupled to the engine by a coupling device or a clutch for providing torque to wheels of the vehicle. An inverter is electrically connected to the traction motor. A second coupling device or at least one clutch at least indirectly selectively couples the motor to the drive wheels. A controller controls the second coupling device based upon a temperature of at least one of the fraction motor and the inverter.
US09108620B2 Method to reduce powertrain noise and vibration during engine start in hybrid vehicle
A method of controlling a powertrain system of a hybrid vehicle includes detecting a request to start an engine, incrementally applying torque to the powertrain system, and biasing the torque against a static member of the powertrain system, such as a parking pawl of a transmission when the transmission is disposed in a parking position, to remove lash from the powertrain system prior to starting the engine.
US09108619B2 Control device for lockup clutch
A control device for a lockup clutch is provided in which when control region determination device determines that a vehicle speed and an opening degree of an accelerator pedal are in the tight region of the lockup clutch, even if the water temperature of cooling water of the or the oil temperature of hydraulic oil of the transmission is less than a predetermined temperature, engagement permission device permits engagement of the lockup clutch. It is therefore possible to improve the fuel economy of the vehicle by increasing the frequency of engagement of the lockup clutch without affecting the function of the lockup clutch. The control device even functions when the lockup clutch is engaged at low temperatures, when the engagement responsiveness is low, because the oil temperature of the hydraulic oil is low and the viscosity is high.
US09108614B2 Methods and systems for adapting a driveline disconnect clutch transfer function
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a transfer function of a driveline disconnect clutch is adapted.
US09108613B2 Method and system for stopping an engine
A method and a system for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, a disconnect clutch is operated in response to an engine stop request to adjust an engine stopping position during an engine shutdown. The approach may reduce engine starting time after the engine stop.
US09108610B2 Electrically boosted braking system
Braking system comprising a brake booster with electric motor driving the push rod of the piston of the master cylinder via a ball-screw connection and actuated by a control rod. In the casing connected to the master cylinder, the brake booster comprises an actuator piston guided in translational movement by at least two guide pins which are parallel to the axis of the master cylinder and which is driven in translational movement by a ball screw of which the screw, driven by the motor, is offset with respect to the axis of the master cylinder. The screw collaborates with a nut translationally as one with the actuator piston, and a bore of the actuator piston receives a boost piston equipped with a reaction disc and with a plunger piston connected to the control rod.
US09108604B2 Method for operating a brake system for motor vehicles, and brake system
A system and method for operating a brake system for motor vehicles, includes a master brake cylinder actuated by a brake pedal and separably connected to at least one hydraulically acutuatable wheel brake by at least one brake circuit, a hydraulically operable pedal travel simulator is connectable to the master brake cylinder, an electrically controllable pressure provision apparatus is separably connected to the brake circuit, and an electronic open-loop and closed-loop control unit. Upon brake pedal actuation, a pressure of the pressure provision apparatus is applied to the brake circuit in a first operating mode and the pressure of the master brake cylinder is applied to the brake circuit in a second operating mode. In the event of transition from the second operating mode to the first operating mode while the brake pedal is actuated, the actuation travel of the brake pedal is adjusted by electronic open-loop or closed-loop control.
US09108599B2 Method for operating a parking brake having an electromotively driven parking brake mechanism
A method for operating a parking brake with an electromotively driven parking brake mechanism includes applying the parking brake by the electric motor, switching off the electric motor in the state in which the parking brake is applied, switching on the electric motor after a prespecified time and reapplying the parking brake mechanism in the brake application direction. During the brake reapplication operation, an electrical variable of the electric motor is determined and compared with a reference value. The brake reapplication process is continued or terminated depending on whether the electrical variable, or a variable derived therefrom, is smaller or greater than the reference value.
US09108595B2 Windshield wiper connector
A wiper blade connector releasably secures a wiper blade to a wiper arm, thereby forming a windshield wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade connector comprises an elongate body member having opposite facing side walls, a front end, and a rear end. The opposite facing sidewalls include means for receiving and releasably securing to the mounting base on a wiper blade. At the front end of the elongate body member, a first tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding front tongue of a wiper arm. At the rear end of the elongate body member, a second tongue receiving opening is sized to receive the corresponding rear tongue of a wiper arm. A locking mechanism, such as a slidable cap provided proximate to the front end of the elongate body member, releasably locks the wiper blade member to the wiper arm.
US09108587B2 3-layer “C” shaped side airbag
An airbag assembly may include an airbag with a first fabric panel, a second fabric panel attached to the first fabric panel, and a third fabric panel attached to the second fabric panel. The first and second fabric panels may define a first inflatable cushion and the second and third fabric panels may define a C-shaped second inflatable cushion. Upon deployment, the first inflatable cushion may have a first pressure and the second inflatable cushion may have a second pressure greater than the first pressure. Further, the first inflatable cushion may be positioned directly outboard of the thoracic region and the second inflatable cushion may be positioned directly outboard of the acromial region and the coxal region, but not the thoracic region, to provide gentler cushioning for the thoracic region.
US09108584B2 Multi-stage airbag in vehicle with reconfigurable interior
A steering wheel is locatable between an operational position at a driver seat of a vehicle and a stowed position in the vehicle. A first airbag is coupled to the steering wheel, and a multi-stage airbag laterally overlaps the driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle next to the driver seat. A controller includes instructions for detecting a frontal collision, locating the steering wheel, deploying the first airbag at the driver seat and the multi-stage airbag at the passenger seat when the steering wheel is in the operational position, and deploying the multi-stage airbag at the driver and passenger seats when the steering wheel is in the stowed position.
US09108582B1 System and method for collaborative vehicle crash planning and sequence deployment
A system and method for collaborative vehicle crash planning employs a model-based approach for mitigating damage and injuries resulting from a vehicle collision. A real-time crash model is generated to determine an optimal crash sequence within a parallel computing environment.
US09108581B2 Grill guard with integrated LED bar
A grill guard has an LED light bar positioned at a central location within the grill guard. The grill guard includes two vertically extending members and two horizontal members. The LED light bar is mounted within a casing which is integrated into the grill guard, with the LED light bar protected both by the grill guard and by the casing. The preferred mounting arrangement allows both pivoting and fore and aft movement of the LED light bar within the casing.
US09108571B2 Method, system, and computer program product for image capture positioning using a pattern of invisible light
Systems, methods, computer programs, and user interfaces are provided to project, by a projection device, a pattern of invisible light onto a surface; position a vehicle at an image capture position on the surface, the vehicle including an image capture device oriented to capture an image of a view at the image capture position; capture, by an invisible light sensor connected to the vehicle, a pattern image at the image capture position, the pattern image including at least a portion of the pattern of invisible light projected onto the surface; and send the pattern image to an application server, the application server determining the image capture position relative to the projection device based on the portion of the pattern of invisible light.
US09108566B2 Multi-pattern headlamp assembly and system
A vehicle headlamp system includes a headlamp assembly having a light source and a beam pattern panel. The beam pattern panel includes one or more regions capable of changing between opaque and transparent light-transmission states to selectively allow light from the light source to pass through the panel. The panel may be an LCD panel with a plurality of liquid crystal elements arranged in an array with the ability to provide a plurality of different beam patterns. The beam pattern may be determined and changed in real time based on information received at a system processor about one or more vehicle and/or road conditions. The headlamp system can direct a projected light beam into a curve in the road ahead and/or automatically change the direction of the projected beam to avoid shining light directly at oncoming drivers.
US09108564B2 Holder for a light source in the opening of a reflector
A holder for a light source in the opening of a reflector for a vehicle headlamp, includes a retention ring extending in a ring plane, for an arrangement on the reflector, wherein the light source can be retentively arranged in the opening of the reflector. To allow a safe arrangement of the light source in the opening of the reflector and to prevent that a number of retention rings can get entangled, it is provided according to the invention, that the retention ring has tongues holding the light source in the opening of the reflector by means of elastic spring deflection, the tongues having a first tongue end and a second tongue end, and wherein the tongue ends lie essentially on the ring plane of the retention ring.
US09108563B2 Head lamp for vehicle including plural light source units
To provide, at a low cost, a head lamp for a vehicle having a low-beam lamp and a high-beam lamp, which is high in the utilization factor of light and can irradiate a wide area, the present invention is provided with a head lamp for a vehicle which includes a low-beam light source unit that is a reflective type and a high-beam light source unit that is a projector type and is disposed beneath the low-beam light source unit.
US09108557B2 Low center of gravity carrier
A carrier having a platform or deck mounted on a subframe tiltable relative to the vehicle chassis. The platform is preferably slidable relative to the subframe. Sufficient clearance is provided such that the subframe is preferably located between the vehicle chassis frame and the rear wheels, and below the top of the chassis frame. The resulting carrier has a platform with a height substantially lower than that of previous carriers, providing it with a lower center of gravity, enabling a reduction in load angle, an increase in payload height, and enhanced dynamic road stability.
US09108555B2 Belt fastening on the rear main tube of the backrest, ideally on the rear foot situated at the bottom
Disclosed is a vehicle seat with seat part, backrest, belt restraining system and support structure supporting the seat part and backrest. Belt restraining system comprises belt reversal means and belt lock. Belt reversal means is positioned in an upper corner region of the backrest and belt lock positioned in seat area of seat part. Support structure has asymmetrical framework with main force braces extending substantially vertically. Main force braces converge in junction region and underside of support structure a first, second and third one of main force braces is arranged on the side towards the junction region as a thrust brace guided forwards as far as a front foot; on the side towards the junction region as a tension brace at the rear guided as far as a first rear foot; tension/thrust brace at the rear guided as far as a further rear foot.
US09108554B2 Structural element for a vehicle seat
A motor vehicle seat has a structural element that includes a plurality of components, at least some of which are connected to one another. At least one of the components is available in a plurality of materials, such as steel or a lightweight construction. The shape of the components, however, is configured so that it remains unchanged irrespective of the component material.
US09108552B2 Vehicle seat and resin seatback spring
A vehicle seat is obtained that allows good assembly operation characteristics of a side airbag device to a side-frame of a seatback frame. In a vehicle seat, stud bolts and nuts that fasten and fix a side airbag device to a side-frame are covered by a frame attachment section of a resin seatback spring. However, the frame attachment section is formed with openings at positions facing the stud bolts and the nuts. During manufacture of the vehicle seat, it is accordingly possible to perform a fixing operation of the side airbag device to the side-frame through the openings even in cases where the resin seatback spring is assembled to a seatback frame before assembling the side airbag device to the side-frame.
US09108551B2 Seat structure member and vehicle seat
A cover has a breathable first portion arranged on a seating side of a seat structure member, a second portion that is laminated to the first portion and inhibits penetration of resin foam material, and a passage portion through which air passes that is provided on the second portion. A protruding portion is arranged face-to-face with the passage portion while the cover is arranged in a cavity, and the cushion is formed with an interposed member that is less rigid than the cover being interposed between the passage portion and the protruding portion.
US09108550B2 Headrest apparatus for multi-purpose vehicle
A headrest apparatus for an MPV includes a headrest that can be automatically completely housed in a storage space in such a way as to slide without requiring a user to perform an additional operation of pushing the headrest downwards, thus being more convenient for the user. The headrest apparatus has a simple structure and a reduced size, thus reducing the weight of the vehicle. The headrest apparatus includes a headrest sliding unit, a sinking seat folding unit, and a seat support frame supporting a sinking seat on a floor of the MPV, wherein, when the sinking seat is housed in a seat storage space formed in the floor of the MPV, the upper surface of the sinking seat that is in a housed state is level with the upper surface of the floor of the MPV.
US09108548B2 Vehicle seat
A vehicle seat comprises: left and right base frames (side portions 52, 53 of pipe frame 5) which extend in an upward-and-downward direction and constitute left and right portions of a seat back frame (2); a pressure-receiving member (10) disposed between the left and right base frames, and configured to move rearward upon receipt of a rearward load of a predetermined magnitude or greater from an occupant; a force-receiving member (bracket 7) disposed adjacent to a left or right outer side of one base frame (side portion 53), and configured to receive a load from outside in a lateral direction; and a load transmission part (lower portion 51 of pipe frame 5) disposed under the pressure-receiving member (10), connected to a lower end of the one base frame, and configured to transmit the load from the force-receiving member to a side laterally opposite to that on which the force-receiving member is provided. The force-receiving member is provided such that the lower end of the one base frame (53) is located within a width in the upward-and-downward direction of the force-receiving member.
US09108546B2 Vehicle seat
Provided is a vehicle seat having a high absorbing efficiency of impact energy upon rear end collision. The vehicle seat includes a pair of side frames that are arranged on the side, and lower frames and that connect lower portions of the pair of side frames to each other, in which a narrow portion including: a horizontal portion formed inside the pair of side frames along a longitudinal direction with a flexibility against a load equal to or more than a predetermined impact load, and an inclined portion extending from the horizontal portion via a bent portion inside the pair of side frames is formed on the lower frames.
US09108542B2 Seat reclining apparatus
A seat reclining apparatus includes a base plate, a ratchet plate, a lock member supported on a surface of the base plate which faces the ratchet plate so that the lock member is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, a rotational cam positioned between the base plate and the ratchet plate and rotates relative thereto by an operation of an operating member, and a welding protrusion which protrudes from the outer side of the base plate and is engaged with a holding portion. The welding protrusion includes a welding portion which is positioned closer to an outer peripheral side of the base plate than the outer toothed portion of the lock member in the engaged position, and a weld is applied so as to extend over the welding portion and an outer edge of the holding portion.
US09108539B2 Safety apparatus of seat for vehicle with height adjust device
A safety apparatus of a seat for a vehicle with a height adjustment device may include a height link that has one end rotatably connected to a seat rail bracket and the other end fixed to a rear hinge pipe, a restriction link that may be disposed at a side of the height link and has one end pivotally coupled to the seat rail bracket, wherein the restriction link may be elastically biased away from the height link, a first anti-rotation mechanism that may be disposed at the height link and the restriction link to restrict rotation of the height link when a front of the height link rotates upward in a front collision, and a second anti-rotation mechanism that may be disposed at the height link and the restriction link to restrict rotation of the height link when a rear of the height link rotates upward in a rear collision.
US09108537B2 Vehicle seat apparatus with middle return slide walk in
A slide return mechanism of a seat for a vehicle, the seat including a seat back and a seat base, the slide return mechanism including a recliner that reclines the seat back, a slide release lever that locks and unlocks the movement of a slide mechanism of the seat, and a stopper link. Rotation of the recliner causes the seat back to move downward, the slide release lever to unlock the slide mechanism, and the stopper link to move into position to prevent the seat from traveling in a rearward direction at a predetermined position.
US09108526B2 Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle includes a power storage device, an engine, a power generation apparatus, an input apparatus, and an ECU. The power generation apparatus is configured to generate charging power of the power storage device by using output of the engine. The input apparatus is configured to request, by a user input, an increase in a power storage amount of the power storage device. The ECU is configured to: (a) control charging of the power storage device by the power generation apparatus and accelerate the charging of the power storage device, when the increase in the power storage amount is requested, and (b) suppress charging of the power storage device at the time when a travel load is small in comparison with charging of the power storage device at the time when the travel load is large, when the increase in the power storage amount is requested.
US09108521B2 Battery control apparatus and method
A battery control apparatus includes an emergency charging unit including an external charging terminal for applying power to a main battery pack, a first voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the external charging terminal, and an emergency charging switch for switching the connection between the external charging terminal and the main battery pack; an auxiliary battery connection unit including an auxiliary battery connection terminal for applying power to the vehicle through a contactor, a second voltage measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the auxiliary battery connection terminal, and an auxiliary battery switch for switching the connection between the auxiliary battery connection terminal and the contactor; and an emergency control unit for switching to an emergency charging mode or an auxiliary connection mode by turning on the emergency charging switch or the auxiliary battery switch during the voltage measurement of the first or second voltage measurement unit.
US09108519B2 Meter display device for electric vehicle
An electric vehicle includes a main battery, a motor generating drive power of the vehicle by supply of electric power from the main battery, an output control circuit for the motor, a charging connector for supplying electric power from an external to the main battery, and a meter display device. The meter display device includes a display section including at least a vehicle speed displaying portion and a charging connector condition displaying portion displaying information related to the condition of the charging connector. The charging connector condition displaying portion displays information on maintenance of the charging connector and is disposed adjacent the vehicle speed displaying portion. A main battery residual displaying portion and a sub battery residual displaying portion are disposed around the vehicle speed displaying portion.
US09108513B2 Viewing direction and acoustic command based operating device for a motor vehicle
In a method for the operator control of a motor vehicle having a display for displaying variable information and having a microphone, the viewing direction of an operator of the motor vehicle is ascertained, it is checked whether the viewing direction of the operator is aimed toward the display, and information assigned to an acoustic command is shown on the display when a corresponding acoustic command is given while the viewing direction of the operator is aimed toward the display.
US09108508B2 Power take-off transmission
A power take-off transmission has a power take-off clutch, a hydraulic supply, a hydraulically operable piston for activating a clutch plate set of the power take-off clutch, wherein the hydraulic supply comprises a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic reservoir and a hydraulic cooler and wherein a first hydraulic line hydraulically connects the hydraulic pump to the piston and a second hydraulic line branching off from the first hydraulic line hydraulically connects the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic cooler. In order to improve the cooling capacity and lubrication of the power take-off transmission, it is proposed that the hydraulic supply comprises a third hydraulic line, which hydraulically connects the hydraulic cooler to the clutch plate set, wherein the clutch plate set is hydraulically connected to the hydraulic reservoir.
US09108506B2 Nanolaminate-reinforced metal composite tank material and design for storage of flammable and combustible fluids
An improved fuel tank and method of forming a fuel tank utilize reinforced porous metal composite materials. In one embodiment, the composite material includes a fully dense, fluid-impermeable skin combined with a porous metal baffle. The skin and baffle may be formed as a single monolithic system via electrodeposition of a nanolaminate material into at least a portion of open, accessible void space within a porous preform (e.g., a metal foam preform) and on the exterior surface of the preform to form the fluid-impermeable skin.
US09108505B2 Powersplit powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle
A powertrain includes a planetary gearset including an input connected to a shaft driveably connected to an engine, a second input driveably connected to an electric machine, and an output driveably connected to a countershaft, a clutch for releaseably connecting the countershaft and the input shaft through a first pair of meshing gears, and a brake for releaseably holding the input shaft and the input against rotation.
US09108499B2 Hydraulic system and method for a hybrid vehicle
A hydraulic system for a hybrid module which is located between an engine and a transmission includes a parallel arrangement of a mechanical pump and an electric pump. Each pump is constructed and arranged to deliver oil to other portions of the hydraulic system depending on the operational mode. Three operational modes are described including an electric mode, a transition mode, and a cruise mode. Various monitoring and control features are incorporated into the hydraulic system.
US09108495B2 Wheel for pedal-assisted bikes
Wheel for pedal-assisted bikes includes: a fixed structure associable with the frame of a bike having a driving pedal crank; a circle element mounted on the structure for rotation around a main rotation axis; a propulsion disc rotatably mounted on the structure and connectable to the crank; an electric motor associated with the structure and for cooperating with the propulsion disc to motorize the circle element; and transmission elements for transmitting rotary motion from the disc to the circle element which include a first detection device for detecting the force transmitted to the circle element from the disc, and including: a first plate associated in rotation with one of the disc and the circle element; a second plate associated with the other of the disc and the circle element; at least a motion transmission part between the first plate and second plate.
US09108493B2 Vehicle construction having roll bars and a convertible roof
A vehicle construction having one roll bar respectively on both sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the vehicle construction and a convertible roof, the roll bar extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and supporting itself in the rear region of the vehicle construction, and the convertible roof being displaceable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior as well as the roll bars and an uncovered position uncovering the vehicle interior to the top and including a linkage, which can have a link arrangement on both sides, pivotably mounted at a main bearing fixed relative to the vehicle construction. The main bearings and/or the link arrangements each include at least one bridging element, which reaches over the respective roll bar and to which at least one link of the link arrangement is linked.
US09108492B2 Apparatus and method for blocking incident rays from entering an interior cabin of vehicle
Disclosed is an apparatus for blocking incident rays from entering an interior cabin of a vehicle. More specifically, an imaging device provided at a predetermined position in the vehicle and photographing an area around a driver's hands and eyes when a driver raises his or her hand to block rays in the direction of a driver's seat. A control unit which receives photographs from the imaging device, acquires an extension line which extends from the eye area to the hand area. A ray blocking mechanism installed in the vehicle accordingly is then controlled and accordingly operated to block the point where the extension line and the windshield glass or the side glass of the driver's seat meet each other.
US09108491B2 Blind arrangement for a motor vehicle
A blind arrangement for a motor vehicle, especially for a vehicle roof, comprising at least one blind web that encompasses one respective guiding strip along the lateral edge regions thereof. The guiding strip is designed as a force spring, extends along the direction of extension of the blind web, is guided within a guiding track of a guide rail, and shapes the blind web into a wound member once the blind web has left the guiding track that extends in the direction of extension and stretches the blind web transverse to the direction of extension. According to the invention, the wound member has a winding shaft that runs transversely to the direction of extension of the blind web and is disposed at the level of the guiding tracks located on both sides.
US09108488B2 Door for air conditioner of vehicles
A door for an air conditioner in a vehicle, in which a thin sheet member is joined to a side of a mesh-type frame in such a way as to protrude more than an end portion of the frame so that the protruding portion of the thin sheet member is in contact with the air-conditioning case to thereby promote sealing of the door for opening and closing a passageway of an air-conditioning case, thereby preventing odors caused by molds and reducing material expenses and manufacturing costs by reducing weight of the door.
US09108485B2 Adjustable blow-off suspension
Altering the damping rate of a vehicle suspension damper. A pressure of a damping fluid is exerted against a second valve mechanism connected to the vehicle suspension damper. The pressure of the damping fluid is increased beyond a threshold of the second valve mechanism that is adjustable by an adjustment member. The adjustment member is exposed through a high pressure side of the vehicle suspension damper. The second valve mechanism is then opened.
US09108482B2 Torsion bar spring arrangement for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle
A torsion bar spring arrangement for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle includes an actuator arranged on a vehicle body or on a subframe and constructed to variably pre-tension the torsion bar spring arrangement, a coaxial first torsion bar spring having an output side that is connected by way of an output lever to a wheel suspension element of the wheel suspension, and a housing of the actuator supported on the vehicle body in at least one bearing location for movement in a circumferential direction and resiliently yieldingly supported on the vehicle body in the direction of torsional moments acting on the torsion bar spring by way of at least one spring element.
US09108479B1 Train track enabled helicopter
A system enables a helicopter to land on and be conveyed on a train track. The system includes the helicopter with extensible legs attached to the helicopter. The legs extend to below the fuselage to a point below the standard landing gear so that they can engage the railroad tracks. There is a rail wheel rotatably attached to the lower end of each leg. The rail wheels are what ride on the railroad tracks and provide the support needed to maintain the helicopter in position on the railroad tracks. A motor is connected to at least one rail wheel so that it can be activated to rotate the rail wheel to propel the helicopter on the railroad tracks. The system may include an adjustment beam to slide two adjacent rail wheels together or apart so as to permit the rail wheels to engage differing railroad tracks.
US09108472B2 Pneumatic heavy-duty tire having circumferential reinforcing layer and sipes
In the pneumatic tire, the blocks above the circumferential reinforcing layer have at least one sipe. Also, the sipe has a bent shape, in a plan view, with two flex points P1, P2, and has a closed structure with two end points Q1, Q2 terminating within the block. Also, the angle α between the line that connects the flex points P1, P2 and the tire circumferential direction is within the range such that 0°≦α≦10°. Also, the angle β1 between the line connecting the flex point P1 and the end point Q1 and the tire circumferential direction, and the angle β2 between the line connecting the flex point P2 and the end point Q2 and the tire circumferential direction are within the range such that 35°≦β1≦55° and 35°≦β2≦55°.
US09108471B2 Tire bead for heavy civil engineering vehicle
Technique for improving the durability of the beads of a radial tire for a heavy vehicle of the civil engineering type, by reducing the rate of spread of cracks initiated at the surface of contact between a first filler polymer material (23a) which is radially innermost and in contact with the bead wire core (22) and a second filler polymer material (23b) radially on the outside of the first filler polymer material. A transition element (24), made of a transition polymer material, of contact thickness (e), is in contact, via its radially internal face (24a), with the first filler polymer material (23a) and in contact, via its radially external face (24b), with the second filler polymer material (23b), and the elastic modulus at 10% elongation of the transition polymer material is somewhere between the respective elastic moduli at 10% elongation of the first and second filler polymer materials.
US09108468B2 Tire bead mounting verification system
The invention includes a tire having a pair of annular sidewalls each extending to a terminal end including a bottom surface for mounting onto a wheel. The tire further includes indicia arranged along each sidewall adjacent a bottom of each sidewall terminal end. The indicia extends radially outward from an initial position to extend from a top side of a rim flange of a tire wheel for indicating concentric mounting of the tire on a wheel. In particular embodiments, the tire is mounted on a rim of a wheel having rim flanges, each of the rim flanges extending along one of the tire sidewalls such that the indicia is adjacently arranged the rim flange along each sidewall such that the indicia extends radially outward from a top of the rim flange. Methods include using the indicia to determine whether the tire is concentrically mounted on the wheel.
US09108467B2 Crown reinforcement for aircraft tire
An improvement in an airplane tire to obtain a more even distribution of temperature within the crown of the tire. An airplane tire comprises a crown reinforced by a working reinforcement (3), comprising at least one layer of working reinforcement (30) made up of axially juxtaposed substantially circumferential strips (31) made up of mutually parallel textile reinforcing elements (32) coated with a polymer coating material (33). Each strip is in contact, over at least its radially inner axial face, with a heat transfer element (34) comprising at least one heat-conducting material with thermal conductivity at least equal to 50 times the thermal conductivity of the polymer coating material. The product of the thickness of a heat transfer element by the tension modulus of a heat transfer element is at most equal to 0.3 times the product of the thickness of the strip by the tension modulus of the strip.
US09108466B2 Pneumatic object having a gas tight layer containing a specific SIBS thermoplastic elastomer
Inflatable article equipped with an elastomer layer impermeable to inflation gases, said elastomer layer comprising at least, as the predominant elastomer, a thermoplastic SIBS elastomer comprising a polyisobutylene block comprising an amount of units derived from one or more conjugated dienes ranging from 0.5% to 6% by weight relative to the weight of the polyisobutylene block, and, at least one of the ends of the polyisobutylene block, a styrenic block representing at most 16% by weight of the total weight of the block copolymer. Preferably the airtight elastomer layer also comprises, as a plasticizing agent, an extender oil for the SIBS elastomer. The inflatable article of the invention is, in particular, an inner tube or a pneumatic tire for a motor vehicle.
US09108465B2 Tire comprising carcass reinforcing cords of low permeability and textile threads associated with the carcass reinforcement
A tire having a radial carcass reinforcement, comprised of at least one layer of metal reinforcing elements, said tire comprising a crown reinforcement, which is itself covered radially with a tread, said tread being joined to two beads via two sidewalls. The metal reinforcing elements of at least one layer of the carcass reinforcement are non-hooped cords having, in the permeability test, a flow rate of less than 20 cm3/min and at least one layer of the carcass reinforcement being provided on at least one side with textile threads oriented mainly along a direction parallel to that of the metal reinforcing elements of said at least one carcass reinforcement layer, said textile threads being corrugated about this main direction.
US09108464B2 Rubber composition for a tire containing epoxide natural rubber and a plasticizing resin
The present invention relates to a rubber composition based on at least an epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), a reinforcing filler and, as plasticizing agent, an alpha-methylstyrene polymer resin. The invention also relates to the use of such a composition for the manufacture of a tire tread exhibiting an improved compromise of properties with respect to grip on wet ground and rolling resistance.
US09108462B1 Industrial caster guard
The caster guard comprises a band which may surround a variety of conventionally known caster subassemblies, wherein exemplary caster subassemblies include those used on material handling carts. The band protects an individual's foot from injury. In an exemplary embodiment, the caster guard further comprises a top mounting plate attached to a side support that is attached to the band. In application, the top mounting plate is sandwiched between and secured to the caster mounting plate and a frame of the caster subassembly. In another embodiment, the caster guard comprises two opposing adjustable sleeves each disposed within two opposing clamp pads which are secured to the band. The sleeves may be engaged with a head bolt and a jam nut of the wheel axle unit of the caster subassembly.
US09108460B2 Support frame for canvas and the like
A novel display surface framing and support apparatus capable of temporarily or permanently securing canvas art and other substrates in a taunt manner without damaging the display surface. Upon assembly, the structural members join in a self-squaring fashion creating a square or rectangular frame. In preferred embodiments, the framing and support apparatus generally comprises four frame members which are substantially three sided in profile, and four corner joiners that are inserted into the ends of each frame member and being secured with a plurality of fastening means. The periphery of the display surface wraps over and around the frame members and is secured into a securement groove that is continuous along each frame member. In some embodiments, a spline element may be used to press the display surface into the securement groove of each frame member to thereby fix the display surface to the apparatus in a taunt fashion.
US09108458B2 Apparatus for changing an advancement direction of piles of inserts to be stuffed in envelopes
An apparatus for changing, in an envelope stuffing machine, an initial advancement direction of piles made up of inserts to be put in envelopes comprises at least a thrust device for pushing a pile in a thrust direction perpendicular or oblique with respect to an initial advancement direction, and at least a connecting device comprising drawing means for transporting piles along a transport pathway at a terminal end of which there is an outlet of the connecting device, the drawing means receiving piles which are supplied in initial advancement direction, the drawing means being curved so that the transport pathway comprises at least an arced tract with a center of curvature on a main axis perpendicular to the initial advancement direction, whereby, upon crossing the arced tract, the piles exhibit an intermediate advancement direction oblique or transverse to the initial advancement direction; the thrust device being downstream of the connecting device so as to receive piles which exit from the connecting device.
US09108456B2 Writing instrument
A thermochromic writing instrument 1 including a writing body 9, storing a thermochromic ink therein, stored in a barrel 2; an operation body provided in the barrel 2 to be operated to longitudinally move the writing body 9; a nib 91 of the writing body 9 configured to be capable of appearing from a front end of the writing instrument, wherein the writing instrument 1 further includes a friction unit 10, for rubbing handwriting in the thermochromic ink and capable of thermally changing the color of the handwriting by frictional heat generated at that time, and at least one clip body 7 as the operation body, the friction unit 10 is provided at a rear end of the barrel 2, and the clip body 7 is provided in an area other than the rear end of the barrel 2.
US09108455B2 Pencil
A pencil having a longitudinal axis and a gripping recess, in which the inside contour of the gripping recess in a first sectional plane transversely to the longitudinal axis has at least one concave portion. The inside contour of the gripping recess in a second sectional plane intersecting the first sectional plane at the longitudinal axis has at least one convex portion.
US09108453B2 Sortable notepad
An adjustable binding system with a binding portion that can bind together papers, dividers, a backing, and other material. The binding portion can open and close to facilitate organizing, adding, removing, etc. The binding portion can have hinged parts that connect mating pairs of binding elements, such as protrusions inserted into hole-punched paper, and connected to another element to form a binding within the binding portion. The binder can have a minimal profile to provide a customizable binder with the feel of a disposable notepad.
US09108445B2 Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a head having an ejection surface; and a conveyance mechanism configured to convey a recording medium in a conveyance direction such that the recording medium passes a recording position at which the recording medium is opposed to the ejection surface, the conveyance mechanism including a curved-passage defining portion which defines a curved passage located on a downstream side of the recording position in the conveyance direction and a flat-passage defining portion which defines a flat passage which is located between the recording position and the curved passage and which is parallel to the ejection surface, a trailing end portion of the recording medium being located at the recording position when a leading end portion of the recording medium is located at the curved passage, wherein the flat-passage defining portion includes at least two roller pairs which are disposed so as to define the flat passage.
US09108442B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit, a conveyor, and a string-shaped regulation member. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording medium. The conveyor is disposed opposing the image forming unit to convey the recording medium along a conveyance passage. The string-shaped regulation member is disposed between the image forming unit and the conveyance passage to regulate a distance between the recording medium and the image forming unit within a certain range.
US09108436B1 Thermal printer
A thermal printer of the present invention includes: a thermal head; a platen roller disposed to face the thermal head; a first path that guides a recording paper drawn from a recording paper roll to one entrance of a gap between the thermal head and the platen roller such that a first main surface of the recording paper is on the thermal head side; a second path that guides the recording paper drawn from the recording paper roll to the other entrance of the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller such that a second main surface of the recording paper is on the thermal head side; and a switch guide that switches between the first path and the second path.
US09108429B2 Method of controlling printer and printer
A method of controlling a printer includes measuring a first voltage value of a power supply of the printer before energizing heat generating elements of a print head of the printer. The method also includes calculating, by a controller of the printer, the number of heat generating elements that are simultaneously energizable based on the measured first voltage value of the power supply, an end voltage value of the power supply, an internal resistance value of the power supply, a resistance value of each of the heat generating elements, and a current value of an electric current flowing through a motor of the printer for conveying recording paper. The method further includes performing printing on the recording paper by the print head using the heat generating elements of the calculated number.
US09108428B2 Image forming and processing apparatus and methods for generating image data with respect to black and other chromatic color to reproduce a color in the dark portion of the color gamut
A generation unit is configured to generate a black color material data and the plurality of pieces of chromatic color material data, for a color positioned at a surface of a dark portion in a color gamut that can be reproduced using a black color material and the plurality of chromatic color materials, in such a way as to arrange dots of the black color material and respective dots of the plurality of chromatic color materials exclusively on a recording medium and set a rate of the arranged dots of the black color material to be greater as the color positioned at the surface is closer to black.
US09108427B1 Release agent composition for solid inkjet imaging systems for improved wettability
A functional amine release agent displaying improved wetting ability as compared to standard silicone oils comprises a polydimethylsiloxane oil and a functional amine selected from the group consisting of pendant propylamines and pendant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl; wherein the concentration of functional amine to polydimethylsiloxane oil is approximately less than 0.0006 meq/g and a viscosity of 20 cSt. The release agent may be particularly useful in a single engine duplex printing system.
US09108424B2 Valve jet printer with inert plunger tip
A valve jet printer includes a solenoid coil and a plunger rod having a magnetically susceptible shank. A first end of the shank and at least a portion of the shank are received within a bore of the solenoid coil. The printer also includes a nozzle including an orifice extending therethrough and a spring biasing a second end of the shank toward the nozzle. The second end of the plunger rod includes a tip formed of perfluoroelastomer (FFKM). The second end of the shank includes a cup-shaped cavity having a convex bottom and a circular side. The tip includes a concave base and an annular flange. In an assembled state, the concave base of the tip contacts the convex bottom of the cup-shaped cavity, and the end of the circular side opposite the convex bottom is rolled over the annular flange thereby securing the tip in the cup-shaped cavity.
US09108419B2 Method for controlling ink cartridge chip, ink cartridge chip and ink cartridge
The present invention provides a method for controlling an ink cartridge chip, the ink cartridge chip and an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge chip comprises an interface unit and a control unit, wherein the interface unit is connected to an image forming apparatus and used for receiving a light control instruction sent by the image forming apparatus; the light control instruction includes a light-on instruction used for indicating the illumination of a light-emitting unit on the ink cartridge chip; and the control unit is used for controlling whether to execute the light control instruction according to the state of the ink cartridge chip when the interface unit receives the light control instruction, and updating the state of the ink cartridge chip according to the light control instruction. The present invention also provides a corresponding control method and an ink cartridge.
US09108418B2 Adaptor
An ink containing device includes an ink cartridge and an adaptor. The ink cartridge comprises a first main body comprising a chamber configured to store ink, and an ink outlet portion disposed on a first surface of the first main body configured to direct the ink from the chamber to an exterior of the first main body, and an ink detecting portion configured to detect an amount of the ink stored in the ink chamber. The adaptor is configured to attach to the ink cartridge. The adaptor comprises a second main body comprising a second surface, and an electrical interface disposed on the second surface.
US09108417B2 Cartridge and printing device
A cartridge is adapted to be used in a printing apparatus having a mounting section provided with a lever and a terminal group. The cartridge includes a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a circuit board, and a first convex section. The upper surface includes a concave section configured and arranged to allow a regulating section of the lever to be inserted in the concave section. The circuit board is electrically connected with the terminal group. The first convex section is configured and arranged to be guided in a groove provided in the mounting section. The circuit board, the first convex section, and the concave section are disposed in the upper surface in a plan view of the upper surface.
US09108413B2 Liquid droplet discharge device and method of manufacturing liquid droplet discharge device
In a liquid droplet discharge head, a liquid repellent layer is continuously formed from a liquid droplet discharge surface to a middle position in a thickness direction of an end surface of a nozzle plate.
US09108411B2 Maintenance method for liquid jetting apparatus and liquid jetting apparatus
A maintenance method which is used for a liquid jetting apparatus provided with a jetting head which has a nozzle surface formed with nozzle holes and which jets a liquid from the nozzle holes and a cap which covers the nozzle surface, includes: detecting a temperature in the liquid jetting apparatus; discharging the liquid in the jetting head from the nozzle holes into the cap in a state that the nozzle surface of the jetting head is covered with the cap; sucking the liquid discharged into the cap via a discharge hole provided at a bottom portion of the cap in a state that the cap is separated from the jetting head; and determining a suction amount for sucking the liquid discharged into the cap per a predetermined period of time based on the detected temperature.
US09108409B2 Inkjet printing apparatus and method of controlling the same
The invention prevents inconveniences from being caused by ejection failure and unintended mixing of different colors. To this end, the invention performs preliminary ejection of ink after a wiping action to sweep mist adhering to a face of a printing head, in which an ejection opening is formed. Moreover, the amount of ink to be wastefully consumed by the preliminary ejection after the wiping is reduced. To this end, the number of preliminary ejections is regulated. The degree of adherence of mist to the ejection-opening-formed face depends on the amount of printing (the number of printed sheets, the number of ink ejections for printing, or the like). So, at the time of the preliminary ejection after the wiping, the number of ink ejections in the preliminary ejection is regulated in accordance with the amount of printing that has been done since the last wiping action.
US09108406B2 Device substrate, liquid ejection head, and method for manufacturing device substrate and liquid ejection head
A device substrate includes a substrate body having an energy generating device provided thereon, where the energy generating device generates energy for ejecting liquid, an ejection port forming member disposed on the substrate body, where the ejection port forming member has a pressure chamber that surrounds the energy generating device and an ejection port that communicates with the pressure chamber, and a supply port configured to supply the liquid to the pressure chamber. The ejection port forming member has a first surface that is in contact with the substrate body and a second surface other than the first surface, and the supply port is formed in the second surface.
US09108401B2 Image recording apparatus with recording density and ejection timing correction
An image recording apparatus includes a head for ejecting ink, a moving mechanism for moving a recording medium, and a control part for controlling these constituent elements. The control part includes an information storage part, a conversion part, and a correction part. The conversion part converts input image data into converted image data which is suitable for image recording. The information storage part stores an LUT indicating a relation between the input image data and the converted image data for each head and each type of recording medium. The correction part updates the LUT on a representative recording medium on the basis of correction amounts determined in accordance with reference images which are recorded onto the representative recording medium and further updates the LUT on another type of recording medium. By virtue of providing this correction part, it is possible to simplify a correcting operation of recording densities.
US09108398B2 Apparatus for applying indicia on web substrates
A contact printing system is disclosed. A gravure cylinder having a plurality of discrete cells disposed upon an outer surface thereof. A first portion of a first fluid and a second portion of a second fluid are disposed from a respective channel disposed internal to the gravure cylinder. The gravure cylinder, including the first and second at least one channels and the plurality of discrete cells, is formed so that the gravure cylinder has a unibody construction and has no moving parts interior to the gravure cylinder.
US09108397B2 Film peeling device
A film peeling device for peeling a film from a substrate including a transfer module configured to transfer the substrate that is arranged in a vertical direction with respect to a bottom surface of the substrate, and a peeling module configured to peel the film from the substrate transferred by the transfer module.
US09108395B2 Single vacuum debulk composite panel repair
A method of attaching a composite member to a structure. The method including forming a laminate of fabric impregnated with resin; applying heat at a first temperature to the impregnated laminate; applying vacuum at a first pressure to the impregnated laminate to degas the resin and form a degassed, impregnated laminate; positioning the degassed, impregnated laminate on a structure; and curing the degassed, impregnated laminate on the substrate by applying heat at a second temperature and by applying vacuum at a second pressure.
US09108393B2 Joined structure manufacturing method and joined structure
The present invention is a method of manufacturing a joined structure formed by joining two joining materials. The method includes a joining medium layer forming step and a joining step. In the joining medium layer step, a joining medium layer is formed on a joining surface of at least one of the two joining materials. The joining medium layer includes one or more of elements selected from a group consisting of hydrogen gas, steam gas, alcohol gas, hydrogen peroxide gas, organometallic compound, and silane coupling agent. In the joining step, the two joining materials arranged one over the other via the joining medium layer are heated and/or irradiated by electromagnetic waves.
US09108392B2 Decorative sheet, and decorative resin-molded article employing same
The invention provides a decorative sheet including at least a surface protective layer on a substrate, in which the surface protective layer includes a cured material of an ionizing radiation curable resin composition at least containing a polycarbonate(meth)acrylate (A) and a multi-functional (meth)acrylate (B) in a mass ratio (A)/(B) of (98/2)-(70/30). The invention also provides a decorative sheet including at least a surface protective layer on a substrate, in which the surface protective layer includes a cured material of an ionizing radiation curable resin composition at least containing an acrylic silicone (meth)acrylate (C) and a multi-functional (meth)acrylate (B) in a mass ratio (C)/(B) of (50/50)-(95/5). The present invention provides a decorative sheet with a surface protective layer having scratch resistance as well as three-dimensional formability.
US09108390B2 Incrementally-stretched thermoplastic films and bags with increased haze
Methods of increasing the haze of a thermoplastic film include incrementally stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction. In one or more implementations, methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films without reducing the films' haze. The methods can involve cold stretching the films and imparting rib patterns into the film. The linear ribs can have alternating thick and thin gauges. Incrementally stretched thermoplastic films can have a haze that is approximately equal to or greater than the haze of the film prior to stretching.
US09108389B2 Metal-colored and non-conductive transfer film
Disclosed is a transfer film which is transferred to an injection molding product. The transfer film includes a protective layer a printing layer which is stacked on the protective layer; a metal deposition layer which is deposited on the printing layer so as to have an island structure and thus to provide non-conductive property; and adhesive layer which is deposited on the metal deposition layer, thereby providing metal color and non-conductive property.
US09108387B2 Electrically conductive structure
An electrically conductive structure includes a plurality of carbon fiber layers and at least one electrically conductive filament three-dimensionally woven among the carbon fiber layers. The plurality of carbon fiber layers and the at least one electrically conductive filament are operable to conduct electrical current throughout the structure.
US09108386B2 Elastomeric compositions comprising reclaimed vulcanized elastomer particles of broad size distribution and chemically modified vulcanized elastomer particles
Elastomer compositions comprising uncured elastomer and reclaimed elastomer are described. In one embodiment, the compositions comprise reclaimed elastomer material (micronized rubber powder) of broad particle size distribution, which is less expensive than traditional reclaimed elastomer material with narrow particle size distribution. Further, compositions comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with broad particle size distribution perform comparably to those comprising reclaimed elastomer materials with narrow particle size distribution. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise both vulcanized and devulcanized elastomer materials. Advantageously, by using a combination of vulcanized and devulcanized material, it is possible to incorporate a greater percentage by weight of reclaimed material in to an elastomer composition, thus providing additional cost savings while maintaining high levels of mechanical properties. Further, the use of the reclaimed material reduces landfill waste resulting in a more environmentally friendly product.
US09108378B2 Press pads
A press pad is provided for use in a laminate press. The pad comprises a woven fabric of heat resistant strands wherein at least a proportion of the weft comprises a core made up of a bundle of strands within a sheath of an elastomeric material and at least a proportion of the warp comprises metal strands. The strands forming the bundle are dose-packed prior to extrusion of the sheath around them. The transverse cross-sectional profile of the sheath is a regular geometric profile that is other than a circular profile prior to weaving of the fabric of the press pad. Preferably, the transverse cross-sectional profile of the sheath is a splined profile or a regular polygonal profile that is composed of straight lines or arcs.
US09108376B2 Method for making a wind turbine rotor blade half shell or wind turbine rotor blade and production mold therefor
A method for making a wind turbine rotor blade half shell includes arranging a fibrous material in a mold, which has an inner side predetermining an aerodynamic surface of the half shell and has a pinching edge defining the profile of a trailing edge of the half shell. A liquid plastics material surrounding the fibrous material is cured. An insert is arranged in relation to the mold in a predetermined position, in which a surface of the insert and a bordering portion of the inner side of the mold conjointly define an acute angle tapering toward the pinching edge, so that a thinly tapering trailing edge of the half shell is formed between the surface of the insert and the bordering portion.
US09108371B2 Injection mould for flexible tube
An injection molding device for injection molding a flexible sleeve body for a squeezable tube, comprises a male mold part and a female mold part, which in combination with the male mold part forms a sleeve body cavity for forming the flexible sleeve body between them. The sleeve body cavity extends from a top end to an opposite bottom end in a longitudinal direction. The molding device further comprises a runner end part, which in combination with the female mold part and the male mold part forms a runner cavity at the top end of the sleeve body cavity. The runner cavity comprises a passage constituted by one or more openings connecting the annular shaped distribution channel with the sleeve body cavity for guiding the molten plastics material from a runner distribution channel into the sleeve body cavity. The one or more openings is/are evenly distributed along the perimeter of the sleeve body cavity and is/are narrow compared to the distribution channel upstream of the passage, such that the passage initially prevents the flow of molten plastics material from entering the sleeve body cavity, which results in a pressure build up in the runner cavity which eventually results in a pressure high enough to force the flow of molten plastics material through the passage into the sleeve body cavity.
US09108365B2 Method for manufacturing a FRC/FRP-component from rovings with a moulding tool
The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a FRC/FRP-component component from rovings by means of a molding tool with a mold surface, featuring the steps of: applying rovings formed of dry fibers onto the mold surface by depositing the rovings under tension with predetermined orientations between deflection devices by means of an application device, applying binder material onto the tensioned rovings; consolidating the arrangement of fiber strands and binder material by applying heat and pressure in order to produce a preform for the component to be manufactured; separating the preform from the deflection devices and removing the preform from the molding tool; and carrying out an injection process or infusion process in order to manufacture the component after separating the preform from the deflection devices; as well as to a molding tool and a device for implementing the method.
US09108363B2 Thin wall bushing for robust electrical bonding to fiber-reinforced structures
A method for directing electrical current to prevent sparking from the interaction between a composite structure and lightning or static electrical charge, the method including the steps of forming a hole in a composite structure; and positioning a bushing into the hole to create an interference fit between the bushing and the composite structure, wherein the bushing is formed of a material that has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite structure and the bushing provides an electrical path between a fastener disposed in the bushing and the composite structure.
US09108361B2 Method for manufacturing dental implant components
A method for making a rapid prototype of a patient's mouth to be used in the design and fabrication of a dental prosthesis. An intra-oral scan is made of the patient's mouth having an installation site with a dental implant installed and a healing abutment attached to the dental implant. The healing abutment has at least one informational marker. Scan data is generated from the scanning. The scan data is transferred to a CAD program. A three-dimensional model of the installation site is created in the CAD program. The at least one informational marker and the three-dimensional model are used to manufacture a rapid prototype model of the patient's mouth, which includes a dental implant analog.
US09108356B2 Methods for making a film material exhibiting textile properties
A film material formed of thermoplastic polymer material is processed so as to have linearly extending regions (A) linked together by linearly extending webs (B), regions (A) and webs (B) each being oriented, the dominant direction of orientation in regions (A) forming an angle (V) to the direction on which (A) extends and webs (B) comprising arrays of linear furrows of thinner material or splits forming angles (U) higher than (V) to the direction in which (A) extends. The method of producing the new film involves passing an orientated film through a pair of intermeshing grooved rollers to cold-stretch the film in a direction at an angle to the predominant original orientation, at least one of the grooved rollers having crests with sharp edges to form the division between regions A and webs B and to stretch the material to form webs B while stretching the material less or not at all to form regions A. Preferably at least one of the grooved rollers has crests with a waved surface shape.
US09108350B2 Blowing agent introduction systems and methods
The present invention provides blowing agent introduction systems and methods for introducing blowing agent into polymeric foam processing systems. The methods may involve introducing one or more doses of blowing agent into polymeric material in an extruder during a plastication period of a molding cycle. Prior to introduction, a dose is confined in an accumulator which, for example, has a volume defined between an inlet valve and an outlet valve. A control system may receive inputs related to system parameters (e.g., pressure of polymeric material in extruder, axial position of screw in barrel, whether screw is rotating, and the like) and based on the inputs coordinates operation of the valves to confine and introduce the blowing agent dose(s). The introduction systems may be used in discontinuous plasticating processes, such as injection molding and blow molding, and can be particularly useful in processes that use precise quantities of blowing agent.
US09108347B2 Golf ball mold and golf ball manufacturing method
A golf ball mold that includes a mold body configured as a plurality of mold parts which have at least a parting surface that defines a parting line at a golf ball equator and removably mate to form a cavity having an inner wall with a plurality of dimple-forming protrusions thereon is provided. The golf ball mold includes a support pin which has an end face with a plurality of dimple-forming protrusions thereon and is extendable into and retractable from the cavity. The support pin extends into the cavity to support a center sphere and, when in a retracted state, the end face thereof defines a portion of the inner wall of the cavity. The end face of the support pin includes a pole of the cavity and has a peripheral edge which intersects a parallel of latitude at 10 degrees from the pole.
US09108343B2 Template treatment method
According to one embodiment, the template treatment method includes a substrate having a principal surface, a first pattern formed on the principal surface and including a plurality of recesses, and a second pattern formed on the principal surface at a position different from the first pattern and including a plurality of recesses. The first pattern contains a first material and the second pattern contains a second material different from the first material. The second pattern is coated with a coating containing a third material different from the first and second materials. The template is cleaned while the second pattern is coated. After the coating is removed, the second pattern is exposed.
US09108339B2 Method for the production of coated moldings
The present invention relates to a process for the production of coated mouldings, by injecting a moulding composition into an injection mould and cooling the composition to obtain a moulding, and altering the injection mould in such a way as to produce an intermediate space between a surface to be coated of the moulding and the inner surface of the injection mould, and using injection moulding to charge a reactive mixture to the resultant intermediate space, where the temperature of at least a portion of the injection mould is increased for the curing of the reactive mixture.The present invention moreover describes a system for the conduct of the process described above.
US09108333B2 Punching device
A punching device includes: a base including a die part that has a top wall; an abutting member connected to the base; a punch supported on the base, movable relative to the die part and the abutting member between upper and lower positions; and an ejecting unit supported on the base and including a non-compressible ejecting element disposed above and adjacent to the top wall of the die part. The punch is movable relative to the ejecting unit at least during movement of the punch from a middle position to the lower position. The ejecting unit abuts against the abutting member at least when the punch is disposed at the upper position.
US09108329B2 Personal styling razor
A hand-held razor has single or multiple blades of a smaller dimension than is typical and features an ergonomically advantageous handle allow more detailed shaving and hair removal. The increased detail allows shaving of more difficult areas for shaving and allows detailed hair removal for fashionable shaving styles of the beard, goatee, scalp, sideburns or other areas. Embodiments include a shaving head that is an integrated disposable razor or is part of a replaceable razor blade cartridge.
US09108327B1 Hair trimmer with level indicator
A hair trimmer with level indicator that includes a level sensor disposed in circuit with a pair of Light Emitting Diodes, a buzzer, a speaker, and a Central Processing Unit, wherein each of said pair of Light Emitting Diodes is configured to illuminate, and the buzzer is configured to sound, to signal to a user that the hair trimmer with level indicator is levelly oriented and a straight cut to a hairline may presently be effected.
US09108316B2 Method and system for in-production optimization of the parameters of a robot used for assembly
A robot is used to repeatedly assemble parts during a continuous production run of parts to be assembled. There are parameters of the robot associated with the assembly. These parameters are used to assemble the parts. Simultaneously with that repeated assembly the robot parameters are optimized. The parts to be assembled have a starting position for the assembly and the simultaneous optimization of the robot assembly parameters also includes the learning of the starting position. The robot assembly parameters can be optimized in a predefined manner. The optimized parameters can then be verified and the optimized and verified robot assembly parameters may then be used in place of the parameters of the robot associated with the parts assembly along with the learned starting position.
US09108313B2 Multi-function tool
A multi-function hand tool is provided. The multi-function hand tool includes a first member and a second member pivotally connected to the first member such that the hand tool is pivotable between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The first member includes a first cutting element and a second cutting element disposed proximal to the first cutting element. The first cutting element has a first cutting blade and the second cutting element has a second cutting blade and a first at least one groove. The second member extends between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the second member includes a third cutting element corresponding to the second cutting element. The third cutting element has a third cutting blade corresponding to the second cutting blade and at least one second groove corresponding to the first at least one groove.
US09108311B2 Percussion device
The invention relates to a percussion device having a frame, a tool mounted movable in its longitudinal direction, the percussion device containing a work chamber having a movably mounted transmission piston to compress the tool so that a longitudinal stress pulse is generated to the tool, inlet and outlet channels for conducting the pressure fluid to the percussion device and away from it and a control valve that alternately directs the pressure fluid from the inlet channel to the work chamber to act on the transmission piston and, correspondingly, discharges the pressure fluid from the percussion device. The percussion device and trans-mission piston have channels that connect the pressure fluid that acted on the transmission piston to flow during the return movement of the transmission piston through the control valve and transmission piston to the pressure fluid outlet channel and cut off the flow when the transmission piston has returned to its initial position.
US09108310B2 Fueldraulic actuator installation and removal tool
A fueldraulic actuator installation and removal tool that includes a base, an actuator chassis, and at least one articulating arm. The actuator chassis is able to communicate with a jet fueldraulic actuator located in a jet engine bay such that the actuator can be removed from the jet engine bay. The actuator chassis is connectable to the actuator at three predetermined points on the actuator. The at least one articulating arm, which is attached to the base, communicates with the actuator chassis such that the actuator chassis can be moved forward (frontwards) and backwards and left and right, and oriented at different inclines and adjusted to allow the actuator chassis to align and interface with the jet fueldraulic actuator.
US09108309B2 Cable tensioning device for hunting tree stands or climbing ladders
A tensioning device for installing tree stands that includes a drive end and a cable output end to attach to a medium that is placed around a tree. The tensioning device creates more tension in the medium than is generally able to be applied by hand with ratchet straps or chains, which provides safer installation of a tree stand or climbing ladder. The tensioning device includes a drive system that can be driven with standard power tools or hand tools to retract a cable. The tensioning device may be designed with or without a clutch feature. The clutch feature allows for a desired cable tension to be reached for each installation and provides feedback to the operator when the correct tension is reached. The tensioning device includes an external bracket or hook for easily attaching to a tree stand or climbing ladder.
US09108308B2 Switch operation device
A switch operation device is for switching between two or more speed change modes of a speed change mechanism by switching a position of a component for use in speed change included in the speed change mechanism, and includes: a main member that is movable between two positions in the switch operation device in an operating direction; a click spring for stopping the main member at one of the two positions; a switch spring that switches the position of the component in conjunction with movement of the main member; a first holding member provided in the main member, and holds the click spring; and a second holding member provided in the main member, and holds the switch spring, wherein when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the operating direction, the first holding and second holding members at least partially overlap with each other.
US09108305B2 Engageable handle for garbage disposal
A tool employable to install a garbage disposal supported in an elevated position by a mounting ring rotationally engaged to a sink flange extending from a drain. The device provides one or a plurality of handles extending from a supporting member adapted to cradle or engage with projections extending from the mounting ring. With the supporting member engaged to the mounting ring the user may employ two hands to lift the mounting ring and disposal and concurrently twist the mounting ring onto the sink flange.
US09108303B2 Bidirectional mechanical converting unit
The present invention discloses a bidirectional mechanical converting unit, comprising: a main shaft; a driving mechanism, which including a driving means and a reversing means which are coupled to each other; and a rotation means for inputting torque, an rotation axis of the rotation means being coaxial with the main shaft, the rotation means and the driving mechanism being coupled to each other, and the driving mechanism delivering the torque to output at the main shaft at a predetermined direction, no matter in which direction the rotation means rotates; wherein the predetermined direction can be switched via the reversing means. The present invention is simple structured, not only can efficiently utilizes the movements of the rotation means in either way, but also can switch the rotation direction of the output shaft conveniently upon demand, with easy operations.
US09108300B2 Sanding device
A sanding device for use with sandpaper sheets comprises a base connected to two lateral extensions by flexible connectors. The base further includes a plurality of spikes pointed towards the extensions and positioned inside slots in the extensions when the device is in a closed position. In order to load and unload sandpaper sheets, a lateral extension may be lifted against a tension force from the flexible connector. The stress on the flexible connector is limited by the contact of two edges which are positioned to prevent the flexible connector from undergoing stress beyond a specified level.
US09108299B2 Self-contained fibrous buffing article
A self-contained fibrous buffing article including at least one layer of a fibrous nonwoven fabric; the nonwoven fabric having a hardened adherent coating including a crosslinked binder, abrasive particles, and a lubricant blend; and the lubricant blend including at least a fatty acid, mineral oil and glycerin.
US09108292B2 Method of obtaining a sliding distance distribution of a dresser on a polishing member, method of obtaining a sliding vector distribution of a dresser on a polishing member, and polishing apparatus
The method includes: calculating an increment of a sliding distance of a dresser by multiplying a relative speed between the dresser and a polishing member by a contact time between them; correcting the increment of the sliding distance by multiplying the calculated increment of the sliding distance by at least one correction coefficient; calculating the sliding distance by repeatedly adding the corrected increment of the sliding distance to the sliding distance according to elapse of time; and producing the sliding-distance distribution of the dresser from the obtained sliding distance and a position of a sliding-distance calculation point. The at least one correction coefficient includes an unevenness correction coefficient provided for the sliding-distance calculation point. The unevenness correction coefficient is a correction coefficient that allows a profile of the polishing member to reflect a difference between an amount of scraped material of the polishing member in its raised portion and an amount of scraped material of the polishing member in its recess portion.
US09108286B2 Clamping device for a tool or a workpiece
A clamping device for a tool or a workpiece, comprising at least one chuck and at least one holder for the workpiece or the tool. The holder is provided with a tubular extension.
US09108284B2 Dust collection device for power tool and power tool
In a dust collection device attached to a hammer drill, a filter is provided in a dust box at a position at which the filter covers an outlet provided on a rear face of a lid body, in a state such that a filter surface projects into the dust box from the rear face of the lid body. A space is formed between an inner face of a box main body and a side face of the filter that is adjacent to the filter surface. Air outlets are provided to guide air, which flows in through an inlet, toward the space.
US09108282B2 Method of manufacturing heat exchanger cooling passages in aero propulsion structure
Methods and apparatus of an improved cooling structure having cooling passages are provided. A method includes forming pilot holes with an electrical discharge machine (EDM) drill near a heated flow surface. The pilot holes are then shaped with a wire EDM into cooling passages having a desired shape.
US09108277B2 Process for manufacturing a device comprising brazes produced from metal oxalate
A process for manufacturing a device comprising at least a support and a component, joined together by at least one braze, includes a brazing operation which is carried out starting from a metal oxalate. Advantageously, it is a silver oxalate or a mixture of silver and copper oxalates, the component and/or the support being covered with a film comprising gold or copper in contact with said braze and the component possibly being a power component.
US09108276B2 Hardface coating systems and methods for metal alloys and other materials for wear and corrosion resistant applications
The present disclosure relates generally to hardface coating systems and methods for metal alloys and other materials for wear and corrosion resistant applications. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to hardface coatings that include a network of titanium monoboride (TiB) needles or whiskers in a matrix, which are formed from titanium (Ti) and titanium diboride (TiB2) precursors by reactions enabled by the inherent energy provided by the process heat associated with coating deposition and, optionally, coating post-heat treatment. These hardface coatings are pyrophoric, thereby generating further reaction energy internally, and may be applied in a functionally graded manner. The hardface coatings may be deposited in the presence of a number of fluxing agents, beta stabilizers, densification aids, diffusional aids, and multimode particle size distributions to further enhance their performance characteristics.
US09108273B2 Methods of manufacturing large-area sputtering targets using interlocking joints
In various embodiments, joined sputtering targets are formed at least in part by spray deposition of the sputtering material and/or welding.
US09108270B2 System and method for scanning a pulsed laser beam
System and method of photoaltering a region of a material using a pulsed laser beam. The method includes scanning the pulsed laser beam in a first portion of the region with a first pattern, scanning the pulsed laser beam in a second portion of the region with a second pattern, and separating a flap of the material at the region. The system includes a laser, a controller selecting at least first and second patterns, and a scanner operable in response to the controller. The first pattern has a first maximum acceleration associated with the second portion, and the second pattern has a second maximum acceleration associated with the second portion. The second maximum acceleration is less than the first maximum acceleration. The scanner scans the pulsed laser beam from the laser in the first portion with the first pattern and in the second portion with the second pattern.
US09108268B2 Laser processing apparatus
A laser processing apparatus including a pulsed laser oscillator for oscillating a pulsed laser beam, a focusing objective lens for focusing the pulsed laser beam, and a varifocal lens provided between the pulsed laser oscillator and the focusing objective lens. The varifocal lens has a piezoelectric device to change its focal length according to the period of radio-frequency waves produced by the piezoelectric device. A repetition frequency adjusting unit is connected to the pulsed laser oscillator, and a radio-frequency current frequency adjusting unit is connected to the piezoelectric device. The laser processing apparatus further includes a controller for controlling the repetition frequency adjusting unit and the radio-frequency current frequency adjusting unit so as to produce a phase difference between the repetition frequency of the pulsed laser beam and the frequency of the radio-frequency current to be applied to the piezoelectric device of the varifocal lens.
US09108267B2 Pulse electric-current bonding method and pulse electric-current bonding apparatus
A pressure surface of a first metal material for receiving a pressure therethrough is fabricated to have a directional component parallel to a pressure-application direction and a directional component perpendicular to the pressure-application direction, and an electrically-conductive core is fabricated to have a surface along the pressure surface and a surface perpendicular to the pressure-application direction. An assembly comprising the first metal material, the second metal material and the core is set in a pulse electric-current bonding unit to perform a pulse electric-current bonding process.
US09108265B2 Spot welding apparatus
There is provided a spot welding apparatus. The apparatus includes fixed and movable electrodes to hold and press a workpiece therebetween, and a sub pressure force applicator having a sub pressure unit that moves and selectively stops at a plurality of positions including a sub pressure position where the sub pressure unit is adjacent to the fixed electrode and in contact with the workpiece so as to apply a sub pressure, and a sub-pressure-non-requiring position where the sub pressure unit is located away from the workpiece. Spot welding is performed by applying current between the electrodes while holding the workpiece between the fixed electrode together with the sub pressure unit located in the sub pressure position and the movable electrode. Spot welding is also performed by applying current between the electrodes while holding the sub pressure unit in the sub-pressure-non-requiring position and holding the workpiece between the electrodes.
US09108264B2 Systems and methods for diagnosing secondary weld errors
A controller for a welding system adapted to determine a value of a weld secondary parameter across a weld secondary component based on a sensed parameter is provided. The controller may also be adapted to compare the determined value to a reference value range and to alert a user to a presence and location of a weld secondary error when the determined value is outside the referenced value range.
US09108257B2 Gear shaping machine
The vertical movement cycle and trajectory inclination angle of a cutter are switched so that when a main spindle is moving downward, a head is moved to position the cutter at a machining location, and the cutter is lowered rectilinearly; that when the main spindle is moving upward, the head is moved to position the cutter at a withdrawal location; that, when an external gear is to be generated by cutting, relieving means for rectilinearly raising the cutter cause the machining location to be positioned on one radial side of the cutter and move the cutter downward parallel to the axis of a workpiece; and that when an internal gear is to be generated by cutting, said relieving means cause the machining location to be positioned on the other radial side of the cutter and move the cutter downward parallel to the axis of the workpiece.
US09108253B2 Roughing cutting insert
A cutting insert for use in a chipforming material removal operation that includes a cutting insert body, which has a seating surface, a flank face, and a corner cutting region at the intersection of a peripheral edge and the flank adjacent corresponding corners thereof. The cutting insert body contains a central aperture. The seating surface contains a coolant delivery trough, which has a radial orientation toward a corresponding corner cutting region. The coolant delivery trough has a radial outward end terminating at the peripheral edge and a radial inward end opening into the central aperture. There are a pair of lateral topographic regions wherein the one lateral topographic region is along one side of the coolant delivery trough and the other lateral topographic region is along other side of the coolant delivery trough.
US09108251B2 Cutting tool having replaceable cutting tip, a replaceable cutting tip therefore and a method of securing a replaceable cutting tip
A rotary cutting tool includes a cutting tip having a cutting portion adapted to perform cutting operations on a workpiece and a threaded aperture defined therein generally opposite the cutting portion. The cutting tool further includes a generally cylindrical tool body disposed about a central longitudinal axis, the tool body having a first end portion adapted to be coupled to a machine tool and an opposite second end portion including an aperture having a coupling mechanism disposed therein. The coupling mechanism includes a first threaded portion cooperatively engaged to the threaded aperture of the cutting tip. The first threaded portion is moveable with respect to the tool body in a manner that selectively couples the cutting tip to the tool body.
US09108247B2 Preparation of nanopowders of reactive metals via reduction under sonication
A nanopowder and a method of making are disclosed. The nanopowder may be in the form of nanoparticles with an average size of less than about 200 nm and contain a reactive transition metal, such as hafnium, zirconium, or titanium. The nanopowder can be formed in a liquid under sonication by reducing a halide of the transition metal.
US09108246B2 Method for mixing raw material powder for powder metallurgy and method for producing raw material powder for powder metallurgy
The present invention provides a method for mixing a raw material powder for powder metallurgy that allows efficient mixing at a low cost with a simple measure and easy adjustment of the apparent density by performing first agitation mixing in which a powder mixture obtained by adding, to an iron powder, one or two or more members selected from lubricant powders, free-machining agent powders, and lubricant powders for sliding surface, an alloying powder, and a binding agent is agitated while increasing the temperature to a temperature TK equal to or higher than the melting point TM of the binding agent, the resultant is agitated while maintaining the temperature TK, and the resultant is further agitated while reducing the temperature from the temperature TK, and performing second agitation mixing in which the obtained powder mixture is agitated while cooling.
US09108235B2 Method and device for cooling rolls
The invention relates to a method for cooling a roll (1), in particular a working roll (1) of a hot-rolling system, comprising the steps of feeding coolant (3) by means of a nozzle (5) into a gap (7) between at least a portion of the roll surface and a cooling shell (9, 11) that can be placed against the portion of the roll surface, and adjusting the gap height (h) between the cooling shell (9, 11) and the roll surface. According to the invention, the adjustment of the gap height (h) comprises either measuring the pressure (pact) of the fed coolant (3) or measuring the volumetric flow rate (Vact) of the fed coolant (3). The invention further relates to a corresponding device (10) for cooling a roll (1).
US09108234B2 Method and apparatus for preparing steel stock before hot rolling
A process and an apparatus for preparing steel stock before hot rolling. The steps of preheating the stock (5, 16, 22) in a first induction furnace (6) so that the preheated stock enters a subsequent descaling apparatus (7) with a surface temperature of T1≧1000° C.; descaling the preheated stock by a plurality of water jets in a descaling apparatus (7); direct subsequent heating of the descaled stock in a second induction furnace (8), where the descaled stock enters the second induction furnace (8) at a temperature T2 which is ≧Tcurie of the stock and heating in the second induction furnace 8 is either in a largely inert or largely reducing protective gas atmosphere; passing the heated stock in a rolling mill (9), where the heated stock enters the rolling mill (9) at a temperature 1220° C.≧T3 1050° C.
US09108233B2 Washing of contaminated soils
The process “Washing contaminated soils” solves the problem of cleansing and remediating soils and sediments and their fine fractions contaminated with toxic metals, using washing solution with chelating agents. The chelating agent forms water-soluble complexes with metals and thus facilitates metal removal from soils and sediments into the washing solution. In addition to toxic metals, the process according to the invention enables removal of organic pollutants from soils and sediments by using washing solution amended with surfactants, detergents or organic solvents in addition to chelating agents. The process according to the invention provides for simultaneous separation of the soil and sediment solid phase and used washing solution in a chamber filter press, and effective rinsing of the solid phase to remove all residual mobilized contaminants. The process according to the invention recycles chelating agents and process water in a closed process loop by applying a pH gradient and by using advanced oxidation processes for process water cleansing.
US09108232B2 Megasonic multifrequency apparatus with matched transducers and mounting plate
A megasonic processing apparatus matches the fundamental resonant or higher-level harmonic frequencies of megasonic thickness-mode transducers to the fundamental resonant or higher-level harmonic frequencies of a plate or other mounting structure upon which the transducers are mounted. The multifrequency transducers are piezoelectric transducers operating in thickness mode at different operating frequencies. The thickness of the mounting plate at the transducer locations is selected to provide a resonant or harmonic frequency matched to that of its corresponding transducer. Two or more megasonic transducers are bonded to the same radiating surface.
US09108229B2 Method and apparatus for particulate removal from moving paper webs
A method for removing dust-carrying air from a moving paper web is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a moving web, the web having a first side and a second side, the web moving at a sufficient rate to produce a boundary layer of adjacent dust-carrying air; providing a NACA duct, the NACA duct having an intake opening and walls that diverge in increasing cross-sectional area to an exhaust opening having greater cross sectional area than the intake opening; and submerging the intake opening into the boundary layer to scavenge dust-carrying air from the boundary layer.
US09108228B2 Liquid processing apparatus having switchable nozzles
Provided is a liquid processing apparatus that selectively supplies processing liquids with a switching operation to the surface of a substrate to perform a liquid processing. The liquid processing apparatus includes a first processing liquid supply unit including a first nozzle block that selectively supplies an acidic chemical liquid and a rinse liquid, and a second processing liquid supply unit including a second nozzle block that selectively supplies an alkaline chemical liquid and a rinse liquid. When a chemical liquid is supplied to the substrate from one of the first and second nozzle blocks, the other of the first and second nozzle blocks is retreated to a retreat position. When the rinse liquid is supplied to the substrate from one of the first and second nozzle blocks, the other of the first and second nozzle blocks is moved to a processing position.
US09108223B2 Sorting apparatus and control method for sorting apparatus
A sorting apparatus conveys a sheet in a standing position, and detects, at various heights, the presence/absence of metal pieces in the sheet, conveyed in the standing position, by using a plurality of metal detection sensors. The sorting apparatus detects a tracking letter in which a metal piece is placed at a specific position or a clip letter containing a small metal piece whose position is fixed, on the basis of the detection result obtained by each metal detection sensor, and sorts the tracking letter or the clip letter in the same manner as a normal letter.
US09108220B2 Device for franmenting molecules in a sample by ultrasound
According to an aspect of the present invention, a device for fragmenting molecules in a sample by ultrasound is provided. The device comprises a planar-shaped cartridge and a fragmentation instrument that has a vessel-like shape. By means of applying under-pressure in the fragmentation instrument the cartridge is pulled towards the fragmentation instrument and therefore spatially closes a fluid compartment that is comprised by the fragmentation instrument. Afterwards, an ultrasound treatment of the sample, which is comprised in a sample compartment of the cartridge, may be processed. A sealing layer is provided in between the cartridge and the fragmentation instrument in order to hold the fixation of the cartridge tightly and in order to provide for leakage prevention out of the fluid compartment.
US09108218B2 System and method for making multilayer films and a layer multiplication device
A layer multiplication device may include a housing and at least one layer multiplication insert positioned inside the housing. The housing may have an inlet configured to receive a flow stream, an outlet configured to discharge the flow stream, and a flow cavity extending between the inlet and the outlet. In operation, the layer multiplication insert may divide an incoming flow stream so as to multiply the flow stream into at least a first flow stream and a second flow stream. In some examples, the inlet provides an inlet flow volume equal to a cross-sectional area of the housing at the inlet multiplied by a length of the flow cavity, the flow cavity defines a cavity flow volume, and the cavity flow volume is equal to or greater than the inlet flow volume.
US09108217B2 Nanoparticle coating of surfaces
A nanoparticle coated hydrogel may be formed by a method of electrospraying nanoparticles on to a surface includes providing a drug and polymer combination in solvent to an inner capillary of a coaxial dual capillary spray nozzle. A coating with a drug that releases over time may be provided. Open and closed matrixes may be selectively formed to help modify time release periods.
US09108215B1 Fluid dispense pump with drip prevention mechanism and method for controlling same
A material dispensing pump includes a drip prevention system and method so as to avoid undesired dripping of the dispensed fluid. In one example, the fluid path is sealed. Positive pressure is applied to the fluid during a dispensing operation to present the fluid to the auger-style pump at a desired rate. Between dispensing operations, or when dispensing is completed, the fluid is placed in suspension, for example by applying a negative pressure, thereby preventing the fluid from being inadvertently released at the dispense tip. In addition, following a dispensing operation, the pump dispensing controller can be programmed to reverse the rotation of the feed screw, in order to draw the material in a reverse direction and to further suspend the fluid.
US09108203B2 Magnetic drum separator with an outer shell having traction elements
A magnetic drum separator for the separation of ferrous and non-ferrous materials from a material stream that comprises an outer shell that is rotatable by a drive mechanism. The outer shell has a tubular length, a circular cross-section, a traction plate is joined to the outer shell, the traction plate has a traction element. In another embodiment the outer shell has a tubular length, a circular cross-section, and a integral traction element. The traction elements could be a series of negative indentations, raised bumps, perforations, serrated teeth, protruding ridges, segmented protruding ridges, minor cleats, or segmented minor cleats.
US09108200B2 Multiwell plate and lid
The present invention relates to a multiwell plate for amplification and a lid with a foil for sealing the multiwell plate, wherein two positions of said lid on said plate exist, one position for storage, one position for sealing of the foil to the plate. The invention also relates to a method for.
US09108193B2 Collection/extraction container for biological material in forensic samples
Relates to a collection/extraction container (1) for collecting solid forensic samples (2) and/or for extracting biological material from these solid forensic samples (2) and its use. The container (1) has a top opening (3) for the insertion of a solid forensic sample (2). The container (1) comprises a basket (7) and an essentially horizontal intermediate floor (8) for the retention of the solid forensic sample (2) during digestion/lysis and extraction, the intermediate floor (8) being permeable to fluids and dividing the inner chamber (5) into an upper sample space (9) and a lower fluid space (10). The container according to the invention is characterized in that is comprises an essentially vertical channel (11), which is accomplished to allow a pipetting needle (12) to be inserted through the sample space (9) and into the fluid space (10) in that the channel (11) has a top orifice (13) that is situated nearby a top opening (3) of the container (1) and in that the channel (11) penetrates the intermediate floor (8) in a bottom orifice (14), wherein the container (1) also comprises a partition wall (15) that at least partially surrounds the channel (11) and that separates the latter from the upper sample space (9).
US09108192B2 Micro reservoir, particularly for integration in a microfluidic flow cell
A micro reservoir, particularly for integration in a microfluidic flow cell, with a storage space for receiving a fluid and being in connection with an outlet duct for the fluid, wherein a cancelable lock for the fluid is formed. A mechanism is provided for canceling the lock without pressure of the fluid acting on the lock. The mechanism preferably mechanically destroys the lock.
US09108188B2 Selective hydrogenation catalyst and methods of making and using same
A composition comprising an extruded inorganic support comprising an oxide of a metal or metalloid, and at least one catalytically active metal, wherein the extruded inorganic support has pores, a total pore volume, and a pore size distribution, wherein the pore size distribution displays at least two peaks of pore diameters, each peak having a maximum, wherein a first peak has a first maximum of pore diameters of equal to or greater than about 120 nm and a second peak has a second maximum of pore diameters of less than about 120 nm, and wherein greater than or equal to about 5% of a total pore volume of the extruded inorganic support is contained within the first peak of pore diameters.
US09108182B2 Fast filtering powder catalytic mixtures
The catalytic mixture resulting of a metal powder catalyst with a solid material (referred to here as a reaction-aid) that has good filtering properties, does not interfere with the reaction, does not interfere with recycling the catalyst back into the reaction, does not interfere with the refining and recovery of the metal from the catalyst after it is spent, and will not become separated from the catalyst during the preparation of this catalytic mixture, the chemical reaction or the separation of this catalytic mixture from the reaction medium, whereas the ratio of the reaction aid to the catalyst ranges from 0.05 to 20 on a weight basis. A preferred metal powder catalyst is acetylene black supported precious metal. Preferred reaction aids are sibunit powder or activated carbon. The catalytic mixture can be used for the catalytic transformation of compounds, such as the hydrogenation of olefins, or the hydrogenation of nitro compounds.
US09108177B2 Microfluidic droplet queuing network
A multi-port liquid bridge (1) adds aqueous phase droplets (10) in an enveloping oil phase carrier liquid (11) to a draft channel (4, 6). A chamber (3) links four ports, and it is permanently full of oil (11) when in use. Oil phase is fed in a draft flow from an inlet port (4) and exits through a draft exit port (6) and a compensating flow port (7). The oil carrier and the sample droplets (3) (“aqueous phase”) flow through the inlet port (5) with an equivalent fluid flow subtracted through the compensating port (7). The ports of the bridge (1) are formed by the ends of capillaries held in position in plastics housings. The phases are density matched to create an environment where gravitational forces are negligible. This results in droplets (10) adopting spherical forms when suspended from capillary tube tips. Furthermore, the equality of mass flow is equal to the equality of volume flow. The phase of the inlet flow (from the droplet inlet port (5) and the draft inlet port (4) is used to determine the outlet port (6) flow phase.
US09108175B2 Device and method for catalytic gas phase reaction and the use thereof
Improved reactors for catalytic, exothermic gas-phase reactions having, viewed in the flow direction of a feed gas, an inlet zone (1), a reaction zone (2) containing at least one catalyst (4), and an outlet zone (3) for the product gas, are described. The reactors are provided in the inlet zone (1) or in the inlet zone (1) and the reaction zone (2) with an insulating liner (6) and/or apparatuses for the transport of cooling media and/or the interior walls of the reactor in the inlet zone (1) or in the inlet zone (1) and the reaction zone (2) consist of inert material. The insulating liner and/or cooling media reduce heat transport from the reaction zone (2) into the inlet zone (1) and thus reduce the risk of preignition of the feed gas mixture used or occurrence of undesirable secondary reactions in the inlet zone (1).
US09108171B2 Method of manufacturing resin kneaded product
Provided is a method of manufacturing a resin kneaded product in which an extrusion amount of a material can be increased and by which vent-up at an opening can be suppressed while spouting out of an unmelted material at the opening can be suppressed. A method of manufacturing a resin kneaded product includes kneading a material containing an additive (a) and a thermoplastic resin (b) using a twin screw extruder, in which the twin screw extruder is equipped with a supply port, a discharge port, an opening present between the supply port and the discharge port, a kneading section A present between the supply port and the opening, and a kneading section B present between the opening and the discharge port, a ratio L1 (La/D) of a length La of the kneading section A to a screw diameter D satisfies L1≧3, and the material is kneaded in the kneading section A without being completely filled and the material is also kneaded in the kneading section B.
US09108169B2 Desalination treatment membrane
According to one embodiment, a desalination treatment membrane includes a desalting membrane and a base material which is disposed in close contact with the desalting membrane, wherein a solid salt is fixed to the base material by a graft-polymerization.
US09108168B2 Crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material
The present invention generally relates to a crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, cured manufactured article comprising the crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, semipermeable membrane comprising the crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, method of using the semipermeable membrane to separate an acid gas from a separable gas mixture comprising the acid gas and a permeation-resistant gas, and method of preparing the cured manufactured article from a curable manufactured article comprising a shaped reactive silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material.
US09108167B2 Reactive functional group-modified molecularly self-assembling material
The present invention generally relates to a reactive functional group-modified molecularly self-assembling material; method of making the reactive functional group-modified molecularly self-assembling material; manufactured article comprising the reactive functional group-modified molecularly self-assembling material; and a method of shaping the reactive functional group-modified molecularly self-assembling material.
US09108164B2 Process for the removal of ammonia from an ammonia-containing gas stream
The invention is directed to a process for the removal of ammonia from an ammonia-containing gas stream by treating the ammonia in the ammonia-containing gas stream with an acid, during which treatment an aqueous stream comprising an ammonium salt, wherein the aqueous stream comprising the ammonium salt is treated with electrodialysis, whereby the acid is recovered and an aqueos stream comprising an ammonium hydroxide salt is formed.
US09108163B2 Microporous membrane for flash distillation
A microporous membrane for flash distillation comprising at least three layers having distinct properties is disclosed. Generally, the membranes contain outer layers of relatively small pore size, with an interior layer with relatively large pore size. The invention is also directed to a system for desalinization comprising a source of hot brine.
US09108162B2 Seawater desalination system and energy exchange chamber
In a seawater desalination system for producing fresh water from seawater by passing the seawater pressurized by a pump through a reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus to separate the seawater into fresh water and concentrated seawater, an energy exchange chamber for utilizing pressure energy of the concentrated seawater discharged from the reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus as energy for pressurizing part of the seawater is provided. The energy exchange chamber includes a concentrated seawater port for introducing and discharging the concentrated seawater, a seawater port for introducing and discharging the seawater, a plurality of flow regulators, and a plurality of partitioned fluid passages provided in the chamber to allow the concentrated seawater port and the seawater port to communicate with each other.
US09108161B2 Water purifier
The present invention provides a water purifier which is easily removable from a drinking water supply apparatus, and has a built-in filtration filter with high efficiency of purifying raw water of a bottle. The water purifier is removable from a drinking water supply apparatus, and the drinking water supply apparatus including a bottle for containing water and a main body which has a recess into which a neck of the bottle is insertable. The water purifier is characterized by being placed between the recess of the main body and the neck of the bottle.
US09108155B2 Non-PGM catalyst for burning carbon soot, and filtration filter and exhaust gas post-processing apparatus using the same
The present invention provides a non-PGM catalyst for burning carbon soot without using a noble metal, the non-PGM catalyst comprising: a cerium-praseodymium complex oxide and an iron oxide, the cerium-praseodymium complex oxide impregnated with silver (Ag). The cerium-praseodymium complex oxide illustratively consists of 60 to 95 wt % of cerium oxide and 5 to 40 wt % of praseodymium oxide, and silver (Ag) impregnated in the complex oxide is 1.5 to 3.0 parts by weight of the total weight of the complex oxide. The iron oxide may be an oxide in a form of particles separate from the cerium-praseodymium complex oxide in which silver is impregnated, and may be 0.5 to 2 parts by weight of the total weight of the cerium praseodymium complex oxide.
US09108153B2 Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
In an internal combustion engine, inside of an engine exhaust passage, a hydrocarbon feed valve (15) and an exhaust treatment catalyst (13) are arranged. On a substrate (45) of the exhaust treatment catalyst (13), a coat layer comprised of at least two layers of a top coat layer (46) and a bottom coat layer (47) is formed. The top coat layer (46) is comprised of an exhaust purification catalyst for reacting NOx contained in exhaust gas and reformed hydrocarbons, while the bottom coat layer (47) is comprised of an NOx absorption catalyst. The concentration of hydrocarbons which flows into the exhaust treatment catalyst (13) is made to vibrate within a predetermined range of amplitude and within a predetermined range of period. Due to this, NOx contained in exhaust gas and NOx desorbed from the NOx absorption catalyst (47) are reduced in the exhaust purification catalyst (46).
US09108147B2 Component separations in polymerization
A process for component separation in a polymer production system, comprising separating a polymerization product stream into a gas stream and a polymer stream, wherein the gas stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, distilling the gas stream into a light hydrocarbon stream, wherein the light hydrocarbon stream comprises ethane and unreacted ethylene, contacting the light hydrocarbon stream with an absorption solvent system, wherein at least a portion of the unreacted ethylene from the light hydrocarbon stream is absorbed by the absorption solvent system, and recovering a waste gas stream from the absorption solvent system, wherein the waste gas stream comprises ethane, hydrogen, or combinations thereof.
US09108144B2 Tank for separating liquid from gas under weightless conditions
A separator tank for separating and retaining a liquid phase from a liquid-gas fluid mixture is suitable for use with cryogenic as well as non-cryogenic liquids, in space experiments or other applications under weightless conditions. The separator tank has liquid storage members of porous, sponge-like metal foam arranged in a tank vessel. The total pore volume and porosity characteristics of the metal foam are selected to provide capillary uptake greater than the total volume of the liquid to be retained. In a preferred example, the liquid storage members are coaxially arranged, radially spaced, annular cylindrical members, with flow passage notches at alternating opposite ends thereof, to form a meandering fluid flow path therebetween. A gas extraction device is provided at the center of the tank. The separator tank and an upstream connected fluid supply tank can be arranged within a cryostat.
US09108140B2 Method and systems for washing ethanol production byproducts to improve oil recovery
In one aspect of the invention, a method and related system efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.
US09108139B2 Granular bed filtration system with gas entrained recycling
The instant disclosure relates to a granular bed filtration system with gas entrained recycling for thermal power plants to filter dust from the exhaust gas. The granular bed filtration system comprises a flow channel, a gas intake, a gas exhaust portion, a granular sieving unit, a vacuum, a cyclone separator and a pneumatic transporting device. The flow channels guide filtering media to filter the inlet gas, and then the filtered gas is exhausted through the gas exhaust outside of the granular bed filtration system. The granular sieving unit separates the filtering media and dust. The vacuum, pneumatic transporting device and cyclone separator repeatedly deliver the filtering media by gas-entrainment recycle.
US09108136B2 Dust collector with spark arrester
A spark arrestor and dust arrestor for same are provided. In one embodiment, the spark arrestor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned on a dust arrestor mounting side of the housing, and a turn baffle disposed in the housing in a position that creates a tortuous flow path through the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The tortuous flow path includes a low inertia channel formed in the housing having an orientation that directs particles passing through the low inertia channel through an upper portion of the outlet of the housing, and a high inertia channel formed in the housing, wherein a downstream portion of the high inertia channel has an orientation that directs particles passing through the high inertia channel through a lower portion of the outlet of the housing.
US09108135B2 Pulse jet air cleaner systems; components; and, methods
Pulse jet air cleaner systems components and methods are described. The features relate to air cleaner housings that include a cartridge receiving section. Features described relate to a possible two-stage construction, a pulse jet accumulator section, pulse jet equipment for cleaning a filter cartridge positioned within the air cleaner; evacuation valve arrangements for projection of dust from the air cleaners; and other example features. Methods of assembly and use are also provided.
US09108134B2 Catalytic filter system
A catalytic filter system adaptable to the various challenges of a catalytic gas phase reaction is provided, wherein the system comprises a filtration vessel having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a separation wall provided in the interior of the filtration vessel and a plurality of filter candles, the separation wall dividing the interior into a raw gas chamber and a clean gas chamber; the separation wall comprising a plurality of openings designed to sealingly accommodate the plurality of filter candles; the fluid inlet being arranged in fluid communication with the raw gas chamber upstream of the plurality of filter candles; the fluid outlet being arranged in fluid communication with the clean gas chamber downstream of the plurality of filter candles; and the filter system comprising a first catalytic medium accommodated in the clean gas chamber downstream of the filter candles and upstream of the fluid outlet.
US09108133B1 Air-permeable water non-permeable device
An air-permeable water non-permeable device includes a unit including a rubber outer case, a rubber inner case, and an air-permeable water non-permeable sheet sandwiched therebetween; and a housing. The inner case is fitted inside a cylindrical portion of the outer case, the air-permeable water non-permeable sheet being sandwiched between a through-holed base portion of the outer case and a through-holed cylindrical body of the inner case. The through-holed base portion of the outer case faces a mounting through-hole of the housing and the retainer flange portion is externally orientated. The outer case is provided with an insertion guidance small-diameter portion which is not compressed by the retainer inner cylindrical surface and is smaller in diameter than the retainer inner cylindrical surface, and a retainer large-diameter portion which is compressed by the retainer inner cylindrical surface and is larger in diameter than the retainer inner cylindrical surface.
US09108130B2 Filter media construction using PTFE film and carbon web for HEPA efficiency and odor control
Disclosed herein, among other things, is an improved filter media construction that comprises multiple layers for improved odor control that can be used for vacuum cleaner air filtration cartridge applications. The filter media comprises anti-microbial ePTFE HEPA filter media to prevent mold growth. The filter media may also be used for air cleaner filtration, central air filtration for home and industrial buildings (HVAC), cleanrooms, and microelectronic devices. In an embodiment, the improved filter media construction comprises at least a PTFE layer, a bi-component layer, and a base layer. In an embodiment the PTFE layer comprises ePTFE. In an embodiment, the bi-component layer comprises non-woven polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate (PE/PET). In yet another embodiment, the base layer comprises activated carbon. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US09108129B2 Filtering machine
A filtering machine (10) for filtering a condensate which includes entrained oily contaminant, the machine (10) including a filter (14) through which the condensate passes from an inlet (17), to a main filter chamber outlet (24), the filter (14) including an exterior housing (15) through which the condensate, in use, passes into a filter interior, and through which filtrate, in use, passes from the filter interior, and the filter interior including a mass of filter material which includes silica-based oleophillic fibers (29).
US09108127B2 Directed hydroburst system for cleaning flat screens
A screen intake system has a body with an open end and a chamber. A flat screen is disposed at the open end of the body. To keep the screen clear of debris, an airburst system has pipes disposed in the chamber. The pipes dispose parallel to one another adjacent the flat screen, and each of the pipes has orifices in a side facing the flat screen. Directors are disposed along the backs of the pipes in a lattice, and each of the directors has a channel in which the pipe disposes. Compressed air released by valves from a tank dispersed from the pipe's orifices. Each of the directors directs the resulting water/airburst from the orifices toward the adjacent flat screen to clear it of debris.
US09108123B2 Steam efficiency with non depletive condensing and adiabatic solvent heating
A lean solvent is produced from a CO2 rich solvent using heat exchange with a conditioned stream in a reboiler. A power generator generates a low pressure steam from high pressure steam. A portion of the low pressure steam is sent to a fluid conditioning unit, which conditions the low pressure steam to a temperature and pressure required to allow for the production of lean solvent from a rich solvent in a reboiler.
US09108117B2 Multi-functional mount
An article of manufacture includes a figurine body and a first mounting pad at a bottom of the figurine body. The first mounting pad can include a first mounting mechanism. The article of manufacture can also include a raised portion at the bottom of the figurine body. The raised portion is at least in part be adjacent to the first mounting pad. The raised portion is raised in relation to the first mounting pad. The raised portion is configured to prevent a portion of a fastener from rotating 360 degrees.
US09108112B2 Game system, game apparatus, storage medium, and game controlling method for game play using a plurality of game apparatuses
An example of a game system includes a plurality of game apparatuses, and a matching server decides game apparatuses as players (A, B), and game apparatuses as game masters (C-E) in response to a request from the game apparatus. During the game play, operation data in response to an operation input to each of the game apparatuses (A, B) is transmitted to the game apparatuses (C-E), and in the game apparatuses (C-E), game processing is executed. Result data of the game processing is transmitted to the game apparatuses (A, B). When the data is saved, the encoded game data is transmitted from each of the game apparatuses (C-E) to the game apparatuses (A, B), and saved there.
US09108111B2 Location-based online games for mobile devices and in-game advertising
Providing a location-based online game for a plurality of mobile devices, including: assigning a force field around a player corresponding to each mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein a radius of the force field is proportional to a score or experience point of the player in the online game; determining a location of said each mobile device; calculating colliding forces among the plurality of mobile devices and virtual environment created in the online game; and providing a forum to enable a battle among the plurality of mobile devices and the virtual environment which are calculated as being in the colliding forces.
US09108102B2 Stylized apparatus for bindingly accepting a strap including snowboard improvements and accouturements
An improved supplemental binding attachment scheme involving an extended strap and customizing tool enables customizing of a strapped article of leisure wear. The customizing tool may take the form of a stud, or any number of personalized shapes, including characters, strings, logos, icons and anything that attaches to show that any article belongs to a user. Kits, straps, and software based instructions are likewise included in the present disclosure.
US09108101B2 Snowboard
The disclosure herein is directed toward systems and methods for supporting a person and enabling motion of a person across a surface of snow can while satisfying the countervailing requirements of increasing surface area for weight-carrying capacity on soft snow and reducing the opposing forces, like for example drag and friction, in hard snow. More specifically, a snowboard with improved rider support, increased speed and enhanced safety performance.
US09108100B2 Board for snowboarding
A board for snowboarding, having forward and rear contact lines; lines of greater width located beyond the forward and rear contact lines respectively; binding-mounting areas, each including a set of mounting points by which the binding is secured to the board; a non-zero camber (C), measured substantially midway between the forward and rear contact lines; forward and rear shovels; wherein seen from above, the forward and rear contact lines pass through forward and rear areas respectively, each delimited on the one hand, board center side, by an inner transverse line located at a maximum distance (D1,D3) of 50 mm relative to the central position of the binding-mounting area, and on the other hand, shovel side, by an outer transverse line located at a maximum distance (D2,D4) of 150 mm relative to the central position.
US09108097B1 Device for golf practice putting and target imager
A method and device for training and practice putting is disclosed, comprising optical beams generated vertically onto the surface of a practice putting green having a practice putting cup disposed in an uneven terrain, said beams being patterned in the image of a plurality of concentric circles of light surrounding a center formed by the circumference of said golf cup. The intensity of the illumination of the light along the circumference of each of the concentric rings varies in accordance with the terrain of the practice green in order to train the practice putter to identify subtle elevational changes, curves and slopes of the green and how those factors influence the speed at which to putt a golf ball into the cup.
US09108096B2 Portable electronic device holders and methods to manufacture portable electronic device holders
Embodiments of portable electronic device holders and methods of manufacture of portable electronic device holders are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09108093B2 Apparatus for carrying and supporting golf clubs and accessories
An apparatus for carrying golf clubs and a beverage while practicing allows ease of movement with only a few clubs and a beverage for quicker and more productive practice. The apparatus has self-supporting aspects to allow the apparatus to be used in all areas of a practice range.
US09108091B1 Golf club weight screws
A customizable weight screw for a golf club head having one or more weight ports is disclosed herein. A kit is also disclosed herein, the kit comprising a weight screw and a plurality of medallions that can be removably affixed to the weight screw.
US09108082B2 Golf ball composition
This invention pertains to a golf ball which includes a core, optionally one or more intermediate layers; and an outer cover layer. The outer cover layer and/or one or more intermediate layers includes a blend of a) 2 to 60 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of a cyclic olefin polymer which includes a norbornene-based monomer having the general formula; where R18 to R21 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a hydrocarbon group and m is from 0 to about 3; and b) about 40 to about 98 wt % (based on the total weight of the blend composition) of one or more additional polymer components. The blend composition has a melt flow index (MFI) from 1 to 80 g/10 min., a material hardness of 30 to 90 Shore D, and a flex modulus of 10 to 120 kpsi.
US09108080B2 Orthosis machine
An orthosis machine for providing therapeutic and/or rehabilitative functionalities including at least one of Continuous Passive Motion, Passive Range of Motion, Active Assistive Range of Motion, Active Range of Motion, Resistive Range of Motion, proprioception training and biofeedback from a seated, supine, or recumbent position. Therapeutic and/or rehabilitative functionalities provided by the orthosis machine may be powered by the user or a motor and may be used through one or more phases of post surgical and/or general rehabilitation and physical therapy from multiple angular positions.
US09108075B2 Lineman's pole strap assembly
A pole strap assembly (10) is provided for use in climbing a utility pole (22), and includes an outer strap (12) including opposite end portions (32,34) connected by an intermediate portion (20); and an elongate wear member (30) attached to and extending over at least part of the intermediate portion (20) of the outer strap (12), wherein the wear member (30) does not extend over the end portions (32,34), and the outer strap (12) has a total length LO and the elongate wear member (30) has a length LI, with the length LO being no greater than twice the length LI.
US09108071B2 Deployable fire escape with multiple alternating ramps
A deployable fire escape with multiple alternating ramps allows a user to evacuate a building without needing the use of their lower body by walking or climbing. A plurality of alternating ramps are supported by a scissor mechanism that is engaged within guide channels of two fixed guide rails. The scissor mechanism is composed of a number of scissor sections, the number of which depends on the height of the building to be evacuated from. Each of the ramps is made from an upper layer and a lower layer of wide, flexible ramp belts, with the upper belts being staggered with the lower belts. Intermediate platforms allow the user to rest or reorient themselves. The user alternatingly slides down a ramp, pries apart the belts of the ramp, and climbs through the gap in the ramp belts to the next ramp, repeating this process until reaching the ground level.
US09108069B2 Polymeric depilatory composition with controlled temperature setting of use
The object of the invention is a polymeric depilatory (epilatory) composition including: a. at least one basic compound permitting adherence to the hair, b. at least one wax-based rheology regulating compound, and c. at least one microwave absorber compound.
US09108066B2 Low impedance oxide resistant grounded capacitor for an AIMD
A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough assembly for an AIMD includes an insulator hermetically sealed to a conductive ferrule or housing. A conductor is hermetically sealed and disposed through the insulator in non-conductive relation to the conductive ferrule or housing between a body fluid side and a device side. A feedthrough capacitor is disposed on the device side. A first low impedance electrical connection is between a first end metallization of the capacitor and the conductor. A second low impedance electrical connection is between a second end metallization of the capacitor and the ferrule or housing. The second low impedance electrical connection includes an oxide-resistant metal addition attached directly to the ferrule or housing and an electrical connection coupling the second end metallization electrically and physically directly to the oxide-resistant metal addition.
US09108065B2 RF transceiver hopping for communication with implantable medical device
Dynamically switching between different external RF transceivers for communication with an implantable medical device maintains high communication quality in the face of interference, fading, detuning, or other adverse wireless communication conditions. Quality information associated with communications between an implantable medical device and different external devices is monitored to select one of these external devices to conduct subsequent communication with the implantable medical device. This monitoring is conducted on a repeated basis such that communication is switched to a different RF transceiver whenever such an RF transceiver is able to achieve a higher quality communication than the currently selected RF transceiver. In some embodiments, RF transceivers are deployed in different devices. For example, one or more RF transceivers may be deployed at a portable programmer (e.g., in the form of a computer tablet) and one or more other RF transceivers may be deployed at an associated base station.
US09108062B2 Ventricular pacing to augment atrial natriuretic hormone production
Intermittent delivery of ventricular pacing pulses synchronized to occur during an atrial diastole time period can be used to provide atrial stretch therapy and augment the production and release of atrial natriuretic hormone.
US09108059B2 Transvascular nerve stimulation apparatus and methods
Electrode structures for transvascular nerve stimulation combine electrodes with an electrically-insulating backing layer. The backing layer increases the electrical impedance of electrical paths through blood in a lumen of a blood vessel and consequently increases the flow of electrical current through surrounding tissues. The electrode structures may be applied to stimulate nerves such as the phrenic, vagus, trigeminal, obturator or other nerves.
US09108056B2 Video processing unit for a visual prosthetic apparatus
A video processing unit configured to convert a video image to stimulation patterns for stimulating neural tissue in a subject's eye and comprising a power button, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered on after a first time interval upon activation of a power button, wherein the video processing unit is configured to be powered off after a second time interval upon activation of a power button.
US09108054B2 Method for modifying larynx position by trans-positioning muscle and electrode stimulation
A method of modifying larynx position in a human subject includes cutting one end of digastric muscle, attaching the cut end of the digastric muscle to thyroid cartilage thereby trans-positioning the digastric muscle, providing a stimulation electrode configured to stimulate the trans-positioned digastric muscle, generating at least one stimulation parameter for the stimulation electrode using a processor, and stimulating the trans-positioned digastric muscle with the stimulation electrode using the stimulation parameter in order to modify the larynx position.
US09108051B2 Bone implant and systems that controllably releases silver
Silver and/or zinc ion releasing implants, systems and method of operating, inserting and activating/inactivating them are described. In some variations the implant is configured as a bone implant that includes a bone-screw or intramedullary rod like body configured to receive a treatment cartridge having a plurality of ion-releasing members configured as an anode that can controllably engage with a catheter to turn galvanic release of ions on/off as desired. These devices may be configured to release silver ions (and/or zinc ions) above a predetermined level for a predetermined period of time and may maintain a concentration of ions over a relatively large volume of tissue. The ion-releasing members may be configured to reduce or prevent implant movement.
US09108048B2 Systems and methods for real-time tumor tracking during radiation treatment using ultrasound imaging
Systems and methods for tracking a target volume, e.g., tumor, in real-time during radiation treatment are provided. Under one aspect, a system includes an ultrasound probe, an x-ray imager, a processor, and a computer-readable medium that stores a 3D image of the tumor in a first reference frame and instructions for causing the processor to: instruct the x-ray imager and ultrasound probe to substantially simultaneously obtain inherently registered x-ray and set-up ultrasound images of the tumor in a second reference frame; establish a transformation between the first and second reference frames by registering the 3D image and the x-ray image; instruct the ultrasound probe to obtain an intrafraction ultrasound image of the tumor; registering the intrafraction ultrasound image with the set-up ultrasound image; and track target volume motion based on the registered intrafraction ultrasound image.
US09108047B2 System and method for planning and monitoring multi-dose radiopharmaceutical usage on radiopharmaceutical injectors
A method for planning and monitoring radio pharmaceutical usage during a plurality of radio pharmaceutical injection procedures includes: providing a schedule of the plurality of radio pharmaceutical injection procedures to produce a planned patient schedule; based on the planned patient schedule, calculating a multi-dose container configuration for use during the plurality of radio pharmaceutical injection procedures; transferring the planned patient schedule to a radio pharmaceutical fluid delivery system; loading the multi-dose patient configuration into the radio pharmaceutical fluid delivery system; and conducting the plurality of radio pharmaceutical injection procedures based on the planned patient schedule.
US09108045B2 Method and apparatus for optical inhibition of photodynamic therapy
A system and method are provided for preventing damage to the epidermis or other epithelial or non-target tissue during photodynamic therapy treatment. For example, an inhibiting radiation can be used to control formation of a photosensitizer from a precursor photosensitizer in the epidermis or epithelial tissue. Subsequent application of a treatment radiation can activate the photosensitizer to damage or destroy target sites while the non-target tissue remains substantially unaffected.
US09108043B2 Bipolar screw-in lead
An implantable active fixation lead includes an outer sheath, a protector member having a peripheral surface extending between its distal and proximal end surfaces with a helical groove formed in the peripheral surface, and a fixation helix integral with the outer sheath. The fixation helix includes a tip end engageable with body tissue and slidably engaged with the helical groove for relative translation and rotation. A longitudinal force on the lead firmly engages the protector member's distal end surface with the body tissue. With the fixation helix initially retracted proximally of the protector member's distal end surface and disengaged from the body tissue, upon application of torque to the outer sheath, the distal end surface of the protector member is moved proximally with respect to the fixation helix which, simultaneously, is extended distally beyond the distal end surface of the protector member to an extended position into engagement with the body tissue.
US09108042B2 Device for stimulating neural regeneration and fabrication method thereof
The present invention provides a device for stimulating neural regeneration and/or neurite outgrowth and a fabrication method thereof. A photovoltaic component having a substrate, a first conductive layer, an active layer and a second conducting stacked in sequence is formed. The photovoltaic component is encapsulated by an encapsulant with a portion of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer exposed from the encapsulant. The device is configured to be rolled to form a guiding tube having two open ends and to be placed at a damaged portion of a nerve. When the device is illuminated by light, a photovoltage exists between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer for producing an electric current, so as to stimulate neural regeneration and repair the damaged portion of a nerve.
US09108040B2 Methods and apparatus for multi-vessel renal neuromodulation
Methods and apparatus are provided for multi-vessel neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such multi-vessel neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, the multi-vessel neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. Such multi-vessel neuromodulation optionally may be performed bilaterally.
US09108038B2 Magnetic conductive device
A computerized electrical powered apparatus where one part is different types of housings with or without a cover. The apparatus produces magnetic field, for inducing water, in the housing (if a shower: inducing water, and water-vapor (mist) via a plumbing assembly). The housing uses: CO2 liquid cooling to cool electrical circuit boards, electromagnet(s), nanotube(s), nanowire(s), that control: water, elements, nutrients, drugs, found in blood, living tissues, vegetation tissue(s) of any organism(s). In another aspect; an extractor capturing molecule(s) in steam derived from compounds, drugs, that converge with a superconductive wire transporting ionic compounds, molecular ions; rise out from hot water, H2O-steam, and dry gases feed extractor, into a cooled catalyst pipe linking to a housing. The pipe with the wire inside, attach inside the housing, where the mixture disperses. A digital numerical image is captured on a computer monitor by rotating hydrogen molecules of water in the housing.
US09108037B2 Apparatus and method for tissue ablation with near-field cooling
A tissue ablation system facilitates lesioning deep tissue while preventing damage to superficial tissue and includes a probe having a distal end portion, at least one transducer carried on the distal end portion, and at least one acoustically transparent heat removal element thermally coupled to a target tissue within the beam path of the transducer. The transducer delivers acoustic energy to the tissue through the heat removal element in order to ablate the tissue; the heat removal element removes sufficient thermal energy from the tissue volume to prevent thermal necrosis in superficial tissue. The heat removal element may be a heat sink or a convective element. An optional temperature sensor provides advisory data to a practitioner and/or is coupled to a feedback control system operable to control delivery of acoustic energy to the tissue and/or a rate of thermal energy removal therefrom.
US09108036B2 Method and apparatus for fractional skin treatment
An apparatus for cosmetic RF skin treatment where the RF energy supply is isolated from the patient treated, such that in course of treatment no undesired current flows through the subject body.
US09108027B2 Interventional catheter housing assemblies incorporating guide wire brakes and management systems
Interventional catheter assemblies that operate over a guide wire are disclosed. Specifically, an elongated flexible catheter is associated at its proximal end with a housing having a guide wire port where the guide wire exits the housing. The housing additionally incorporates a guide wire brake mounted within a slot positioned a distance from the guide wire port for engaging and releasing a guide wire. The slot is generally arranged at an angle to the path of the guide wire as it exits the guide wire port. When the guide wire is clamped in the angled slot, variable lengths of exposed guide wire accumulate in a substantially unrestrained condition when the flexible catheter is advanced and retracted relative to the guide wire, allowing movement of the distal end of the catheter over considerable distances without repositioning and re-clamping the proximal end of the guide wire.
US09108025B2 Apparatus and method for anchoring an elongated object in body lumens
An apparatus and method for anchoring an elongated object, for example a wire, in tubular body vessel, such as arteries, veins, the colon, bile ducts, etc. are disclosed. The wire may be a catheter, a guide wire, a tube or an electrical lead. In one embodiment, a fixation device is advanced over the wire and, upon external actuation, either deforms the wire or deploys an anchoring mechanism so as to secure the wire against the vessel wall. The anchoring mechanism can be easily removed from the vessel even in the presence of vessel occlusion. In another embodiment, a wire tensioned between two locations on a distal section of the wire deforms the wire and urges the wire into wall apposition.
US09108024B2 Retention component for placement of enteral feeding tubes
The present disclosure provides an innovative retention element for use with feeding tubes for placement in a gastric lumen, desirably under direct visualization using an endoscope. The retention balloon has a shape with a recessed or concave center that provides space to accommodate the distal end of inserted feeding tubes. The retention balloon may be conical, square and half spherical and holds the stomach against the inner abdominal wall.
US09108022B2 Catheter shape release mechanism
A catheter includes a handle, a catheter sheath and a stylet having a shaped distal part received within the catheter sheath. The catheter includes a catheter shape release mechanism comprising the catheter handle and an elongate catheter sheath carrier. The catheter sheath carrier is slidable between a first position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet lies in register with the distal part of the catheter sheath to impart that shape to the catheter sheath and a second position in which the shaped distal part of the stylet is located proximally of the distal part of the catheter sheath. The catheter shape release mechanism enables retraction of the handle and the stylet while keeping the catheter sheath in place in case the catheter snags on tissue when in use.
US09108012B2 Coating methods and coated syringe
Medical articles with coatings are disclosed herein, as well as methods and systems for depositing these coatings onto medical articles. Surfaces of such articles may be coated. The coating(s) may serve as lubricants for reducing suction between such surfaces or between a coated surface and another surface.
US09108011B2 Inhalation device
The invention relates to an inhalation device (FIG. 1) having a connection device (4) and a container (8) connected or connectable thereto and collapsing upon inhaling, for intermediately storing an aerosol. In order to increase the fine particle count of the dispensed aerosol, the container (8) at least substantially retains the length thereof when collapsing, and/or tapers down toward the free end thereof.
US09108010B2 Dose counters for inhalers, inhalers and methods of assembly thereof
A manually operated metered dose inhaler includes a dose counter chamber including a dose display tape driven by a ratchet wheel which is driven in turn by an actuator pawl actuated by movement of a canister, the tape unwinding from a stock bobbin during use of the inhaler, a rotation regulator being provided for the stock bobbin and including a wavelike engagement surface with concavities which engage against control elements in the form of protrusions on resilient forks of a split pin thereby permitting incremental unwinding of the stock bobbin yet resisting excessive rotation if the inhaler is dropped onto a hard surface.
US09108008B2 Bubble continuous positive airway pressure device
The present invention is directed to a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Device as an apparatus configured to provide positive airway pressure in a respiratory circuit that comprises a container configured to be filled to a preselected level with liquids; a drop tube assembly comprising a hollow gas tube rotatably mounted in said container having an upper end extending a static distance outwardly of the container and connected to a respiratory circuit downstream of a user, and a hollow drop tube reciprocally movable upwardly and downwardly in the liquid in response to rotational movement of the gas tube. The container is provided with a gas vent and a liquid fill port.
US09108005B2 Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome by injection of the flexor retinaculum
An apparatus and method for identifying the flexor retinaculum of the carpal tunnel, injecting an effective amount of an agent into at least a portion of flexor retinaculum or tissue adjacent thereto, wherein the agent is configured to weaken the flexor retinaculum. The system may further include means for increasing the tensile stress in the flexor retinaculum post-injection using hand exercises, thereby weakening its structural integrity and decreasing the pressure within the carpal tunnel that impairs median nerve function.
US09108004B2 Ampoule unit with thread
Ampoule unit for an administering device, comprising an ampoule having a distal end with an opening for dispensing a product and a proximal end with an opening for accommodating a displacement body unit, and the proximal end of the ampoule has a thread which can be placed in a thread engagement with a complementary thread which is part of the displacement unit or a displacement body unit.
US09108003B2 Drug delivery device
A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device is presented having a housing, an axially displaceable piston rod to act on a piston of a cartridge containing a medicinal product to be dispensed, a drive member threadedly engaged with the piston rod and being slidably disposed relative to the housing between a distal stop position and a proximal stop position. During the setting of a dose the drive member is rotatable with respect to the housing and a dose dial member is operably engaged with the drive member by means of a reduction gear, wherein the drive member at its proximal end section comprises a radially extending receptacle adapted to receive the reduction gear.
US09108002B2 Automatic injection device with a top release mechanism
The present invention relates to a handheld mechanical injection device by which set doses of a liquid medicament can be injected from a medical reservoir. The medicament is expelled through an injection needle by release of a power reservoir in the device, the power reservoir being fully or partially released by actuation of a user operable release member being positioned at or near an upper end of the injection device, the upper end being that end of the injection device which is opposite the injection needle.
US09107997B2 Medical functional device, treatment apparatus and method
A medical functional device includes at least one first fluid system for receiving at least one medical fluid, at least one first conveying device for conveying the medical fluid, at least one second fluid system for receiving at least one operating fluid, and at least one second conveying device for operating the at least first conveying device, in which the first conveying device is arranged such as to be actuated by means of the operating fluid. A treatment apparatus and a method are also described.
US09107996B2 Medicament delivery devices
A medicament delivery device comprises a housing, a holder within the housing for receiving a medicament cartridge, a piston rod for driving a bung of the medicament cartridge, a drive mechanism including a motor for providing an output drive to the piston rod for delivering the medicament and control means for controlling operation of the device. The device is additionally provided with a bung sensor for sensing when the piston rod is in contact with the bung and the control means is operative for advancing the drive of the piston rod towards the bung.
US09107994B2 Systems for fluid reservoir retention
A fluid infusion device is provided. The fluid infusion device can include a fluid reservoir having a barrel portion and a housing defining a receiving portion for removably receiving the fluid reservoir within the housing. The housing can have a first side including a first engagement system that cooperates with the barrel portion to bias the fluid reservoir relative to the housing in a direction substantially opposite a direction of fluid flow out of the fluid reservoir.
US09107984B2 Device and method for mounting a pharmaceutical application aid
A device (1) for assembly of a pharmaceutical application aid (51), particularly a pen, is proposed. The device (1) is characterized by a holding device (3) for fixation of a first housing sleeve (5) that accommodates a pharmaceutical container, particularly a carpule (23), and by a stop (43) for limiting a displacement of a second housing sleeve (35) relative to the first housing sleeve (5).
US09107981B2 Antibacterial coating for an implant and method for producing said coating
An antibacterial coating for an implant is provided that contains copper. A method of producing an antibacterial coating for an implant is also provided that includes the coating being applied by a PVD process and the layer generated by the PVD process includes a copper content.
US09107979B2 Bioresorbable porous film
A bioresorbable porous film, including a blend mixture of polylactic acid and at least two kinds of polyethylene glycol, wherein the at least two kinds of polyethylene glycol include a first polyethylene glycol, which is in a solid form under ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, and a second polyethylene glycol, which is in a liquid form under ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure is provided. The film has a porosity of 10%-90%.
US09107978B2 Template for bacterial cellulose implant processed within bioreactor
The present invention relates to an implant comprising: a sheet of bacterial cellulose having a macro-pattern positioned on at least a portion thereof. The invention also relates to a method for making such an implant.
US09107976B2 Bio-adhesive agent comprising surface-modified hydroxyapatite and use thereof
The present invention relates to a bio-adhesive agent comprising a surface-modified hydroxyapatite and its use. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bio-adhesive agent for the adhesion between bone and bone, bone and tissue, bone and cartilage, or bone and tendon, or for the adhesion of a shield between bones or of an artificial joint, which comprises a surface-modified hydroxyapatite as an active ingredient, wherein the surface-modified hydroxyapatite is characterized in that a certain linker compound is covalently bonded to the surface of the hydroxyapatite; a method for coating the surface of a metal prosthesis using the surface-modified hydroxyapatite; and a metal prosthesis coated with the surface-modified hydroxyapatite obtained by said method.
US09107971B2 Intracavity ultrasound probe disinfectant system
A disinfectant system for intracavity ultrasound probes in disclosed generally including a housing, a disinfectant chamber positioned in the housing and receiving at least one ultrasound probe, a container for containing a disinfectant solution fluidly coupled to the disinfectant chamber, at least one pump for supplying the disinfection solution from the container to the disinfection chamber and from the disinfection chamber to the container, and a controller for automated operation of the disinfectant system, wherein the disinfectant solution is a multi-use disinfectant solution. A method for disinfecting intracavity ultrasound probes is also disclosed generally including placing at least one ultrasound probe into a disinfectant chamber, supplying a disinfectant solution from a container to the disinfectant chamber via a pump, and returning the solution to the container via the pump, wherein the steps of supplying and returning the disinfectant solution are controlled by a controller.
US09107969B2 Air freshener
An air freshener removably engages with a structure, such as the supporting post of a rear view mirror of a motor vehicle. The air freshener has a rigidifying core defining a central axis, and an outer portion or sleeve contacting the core that is formed from one or more fragrance loaded polymers. Together, the core and outer portion are shaped to surround a first axis perpendicular to the central axis. The ends of the air freshener are juxtaposed generally opposite one another in closed configuration, and the arm portions of the air freshener flex in directions substantially parallel to the first axis to separate the ends to open the air freshener. A breakable strap and/or connectors may be provided to join the ends together. Alternatively, one end of the air freshener may be inserted within a cavity formed in the opposite end of the air freshener.
US09107967B2 Apparatus and method for treating stored crops infected with toxins
A method of reducing toxins in stored crops comprises producing a stream of aqueous or gas ClO2 and exposing the stored crops to the ClO2 wherein the ClO2 kills toxin-producing microorganisms and/or reacts with toxins to reduce the toxins in said stored crops. An apparatus for reducing toxins in stored crops comprises a treatment area for containing the stored crops and a ClO2 generator comprising an inlet for introducing at least one chlorine-containing feed chemical and an outlet for exhausting a stream of aqueous or gas ClO2 from the generator into the treatment area wherein introducing the ClO2 kills toxin-producing microorganisms and/or reacts with toxin molecules to reduce the toxins in the stored crops.
US09107966B2 Method for reducing the viral and microbial load of biological extracts containing solids
The invention is a method for reducing the viral and microbial content of biological extracts which contain solids. The method comprises the steps of, (1), providing a biological extract which contains solids that comprise a biologically active substance, selected from enzymes, proteins and peptides, or a mixture of such substances; and (2) subjecting the biological extract to a high-pressure treatment; wherein the biological activity of the biological extract after the high-pressure treatment is at least 50% of the biological activity of the biological extract before the high-pressure treatment.
US09107963B2 Heteromultivalent nanoparticle compositions
A composition for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications includes a heteromultivalent nanoparticle having an outer surface and a plurality of targeting moieties conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticle, the targeting moieties includes a first activated platelet targeting moiety and a second activated platelet targeting moiety.
US09107961B2 Anti-DLL3 antibody drug conjugates for treating cancer
Novel modulators, including antibodies and derivatives thereof, and methods of using such modulators to treat proliferative disorders are provided.
US09107959B2 Method for site-specific polyvalent display on polymers
The present invention relates to novel complex peptidomimetic products comprising multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous pendant groups that are site-specifically positioned along a linear oligomer or polymer scaffold and methods of making thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to N-substituted glycine peptoid oligomers or peptoids and their use as substrates for azide-alkyne[3+2]-cycloaddition conjugation reactions and subsequent additional rounds of oligomerization and cycloaddition. The methods of the invention may also be used to generate peptoid-peptide hybrid or peptide products comprising multiple homogeneous or heterogeneous pendant groups, which are positioned precisely along the linear oligomer or polymer scaffold.
US09107958B2 Hydrazino 1H-imidazoquinolin-4-amines and conjugates made therefrom
1H-Imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amines substituted at the 1-position with a substituent bearing a hydrazinobenzamide or hydrazinonicotinamide, a salt thereof, or a protected hydrazinobenzamide or hydrazinonicotinamide and conjugates made from such compounds are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound or the conjugate, methods of making a conjugate, and methods of use of the compounds or conjugates as immunomodulators for inducing cytokine biosynthesis in an animal and for vaccinating an animal are also disclosed.
US09107957B2 Peptide-based in vivo siRNA delivery system
The present invention is directed compositions for targeted delivery of RNA interference (RNAi) polynucleotides to hepatocytes in vivo. Targeted RNAi polynucleotides are administered together with co-targeted melittin delivery peptides. Delivery peptides provide membrane penetration function for movement of the RNAi polynucleotides from outside the cell to inside the cell. Reversible modification provides physiological responsiveness to the delivery peptides.
US09107956B2 Oligomer-protease inhibitor conjugates
The invention provides small molecule drugs that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits characteristics that are different from the small molecule drug not attached to the water-soluble oligomer.
US09107954B2 Bivalent ligands for the treatment of neurological disorders
Bivalent ligands that contain two pharmacophores linked through a spacer, one of which interacts with the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) and the other of which interacts with the co-receptor CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), are used for the treatment of neurological disorders such as those associated with AIDS.
US09107946B2 Drug combinations comprising a DGAT inhibitor and a PPAR-agonist
The present invention relates to combinations of a DGAT inhibitor and a peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor (PPAR) agonist or a prodrug thereof.
US09107943B2 Eye drop composition
The present invention relates to an eye-drop composition comprising 2-amino-9-[[(1S,2R)-1,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropyl]methyl]-1,9-dihydro-6H-Purin-6-one, and the use thereof for the diagnosis and treatment of herpetic eye infections in companion animals.
US09107940B2 Compositions and methods for treating and preventing skeletal muscle deficiencies
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating and preventing skeletal muscle deficiencies. In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising poloxamers (e.g., poloxamer 188-P188) and methods of using the same for treating and preventing skeletal muscle deficiencies and injuries (e.g., dystrophin-deficient skeletal muscle; skeletal muscle having a contraction force deficit; skeletal muscle having a Ca2+ imbalance; skeletal muscle having microtears).
US09107938B2 Methods of selecting and using therapeutic and prophylactic probiotic cultures to reduce bacterial pathogen loads
Methods are provided for selecting a bacterium capable of reducing pathogenic bacterial colonization of the intestinal tract in a subject comprising selecting the bacterium capable of migrating at least 0.75 cm from the point of inoculation on motility agar after incubation for 24 hours at 37° C. or capable of migrating from the point of inoculation to a diameter of at least 1.5 cm based on the farthest colonies from the point of inoculation on motility agar after incubation for 24 hours at 37° C. Bacteria selected using the method and compositions comprising these bacteria are also provided.
US09107935B2 Chemotherapeutic methods and compositions
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for enhancing the cell-killing activity of anti-neoplastic agents by inhibiting the activity of a lysyl oxidase-type enzyme. Also disclosed are methods for screening for chemotherapeutic agents, and for molecules that enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic agents, using cells grown on an extracellular matrix.
US09107921B2 Oral dosage forms for oxygen containing active agents and oxyl-containing polymers
A pharmaceutical tablet for oral administration once every 12 hours is provided. The tablet includes a first active agent that is a tri-oxy active agent, a second active agent, and a release rate controlling non-ionic oxyl-containing hydrophilic polymer. The tablet is a matrix tablet and a single-dose administration of one or more tablets to a subject under fasted conditions provides a mean Cm˜ for each of the first active agent and the second active agent that is 70% to 135% of a respective mean Cm˜ provided by administering an immediate release oral dosage form to a subject under fasted conditions every 4 to 6 hours over a 12 hour time period, wherein cumulative dosage amounts administered over the 12 hour time period of each active agent is equivalent to the respective amount of each active agent in the pharmaceutical tablet.
US09107920B2 Extract of Trigonella foenum-graecum
Disclosed herein is an extract obtainable from Trigonella foenum-graecum. In particular, the extract is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of preparing a mixture of a plant material obtained from Trigonella foenum-graecum and liquid, incubating said mixture for at least 3 hours, heating of said mixture, and recovering a liquid extract from mixture. The extract is useful in the manufacture of various types of compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, disinfectant or preservation agents. The pharmaceutical may be used for the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory disease or an infectious condition.
US09107917B2 Treatment of sepsis and inflammation with alpha2A adrenergic antagonists
Provided are methods for treating a mammal undergoing sepsis, or at risk for sepsis. Also provided are methods of preventing or treating a physiological effect of sepsis in a mammal. Additionally provided are methods of inhibiting an inflammatory response in a mammal. Further provided is the use of an α2A-adrenergic antagonist for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating a physiologic effect of sepsis in a mammal, and the use of an α2A-adrenergic antagonist for the treatment of a mammal having sepsis or at risk for sepsis.
US09107914B2 Beta-carbolines for use in the treatment of hearing loss and vertigo
The present invention is directed at β-carbolines, preferred 9-alkyl-β-carbolines (9-alkyl-β-BC), their manufacture as well as their use in prophylaxis and treatment of hearing damages, tinnitus, acute acoustic trauma, vertigo and vestibular disorder as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing theses β-carbolines.
US09107913B2 Viral hepatitis treatment
The present disclosure relates to methods for treating viral hepatitis, compounds useful in the treatment of viral hepatitis, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. In one embodiment, pharmaceutical compositions comprising nitazoxanide, tizoxanide, or derivatives and/or mixtures thereof are provided, as well as methods of treating hepatitis C using such compositions.
US09107911B2 Prodrugs of heteraromatic compounds
The present invention relates to prodrugs of parent drug compounds containing heteroaromatic NH groups.
US09107907B2 Antibodies inhibiting c-Met dimerization, and uses thereof
The present inventions relates to a process for the selection of anti c-Met antibodies capable to inhibit both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent activation of c-Met. More particularly, said process is based on the inhibition of the c-Met dimerization. In another aspect, the present invention concerns such antibodies and compositions comprising such antibodies for the preparation of a medicament to treat cancer. Diagnosis process and kits are also part of the invention.
US09107906B1 Compositions and methods for the treatment of immunodeficiency
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of immunodeficiency (e.g., primary immunodeficiency disease). In particular, the invention provides human plasma immunoglobulin compositions containing select antibody titers specific for a plurality of respiratory pathogens, methods of identifying human donors and donor samples for use in the compositions, methods of manufacturing the compositions, and methods of utilizing the compositions (e.g., for prophylactic administration and/or therapeutic treatment (e.g., passive immunization (e.g., immune-prophylaxis))).
US09107905B2 Modulators of Candida hyphal morphogenesis and uses thereof
The invention relates to modulation of fungal morphology between yeast-to-hyphal growth transition by controlling muramyl-L-alanine concentration and uses thereof.
US09107903B2 Silver nanoparticle antimicrobial coating for long-term and short-term infection resistance
Disclosed herein is an implantable medical device including an antimicrobial layer. The antimicrobial layer may include a first distinct size of silver nanoparticles, a second distinct size of silver nanoparticles, and a third distinct size of silver nanoparticles. The antimicrobial layer extends over a surface of the implantable medical device, and, in some instances, the surface of the implantable medical device may serve as a substrate on which the antimicrobial layer is deposited.
US09107901B2 Immunotherapy compositions and methods of treatment
Provided are compositions that include one or more natural, recombinant and/or modified allergens; with a pharmaceutically acceptable non-aqueous solvent to form an immunotherapy composition that includes the active ingredient and solvent, wherein the immunotherapy composition is formulated for administration to a subject in need of immunotherapy. The solvent is miscible with water and interstitial fluid. The at least one active ingredient is soluble in the solvent and insoluble in water and in an aqueous phase of interstitial fluid. The present compositions may be administered to a patient for example, as part of an immunotherapy regimen to help induce a state of immunologic tolerance to one or more allergies, or as treatment for an autoimmune disease. Also provided are methods of making such compositions. Further provided are methods that include administering the composition to a mammal.
US09107897B2 Methods for isolating mammalian retinal progenitor cells
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating, ameliorating or preventing a retinal disease or condition; improving a photopic (day light) vision; for improving correcting visual acuity, improving macular function, improving a visual field, or improving scotopic (night) vision by administration of retinal progenitor cells. The subject matter described herein also provides cell populations comprising retinal progenitor cells and methods of isolation thereof.
US09107895B2 Methods and compositions for imaging cancer cells
Disclosed are compositions comprising nanoparticles and uses thereof. Such nanoparticles include gold nanoparticles conjugated to glucose or a glucose derivative, which are useful as contrast agents in imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT). Nanoparticles disclosed herein are useful in imaging various cells, tissues, and organs, and are particularly useful in imaging tumors and tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.
US09107894B2 Formulation to improve gastrointestinal function
The subject invention provides compositions, and uses thereof, that improve gastrointestinal function. The compositions and methods of the subject invention are particularly advantageous for use with neonates because they can be used to stimulate development of the immature intestine in order to provide an enhanced ability to absorb nutrients and attain a stronger barrier function.
US09107890B2 PKC activators and anticoagulant in regimen for treating stroke
The present disclosure provides a method for treating stroke by administering to a subject an anticoagulant, e.g., recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA), and a protein kinase C (PKC) activator followed by administration of at least one PKC activator for a duration of treatment. The methods disclosed herein may limit the size of infarction and/or reduce mortality, the disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and/or the hemorrhagic damage due to ischemic stroke compared with rTPA administration alone; and may also extend the therapeutic time window for administering rTPA after a stroke. Also disclosed are kits comprising rTPA and a PKC activator for treating stroke.
US09107888B2 Aqueous liquid bromfenac composition having preservative efficacy
An aqueous liquid bromfenac composition containing (a) bromfenac or a salt thereof and (b) benzalkonium chloride, characterized by that the composition has preservative efficacy and that the concentration of (b) benzalkonium chloride is higher than 0.0005% and lower than 0.005%.
US09107886B2 Modified polynucleotides encoding basic helix-loop-helix family member E41
The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.
US09107880B2 Pharmaceutical use of protein molecules immunologically correlated to diptheria toxin
Protein molecules immunologically correlated to diphtheria toxin are proposed for the treatment of atherosclerosis and further correlated pathologies.
US09107879B1 Methods of increasing the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents with multisubstrate inhibitors of histone, protein-lys, polyamine acetylation, and polyamine metabolism
A method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a first amount of a compound of the HAT inhibitor of the following formula: wherein R is chosen from coenzyme A, (CH2)2NHCO(CH2)2NHCOR2; (CH2)2NHCOR3; (CH2)2NHCO(CH2)2NHCOR4; R1 is H, NH2, NH, N, and R1 can optionally cyclize with at least one other X2 to form a C3-8 membered ring containing C, O, S, or N; R2 is chosen from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl; R3 is chosen from an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl; R4 is chosen from CH(OH)C(CH3)2CH2)OCOR2; X1 is chosen from H or can cyclize with one other X2 or R1 to form a C3-8 membered ring containing C, O, S, or N; and X2 is chosen from C, N, NH, and can optionally cyclize with at least one other X2 or R1 to form a C3-8 membered ring containing C, O, S, or N; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof, thereby treating the cancer.
US09107874B2 Compositions containing aromatic aldehydes and their use in treatments
Disclosed are pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions containing aromatic aldehyde compounds. Some of the disclosed compositions are useful as topical therapeutics for treating inflammatory dermatologic conditions. Some of the compositions are useful in transdermal and other systemic dose forms for treating other inflammatory conditions in mammals.
US09107869B2 Anti-glycation methods and compositions
The present invention comprises compositions that provide anti-glycation activity comprising a mineral extract composition or a mogroside/mineral extract composition or a mogroside composition. Such compositions are useful for methods of preventing, treating and inhibiting the effects of glycation in the body. The methods of the present invention comprise use of anti-glycation composition for the treatment and prevention of glycation related conditions including diabetes, atherosclerosis, arthritis, mental conditions and vision impairment.
US09107868B2 Neuronal pain pathway
The present invention relates to the discovery of a novel molecular pathway involved in long-term hyperexcitability of sensory neurons, which, in higher animals, is associated with persistent pain. It is based on the discovery that, following injury to an axon of a neuron, an increase in nitric oxide synthase activity results in increased nitric oxide production, which, in turn, activates guanylyl cyclase, thereby increasing levels of cGMP. Increased cGMP results in activation of protein kinase G (“PKG”), which then is retrogradely transported along the axon to the neuron cell body, where it phosphorylates MAPKerk.
US09107865B2 Methods for producing oocysts
The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for producing oocysts. The oocysts produced according to the invention find use in the manufacture of vaccines. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the production of Eimeria oocysts. Vaccines containing Eimeria oocysts, sporocysts and/or sporozoites produced according to the present invention may be used to immunize birds against coccidiosis either in ovo or post hatch.
US09107864B2 Tissue targeted antigenic activation of the immune response to treat cancers
The invention provides in part methods of treating cancers of a specific organ or tissue by administering a composition that is antigenically specific for one or more microbes that are pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue in which the cancer is situated.
US09107863B2 Reagents and methods for cancer treatment and prevention
The invention generally relates to the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, and, more specifically, to the treatment of tumors, including solid tumors and their metastases, without radiation or standard chemotherapeutic agents. In one embodiment, the invention involves a method comprising: a) providing a subject with tumor cells, b) removing at least a portion of said tumor cells from said subject to create removed cells, c) treating at least a portion of said removed cells ex vivo, using stimulating agents, including thapsigargin and/or thapsigargin-related compounds, so as to create treated tumor cells; and d) introducing said treated tumor cells (or fragments thereof) in vivo into the same subject to generate anticancer therapeutic effects.
US09107858B2 Dendritic cell targeting compositions and uses thereof
The present invention provides compositions and methods for targeting dendritic cells of the immune system. In particular, the compositions comprise carbon nanoparticles, optionally magnetic carbon nanoparticles comprising iron, which are preferentially endocytosed by dendritic cells compared to macrophages when contacted with a biological sample. The nanoparticles of the present invention may be functionalized to enhance delivery of biomolecules to dendritic cells.
US09107857B2 Method and composition for removing radiation-curable, pigmented, artificial nail gel coatings
A method and composition for removing UV cured nail gel wherein the composition comprises acetone and an alkoxylated lanolin oil is disclosed. The method comprises applying the composition to a cured nail gel and allowing the composition to soak.
US09107856B2 Dental appliance cleanser
This invention relates to a dental appliance cleanser which is a metastable emulsion comprising about 50-99% w/w of an aqueous phase, about 1-50% w/w of a water immiscible oily phase, the oily phase having a combination of a one or more immiscible oils and one or more flavor oils. The dental appliance cleanser is applied to the dental appliance, outside the wearer's mouth, in the form of an aerated foam.
US09107854B2 Emulsified MQ resin: compositions and methods
Long term stable, oil-in-water emulsions that have a high concentration of plasticized MQ-type resin and/or its derivatives in an internal phase. Also, novel compositions for topical use that comprise our MQ resin emulsions. These compositions include, hair care products, especially for treating split ends, skin care products, such as sunscreens, and systems for delivering actives to skin and hair. In some preferred embodiments, the MQ emulsion is stabilized in such a way that the surface tension of the emulsion is sufficiently close to the surface tension of a target surface, such as damaged hair or skin.
US09107849B2 Anti-glycation agent comprising a Garcinia kola extract or fraction
An anti-glycation agent includes a Garcinia kola extract or fraction. The compositions including the extract or the fraction are used to inhibit the glycation of proteins, in particular the glycation of skin proteins involved in cutaneous aging. A method for determining the activity of compounds for inhibiting the glycation of cutaneous proteins, in particular for inhibiting the glycation of collagen is also described.
US09107845B2 Synthetic platelets
A synthetic platelet includes a biocompatible flexible nanoparticle that includes an outer surface and a plurality of peptides conjugated to the surface, the peptides including a plurality of von Willebrand factor-binding peptides (VBPs), collagen-binding peptides (CBPs) and an active platelet GPIIb-IIIa-binding peptides (GBPs).
US09107840B2 Hormonal contraceptive containing a combination of ethinyloestradiol and chlormadinone acetate
The present invention relates to a hormonal contraceptive including at least 120 hormone-containing daily units, which contain 5 to 50 μg of ethinyloestradiol and 1 to 5 mg of chlormadinone acetate, and optionally 7 to 3 hormone-free daily units for uninterrupted oral administration to women.
US09107837B2 Sustained release formulation of naltrexone
A sustained-release oral dosage form of naltrexone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. The oral dosage form may be administered with another compound. Administration of the oral dosage form may reduce a side effect, which may be a side effect at least partially attributable to a weight-loss treatment. The oral dosage form may be administered to treat a weight-loss condition.
US09107835B2 Chewable enteric coated aspirin tablets
The invention relates to a tablet capable of being chewed or disintegrated in the oral cavity, which comprises an enteric coated aspirin active ingredient, and preferably a lightly compressed matrix comprising directly compressible carbohydrate(s) and at least one sweetener.
US09107827B2 Nanoparticulate megestrol formulations
The present invention is directed to nanoparticulate compositions comprising megestrol. The megestrol particles of the composition have an effective average particle size of less than about 2000 nm.
US09107826B2 Lipophilic drug delivery vehicle and methods of use thereof
The invention provides compositions and methods for delivery of a bioactive agent to an individual. Delivery vehicles are provided that include a bioactive agent in disc shaped particles that include one or more lipid binding polypeptides circumscribing the perimeter of a lipid bilayer in which the bioactive agent is localized. Chimeric lipid binding polypeptides are also provided and may be used to add additional functional properties to the delivery particles.
US09107824B2 Methods of treating cancer with high potency lipid-based platinum compound formulations administered intraperitoneally
One aspect of the invention relates to methods of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering intraperitoneally to a patient in need thereof a cancer treating effective amount of a composition comprising a lipid-complexed platinum compound wherein the concentration of the platinum compound of the lipid-complexed platinum compound composition is greater than about 1.2 mg/ml. Another aspect of the invention relates to lipid-complexed platinum compound compositions where the concentration of the platinum compound is greater than about 1.2 mg/ml.
US09107821B2 Stable bortezomib formulations
Multi-dose formulations for bortezomib are presented in which bortezomib has significantly improved stability. Especially preferred formulations include those in which bortezomib is in a liquid form suitable for injection, wherein the solvent system predominantly comprises propylene glycol. In other preferred aspects, bortezomib is present as a Lewis donor-acceptor complex with a hetero-bifunctional Lewis base.
US09107816B2 Implantable device for controlled dissolution and diffusion of low solubility drug
Implantable drug delivery devices are provided that are deformable between a relatively straightened shape suitable for deployment and a retention shape suited to retain the device within the bladder or other body cavity. While in the body cavity, the devices release drug from solid drug units housed in the devices. The devices are designed to house the solid drug units in a way that exposes one or more sides of the solid drug units to the fluid at the in vivo site of deployment. Methods for using the devices for administering drug and making the devices also are provided.
US09107814B2 Micelle composition of polymer and passenger drug
Hydrophobic drugs become more practical for treatments by being encapsulated in micelle compositions for increasing solubility. Micelle compositions may include an excipient tocopherol and/or prodrug formulations of the drug. Micelles extend the time period the drug remains in the micelles to improve drug circulation time and thereby drug delivery. Hydrophobic drugs for micelle encapsulation may include rapamycin, geldanamycin, and paclitaxel. Administration of these micelle compositions does not require Cremophor EL or Tween 80, avoiding serious side effects associated with these products which would previously accompany such drug administration.
US09107813B2 Immunogenic compositions containing anthrax antigen, biodegradable polymer microparticles, and polynucleotide-containing immunological adjuvant
Immunogenic compositions and kits, as well as methods of stimulating immune responses and methods of immunization using the same. The compositions and kits comprise: (a) an antigen derived from Bacillus anthracis; (b) polymer microparticles comprising a biodegradable polymer; and (c) a polynucleotide-containing immunological adjuvant.
US09107809B2 Closed fluid transfer system
A closed fluid transfer system for fluidly interconnecting a syringe to any one of a patient I.V. set, a vial and an I.V. bag, is provided and includes a first adapter defining a lumen and supporting a seal across a first end of its lumen, the first adapter supporting a rear end of a needle within the lumen, wherein the seal is movable relative to the needle such that a tip of the needle penetrates through the seal; and a second adapter defining a lumen and supporting a seal across a first end of its lumen; wherein when the second adapter is coupled to the first adapter, the second adapter seal abuts the first adapter seal and moves the first adapter seal relative to the tip of the needle such that the tip of the needle penetrates through the abutting first adapter seal and second adapter seal.
US09107803B2 Container with storage chambers
A container having at least two separate chambers that allow for the storage of two components of a liquid product to be stored, and later mixed, for consumption wherein the storing or mixing takes place within the container and is allowed by placement of a formula chamber disposed at various positions with the container.
US09107802B2 Tablet crusher with rocker action
A device for crushing one or more tablets and methods of using the same are disclosed. The device contains a solid body portion having a blade-like configuration. Round grips extend from the opposing ends of the body portion. The body portion has a crushing surface that is convex. The convex surface allows the device to be operated in a rocking motion.
US09107799B2 Self contained massage head and method of applying massage forces
A massage apparatus for use in the therapeutic application of repetitive vibratory force to a recipient. The massage apparatus 5 comprises a housing 10 having a hand portion 26 and a cuff portion 42. The apparatus 5 also comprises a pancake motor mounted 50 within the hand portion 26, the pancake motor 50 having a drive shaft 60 extending forward along the direction of a longitudinal axis 24 of the housing 10. An oscillating assembly 72 mounts within the cuff portion 42 and attaches to the drive shaft 60 of the pancake motor 50, wherein the oscillating assembly 72 translates rotary motion of the drive shaft 60 into orbital oscillations. A counterweight 108 operatively connects to the pancake motor 50 wherein the counterweight 108 decreases vibration in the hand portion 26 by compensating forces generated by the oscillating assembly 72.
US09107796B2 Apparatus, system and operation method for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction
There is disclosed an apparatus for treating a sexual dysfunctional female patient, comprising an implanted stimulation device adapted to stimulate at least a part of the sexually responsive tissue of the vulva or the wall of the vagina of the patient by movement of said stimulation device and contact between said stimulation device and the sexually responsive tissue or the wall of the vagina. A system and an operation method for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction are also disclosed.
US09107794B2 Therapeutic device for post-operative knee
The present teachings provide for an exercise device for exercising a joint and a limb. The device includes a controller, an actuation member, a load cell, and a motor. The actuation member is controlled by the controller and is configured to extend and flex the limb. The load cell is mounted to the actuation member and configured to measure force between the limb and the actuation member. The motor is configured to control movement of the actuation member in response to inputs from the controller.
US09107789B2 Invalid toileting safety sling
An improved patient transfer and toileting sling comprising an additional flap 3 fabric and adjustment strap 4. The additional fabric and adjusting means allows for enhanced security during transfers and can be easily and quickly removed to facilitate access to patient's clothing during toileting. Adjustment buckles 6 allow the sling to be secured and fitted around a patient's bottom for enhanced comfort and security during transfers. They can also be used to secure the additional flap 3 fabric up and out of the way during toileting to allow for improved access to a patient's clothing.
US09107788B2 Cam mechanism to raise steering wheel of patient transfer device
A table assembly for a patient transfer device has an upper table with side plates that are differentially extended at the ends, and valve control for pneumatic tubing integrated with retraction of the side plates. During patient delivery only the delivery side plate is raised, to avoid catching linens in the nip formed between upper and lower belts. A slide assembly supporting the table assembly includes a fixed plate, an intermediate plate, and a full-motion plate which extend by means of rack-and-pinion drives. Each plate is symmetrical, and pinions are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the fixed or intermediate plate to allow hyperextension to either the left or right. Improved steerage for the device is provided by two centerline wheels which counter-rotate from a straight position to a turning position and further to a lateral position wherein the wheels are orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline of the device.
US09107787B2 Adaptation to an assistive device
A transfer bench adapted to facilitate the movement into and out of an enclosure, such as a bathtub, by persons having limited mobility. In one embodiment, a transfer bench comprises a first seating section, a second seating section rotatably coupled to said first seating section and configured to rotate from and between a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position, wherein the second seating section cannot rotate more than about 90 degrees from the horizontal position, a first plurality of legs configured to support the first seating section, a second leg configured to support the second seating section, and a back support member extending from a side of the first seating section perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the second seating section.
US09107786B2 3-point wheelchair passenger securement system
The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a system comprising a barrier module and a wall-side module, which incorporate three separate restraint devices which are configured to secure a wheelchair at three separate attachment points. The system can optionally include a moveable excursion barrier or a pull-mechanism to pre-tension at least one of the restraint devices the wheelchair securements. In a simpler embodiment, three restraint devices, such as retractors, are provided for attachment to the vehicle surfaces or structures in, for example, a generally right-triangular configuration.
US09107785B2 Gurney attachment for use in helicopter transport and method therefor
A device for existing gurneys to allow for transfer of a litter on a helicopter onto the gurney has a raised platform. The raised platform is configured to be positioned on top of the gurney, wherein a top surface of the raised platform is approximately level with a device for transferring the litter from the helicopter to the gurney.
US09107782B2 Adjustable bed mattress retainer system
A mattress retention system for adjustable beds employs a tubular fabric tension web attached with a restraining bar to a top surface of an element of an articulating support structure. The restraining bar is secured with brackets inset from a longitudinal edge and lateral edges of the articulating support structure element.
US09107781B1 Height adjustable apparatus with opposed legs movably and pivotally connected to rails supporting a deck
The present invention relates to an apparatus, such as a bed, having a vertically adjustable deck that is selectably raised and lowered in a substantially vertical manner. Two leg frames are pivotally and movably connected to rails supporting the deck through a slot in the bottom of the rails. Support frames having a fixed longitudinal position relative the bed frame rail are connected to a central pivot point of the leg frames, respectively. The support frames each have a cross member supporting a connection lever defining a path. Actuators are pivotally connected to the bed frame and to a movable pivotal connection point along the path. A control arm is provided to determine the location of the actuator end relative the path of the connection lever. Wheel assemblies can be pivotally connected to the second end of the leg frames.
US09107779B2 Bodily fluid absorbent article including bodily fluid absorbent core and method for making the core
Provided are a bodily fluid absorbent article improved to absorb bodily fluids quickly and a method for making a core for the bodily fluid absorbent article. A bodily fluid absorbent core for a bodily fluid absorbent article is formed with one or more elongated depressions. The core 40 includes one or more surface layers and one or more inner sections lying inside the one or more surface layers. The one or more surface layers are formed primarily of liquid-absorbent fibers and the one or more inner sections are formed of the liquid-absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles.
US09107775B2 Tampon pledget with improved by-pass leakage protection
A tampon pledget is made by assembling one or more pads in a pad compression configuration, radially compressing the pad compression configuration in a traverse direction into a cylindrical form, and axially compressing the cylindrical form in a direction along a vertical axis to form the tampon pledget. In one embodiment, the axial compression is performed as a pressure is applied to at least one of a first and a second end of the cylindrical form. In one aspect of the present invention, the formed tampon pledget has an absorbent capacity as measured by the syngyna test of between about 6.0 grams to 9.0 grams and a density of about 0.4603 grams/cubic centimeter. In another aspect of the invention, the formed tampon pledget has an absorbent capacity as measured by the syngyna test of between about 9.0 grams to 12.0 grams and a density of about 0.4755 grams/cubic centimeter.
US09107773B2 Conformable therapeutic shield for vision and pain
A conformable covering comprises an outer portion with rigidity to resist movement on the cornea and an inner portion to contact the cornea and provide an environment for epithelial regeneration. The inner portion of the covering can be configured in many ways so as to conform at least partially to an ablated stromal surface so as to correct vision. The conformable inner portion may have at least some rigidity so as to smooth the epithelium such that the epithelium regenerates rapidly and is guided with the covering so as to form a smooth layer for vision. The inner portion may comprise an amount of rigidity within a range from about 1×10-4 Pa*m3 to about 5×10-4 Pa*m3 so as to deflect and conform at least partially to the ablated cornea and smooth an inner portion of the ablation with an amount of pressure when deflected.
US09107764B2 Medical closure device
A medical closure device serves for coupling to a discharge opening of a device protruding from a mammalian body. The medical closure device includes a coupling part for engaging a part of the device protruding from the mammalian body. The coupling part is a circumferential flexible member delimiting a coupling opening configurable between a relaxed configuration where the coupling opening cannot pass over the medical device and a stressed configuration where the coupling opening of the coupling part can pass over the medical device. The coupling part has a securing member for securing the coupling part to a closure part, such as a cap, an ostomy bag, a catheter, or an irrigation device, for subsequent closure of a discharge opening.
US09107763B2 Articulating intervertebral implant
An intervertebral disc implant for use in the spine includes a superior endplate and an inferior endplate. The superior endplate is configured to articulate about the inferior endplate in an anterior-posterior direction during flexion and extension. The superior endplate is further configured to axially rotate about the inferior endplate during axial rotation, and is further configured to articulate about the inferior endplate along a medial-lateral direction during lateral bending. During axial rotation, the superior endplate is induced to articulate about the inferior endplate along the medial-lateral direction. During lateral bending, the superior endplate is induced to axially rotate about the inferior endplate.
US09107760B2 Stand alone interbody fixation system
An interbody spacer system includes a cage and at least one first fixation blade. The cage includes an anterior wall and a posterior wall connected by a pair of side walls. The at least one first fixation blade partially extends around an outer surface of a first of the pair of side walls and is positionable between a first configuration for insertion into a disk space between two vertebrae and a second configuration for attachment to a first of the vertebrae.
US09107758B2 Bone preparation tool kit and associated method
A prosthesis (20) for use in performing joint arthroplasty is provided. The prosthesis (20) is to be fitted to a long bone (3). The prosthesis includes a first body (22) having a first body articulating surface (24) defining a generally circular outer periphery (26) of the first body articulating surface (24). The first body (22) has a support surface (28) opposed to the articulating surface (24). The support surface (28) is adapted to receive the head of the long bone (3). The prosthesis (20) also includes a second body (30) operably associated with the first body (22). The second body (30) has a second body articulating surface (32) extending from a portion of the circular outer periphery (26) of the first body articulating surface (24). A tool kit for preparing a humerus to receive a prosthesis is also disclosed.
US09107755B2 Knee system and method of making same
A femoral prosthesis may be formed as a femoral component incorporating a base material and an articulating material. In one exemplary embodiment, the base material is a metal and the articulating material is a polymer. Specifically, the base material provides strength and rigidity to the femoral component, while the articulating material contacts a tibial prosthesis or natural tibia during joint articulation. In one exemplary embodiment, the articulating material forms the articulating surface of one or more condyle portions of the femoral component.
US09107753B2 Method to relieve menstrual pain
A method to relieve menstrual cramping which includes the step of placing one or more symmetrical tapered pads having an inner and outer side, each outer side being semi-rigid and each inner side being flexible and compressible. The outer side of each pad is affixed to one or more straps having a first and corresponding second end. A fastener is connected so to attach the first end of each strap to a corresponding second fastener at the second end of each strap as an additional step. The apparatus also includes a constricting device (such as a ratchet) located on or proximate to one pad sufficient to create a compression force through each strap when the first and corresponding second fasteners connect to one another.
US09107751B2 Injectable and moldable bone substitute materials
An osteoimplant composite comprising a plurality of particles of an inorganic material, a bone substitute material, a bone-derived material, or any combination thereof; and a polymer material with which the particles are combined. The composite is either naturally moldable or flowable, or it can be made moldable or settable. After implantation, the composite may be set to provide mechanical strength to the implant. The inventive composite have the advantage of being able to fill irregularly shape implantation site while at the same time being settable to provide the mechanical strength required for most orthopedic applications. The invention also provides methods of using and preparing the moldable and flowable composites.
US09107750B2 Implantable devices for controlling the size and shape of an anatomical structure or lumen
An implantable device system for controlling the dimensions of internal anatomic passages corrects physiologic dysfunctions resulting from a structural lumen which is either too large or too small. Implantable devices are disclosed which employ various mechanisms for adjusting and maintaining the size of an orifice to which they are attached. Systems permit the implants to be implanted using minimally invasive procedures and permit final adjustments to the dimensions of the implants after the resumption of normal flow of anatomic fluids in situ.
US09107749B2 Methods for treating a heart
Devices and related methods of use are provided for improving heart function. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a device includes a ring-like structure configured to be secured to a heart valve; at least one elongate member extending from the ring-like structure, wherein an end of the elongate member is configured to be secured to heart geometry other than a heart valve; and an adjustment mechanism for simultaneously altering a dimension of the ring-like structure and a length of the elongate member.
US09107746B2 Hydrophilicity alteration system and method
A system/method allowing hydrophilicity alteration of a polymeric material (PM) is disclosed. The PM hydrophilicity alteration changes the PM characteristics by decreasing the PM refractive index, increasing the PM electrical conductivity, and increasing the PM weight. The system/method incorporates a laser radiation source that generates tightly focused laser pulses within a three-dimensional portion of the PM to affect these changes in PM properties. The system/method may be applied to the formation of customized intraocular lenses comprising material (PLM) wherein the lens created using the system/method is surgically positioned within the eye of the patient. The implanted lens refractive index may then be optionally altered in situ with laser pulses to change the optical properties of the implanted lens and thus achieve optimal corrected patient vision. This system/method permits numerous in situ modifications of an implanted lens as the patient's vision changes with age.
US09107731B2 Method for increasing ocular depth of field
A method for performing a corneal ablation procedure on an eye of a patient including determining a refractive correction for the eye and determining a first parameter corresponding to the refractive correction or a condition of the patient. An ablation profile is selected that includes a refractive correction component and a pre-compensating component that is selected based on the first parameter. The ablation profile is configured to promote a controlled induction of a higher order aberration, where the pre-compensating component limits the induction of the higher order aberration to be within a predefined range. The cornea is ablated using the selected ablation profile.
US09107729B2 Methods for forming an opening in the trabecular meshwork of the eye of a patient
Methods and devices for cutting strips of tissue from masses of tissue inside or outside of the bodies of human or animal subjects. The device generally comprises a) an elongate cutting tube that has a distal end and a lumen that opens through an opening in the distal end and b) first and second cutting edges formed on generally opposite edges of the distal end of the cutting tube and separated by a distance D. The device is advanced through tissue to cut a strip of tissue of approximate width W. Width W is approximaely equal to distance D.
US09107725B2 Method of manufacturing an orthodontic bracket having a laser shaped green body
A green metal body includes metal particles and a binder in the shape of an orthodontic bracket and/or base plate. The green metal body is fabricated by being laser-cut with a laser to shape the green metal body into the shape of an orthodontic bracket and/or to carve recesses and/or undercuts into the bonding surface of the bracket. The green metal body is sintered to shrink its volume into a denser and less porous sintered metal body configured to be an orthodontic bracket. The resultant sintered orthodontic bracket includes recesses and/or undercuts in the bonding surface to provide a mechanical aspect when bonded to a tooth.
US09107721B2 Universal bone screw screwdriver
The instant invention is directed to a universal bone screw screwdriver and in particular to a universal screwdriver that permits the removal of screws from bone plates that are manufactured by different manufacturers having distinct characteristics. The universal bone screw screwdriver is adapted to replaceably receive tool bits corresponding to the screw heads of different manufacturers and comprises a torque limiting spring to secure the tool bit to the driver shaft and inhibit over-tightening of the bone screw into the bone or bone plate as the case may be.
US09107718B2 Bone plate
A composite bone plate comprising: (a) a rigid ring that defines an internal opening and the outline of a bone plate; and, (b) a deformable material mounted to the rigid ring and at least partially spanning the internal opening, the deformable material including at least one through opening that is concurrently circumscribed by the rigid ring.
US09107713B2 Pancarpal arthrodesis bone plate
A bone plate is configured for pancarpal arthrodesis. The bone plate can include a plurality of apertures that can be aligned with the metacarpal bones. The apertures can include a first portion and second portion that is longitudinally and laterally offset with respect to the first portion.
US09107705B2 Dynamic spinal stabilization systems and methods of use
In a spinal implant device, a frictionless pivot member is used to interconnect multiple links and produce a scissor jack-like device with minimal frictional wear characteristics. The device is attached to at least two vertebrae, wherein a first device segment is attached to a first vertebra and at least one additional device segment is attached to at least one additional vertebra. The implanted device functions to control and dampen the movement between the attached vertebral bodies.
US09107704B2 Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods and devices
Anterior cervical instrumentation systems, methods, and devices are disclosed. Systems may facilitate immobilizing or providing support for the cervical portion of the vertebral column of a patient. A device may comprise a plate having two channels located in a proximal to distal direction, and may further comprise at least one aperture. The device may further comprise attachment elements such as attachment cross-links and spacer cross-links, and fasteners. The plate and the attachment elements may be secured to the vertebrae by passing fasteners through apertures and channels. The length of the plate, position and number of the attachment cross-links, position and number of spacer cross-links and degree of movement may be intraoperatively selected by the surgeon to provide an optimal application and procedural outcome. Uniform components of the devices and systems allow for a more streamlined and simplified method of treating spinal conditions.
US09107697B2 System and method for selecting follicular units for harvesting
A system and method for selecting follicular units for hair harvesting using imaging and processing techniques are provided. The method of selecting an order of harvesting follicular units is based on a combination of one or more policies and filters that are generally designed to improve a speed, quality and efficacy of the harvesting process. The method of the present invention may be implemented with various hair harvesting and transplantation systems, including manual, partially automated and fully automated systems.
US09107686B2 Surgical robot and surgical robot control method
A surgical robot and a surgical robot control method ensure a stable change of an operation mode. The surgical robot includes a master device having an input unit, a slave device having at least one robotic surgical instrument that is remotely controlled by the master device, and a controller that performs a mode change process to gradually vary the strength of a feedback signal fed back from the slave device to the input unit for a predetermined time when a signal for a change of an operation mode is input via the input unit.
US09107683B2 Systems and methods for cancellation of joint motion using the null-space
Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for cancelling movement one or more joints of a tele-surgical manipulator to effect manipulation movement of an end effector. Methods include calculating movement of joints within a null-perpendicular space to effect desired end effector movement while calculating movement of one or more locked joints within a null-space to cancel the movement of the locked joints within the null-perpendicular-space. Methods may further include calculating movement of one or more joints to effect an auxiliary movement or a reconfiguration movement that may include movement of one or more locked joints. The auxiliary and reconfiguration movements may overlay the manipulation movement of the joints to allow movement of the locked joints to effect the auxiliary movement or reconfiguration movement, while the movement of the locked joints to effect manipulation is canceled. Various configurations for devices and systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.
US09107682B2 Steerable laser probe
A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation lever, an optic fiber, and a housing tube. The housing tube may have a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater than the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within the housing tube and within an inner bore of the handle. An actuation of the actuation lever about a pivot pin of the handle may gradually curve the optic fiber. An actuation of the actuation lever about the pivot pin of the handle may gradually straighten the optic fiber.
US09107679B2 Patient selectable joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.
US09107677B2 Disposable surgical hemispherical cutter for convex and concave surfaces
A disposable reamer designed to improve bone and tissue removal efficiency is described. The reamer device comprises a reamer body shell, a series of reamer blades and a reamer shaft interface. The reamer body shell has a hemispherical structure having a concave interior surface and a convex outer surface. The series of reamer blades have a cutting portion comprised of a series of discrete cutting edges that is bent at an angle from the planar portion of the blade. The reamer blades are positioned along the curved concave interior surface of the hemispherical shell or along the curved convex outer surface of the shell. The reamer blades are positioned along the hemispherical shell such that their leading edges lie parallel to and tangent a bisecting plane.
US09107674B2 Systems and methods employing a guidewire for positioning and stabilizing external instruments deployed within the body
Systems and methods for treating a tissue region employ an expandable structure projecting beyond the distal end of a catheter tube. A distal tail projects beyond the far end of the basket assembly. The distal tail includes a guidewire lumen that accommodates passage of a guidewire without threading the guidewire through the catheter tube.
US09107673B2 Irrigation catheter
An irrigation catheter assembly comprises an electrode sheath mount for mounting an electrode sheath. The mount has a laterally arranged aperture defined in it through which conductors for electrodes of the electrode sheath pass, in use. A connector, to which a source of irrigation fluid is connectable, is connected to a proximal end of the electrode sheath mount. The connector communicates with an interior of the mount so that, in use, fluid passes through the lumen of the electrode sheath to be delivered to a distal end of the electrode sheath.
US09107669B2 Blood vessel occlusion
An occlusion device delivery system can deliver an expandable coiled implant using a catheter. A distal portion of the catheter has proximal and distal apertures extending through a wall of the catheter. The expandable coiled implant is wound about the distal portion and has a proximal section that extends within the proximal aperture and a distal section that can extend radially within the distal aperture. Further, the system has an elongate member that extends through the lumen and engages and radially restrains the at least one of the proximal and distal sections within its respective aperture while engaged with the member.
US09107666B2 Thermal resecting loop
A thermal surgical instrument comprising a conductor having a ferromagnetic material in electrical communication with the conductor, such that passage of electrical energy through the conductor causes substantially uniform heating of the ferromagnetic material sufficient to produce a desired therapeutic tissue effect is provided. The conductor may be shaped to facilitate resection of tissue from a patient and include a support to provide increase rigidity to the loop so that the conductor better resists bending during use. The ferromagnetic material quickly heats and cools in response to a controllable power delivery source. The thermal surgical instrument can be used for substantially simultaneously resecting tissue with hemostasis.
US09107662B2 Shipping wedge with lockout
A shipping wedge for use with a surgical instrument includes a base configured to be detachably secured with a body portion of the surgical instrument, a blocking member depending from the base and engageable with a movable operative member of the surgical instrument, and a locking member depending from the base and engageable with a lockout mechanism of the surgical instrument.
US09107658B2 Catheter-based tissue remodeling devices and methods
Methods and systems for closing an opening or defect in tissue, closing a lumen or tubular structure, cinching or remodeling a cavity or repairing a valve preferably utilizing a purse string or elastic device. The preferred devices and methods are directed toward catheter-based percutaneous, transvascular techniques used to facilitate placement of the devices within lumens, such as blood vessels, or on or within the heart to perform structural defect repair, such as valvular or ventricular remodeling. In some methods, the catheter is positioned within the right ventricle, wherein the myocardial wall or left ventricle may be accessed through the septal wall to position a device configured to permit reshaping of the ventricle. The device may include a line or a plurality of anchors interconnected by a line. In one arrangement, the line is a coiled member.
US09107654B2 Attachment device for tissue approximation and retraction
An attachment system for tissue apposition or manipulation and a method of attaching a suture to a tissue for apposition or manipulation of the tissue are provided. The system includes an attachment device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The attachment device further includes a tissue attachment portion operably connected to the distal portion wherein the tissue attachment portion has a shape that is maintained throughout a tissue apposition procedure. The attachment device also includes a suture operably connected to the body and having an unconnected proximal end and a retaining structure at the proximal portion of the body. The retaining structure configured to releasably mate with a complementary retaining structure on a stylet.
US09107653B2 Tensionable knotless anchors with splice and methods of tissue repair
Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible strand and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow desired tensioning of soft tissue to be fixated or repaired relative to the bone.
US09107650B2 Minimally invasive portal system
A minimally invasive surgical portal system, device and method may comprise a top ring assembly removably connected to an arm of a table mounted frame to provide stability and a secure trajectory. The portal system may include a top-ring assembly which may mount to an arm of a table mounted frame. The system may include a removable connection mechanism comprising a spring loaded collar configured to removably connect the top ring assembly to a table mounted frame. A variable adjustment positioner may be removably connected to the arm of the table mounted frame. The system may also include a depth positioning mechanism. The system may further include a light source configured to be placed down the portal tube.
US09107649B2 Devices and techniques for a posterior lateral disc space approach
This invention relates to devices and instruments for implant insertion through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include an implant inserter, and the devices include a spinal fusion implant engageable by the implant inserter. The implant provides bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae when inserted into the disc space from a postero-lateral approach.
US09107648B2 Tissue retractor assembly
An intracorporeal surgical tissue retractor is provided having an anchor selectively deployable in a first tissue not to be retracted and a grasper selectively deployable on a second tissue to be retracted. A longitudinally selectively movable support is threadable through the anchor and attached at a substantially distal end of the movable support to the grasper. A deployment user interface is couplable to the movable support and has a proximal end manipulable by a user extracorporeally and a distal end releasably attachable to both the anchor and the grasper, adapted to intracorporeally deploy the anchor into the first tissue and the grasper onto the second tissue. The user interface includes a first actuator having an anchor positioning tool enabling selective deployment of the anchor in the first tissue, and a second actuator enabling selective opening and closing of the jaws of the grasper.
US09107643B2 X-ray detector, X-ray detection system having the same, and X-ray detection method
An X-ray detection system includes an X-ray generation device and an X-ray detector. The X-ray generation device includes an X-ray emission unit and a first sensor unit. The X-ray detector includes an X-ray reception unit for receiving X-rays from the X-ray emission unit, a data detection unit for detecting data from the X-ray reception unit, a second sensor unit, a computation unit for computing correction data using a distance between the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit, and a data correction unit for receiving a data signal from the data detection unit, receiving the correction data from the computation unit, and then generating corrected data.
US09107641B2 Heartbeat synchronized cardiac imaging
This disclosure presents systems and methods that synchronize an x-ray imaging system with the heartbeat of a patient. A patient's heartbeat is sensed with a cardiac monitoring unit, and a processing unit generates x-ray pulses that are synchronized with the patient's heartbeat. Based on the real-time heartbeat information, an x-ray imaging device can be operated to obtain x-ray images at various states of the cardiac cycle. The x-ray images taken over several cardiac cycles can be combined based on the relative state of the cardiac cycle in which the images were obtained to achieve high temporal resolution of a cardiac cycle. Additionally, x-ray images obtained at common relative states of the cardiac cycle can be combined to provide higher quality cardiac image or images.
US09107638B2 Medical imaging system
A medical imaging system includes an X-ray imaging apparatus and an image processor. The X-ray imaging apparatus is provided with a Talbot or Talbot-Lau interferometer and includes an X-ray source, an X-ray detector, and a subject table. The image processor generates a differential phase image, and optionally, one or both of an X-ray absorption image and a small-angle scattering image of the subject on the basis of the image signal of the subject. The image processor specifies a location of an edge of a bone in the joint on the basis of at least one of the generated images; and detects an edge of a cartilage in the joint in the differential phase image on the basis of the specified location of the bone edge to quantitatively measure a feature of the cartilage.
US09107635B2 Methods and systems for alerting practitioners to physiological conditions
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for monitoring a patient to produce a signal representing a blood oxygen concentration. The signal may be analyzed to determine the presence of one or more sleep apnea events, and an integral of the signal may be calculated if the signal is outside of a set range or threshold. A practitioner may choose to be informed of the presence of sleep apnea events if the blood oxygen concentration is less then a preset limit, if an upper limit has been reached for an integral representing the severity of the oxygen deprivation over time, or anytime sleep apnea events may be present in the signal.
US09107634B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method of displaying ultrasonic image
To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of producing a three-dimensional image of an object for an organ region within a range of elasticity values desired by an operator and allowing the operator to recognize the region easily, elasticity value data included in a desired elasticity value range among elasticity value data constituting a volume data are selected and rendered. Whereby, a three-dimensional elasticity image in the set elasticity value range is produced. An area corresponding to the elasticity value range is displayed on at least one of a two-dimensional elasticity image and a section image.
US09107628B2 Video laryngoscope with disposable blade
An intubation instrument for intubating a patient's trachea including an imager module having a base unit with a finger loop and a longitudinal member attached to the distal end of the base unit, as well as a blade having a handle that is hollow and mates with the outer surface of the longitudinal member forming a male-female connection, the distal end of the blade projecting laterally therefrom, the distal end of the blade being insertable into a human during intubation.
US09107627B2 Method for assessing and optimizing muscular performance including a muscleprint protocol
A muscle assessment protocol can include: attaching one or more surface electromyometry (sEMG) sensors to the skin of a subject to be operably coupled with one or more muscles; operably coupling the one or more sEMG sensors to a computing system; performing the predetermined muscle activity of a muscle assessment protocol that includes one or more of a muscleprint protocol, stride rate tuning protocol, controlled activity training protocol, or frequency-based, or amplitude-adjusted root mean square protocol; monitoring/recording sEMG data of the one or more muscles during the predetermined muscle activity; and providing the sEMG data to the subject such that the subject can improve muscle performance for the predetermined muscle activity by using the sEMG data. The muscle activity includes static or dynamic muscle use. The predetermined muscle activity can be provided to the subject by the computing system.
US09107626B2 System and method for monitoring the life of a physiological sensor
Aspects of the present disclosure include a sensor configured to store in memory indications of sensor use information and formulas or indications of formulas for determining the useful life of a sensor from the indications of sensor use information. A monitor connected to the sensor monitors sensor use and stores indications of the use on sensor memory. The monitor and/or sensor compute the useful life of the sensor from the indications of use and the formulas. When the useful life of the sensor is reached, an indication is given to replace the sensor.
US09107624B2 Methods and computer readable storage media for hyperspectral or multispectral imaging of multiple wavelengths
A hyperspectral/multispectral imager comprising a housing is provided. At least one light source is attached to the housing. An objective lens, in an optical communication path comprising originating and terminating ends, is further attached to the housing and causes light to (i) be backscattered by the tissue of a subject at the originating end and then (ii) pass through the objective lens to a beam steering element at the terminating end of the communication path inside the housing. The beam steering element has a plurality of operating modes each of which causes the element to be in optical communication with a different optical detector in a plurality of optical detectors offset from the optical communication path. Each respective detector filter in a plurality of detector filters covers a corresponding optical detector in the plurality of optical detectors thereby filtering light received by the corresponding detector from the beam steering element.
US09107620B2 Hearing-ability measurement device and method thereof
Provided is a hearing-ability measurement device and a method thereof for measuring a masking curve more correctly and in a shorter time.A test sound generation unit generates a test sound including a probe and a masker, and outputs the test sound from a test sound output unit. A perception examination unit examines whether or not the subject perceives the probe. An adjustment unit adjusts acoustic properties of the test sound, based on a result of the examination. Here, kinds of adjusted acoustic properties are different between the situation of prove perception success and the situation of prove perception failure. As a result, the masking curve is directly tracked and the measurement is performed more correctly and in a shorter time.
US09107617B2 Obtaining data for automatic glaucoma screening, and screening and diagnostic techniques and systems using the data
A non-stereo fundus image is used to obtain a plurality of glaucoma indicators. Additionally, genome data for the subject is used to obtain genetic marker data relating to one or more genes and/or SNPs associated with glaucoma. The glaucoma indicators and genetic marker data are input into an adaptive model operative to generate an output indicative of a risk of glaucoma in the subject. In combination, the genetic indicators and genome data are more informative about the risk of glaucoma than either of the two in isolation. The adaptive model may be a two-stage model, having a first stage in which individual genetic indicators are combined with respective portions of the genome data by first adaptive model modules to form respective first outputs, and a second stage in which the first outputs are combined by a second adaptive mode. Texture analysis is performed on the fundus images to classify them based on their quality, and only images which are determined to meet a quality criterion are subjected to an analysis to determine if they exhibit glaucoma indicators. Also, the images are put into a standard format. The system may include estimating the position of the optic cup by combining results from multiple optic cup segmentation techniques. The system may include estimating the position of the optic disc by applying edge detection to the funds image, excluding edge points that are unlikely to be optic disc boundary points, and estimating the position of an optic disc by fitting an ellipse to the remaining edge points.
US09107616B2 Method corrective secondary saccades analysis with video oculography system for objective diagnostic of traumatic brain injury, internuclear opthalmopligia, ocular lateral pulsion and progressive supernuclear palsy and glissades
A video oculography system for calculation and display of Corrective Secondary Saccades Analysis is disclosed. A method for Objective Diagnostics of at least one of traumatic brain injury, Internuclear Opthalmopligia, Ocular Lateral Pulsion, Progressive Supernuclear Palsy And Glissades comprises the steps of using a VOG system to calculate corrective saccades. The video oculography based system for the subject is configured to collect eye images of the patient in excess of 60 hz and configured to resolve eye movements smaller than at least 3 degrees of motion. The video oculography based system collects eye movement data wherein at least one fixation target is presented to the subject in a defined position configured to yield a voluntary saccadic eye response from at least one eye of the patient. The latency, amplitude, accuracy and velocity of each respective corrective saccade and totals latency and accuracy is calculated.
US09107614B2 Systems, methods, and media for finding and matching tremor signals
System, methods, and media for finding and matching tremor signals that: receive a first piece of tremor signal content; identify a first plurality of tremor peaks that describe at least a portion of the first piece of tremor signal content using a Teager-Kaiser operator; form a first template of tremor peaks from at least a portion of the first plurality of tremor peaks, the first group of tremor peaks having a first croup of parameters; compare the first template and the first group of parameters with at least one second template and a second group of parameters, wherein the second group of parameters is based on a second set of tremor peaks associated with a second piece of tremor content; and identify a match between the first piece of tremor signal content and the second piece of tremor signal content based on the comparing.
US09107610B2 Optic neuropathy detection with three-dimensional optical coherence tomography
Based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of a portion of an eye, a mask of an anatomical feature is derived. Using the mask as a reference, a scan path is determined that is at least partially fitted to and/or partially enclosing the mask. OCT scan data corresponding to the scan path is acquired and analyzed to detect optic neuropathies.
US09107609B2 Inter-frame complex OCT data analysis techniques
Techniques for collecting and processing complex OCT data to detect localized motion contrast information with enhanced accuracy and sensitivity are presented. In a preferred embodiment, vector differences between complex OCT signals taken at the same location on the sample are used to detect blood flow in the retina. Additional embodiments involving non-linear intensity weighting of the motion contrast information, normalization of the vector difference amplitudes, and calculating the absolute value of the standard deviation of Doppler signal are described. Image processing techniques to enhance the images resulting from these motion contrast techniques are also presented.
US09107606B2 Measuring lung function and lung disease progression at a lobar/segmental level
A method for determining lung function in a patient is disclosed, in which a multi-lumen catheter with an expandable occluding element at its end is used to isolate a targeted lung compartment, and respiratory characteristics at the targeted lung compartment are measured over multiple respiratory cycles. The relation between various characteristics of the respiratory cycle is used to determine compliance of lung tissue within the targeted lung compartment.
US09107604B2 Systems and methods for generating electromagnetic interference free localization data for an in-vivo device
An electromagnetic localization signal may be sensed by an electromagnetic field sensor in an in-vivo device with an electromagnetic field interference that is superimposed on the electromagnetic localization signal. The electromagnetic field interference may be filtered by outputting, by the electromagnetic field sensor, an alternating signal that represents, or in response to, the electromagnetic localization signal; sampling a first (e.g., positive) portion of the alternating signal during a first sampling window or period to obtain a first set of samples, sampling a second (e.g., negative) portion of the alternating signal during a second sampling window or period to obtain a second set of samples; and calculating a number, NR, from the first and second sets of samples, that approximately represents a substantially interference free electromagnetic localization signal.
US09107602B2 Adaptive clutter filtering in an ultrasound system
Embodiments for adaptively performing clutter filtering upon in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system includes: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit ultrasound signals to a target object and receive ultrasound echoes reflected from the target object to thereby acquire ultrasound data; and a processing unit configured to form a Doppler signal corresponding to each of a plurality of pixels constructing a Doppler mode image based on the ultrasound data, as well as to adjust coefficients of a clutter filter based on characteristics of the Doppler signal for each of the pixels for performing clutter filtering upon the Doppler signal.
US09107601B2 Method for determining electrical conduction path information in a chamber wall of a ventricle
A method for determining electrical conduction path information in a chamber wall of a ventricle of a patient is provided. A three-dimensional magnetic resonance image data set is recorded showing the ventricles using a recording technology which allows an assignment of an electrical conductivity to a voxel based on the magnetic resonance image dataset. The chamber wall is segmented in the magnetic resonance image dataset. Conductivity determined from the image data is assigned to sub-regions of the chamber wall corresponding to individual voxels of the magnetic resonance image dataset. A model of the chamber wall is created as a function of the conductivities and segmentation. A conduction path information item is determined describing an electrical conduction path running from a start point to a destination point through the chamber wall in the model.
US09107598B2 Camera system for surgical applications
The present disclosure relates to a camera system for use in surgical applications. The camera system comprises an image processor; and an imaging device coupled to the image processor, wherein calibration of the imaging device occurs automatically upon coupling the imaging device to the image processor. A method of transmitting data is also disclosed.
US09107597B2 Apparatus, device and method for obtaining electrocardiogram
Embodiments of the present invention provides an apparatus containing a device communicably coupled to two electrodes that may be positioned on a body of a subject for obtaining 12 leads or 18 leads electrocardiogram. The two electrodes may obtain signal parameters such as arm leads (I, II, III, AVR AVL and AVF) and left chest leads (V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6) and right chest leads (V1R, V2R, V3R, V4R, V5R, V6R). The signal parameters may be detected and collected by the device for processing thereof and thus obtain 12 leads or 18 leads electrocardiogram that may be transmitted to a health care provider for seeking health assistance based on the transmitted electrocardiogram. Further, a method for obtaining the electrocardiogram using two electrodes is also provided.
US09107596B2 Method and apparatus for measuring a biological signal
Provided is an apparatus and method for analyzing a biological signal. The apparatus may measure the biological signal, detect a noise signal influencing the electrical characteristics of the measured biological signal, and display the measured biological signal by distinguishing a normal section of the measured biological signal from an abnormal section of the biological signal.
US09107595B1 Node excitation driving function measures for cerebral cortex network analysis of electroencephalograms
Methods and apparatuses for estimating brain activity of a human subject from the measurement of electroencephalograms (EEG) are disclosed. In one method, cortical neural sources in the cerebral cortex of the brain of the subject are specified. Next, using a model of the human brain which treats the cortical neural sources as nodes in a cortical source network, cortical source activations are estimated from the measured electroencephalograms for each of the cortical neural sources in the network for the subject. Source network modulation control signals are then determined for the subject from the cortical source activations which are assumed to correspond to control modulators in the human brain. And a network activity classification is computed from determined modulation control signals for the subject. The innovative technology may be included in an automated aiding system in the electronic aiding of tasks performed by human operators.
US09107594B2 ECG electrode connector
Shown is an ECG electrode lead wire connector which provides improved electrical and mechanical coupling of the ECG electrode press stud to the lead wire, provides enhanced ergonomics to the clinician, and may alleviate patient discomfort associated with the attachment and removal of ECG leads. The connector may be engaged and disengaged with little or no force imparted to the patient or the ECG pad, which significantly minimizes the risk of inadvertent dislodgement of the pad. In one embodiment the shown connector provides a thumb cam lever which affirmatively engages the press stud to the connector, and provides tactile feedback to the clinician that the connector is properly engaged. In other embodiments, the connector provides a pushbutton to enable the clinician to easily engage and disengage the connector from the ECG stud. The shown connectors may also decrease clinician fatigue, and may provide more reliable ECG results.
US09107592B2 Flexible and scalable sensor arrays for recording and modulating physiologic activity
An implantable sensor array incorporates active electronic elements to greatly increase the number of sensors and their density that can be simultaneously recorded and activated. The sensors can be of various configurations and types, for example: optical, chemical, temperature, pressure or other sensors including effectors for applying signals to surrounding tissues. The sensors/effectors are arranged on a flexible and stretchable substrate with incorporated active components that allow the effective size, configuration, number and pattern of sensors/effectors to be dynamically changed, as needed, through a wired or wireless means of communication. Active processing allows many channels to be combined either through analog or digital means such that the number of wires exiting the array can be substantially reduced compared to the number of sensors/effectors on the array.
US09107590B2 Method and apparatus for detecting vascular conditions with a catheter
A method for treating an occlusion comprises positioning a catheter at a treatment site in a patient's vasculature. A blockage is located at the treatment site. The method further comprises performing a medical treatment at the treatment site. The medical treatment is configured to reduce the blockage. The method further comprises making a plurality of measurements at the treatment site.
US09107587B2 Device and process for calculating new indices of arterial stiffness, and/or for stroke volume monitoring
A process for calculating an indice of arterial stiffness, including the step of extracting pulse wave analysis data from a recorded pressure of an artery, the recorded pressure is recorded as a function of time, the indice being calculated as a function of the extracted data, and the extracted pulse wave analysis data including at least one time interval.
US09107584B2 Method of reducing ultrasound signal ambiguity during fetal monitoring
The present invention relates to a method and a device for fetal cardiac monitoring. For improving ultrasonic monitoring, the number of periodic signals, such as signals caused by the fetus and the mother, is assessed and the time window of the signal demodulation is adapted if more than one periodic signal is assessed.
US09107583B2 Optical measurement probe
A probe includes a plurality of optical fibers that includes an irradiation fiber and a light-receiving fiber; and an optical member of which a base end face is arranged to abut on leading end faces of the optical fibers, and a leading end face is exposed to an outer side. The leading end face of the optical member is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the probe. Light emitted from the irradiation fiber passes through a path inclined with respect to a perpendicular line of the leading end face.
US09107579B2 Systems, methods and apparatus for powering devices using RF energy from a mobile transmitter
In some embodiments, a personal area network (PAN) includes a mobile transmitter (e.g., a mobile or cellular phone) and one or more devices (e.g., sensors) that require power to operate (e.g., collect data). The mobile transmitter can be configured to transmit a sufficient amount of power (e.g., RF energy) to the one or more devices to power the one or more local devices. In addition to transmitting power, the mobile transmitter can be configured to communicate over a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network) as its primary function.
US09107577B2 Expandable inter vivos tube and method of manufacturing same
A flexible expandable inter vivos tube includes at least one arched segmented portion, a corresponding movable element and at least one positioning mechanism. The at least one arched segmented portion and corresponding movable element forming a flexible closed longitudinally expandable tube. The at least one arched segment includes an H-shaped connector having at least one cavity that allows variable slidable movement of a free end portion of the corresponding movable element. A balloon is contained in each of the at least one cavity so that the hydraulic or air pressure within balloon expands the movable element and, thus, the circumference of the flexible inter vivos tube is increased.
US09107574B2 Endoscopic methods and devices for transnasal procedures
Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and various other devices and instruments at desired locations within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium.
US09107571B2 ECG acquisition and treatment-response system for treating abnormal cardiac function
A method and system for detecting and treating abnormal cardiac function. The patient's cardiac activity is substantially continuously monitored via a portable wearable device having electrodes and a microcontroller. Features in the monitored cardiac activity indicative of abnormal cardiac function are automatically detected. In response to the detection of an abnormal detected cardiac function, at least one person is automatically alerted of the detected abnormal cardiac function of the patient, and medication may be automatically caused to be administered to the patient. The portable wearable device preferably includes a plurality of electrodes and a microcontroller in communication with the electrodes, adapted to receive sensed cardiac activity signals and create digital signals enabling identification of at least one cardiac parameter. A remote computer server is in communication with the portable wearable device and compares values of the identified cardiac parameter with a range of normal values for the cardiac parameter.
US09107570B2 System and method for mapping anatomical structures and marking them on a substrate
The present disclosure provides a method and system for mapping anatomical structures and marking them on an image to be printed on a substrate including the steps of inserting an imaging device into a surgical site, obtaining an image of a defect located in the surgical site from the imaging device, adjusting the image, transmitting the image to a printer, and printing the image on a substrate. The printed image may be a size directly proportional to the defect. The adjusting step may further include the steps of setting a minimum margin to be maintained between the perimeter of the defect and the perimeter of the substrate, selecting a shape and size of the substrate, and identifying at least one anatomical feature of the surgical site.
US09107568B2 Capsule type endoscope and method for fabricating the same
An image sensing system includes: a light emitting device; a pixel configured to capture an optical signal and to convert the optical signal into an analog image signal; an analog circuit configured to selectively filter the analog image signal; an analog-to-digital converting circuit configured to convert the analog image signal to a digital image signal; a digital circuit configured to receive the digital image signal and to switch the light emitting device on and off; wherein the digital image signal includes a dark image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is off; wherein the digital image signal includes an effective image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is configured to filter the analog image signal; and wherein the digital image signal includes a punctured image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is not configured to filter the analog image signal.
US09107566B2 Measuring device and magnetic resonance device comprising a measuring device
A measuring device is provided. The measuring device has at least one sensor unit for capturing a cardiac signal, a postprocessing unit and a signal transfer unit for signal transfer between the at least one sensor unit and the postprocessing unit. The at least one sensor unit has at least one acoustic sensor element.
US09107565B2 Identifying an event occurrence from sensor data streams
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for identifying the occurrence of an event from sensor data streams may be provided. The method may include accessing a plurality of sensor data streams generated by a plurality of sensor sets. Each sensor set may comprise one or more sensors. A sensor data stream may be associated with a user. The user may be co-located with a sensor set that generates the sensor data stream. A relationship between two or more sensor data streams of the plurality of sensor data streams may be identified. The method may further include determining, according to the relationship, that the plurality of sensor data streams corresponds to an event. A notification of an occurrence of the event may be sent.
US09107564B2 Ultrasonic synthetic transmit focusing with motion compensation
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces an image with an extended focal range by transmitting a plurality of beams spaced along an array for multiline reception. The receive multilines of a plurality of transmit beams are spatially aligned and are combined with phase adjustment between the respective receive multilines to prevent undesired phase cancellation. The combined multilines produce the effect of an extended transmit focus so that an image produced using the combined multilines exhibits an extended focal range. To prevent motion artifacts the multiline order is adjustable as a function of image motion.
US09107562B2 Dishwasher
A dishwasher includes a washing container having a washing chamber, an expansion housing with a condensing surface, and an expansion line with a first end connected to the washing chamber and a second end in the expansion housing.
US09107561B2 Table top dishwasher
A table top dishwasher may include (a) a tub for accommodating articles to be cleaned; (b) a cover member forming a water-tight hood over the tub, the hood may include a fixed hood portion and a rotatable door which is connected to the fixed hood portion so as to be rotatable between a raised opened position in which it provides access to the tub and a lowered closed position in which the door forms part of the water-tight hood; the dishwasher may further include (c) a lock which when locked maintains the door in the closed position; and (d) a spring mechanism adapted to keep the door partially opened at an intermediate position when the lock is unlocked wherein in the intermediate position the door provides for a gap for venting the hood.
US09107560B2 Door latch for an electrical household appliance
A door latch for an electrical household appliance includes a closing spring arrangement which is tensioned in an open position of the door latch and relaxes upon closing of the door, and a gripping unit which grips a closing element upon closing of the door and releases it again upon opening of the door. The gripping unit in the open position of the door latch is in blocking engagement with a blocking element. The closing element upon the closing of the door causes a rotary movement of the gripping unit about an axis of rotation where the gripping unit comes out of blocking engagement with the blocking element. The gripping unit has a base body bearing at least one supporting projection, projecting coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation, for supporting the gripping unit.
US09107558B2 Lift off deep cleaner
An extraction cleaner for a floor surface comprises a portable extractor and a base adapted to be moved to perform a cleaning operation on the floor surface when the portable extractor is operably mounted to the base, wherein the portable extractor can be used as a standalone extractor when detached from the base. The portable extractor includes a suction hose for manually suctioning fluid from the floor surface, a recovery tank interconnected to the suction hose for receiving recovered fluid from the floor surface, and a fluid delivery system for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto the floor surface. One or more connections are made between the base and components of the portable extractor when the portable extractor is operably mounted to the base.
US09107554B2 Cleaning implements having magnetic means
A device for cleaning surfaces is disclosed, comprising; a housing having a handle on one end and a cleaning head on the other end the cleaning head having an upper surface, a lower surface, a perimeter edge and a magnetic means. The magnetic means is removably attached to the cleaning head and provides a magnetic field to its lower surface. There is at least one attachment means provided on the upper surface or the perimeter for securing a cleaning sheet over the lower surface of the cleaning head.
US09107553B2 Wiper blade
A wiper blade configured to efficiently remove liquids from a surface without damaging or removing surface treatments. The wiper blade comprises a flexible, molded silicone body having a handle and a v-shaped wiping tip. In certain embodiments, the wiper blade comprises multiple v-shaped wiping tips each configured to remove liquids from surfaces having and surrounded by different features. In certain other embodiments, the v-shaped wiping tip extends beyond the handle so as to provide for removal of liquids in narrow, hard to access locations.
US09107551B2 Vacuum cleaner
Provided is a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner main body, a dust container including a dust collection body separably disposed on the cleaner main body to define a dust storage chamber for storing dusts and a lower cover disposed under the dust collection body to open and close the dust storage chamber, a pressing member movably disposed inside the dust collection body to compress the dusts within the dust storage chamber, the pressing member including a rotation shaft and a pressing plate connected to the rotation shaft, a transmission part disposed under the lower cover to transmit a power transmitted from the outside, and a connection member disposed above the lower cover to transmit the power transmitted from the transmission part into the rotation shaft.
US09107549B2 Removable internal air diffuser
Disclosed herein is a vacuum cleaner having a housing defining first and second ports. The vacuum cleaner also includes a cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a cap head to close the first port such that airflow is directed via a flow path to the second port, a sound-influencing material, the sound-influencing material removably held to the cap head and disposed within the flow path to reduce noise effected by the airflow. The flow path is configured to cause the airflow to pass through the sound-influencing material and the flow path to the second port. The sound-influencing material is removable to allow cleaning of the sound-influencing material. The sound-influencing material may include a reticulated foam roll disposed in the frame to diffuse the discharge airflow.